Apple Valley, California: Concrete Dinosaurs

These statues are now so dilapidated they are hardly recognizable. It is not worth the time to go to this out-of-the-way location.

Very cool and weird concrete dinosaurs. We asked if we could check them out -- the owners of the property were very nice.

These are pretty neat. It looks like there were somewhere around thirty dinosaurs of all sizes at one point. Now only a few are standing completely, among the skeletons of the rest. This site is surrounded by houses and the houses have dogs. I did not see any no trespassing signs, but it was like I was in someone's backyard, which felt a bit strange.

My family used to live in the house that sits next to these dinosaurs -- they were our backyard. It was in 1983 to 1986...I was like 12 or 13. We had so much amazing fun and adventures with those dinosaurs that will always hold a special place in my heart and memories. I am sad to see that they are continuing to deteriorate, but am amazed they are even still there...WOW!

I am an often visitor of the Apple Valley Dinosaurs. Unfortunately, little by little, these beautiful statues are starting to deteriorate. I am fascinated by these huge statues, made out of chicken wire steel rods and concrete! What once looked to be a miniature golf course is now a dino graveyard overrun with brush.

I have read what Gregory L. Wicker has written about when he helped build these creatures, but my question is: why? Was it for someone's children? Was Lonnie Coffman a dinosaur enthusiast? Would Mr. Wicker or anyone out there happen to have old pictures of how it all looked in its prime? I would love to hear how it all started and I'm sure anyone interested in going to see this attraction would be motivated by the history behind these cleverly built dinosaurs.