Museum of the San Rafael

The Museum of the San Rafael in Castle Dale, UT, is kind of an all-in-one museum. It highlights the geology, paleontology, archaeology, and natural and human history of Emery County and the San Rafael Swell region. The Museum features displays on the heritage of Emery county, geology and natural history of the region, taxidermy mounts of regional animals, Native American cultures both past and present, and a room full of dinosaurs. The Museum also serves as a visitor center with maps and information for travelers heading into the San Rafael Swell. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children (ages 3–12), and free for children under 3. The Museum has a gift shop and public restrooms. I visited the Museum in July of 2026.

Heritage

The Museum serves as a heritage museum for Emery County. There is a large room chock full of displays and artifacts from the pioneer days and early 20th century.

Military Display

Heritage Room

Back to School

Wild West

Home is Where Your Heart Is

Natural History

Natural history displays line the walls of the main hall. These feature geology, minerals, and animals of Emery County and the San Rafael Swell.

Rocks and Minerals

Wildlife Exhibit

Bighorn Sheep

Coyote

Kit Fox

Pronghorn

Bobcat

Clyde's Cavern

Archaeology

The Archaeology exhibits are artfully arranged in two concentric circles in the middle of the main rooom. There are exhibits on the Fremont and Ancestral Puebloan cultures as well as later Native Americans, including Ute, Shoshone, and Navajo. The Museum has a magnificant arrowhead and spearpoint collection.

Replicas of the Famous Fremont Pilling Figurines

Archaeology Displays

The First People of Utah

Arrowheads

Beads and Needles

Arrowheads

Paleontology

The Dinosaur Hall contains complete skeletal casts of Albertosaurus, Torosaurus, and Animantarx. Tyrannosaurus is also well represented. There are many other interesting displays and exhibits including my favorite, some dinosaur coprolite.

Dinosaur Hall

Deinonycus

Dinosaur Coprolite

Tyrannosaurus Skull

Tyrannosaurus Rex

Tyrannosaurus Foot

Animantarx

Torosaurus

Albertosaurus