Facilities and Services

PLEASE NOTE: THE DINOSAUR FOSSIL BONE QUARRY VISITOR CENTER IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Dinosaur National Monument remains open and visitors can still see some dinosaur fossils despite closure of the Quarry Visitor Center in Jensen, Utah. On July 11, the Quarry Visitor Center was closed indefinitely due to significant life, health, and safety issues. However, exhibits, film, fossil displays, ranger-led programs, and information are available from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the outdoor visitor center near the park entrance in Jensen, Utah. The Canyon Area Visitor Center in Dinosaur, Colorado, is also open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Dinosaur Quarry is 7 miles north of Jensen, Utah, and encloses 1,500 dinosaur bones. There are exhibits that tell the story about the bones. There is a wonderful bookstore that specializes in dinosaur books and natural history books.

Canyon Area Visitor Center is on US Highway 40, 2 miles east of Dinosaur, Colorado. No fossil bones can be seen in this area. Exhibits and a 10-minute orientation program provide information about the monument's scenic canyon country. There is a nice bookstore here. A short nature trail begins at the visitor center. It is open:

Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily

After Labor Day through Oct 31
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

CLOSED November 1 through April 30
May 1 to Memorial Weekend
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

During the summer season the building is staffed with a sales outlet and provides a 12 minute video that is an overview of the park. Ranger-led programs are offered on request when staffing permits. There is no entance fee.

Ranger Talks and Walks are presented in the summer. Our ranger talks and walks are a great way to see more of the park and have a fun experience with an expert guide. A schedule of talks and walks is not printed for distribution. Inquire at either visitor center to find out what is going on that day. Rangers lead guided walks to explore the park's geology, wildlife, ecosystem communities, and cultural sites. Short talks about dinosaurs and paleontology are presented each day in the Dinosaur Quarry. Evening talks on a wide variety of topics are presented at the Green River Campground campfire circle. An evening talk is presented at Echo Park Campground every Friday and Saturday, followed by a guided walk the next morning.

Field Trips guided by rangers are provided for visiting school groups. For teachers planning a field trip, click here.

Nature Trails are located throughout the park. The six self-guiding nature trails are a mile or less in length and are easy walks. There are several other longer trails in the park for those who want a little more challenge. Overnight hiking trips within the monument require a free backcountry permit, available at the Dinosaur Quarry and Headquarters visitor centers, or from a field ranger. For more information check the hiking page.

Auto Tours begin near the Dinosaur Quarry and Monument Headquarters Visitor Center. The Tour of the Tilted Rocks self-guided auto tour begins near the Quarry. Allow about 1½ to 2 hours for this 22-mile round trip drive. This tour is a brief look at the monument's diversity, sights, and stories. The Journey Through Time self-guided auto tour begins at Monument Headquarters. Allow about 2 to 4 hours for this 62-mile round trip drive. This tour will introduce you to the diversity of biologic communities in the Dinosaur ecosystem and the complex interactions between plants and animals and their environment. Both tours are fun, interesting, and beautiful.

Picnic Areas are located in Colorado at Headquarters Visitor Center parking area, Plug Hat Butte, Canyon Overlook and Echo Park Overlook along the Harpers Corner Road. In Utah picnic areas are located at Split Mountain Campground and Josie Morris Cabin. Picnickers are welcome to use any campground when space is available.

Roads to the Dinosaur Quarry and nearby campgrounds are paved and open all year. Harpers Corner Road is paved, but closes in the winter due to snow. The Deerlodge Road is paved and is open all year, although it may be snow packed in winter. The Diamond Mountain Road to Jones Hole is paved and is open all year. Most other roads are unpaved and impassable when wet. Most unpaved roads, when dry, can be driven with care in passenger cars. It is best to inquire about road conditions before driving on unpaved roads.

Campgrounds are available, with fees at some sites. Click here for more camping information.

Accessibility:

  • The Monument Headquarters Visitor Center is fully accessible.

  • The Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Center is minimally accessible. The ramp at the Quarry Visitor Center was not designed for wheelchairs. A free pamphlet describing the upper level exhibits is available. Restroom facilities are moderately accessible. Disabled visitors can drive directly to the Quarry Visitor Center and avoid the summer shuttle bus.

  • Primitive accessible toilet facilities are available at Gates of Lodore, Deerlodge, Echo Park, and Rainbow Park campgrounds and at the end of Harpers Corner Road.

  • A fully accessible campsite is located at Green River Campground.

  • There is an accessible self guided nature trail at the Plug Hat picnic area.

Local Services:

Vernal, UT, 20 miles west of the Dinosaur Quarry - gas diesel, auto repairs, parts, motels, dining, supplies & groceries, medical services, small airport , and commercial campgrounds.

Jensen, UT, 7 miles south of the Dinosaur Quarry - gas and diesel, limited dining, limited supplies and groceries, and commercial campgrounds.

Dinosaur, CO, 2 miles west of Headquarters - gas and diesel, minor auto parts and repairs, small motels, limited dining, limited supplies & groceries, and commercial campground.

Rangely, CO, 18 miles south of Headquarters - gas and diesel, auto parts & repairs, motels, dining, supplies, groceries, medical services, and commercial campgrounds.

Craig, CO, 90 miles east of Headquarters - gas, diesel, auto parts, repairs, motels, dining, supplies, groceries, medical services, and commercial campgrounds.

Massadona, CO, 17 miles east of Headquarters - limited dining, and commercial campground.

Return To
Planning Your Visit

Last Updated: April 2000