Great question! When the neighborhoods around Dinosaur Hill were being developed extra dirt, that was dug out during basement excavations, was piled up in one area creating a hill. Local children who played on the hill dubbed it "Dinosaur Hill" because of its resemblance to a sleeping dinosaur. When the nature preserve was established the name stuck and Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve was born.

There is NO cost to walk the preserve. The trails are free to walk and for you to take in the wonders of nature. All we ask is that visitors remain on designated trails and not to disturb local inhabitants to the area (i.e. deer, ducks, etc.)

There is no cost to visit the Nature Center during public open hours.

Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve is nestled within the Rochester, MI neighborhoods. Because of that our official parking spots are limited. But, you are perfectly fine parking curbside, like you would in any neighborhood, and enjoy the preserve.