Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center - Riverside, California

Amit Kumar

Why is this place not crowded even on the weekends. I am surprised. A fantastic afternoon spent with kids engrossed to history, nature and paleontology. Staff is cool, place is very well maintained and if you have elementary age kids then this is a must go and I would encourage schools to go here for trips. It has a great cactus trail, a small reptile zoo and a very good fossil museum related to dinosaurs. 5 out of 5. Full pointa

Weekend entry is $10 per car.

Jenna Craig

I have been coming here since I was a child, and I absolutely love this hidden gem. As a cactus enthusiast and collector, it's a must-see stop when I'm in the area, and they have a lovely nursery with great prices and a coupon with every visit. The fossils and specimens on display are just as spectacular as any natural history museum in a big metro city, and the docents are so friendly and knowledgeable. There are some cool tortoises and reptiles near the gift shop who are dutifully taken care of by the staff. Very affordable, and a lot to see for young and old!

Julie Fulton

Took our 4 year old grandson and he LOVED it! The hiking, Dinos, museum and critters in the gift shop were fantastic. The staff was so informative and wonderful with our little guy, who was so engaged and curious. It was truly the best outing for Dino/reptile loving littles. Highly recommend!

Kal El

Kids who like dinosaurs would love this place. The guided tour is $9 for ages 2 and above. The last tour of the day is at 2:00 PM. Guide Kimberly was professional and shared a lot of information and facts. Really interesting. A part of the hike is only accessible with guided tours. At the end of the guided tour, kids get to find fossils and gems in a rock pit. There is a cool museum of dinosaur bones and fossilized poop. The gift shop has a small area for caged lizards and sometimes based on the timing you may be able to touch them. There are some turtles and tortoises to look at.

Chung Liew

Parking is pretty easy, there's also long parking for RV, buses or trucks with trailers. We came here in late Spring to see the irises bloom which were beautiful! There's also a reptile exhibit in the gift shop areas. There's python, monitor lizard, snakes, tortoises, chameleon, axolotls, various lizards, beard dragon, etc The parking is $10, and you can pay for parking using a credit card. While we were here, the museum was closed due to a private event. The hike or walk is pretty easy even for seniors.

ahn john

The Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center offers a unique blend of natural history exhibits, outdoor trails, and hands-on activities, making it an enjoyable destination for families with children. Among the park's highlights are the well-maintained restrooms and the informative mineral museum. The restrooms are conveniently located and feature individual stalls, which are especially appreciated by families with young ones. The mineral museum showcases a diverse collection of rocks and minerals, providing an opportunity for kids to learn about these fascinating natural wonders.

However, there are a few areas where the park could improve. Some of the animal fossils displayed in the museum are not naturally formed but rather replicas. Adding clear signage to indicate which exhibits are reconstructions would enhance the educational value of the displays. Additionally, the gift shop features a variety of reptile-themed items, such as snakes, lizards, and chameleons. However, the overall selection of souvenirs lacks a strong connection to the park's unique offerings.

The Dinosaur Trail, a short path connecting the Aloe Garden and the Cactus Garden, offers a glimpse into the prehistoric world with dinosaur sculptures. While the surrounding plant life is quite diverse, the dinosaur sculptures themselves appear somewhat outdated and in need of maintenance. Some of the fiberglass structures have visible cracks and imperfections. The park's iconic iron elephant statue, often visible from the freeway, is unfortunately inaccessible to individual visitors and only available for group tours.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center remains a worthwhile destination for families residing in the Riverside area. With its admission fee of $10 and a typical visit duration of around two hours, the park provides an enriching and educational experience for kids and adults alike. The park also features numerous Scout troop projects, such as a herb and spice garden, which could benefit from enhanced upkeep and clearer signage.

Overall, the Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center offers a blend of educational fun and outdoor exploration, making it a suitable choice for families seeking a unique and engaging experience.

Meg Bergman

I love taking my kids here, and they love coming. There's a parking fee, and then you pay for any tours you want and anything you want in the gift shop. We've been twice, did the rock/fossil hunting tour both times, and it was a different experience each time, both absolutely amazing. If your kids (or you) are even a little bit into dinosaurs, this is a great place to go!

I also was able to find a desert rose plant for my grandmother at their nursery so we were able to surprise her with that!

Alex O

Great day for a museum and a hike with the wife and daughter...if you're up to it. This little gem of a museum is tucked up on a hill off the 60 freeway in Jurupa Valley. Family friends, lots to learn and classes available. Live animals and a look into the past. Our Jurassic past. So make a day of it and enjoy all this place has to offer.