Life-sized Dinosaur Statues on Display in the Prehistoric Gardens Prehistoric Gardens, Port Orford

Dinosaur buffs can come to the Prehistoric Gardens to see over two dozen life-sized dinosaur statues set in a genuine Oregon rain forest. Children and adults alike can be awed by the gigantic and colorful Tyrannosaurus Rex, which could grow to be as much as 40 feet high, as well as a Pterodactyl, a Triceratops, and many more beautiful dinosaurs.

The forest is nestled in a small valley that is mild in climate and typically drenched in rainfall, complete with steamy mist and colorful vegetation to match the look of a prehistoric jungle. It is completely over run with drippy moss and giant ferns wrapped in shadow, making it an adventure for any lover of wildlife.

When sculptor E. V. Nelson had the idea to create these works of art, he had no idea that he would spend 40 years building them. Once his art works increased in quantity, the artist decided to make the works into a tourist attraction. Nelson boasted that his cement-over-wire statues are scientifically correct, in design as well as size.

The gardens aren't just a pleasant walk in an authentic jungle with enormous works of art; the experience attempts to be educational as well. Visitors can learn a little history about the dinosaur (and learn how to pronounce the large animal's large name) by looking at plaques placed nearby the statues.

Many visitors and reviewers have described this place as somewhat "kitsch,'' saying it's something of tawdry design created to appeal to popular taste. However, many agree that it is still a nice place to stretch one's legs while traveling on the road, and most viewers that weren't impressed with the gardens agree that they're worth stopping at if you're tired of driving on highway 101. The Moon Coastal Oregon travel handbook says that when driving past the gardens, "If you've got children in the car, unless they're sleeping or blindfolded, you're probably going to have to pull over'' (Morris, 172). And what child wouldn't want to imagine that giants who roamed the earth millions of years ago are still alive today?