Imagine this: 100 million years before Moonwalk Monday was a thing, dinosaurs at Dinosaur Ridge in Colorado were already busting out the original dino-moonwalk.

Dinosaurs’ Prehistoric Dance Floor

At Dinosaur Ridge—around 15 miles west of Denver—paleontologists have discovered what may be the largest known dinosaur “lek”—a prehistoric mating dance arena. Male theropod dinosaurs (think T.-rex cousins about the size of ostriches) gathered in this rocky amphitheater to kick, spin counterclockwise, and scrape the ground with moves eerily like the Moonwalk. It’s a spectacular mash-up of claws, sand, and swagger.

When—and How It Was Unearthed

Though the ridge has been famous since the late 1800s for discoveries like Stegosaurus and Allosaurus, the mating-dance marks are brand new revelations. Recent studies using drone-based, high-resolution imagery revealed dozens of previously unnoticed scrape marks and bowl-shaped impressions. These constitute one of the densest known gatherings of dinosaur courtship traces—and possibly the largest lek yet discovered.

Visiting This Jurassic Boogie Zone

Can you say shamone? Good news: Dinosaur Ridge is open to visitors! There’s a well-marked interpretive trail accessible to the public—just don’t walk directly on the lek traces themselves. You’ll walk along a path that lets you safely admire the “dance floor” while learning about its geological and paleontological significance. White glove is optional!