As an avid dinosaur lover growing up when I first heard about Backyard Terrors Dinosaur Park, located in Bluff City, TN, I was a bit skeptical on how good it could be. Well, let’s just say this park blew me away!
Now my family visits it several times a year. It’s nice to have an affordable, yet high quality, attraction only an hour away from home. The park requests a $5 minimum donation, which is used to build the dinosaurs inside the park. Looking at the sheer amount of dinosaurs inside the park and how well maintained the park is, it is hard to believe that it is all the work of just one man – Chris Kastner.
It All Began With a Raptor
Backyard Terrors Dinosaur Park started with one dinosaur in 2007, a raptor based on Jurassic Park 3’s raptor located at the front of the park. Since then the park has grown to include 100 dinosaur species in the park. The detail in each and every one of them are amazing. The dinosaurs are built to exact size. A map is provided on the park’s website so visitor’s can check out what amazing creatures they will see.
While many of the dinosaurs are based on scientific discovery, several are created after dinosaurs appearing in Jurassic Park/World movies including Blue from Jurassic World, a Dilophosaur from Jurassic Park and an Indominus Rex from Jurassic World.
What To Do at Backyard Terrors Dinosaur Park?
The Dinosaur Park features a large walking trail that winds through the entire park with dinosaurs next to the trail throughout the park. Each dinosaur has an information sign with the name of the dinosaur and information about it. While you’re walking around the park, keep an eye out for Little Al whose on his own adventure inside the park.
The trails are gravel and mostly wide so it easy for most to navigate. I wouldn’t take a wheelchair or stroller, but otherwise I think pretty much anyone should be able to walk through the park without much difficulty. There are benches placed throughout the park should you want to sit for a bit.
You can take photos with the dinosaurs throughout the park. There are several specifically designed photo ops as well including the Indominus Rex.
There’s also a fossil digging section complete with helmets for little explorers to wear while they dig. Little ones can also enjoy the brand new playground located inside the park.
There is also a classic coin fed Dino the dinosaur from the Flintstones cartoons that children can ride.
Starting the first Friday night in June, then every Friday through Saturday night in June the park holds a special Dinosaur Park in the Dark event. This event requires a reservation and costs $10 per person. Please note that thunderstorms and heavy rain will cancel the event on those nights.
Building a Dinosaur
Owner Chris Kastner hand builds the dinosaurs from scratch. Before any construction is done he starts with months of research talking to experts and getting the most up-to-date information possible. Then he determines the size of the dinosaur and what pose to display the dinosaur in, trying to make each one unique but still stable. Once he is satisfied that he has enough data, Kastner uses this information to create a working diagram.
Next he uses an overhead projector to trace an outline on plywood. Once that’s cut out Kastner blocks it out and reinforces it with treated 2×4 wood. When the framing is done and stable he starts to wrap it using 12.5 gauge welded steel fencing for the muscles. This is covered with chicken wire/poultry fencing and then the vinyl skin is applied with a heat gun, which can take about an hour for square foot. Heads are constructed with foam. Then the heads, claws/hands, and arms are completed with Apoxie Sculpt. Kastner then paints each dinosaur using spray paint, stencils, and brushes. Then the eyes, which are made from glass or taxidermy type eyes, are added to complete the dinosaur.
It takes around a month for Kastner to build a 16′ dinosaur if he were to work start to finish without interruptions. He’s always planning ahead to what the next dinosaur will be. I love that the park is always changing. Each time we return there’s something new to experience.
Visiting the Park
Backyard Terrors Dinosaur Park is open year round from 9 am to dusk. The park requests a minimum $5 donation for entry with donation boxes located at the entrance and exit of the park. They also have a gift shop that uses the honor system with a collection box at the entrance to the shop. If you don’t have cash, they include other payment options on their website. All dinosaurs are built using the entrance fee, donations and sales from the gift shop.
Backyard Terrors Dinosaur Park is located at 1065 Walnut Grove Road, Bluff City TN 37618.
My kids and I visited the park and had an amazing time! There are SO many dinosaurs throughout the park to look at and interact with, as well as several other activities for the kids to do! We’ve been to the big dinosaur show, but we actually enjoyed this more.
I’ve been here before. It is so cool. My kids love it (and actually so do I). I’ve always been facinated by dinosaurs ever since I saw Jurassic Park. If you have kids that like dinosaurs you should go. You won’t regret it.