• Camarasaurus skull still embedded in the quarry face

    Dinosaur

    National Monument CO,UT

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »

  • Ely Creek Backcountry Campsites Closed

    The Ely Creek backcountry campsites located along the Jones Hole Trail have been closed until further notice due to bear activity in the area. More »

Nature & Science

Mule deer on Sound of Silence Trail.
Mule deer on the Sound of Silence Trail.
NPS IMAGE
 

Dinosaur National Monument preserves a wide variety of resources both from the past and today. The geological and paleontological resources that exist in the park provide glimpses into environments millions of years ago and some of the plant and animals that lived then. The Carnegie Fossil Quarry is world renowned and specimens from it are featured in museums across the globe.

Today, the diversity of life in Dinosaur's rugged environment is a reflection of climate, geography, and the complexity of the landscape itself. The monument provides habitat for more than 1,000 native species of plants and animals and includes more than 200,000 acres of river canyons, mountains, and basins. Elevations range from under 4,750 feet (1,448 meters) near the Quarry to over 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) at Zenobia Peak. Twenty-three exposed geological strata combine with elevation and topography to create the many habitats that support plant and animal life.

 
 

Did You Know?

Photo of tilted rock layers at sunrise.

Dinosaur National Monument's geology is a feast for the mind and the eye. The rock layers, which have been tilted by folding, expose a variety of colors and textures.