Dinosaur National Monument

United_States

Dinosaur National Monument is a United States National Monument spanning from Northwestern Colorado into Northeastern Utah.

Allosaurus skull at Dinosaur National Monument The monument was created in 1915 to protect an extensive deposit of fossilized dinosaur skeletons as well as pictographs dating back 10,000 years. The monument is divided into two districts, the Canyon Area on the east side and the Dinosaur Quarry on the west side. Each district has its own visitor center. Pets are allowed inside the monument but must be on a leash no longer than 6 ft (1.8 m). Pets are not allowed inside any buildings or on any hiking trails.

Dinosaur National Monument's cultural history dates back 10,000 years. The Yampa and Green Rivers have provided water for survival in an arid country. Indian rock art in the form of petroglyphs and pictographs provide evidence that many people have come before modern travellers. The Fremont Indians lived in the canyons in Dinosaur National Monument 800 - 1,200 years ago. Following the Fremont were the Ute and Shoshone, who are still live in the area. Early settlers left their mark on the landscape with their homesteads. Those who had access to the rivers and a constant flow of water survived, while others dried up with drought and moved away. Now, many of the remains of homesteads are found alongside the Indian art work of the past.

The park's value as a site for dinosaur remains was established when paleontologist Earl Douglass first came to Utah looking for mammal fossils. He returned in 1909 and discovered an immense deposit of dinosaur bones, now protected at Dinosaur National Monument. Although made famous by dinosaurs, Douglass died preferring his beloved mammal fossils over dinosaurs.

This part of Utah and Colorado is rocky-desert, with sinuous canyons deep-cut by rivers.

Dinosaur's climate is semiarid with temperatures averaging between 0°F (-17°C) to 30°F (-1°C) in January and 50°F (10°C) to 100°F (38°C) in July. Elevations within the park vary between 4700 and 9000 feet. Winter snow makes roads at higher elevations impassable while only light to moderate snow is found at lower elevations. Summer thunderstorms often cause heavy downpours and localized flooding, but may fail to dampen parched soils less than a mile away.

Fees are charged from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. All permits are valid for seven days.

  • Private passenger vehicle - $10
  • Motorcycle - $5 for single rider, $10 for double rider
  • Hiker/bicyclist - $5

Visitors appreciating the Wall of Bones in the Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Center

  • Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Center, Highway 149 north of Jensen (North of Highway 40, +1 435 781-7700. Labor Day-Memorial Day Weekend: Daily - 8:30AM-4:30PM, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day; Memorial Day Weekend-Labor Day Weekend: daily - 8:30AM-5:30PM. The Dinosaur Quarry district contains rich deposits of fossilized dinosaurs skeletons, most of which are under the protective covering of the Permanent Quarry Visitor Center.

Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Center, Highway 149 north of Jensen (North of Highway 40, +1 435 781-7700. Labor Day-Memorial Day Weekend: Daily - 8:30AM-4:30PM, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day; Memorial Day Weekend-Labor Day Weekend: daily - 8:30AM-5:30PM. The Dinosaur Quarry district contains rich deposits of fossilized dinosaurs skeletons, most of which are under the protective covering of the Permanent Quarry Visitor Center.

  • Canyon Area Visitor Center, 4545 Highway 40, Dinosaur, UT (2 miles east of Dinosaur to Harpers Corner Road, north on Harpers Corner Road, first right into the parking lot, +1 970 374-3000. October 29-May 1: Closed; May 2-Memorial Day Weekend: 8:30AM-4:30, closed M-Tu; Memorial Day Weekend-August 30: daily - 8:30AM-4:30PM; September 1-October 26: 8:30AM-4:30PM, closed M-Tu. The Canyon Area is a region of deep, twisting canyons. Petroglyphs can be seen here but the district contains no dinosaur fossils.

Canyon Area Visitor Center, 4545 Highway 40, Dinosaur, UT (2 miles east of Dinosaur to Harpers Corner Road, north on Harpers Corner Road, first right into the parking lot, +1 970 374-3000. October 29-May 1: Closed; May 2-Memorial Day Weekend: 8:30AM-4:30, closed M-Tu; Memorial Day Weekend-August 30: daily - 8:30AM-4:30PM; September 1-October 26: 8:30AM-4:30PM, closed M-Tu. The Canyon Area is a region of deep, twisting canyons. Petroglyphs can be seen here but the district contains no dinosaur fossils.

Each district has numerous trails of varying length and difficulty.

  • Dinosaur Quarry District. 6 trails ranging from 1/2 mi (0.8 km) to 3 mi (4.8 km).
  • Canyon Area District. 4 trails ranging from 1/4 mi (0.4 km) to 8 mi (13 km), one of which is handicapped-accessible.

Dinosaur Quarry District. 6 trails ranging from 1/2 mi (0.8 km) to 3 mi (4.8 km).

Canyon Area District. 4 trails ranging from 1/4 mi (0.4 km) to 8 mi (13 km), one of which is handicapped-accessible.

The Green and Yampa Rivers pass through the monument, offering Class III and Class IV rapids. Unless you are an experienced river rafter, do no attempt without a professional guide.

  • Private boats - $15 application fee, plus $20 for a one-day permit or $185 for a multi-day permit.
  • Commercial guide trips. See the Dinosaur NM website for a current list of authorized commercial guides.

Private boats - $15 application fee, plus $20 for a one-day permit or $185 for a multi-day permit.

Commercial guide trips. See the Dinosaur NM website for a current list of authorized commercial guides.

There are no restaurants within Dinosaur National Monument. However, several picnic areas provide a relaxing atmosphere with a view. Picnic areas are located:

  • Near the Split Mountain boat ramp along the Tour of the Tilted Rocks self-guided auto tour near the Temporary Visitor Center.
  • At the Josie Bassett Morris homestead at the end of the Tour of the Tilted Rocks self-guided auto tour near the Temporary Visitor Center.
  • At Plug Hat Butte along the Harpers Corner Auto Tour road in the Canyon Area of the park.
  • At the Canyon Overlook along the Harpers Corner Auto Tour road in the Canyon Area of the park.
  • At the Harpers Corner Trailhead along the Harpers Corner Auto Tour road in the Canyon Area of the park.

Nearby communities offer a variety of dining options.

Keep your vehicle's gas tank above half-full. Distances can be deceptively long between services. Watch for wildlife on monument and nearby roads. Wildlife can be abundant along roads during all seasons. Please observe speed limits and be aware of wildlife in the road corridor. Four wheel drive may not be enough on some monument roads. Many park roads are clay-surfaced (unpaved), and become impassable when wet no matter what kind of vehicle you have. Get weather and road condition reports before traversing park roads.

Dinosaur is a land of extremes; please dress appropriately for the season. Summer temperatures can soar over 100°F (38°C); winter temperatures can drop well below 0°F (-18°C). Summer nighttime temperatures can be cool. Dress appropriately, including proper shoes and headwear, use sunscreen. Dressing in non-cotton layers allows you to add and remove clothing as needed while not retaining moisture that can lead to hypothermia.

Always carry and drink plenty of water. Extreme temperatures, high elevation, and an arid landscape can lead to rapid water loss. Many locations may not have water readily accessible and may require backpackers and hikers to carry fresh water. All water gathered in the monument must be treated before consumption.

Watch your step. Trails are often rocky and uneven, and other hazards may be present. Slow down, enjoy the scenery, and watch your step.

Carry food with you. At higher elevations your body must work harder than at lower elevations; more work means more calories burned. The monument ranges from 4700 feet to over 9000 feet in elevation. Salty foods can replace electrolytes lost through sweating. Eating helps your body use water efficiently.

Afternoon thunderstorms during summer are common, and lighting can strike from miles away. During summer thunderstorms avoid high, bare rock surfaces to prevent being struck by lightning. If caught outside find the lowest point possible that is not near a tree or other tall object, and make yourself small. Also be aware of flash flooding in canyons; a storm miles away can send a wall of water raging down a canyon, flooding it within minutes, emptying just as fast.

Most wildlife is more scared of you than you are of them. You might, however, surprise or startle wildlife or accidentally make an animal feel threatened. Watch where you walk; if you do come across wildlife, give it plenty of space and an escape route. Small children and pets may be particularly vulnerable – keep your group together at all times. Be wary of animals that are being aggressive.

Snakes are an important and beneficial part of the ecosystem. Most snakes found in the monument are non-poisonous, but two are poisonous: the midget faded rattlesnake, and prairie rattlesnake. Snakes, like all wildlife in the monument, should be observed and enjoyed from a safe distance.

Plants can bite, too. Many plants, including cactus, greasewood, Russian thistle, and others can scratch, stick, or otherwise be dangerous. Watch where you put your hands and feet.

  • Jensen - The closest town to the park borders, offering limited services.
  • Vernal - This town in Utah is southwest of the park's borders.
  • Dinosaur - In Colorado southeast of the park's entrance.
  • Rangely - In Colorado to the southeast of the town of Dinosaur.

[[Jensen]] - The closest town to the park borders, offering limited services.

[[Vernal]] - This town in Utah is southwest of the park's borders.

[[Dinosaur]] - In Colorado southeast of the park's entrance.

[[Rangely]] - In Colorado to the southeast of the town of Dinosaur.