• Camarasaurus skull still embedded in the quarry face

    Dinosaur

    National Monument CO,UT

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Guided Tours

Hiking to an area to see dinosaur fossils.
Visitors enjoy a short hike to see dinosaur fossils weathering out of the rock.
NPS Photo
 

Ranger-led activities are a great way to discover more about Dinosaur National Monument. Programs are offered from early-June through late September. Additional programs may also be available. Ask at a visitor center. While our programs have ended for the season, below is the description of the programs from 2012.

Please Note: Programs may be cancelled due to adverse weather for visitor and employee safety, or staffing shortages caused by emergences such as fire or medical situations.

Quarry Area (Utah Side)

Porch Talk
Time: 10 - 15 minutes
Join a ranger for a short talk to learn more about an interesting feature, place or topic related to Dinosaur National Monument. Topics vary.

Fossil Discovery Trail Hike
Time: 1½ hours Length: 1 mile
Join a ranger to explore the unexcavated dinosaur fossils and history of the earth as you walk down from the Quarry Exhibit Hall to the visitor Center. Meet outside the Quarry Exhibit Hall.
Difficulty: Moderate. This trail includes some stairs and is not recommended for people with a fear of heights
Wear good hiking/walking shoes, bring water, wear sunscreen and a hat.

Evening Program
Time: 30 - 40 minutes
Meet a ranger in the program circle in the Green River Campground for an evening talk. Topics vary may be geology, history, wildlife or much more.

Junior Ranger
Time: 30 minutes
Hey Kids! Want to learn some cool stuff about Dinosaur National Monument and have fun doing it? Join a ranger for activities that will help you complete your Junior Ranger booklet. Topics and location vary. Ask at the information desk. Bring water, wear sunscreen, hat and walking shoes.

Night Sky Program
Time: 30 - 45 minutes
Dinosaur's skies are some of the darkest in the United States. Enjoy the canopy of stars overhead whether you are gazing into the depths of space or hearing tales of the "Old West."

 

Canyon Area

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays

Plug Hat Butte Walk 10:00 AM
Time 1 hour Length: 1 mile round trip
Take a walk on this short trail with spectacular views over the Unita Basin. Learn about the area's geology, plant and animal life. Meet at Plug Hat Butte trailhead.
Difficulty: Easy. This trail is paved and accessible with assistance. Bring water, wear sunscreen and a hat.

Canyon Visitor Center Patio Talk 1:30 PM
Time 10 - 20 minutes
Join a ranger for a short talk to learn more about an interesting feature, place or topic related to Dinosaur National Monument. Topics vary. Meet at the patio outside the Canyon Visitor Center.

Did You Know?

Picture of mormon cricket perched on a blade of grass.

Mormon crickets are wingless grasshoppers that swarm across roads through the summer in the western United States. These flightless insects can form such large swarms that the road appears to move and change colors where they cross.