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Dinosaur National Monument

Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado Vacation Directory
 
 

Before humans inhabited the town of Dinosaur, Colorado, dinosaurs were the lords of the land. When these dinosaurs died, an ancient river carried their bones away and settled them under the sand. In 1909, Earl Douglass, a paleontologist from Pennsylvania on a mission for something "big" for the wealthy Andrew Carnegie's living room, discovered the first dinosaur bones in this region. In 1915, after many bones had been found and shipped to Pennsylvania for the Carnegie Museum, Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the site as Dinosaur National Monument. Since then, 11 different kinds of dinosaurs have been discovered, including the Apatosaurus (also known as Brontosaurus) and the Colorado State Dinosaur, the Stegosaurus. Today, the site is not only an exploration into the lives of dinosaurs, but also a place for relaxation and recreation. Open all year. 300,000 visitors come to the park each year and explore its 210,000 acres.

Rock Formation at Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado
Explore Some of the Many Unique Rock Formations in the Area
 

To explore more about dinosaurs and how they lived, be sure to visit the Quarry Visitor Center. The Quarry protects an area of fossilized bones. Built around the dig site, a wall of the Quarry is a layer of rock containing 1500 bones! Archeologists carefully chipped away surrounding rock and left the bones in place. The Quarry is also home to a paleontology laboratory, exhibits and a bookstore.

The monument is filled with many recreation activities. Many who visit the park enjoy the monuments numerous hiking trails. One popular trail is the Geology Trail. You can pick up a self-guided tour booklet for this trail which points out interesting aspects along the way. Only 3/4 of a mile, it is an easy to moderate hike. Another popular trail is the Desert Voices Nature Trail. This trail was created especially for children. Along the trail there are signs made for children by children which have information about their hike. This trail is 1 1/2 miles long round trip and is an easy to moderate hike. White water rafting is another common activity.

Fossil of a dinosaur skull unearthed at the Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado
One of Countless Dinosaur Fossils Un-Earthed at Dinosaur National Monument
Kids participating in the Jr Ranger Program at Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado
Explore Dinosaur National Monument through the Junior Ranger Program
 

Dinosaur also offers Junior Ranger and Junior Paleontologist programs. The Junior Ranger program takes about 4 hours to complete as you explore one of two trails. The Junior Paleontologist program takes about 1-2 hours to complete. At the completion of the workbook, your child presents the workbook to a ranger who will give them a colorful patch. There are two patches for each program, and many children complete both programs. Parents are encouraged to be active in these programs as well.

Downloads:

View an area map of Dinosaur National Monument
(Map provided by the U.S. National Park Service)

Directions:

From Denver: Travel west on I-70 to exit 90. Go north on State Highway 13 for 39 miles to the turnoff for State Highway 64. Travel west on Highway 64 to Dinosaur, Colorado.
To continue to the Quarry Visitor Center, follow Highway 40 west to Jensen, Utah.

Places to Stay & Fun Things to Do

O.A.R.S. Colorado Rafting Web page link icon Photos on page icon
OUR JOURNEYS SET AN EASY PACE: beach camps, Canyon hikes. Experience Jurassic World on a Colorado Rafting Adventure. O.A.R.S is an authorized concessionaire of Dinosaur National Monument.

More Activities & Information

Dinosaur Area, Colorado includes: Rangely

Meeker, Colorado includes: Buford, Trappers Lake

National Parks and Monuments in Colorado


Argo Mill and Tunnel • Aztec Ruins National Monument • Bandelier National Monument • Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park • Blue Mesa Reservoir/Curecanti National Recreation Area • Browns Canyon National Monument • Canyons of the Ancients National Monument • Chaco Culture National Historical Park • Chimney Rock National Monument • Colorado National Monument • Comanche National Grassland • Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad • Dinosaur National Monument • Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument • Garden of the Gods Recreation Area • Garden Park Fossil Area • Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Click to return to main Colorado National Park Map

• Hanging Lake National Natural Landmark • Hovenweep National Monument • Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site • Lost Creek Scenic Area • Mesa Verde National Park • Morrison-Golden Fossil Areas Natural National Landmark • Pawnee National Grasslands • Pikes Peak National Landmark • Raton Mesa and Pass National Landmark • Red Rocks Park National Historic Landmark • Rocky Mountain National Park • Roxborough State Park National Natural Landmark • Russell Lakes National Natural Landmark • Slumgullion Earthflow • Spanish Peaks National Natural Landmark • Summit Lake National Natural Landmark • The United States Air Force Academy
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