Self-guided field trips do not require a reservation. However, you should contact the Monument in advance to apply for a waiver for entrance fees. to download instructions for a fee waiver and click here for a fee waiver application.
The following are some suggestions and recommendations for self-guided student activities during your to Dinosaur National Monument.
Utah side of Monument, near Jensen:
- Temporary Visitor Center: The visitor center has a few real and replica fossils on display both inside and outside. However, the inside of the temporary visitor center is very small and can only accommodate about 6 people at a time. Only one restroom is available October through April. During October-April, large groups should consider using restrooms located in the Split Mountain Campground.
- Desert Voices hiking trail (1½ mile loop; moderately easy): This trail begins near the boat ramp at the Split Mountain Campground. The trail offers excellent views of Split Mountain and several adjacent rock layers. Geology is the outstanding feature on this trail. Signage on the trail was written and drawn by children for children. There is no shade.
- Fossil Discovery hiking trail (1 mile one-way; moderately easy): The Fossil Discovery Trail Guide brochure provides information about the rock layers along the trail. Contact staff at the visitor center to drive to the upper trailhead for a one-way hike, meeting the bus back at the visitor center. The trail cuts through tilted rock layers, exposing a great variety of rocks and fossils. The Morrison Formation stop features an outcropping of several small pieces and a few large pieces of dinosaur bones. Before you hike this trail, stop at the visitor center to see pictures of the large fossils along the trail and to hear a description of how to find them.
- Tour of the Tilted Rocks auto tour (11 miles one-way, accessible by bus): Along this route, students can discover pictographs (painted designs) and petroglyphs (scratched or carved designs) from the Fremont Culture, tilted rock layers, and an historic homesite. Numbered posts along the route correspond to information printed in the Tour of the Tilted Rocks guide (available for $.50 at the visitor center or in an honor box just after the entrance station). Two other brochures, Josie Bassett Morris and provide more in-depth information about the sites along the route. At the end of the route, two hiking trails lead into box canyons that Josie used to corral her livestock. The trail into the box canyon named Box Canyon begins at the restroom. This trail is a shaded, easy ½ mile, one way, route that reveals nice exposures of the craggy sandstone of Split Mountain. The trail into the box canyon named Hog Canyon begins by the pond. This ¾ mile trail, one-way, is also easy and shaded for most of the route. A spring-fed creek runs through the canyon and numerous wildflowers bloom during the spring season.
- Junior Ranger Program: The Junior Ranger Program encourages students to learn more about the park they are visiting. The Junior Ranger Activity Book contains age appropriate activities about fossils, animals, and people associated with Dinosaur National Monument. Please contact Brant Porter in advance to arrange for free program booklets and badges at (435) 781-7701 or by e-mail. Your students may also enjoy participating in , an on-line Junior Ranger Program that they may do anytime they like.
Colorado side of Monument, near Dinosaur:
- Canyon Area Visitor Center: This visitor center features a 12-minute film that provides an overview of the park. This visitor center is generally only open late spring to early fall.
- Harpers Corner auto tour (32 miles one-way, accessible by bus): Along this route, various stops provide dramatic views of the river canyons and surrounding area. Numbered posts along the route correspond to information printed in the Harpers Corner auto guide (available for $.50 at the visitor center or in an honor box just after the park entrance). The Harpers Corner hiking trail is an easy/moderate 1 mile (one-way) trail located at the end of the auto tour road. An overlook at the end of the trail provides an outstanding view into three river canyons and the interesting geology of the area. There are a few steep drop-offs along the trail.
- Plug Hat trail (¼ mile loop; easy): This level trail on the top of a butte begins across the road from the Plug Hat picnic area. The trail affords excellent views of the surrounding landscape and provides an introduction to the pinyon pine-juniper community. The trail is paved and wheelchair accessible. The Plug Hat picnic area is also wheelchair-accessible.
- Junior Ranger Program: The Junior Ranger Program encourages students to learn more about the park they are visiting. The Junior Ranger Activity Book contains age appropriate activities about fossils, animals, and people associated with Dinosaur National Monument. Please contact Brant Porter in advance to arrange for free program booklets and badges at (435) 781-7701 or by e-mail. Your students may also enjoy participating in , an on-line Junior Ranger Program that they may do anytime they like.
For more information, contact Brant Porter in at (435) 781-7701 or by e-mail.
