Dinosaurs in the Woods is a fun, family-friendly roadside attraction near Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.
Dinosaurs in the Woods
Located near Barber Marina in Elberta, Alabama, is a fun trail of Dinosaurs in the Woods.
Created by artist Mark Cline from Virginia for Alabama billionaire George Barber.
Mr. Barber had him build 7 fiberglass dinosaur statues in 1991. When the initial dinosaurs were installed, Mr. Barber decided that they should have glass eyes so Mark Cline flew back and gave them new eyes.
After this initial build, they became friends and ended up working together to create the Lady in the Bay and Bamahenge.
Today you can drive along a dirt road to see most of the Dinosaur sculptures in the Woods. A few of them can be seen from the main paved road.
To see all of the dinosaurs closer you can drive a dirt road that travels near the majority of the statues.
I am not sure if this path was created by visitors or meant to be there but it is definitely used by a lot of visitors.
The dirt road can be a bit bumpy and uneven. If you are driving a low-profile vehicle or are not comfortable driving a bumpy dirt road you may want to stick to the main road.
The Brontosaurus dinosaur is located down a dirt path off of the main route. The trees have grown up around it and you will need to walk down to see it.
The T-rex is located a short walk from the dirt path. It is worth taking a walk to get a fun photo.
Why You Will Love Dinosaurs in the Woods
- Fun Instagram photos with Dinos
- Family-friendly thing to do
- Day trip from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
- Free admission
Other sites to see near Barber Marina
There are quite a few roadside attractions and art sculptures on the grounds of Barber Marina.
Lady in the Lake Alabama - Floating in the marina is an amazing Lady in the Lake sculpture. The Lady in the Lake is back after hurricane damage was repaired.
Bamahenge - The Alabama version of a life-size Stonehenge replica is located near the Dinosaurs in the Woods.
Giant Spider - Randomly, there is a giant spider sculpture near the parking area for The Lady in the Lake.
Knights in the Woods - There are knights in the woods near Barber Marina. When we went to find them they were pretty obscured by tree growth.
Neptune's Fountain - This gorgeous authentic Italian Renaissance fountain can be seen in the middle of the traffic circle as you drive towards the marina.
Also look for four bronze Atlantean sea horses, Chinese Terra Cotta Warriors, a large sundial, and so much more.
Things to know when planning a visit to Dinosaurs in the Woods
Address - Located along Barber Parkway in Elberta, Alabama
Drive US Hwy 98 either eight miles east of Foley, AL, or 21 miles west of downtown Pensacola, FL. Turn south onto County Rd 95. Drive five miles. Turn right onto Fish Trap Rd. Drive a half-mile.
Turn left at the Barber Marina sign. Drive one mile down the Marina entrance road. You'll see Bamahenge on the right, set back among the trees. The fiberglass dinosaurs are spaced out along the road beginning a quarter-mile past Bamahenge.
Phone - NA
Hours - Daylight hours
Please confirm with the restaurant to ensure that the hours have not changed.
Accessibility - The dinosaurs can be seen from the comfort of a car. There are a couple that are a bit of a walk on dirt trails.
Dress Code/Suggestions - Casual with a bit of bug spray.
Pets - Pets on leashes
Parking - There is parking along the dirt road but it can be bumpy and mud filled depending on when you visit.
Restaurants and Attractions nearby
Pirates Cove - Check out this local favorite right on the water.
Lambert's Café Foley - Home of thrown rolls and Southern Comfort Food
What's New in Foley, AL - Check out the new restaurants, attractions, things to do, events, and more in town
Gelato Joe's Italian Restaurant - Some of the best Italian food I have had anywhere in the world.
The Drowsy Poet Foley Station - Delicious coffee and tea in a cute retro gas station.
Best things to do in Foley, AL - All of of the fun adventures to enjoy in Foley.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tours
These are some of our favorite tours available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.
Dolphin Tours - Book a dolphin cruise here
Check out our experiences on Hammock Time Tiki Tours, Explorer Dolphin Cruise, Southern Rose Dolphin cruise, Cruise OB (Orange Beach), Sail Wild Hearts, and the Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruise.
Pontoon Boat Rentals - Enjoy cruising the waters of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on a Pontoon. Check out the pontoon boats with slides for extra fun. Book your Boat Rental Here
Parasailing - Check out the epic views as you parasail in the Gulf of Mexico. Look for wildlife and you float high above the water. Book your Parasaiing Trip Here
Jet Ski Rentals - Jet Ski Tours and rentals are a great way to explore the back bays of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Book your Jet Ski Rental Here
Click here to see all of the top rated tours and activities available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Additional Gulf Coast Articles
We live in the Gulf Shores area and love exploring the Gulf Coast. Here are some of our favorite things to see while in town.
Best Sunrise spots in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - All of the best places to view sunrise.
Family friendly Orange Beach Restaurants - The best Kid Friendly Restaurants in Orange Beach & Gulf Shores, Alabama! These restaurants have something for everyone, including games, sandy beach areas, and great food
What's New in Orange Beach & Gulf Shores - Check out all of the new restaurants, attractions, hotels, and things to do in town.
Great Italian Restaurants Orange Beach & Gulf Shores - The best Italian food we have found as locals in town.
Fine dining in Gulf Shores - Where to go for a great date night or celebration in Gulf Shores.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Lodging
If you are visiting and need to book accommodations, here are our recommendations. We have stayed at each of these lodging options:
The Beach Club Resort and Spa (Fort Morgan): This resort offers beachfront condos with amazing amenities and a great spa. Don't miss dinner at Coast Restaurant.
Use Code - GULFJOURNEY for a discount when booking with Spectrum Resort.
Turquoise Place Luxury Vacation Rentals (Orange Beach): This is our favorite resort in the area! It offers luxury amenities, epic beachfront views, and unbelievable condos.
Use Code - GULFJOURNEY for a discount when booking with Spectrum Resort.
Springhill Suites Orange Beach: Located next to The Wharf, it is an excellent location near shopping and dining. We enjoyed their gorgeous pool.
The Lodge at Gulf State Park: Located on the beach in Gulf State Park, this Hilton Hotel offers epic beach views, a sustainable hotel experience, and great restaurants.
The map below shows the current hotels and vacation rentals available in the area. You can select the dates you are visiting to see current availability.
Don't miss our other Gulf Coast destinations, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Bayou La Batre, Alabama, and so many more!
We also have articles on the Emerald Coast of Florida, including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Panama City Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, and more.
Keep an eye out for articles on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!
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