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Dinosaur National Monument
Directions to Canyon Area Visitor Center

From Denver

The most direct route is to travel west on Interstate 70 to Rifle, Colorado. Take the exit for Highway 13, and follow Highway 13 north toward Meeker. Turn left on Highway 64, about 40 miles past Rifle. Follow 64 west to Dinosaur, Colorado (about 78 miles). Turn east (right) in Dinosaur, onto Highway 40.  Travel east on Highway 40 for 2 miles. Turn north (left) on Harpers Corner Road at the signs and make the first right into the parking lot. Driving time from Denver is about 5 hours.

From Salt Lake City

Take I-80 east out of the city. Follow I-80 for approximately 25 miles, and then take the exit for Highway 40 east toward Vernal. Follow 40 east to Vernal (about 160 miles). Go through Vernal and follow 40 east to Dinosaur, Colorado (about 40 miles past Vernal). The Canyon Area Visitor Center is located 2 miles east of Dinosaur, Colorado at the intersection of Harpers Corner Road. Driving time from Salt Lake City is about 4 1/2 hours.

Photo of paleontologist Earl Douglass.  

Did You Know?
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.

Last Updated: December 15, 2008 at 17:26 EST