Prehistoric stomping grounds await at often overlooked Colorado park
It’s not all mountains and alpine lakes in Colorado – there are canyonlands to explore, too. Take a step back in time by visiting Dinosaur National Monument, home to drastic canyon views, fossils, and intricate petroglyphs from the Fremont Culture.
Dinosaur National Monument (Photo) Credit Chris M Morris
Dinosaur National Monument crosses the Colorado and Utah border at the junction of the Green and Yampa rivers. Most of the monument is in Moffat County, Colorado while the popular Dinosaur Quarry attraction is located north of Jensen, Utah. The nearest Colorado town is Dinosaur.
Photo Credit: Chris M Morris
Dinosaur National Monument Fossil (Photo) Credit omun323 (iStock)
Between 1909 and 1923, crews collected more than 350 tons of fossils from the approximately 80-acre Dinosaur Quarry. In 1915, the area was deemed Dinosaur National Monument for the sake of preservation. In 1938, the park was expanded in a big way, growing to more than 210,000 acres with the goal of protecting the diverse landscapes and preserving the natural past.
Photo Credit omun323 (iStock)
Dinosaur National Monument Wildlife (Photo) Credit milehightraveler (iStock)
Dinosaur National Monument is home rugged river canyons, mountains, and basins, as well as a wide range of wildlife, including more than 1,000 living species of plants and animals. A few animals often spotted here include bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and elk. Beware of predators like mountain lions and coyotes, too.
Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock)
Dinosaur National Monument (Photo) Credit sdbower (iStock)
There’s a drastic elevation change throughout the Dinosaur National Monument. The highest point of the park is Colorado’s Zenobia Peak at just over 9,000 feet while the lowest point is about 4,750 feet in elevation near the Quarry in Utah.
Photo Credit: sdbower (iStock)
Quarry Exhibit Hall, Dinosaur National Monument (Photo) Credit Ken Lund (Flickr)
The Quarry Exhibit Hall, located 7 miles north of Jensen, Utah, is built over a rock wall of about 1,500 exposed dinosaur bones, which include the remains species like the Allosaurus, Apatosaurus, Camarasaurus, and more. An 80-foot-long mural visually depicts the story of the Morrison environment during the late Jurassic era.
Photo Credit: Ken Lund (Flickr)
Fossil (Photo) Credit LuFeeTheBear (iStock)
There are over 800 paleontological sites in Dinosaur National Monument. The fossils of Allosaurus, Deinonychus, the Abydosauraus, and various sauropods have been found here. Some fossils located in the Quarry Exhibit Hall are approximately 150 million years old.
Photo Credit: LuFeeTheBear (iStock)
Dinosaur National Monument Rafting (Photo) Credit NPS Natural Resources (Flickr)
There’s a lot of ground to cover in Dinosaur National Monument and one way to do it is by rafting. The Green and Yampa rivers each wind through plains and enter into the Uinta Mountains. Rafters navigate tight channels through towering cliffs and rapids. Either book a guided rafting tour or acquire a permit for a private trip.
Photo Credit: NPS Natural Resources (Flickr)
Steamboat Rock Dinosaur National Monument (Photo) Credit Colophotos (iStock)
The entrance to Dinosaur National Monument from Dinosaur, Colorado is best way for Coloradans to access the mountains and river canyons within the park. One notable site is Steamboat Rock, a 1,000-foot monolith towering at the junction of the Green and Yampa rivers.
Photo Credit: Colophotos (iStock)
Petroglyphs, Dinosaur National Monument (Photo) Credit jimmy thomas (Flickr)
Petroglyphs, which are patterns chipped or carved into rock, can be found within Dinosaur National Monument. Created by ancestors of the Fremont culture, the petroglyphs discovered in the park feature figures that resemble humans and animals, as well as abstract designs. It is believed that they were created roughly 1,000 years ago.
Photo Credit: jimmy thomas (Flickr)
Petroglyphs, Dinosaur National Monument (Photo) Credit jaygannett (Flickr)
True meanings of the images remain a mystery. Researchers say the visuals could’ve served ceremonial or religious purposes, relate to hunting activities, been used to identify clans, or simply were made of the artist’s imagination. It’s crucial to not touch the rock where these designs are carved because the oils left behind from skin can erode the surface.
Photo Credit: jaygannett (Flickr)
Dinosaur National Monument (Photo) Credit milehightraveler (iStock
Research into the park’s past is ongoing, including the recent discovery of a new plant-eating dinosaur - the Abydosaurus McIntosh - in 2010.
Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock
Dinosaur National Monument (Photo) Credit jaygannett (Flickr)
One “must-do” hike at Dinosaur National Monument is Harpers Corner Trail. The path takes hikers through forests that reveal sweeping views of Steamboat Rock, the Green and Yampa rivers, and Whirlpool Canyon. This out-and-back trail is about 3 miles with a moderate level in difficulty.
Photo Credit: jaygannett (Flickr)
Dinosaur National Monument trail (Photo) Credit zrfphoto (iStock)
A longer, more difficult hiking trail at the park is Ruple Point Trail. Hikers travel just under 5 miles one-way across rolling terrain of sagebrush and juniper. The trail has a short descent at the end where hikers are rewarded with breathtaking views of Split Mountain Canyon and the Green River 2,500 feet below.
Photo Credit: zrfphoto (iStock)
Dinosaur National Monument campground (Photo) Credit daveynin (Flickr)
Dinosaur National Park offers more than 120 camping sites across six campgrounds (three in Utah, three in Colorado). The Gates of Lodore Campground is best for rafters looking to camp along the river. Campers looking for a unique view can book with Echo Park Campground as Steamboat Rock dominates the landscape. Vehicles with off-road capabilities and high clearance are highly recommended to reach this campground. Backcountry permits are required for overnight stays outside of the campgrounds.
Photo Credit: daveynin (Flickr)
Echo Park Dinosaur National Monument (Photo) Credit Colophotos (iStock)
Some roads are paved while others require high-clearance and four-wheel-drive licensed vehicles in Dinosaur National Monument. One off-road route is Echo Park Road, which takes drivers on an unpaved, steep grade road featuring a series of switchbacks throughout 14-miles of one-way travel. Proceed with extreme caution - park officials warn dirt and clay roads are impassable when wet. The park has four paved roads: Utah Highway 149, Harpers Corner Road, Jones Hole Road, and Deerlodge Park Road.
Photo Credit: Colophotos (iStock)
Dinosaur National Monument dark sky (Photo) Credit NPS Natural Resources (Flickr)
Dinosaur National Monument is one of the darkest locations remaining in the United States due to lack of light pollution. Whether gazing with the naked eye or through a telescope or binoculars, the Milky Way can be seen on many nights. The park has a designated stargazing spot near Split Mountain Campground.
Photo Credit: NPS Natural Resources (Flickr)
Dinosaur National Monument (Photo) Credit RuggyBearLA Photography (Flickr)
Dinosaur National Monument is a great place to explore some of Earth’s prehistoric past. Often overlooked due to its remote northwest location, this park is one outdoor recreation stop that should be on every Colorado adventurer’s bucket list.
Photo Credit: RuggyBearLA Photography (Flickr)
Dinosaur National Monument (Photo) Credit Bernd Thaller (Flickr)
Resources that will help you plan a trip to Dinosaur National Monument can be found here and safety guidelines can be found here. For current conditions and park operation alerts, click here.
Photo Credit: Bernd Thaller (Flickr)
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