Distance Learning

A ranger holds a tablet up to a large window to show students a view of the landscape from the Quarry Exhibit Hall.
Dinosaur National Monument's rangers offer Virtual Field Trips to students during the winter season when in-person visitation is low.

NPS

In winter, Dinosaur's park rangers provide free Virtual Field Trips for classrooms and communities around the world. Meet with a park ranger virtually to tour one of the most famous dinosaur quarry sites in the world. Students and community members can learn about fossils, dinosaurs, geology, geologic time, earth history, adaptations, and more.
 

About Virtual Field Trips

Here at Dinosaur, we can only offer Virtual Field Trips during the winter season when in-person visitation slows down. While we mainly provide Virtual Field Trips for educators and students in grade school, the distance learning program is open to all community groups, including universities, public libraries, and care facilities. Our Virtual Field Trips can last anywhere from 15-45 minutes. We also try to include time for attendees to ask questions. Spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no limit to the number of attendees that can join our virtual class. To find out if we're currently offering Virtual Field Trips, please view the Virtual Field Trip Schedule below and follow the directions to book your appointment.
 

Current Virtual Field Trip Schedule

Winter 2024/2025 Season

Program Dates: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from November 5, 2024 through February 27, 2025
Program Times: 10 am and 2 pm (Mountain Time Zone)

We are only able to offer Virtual Field Trips through the winter season when in-person visitation is slower. You must schedule your Virtual Field Trip at least 7 through our online webform. Programs are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have questions, see the Virtual Field Trip FAQ or contact us. Please note that we don't respond to the Virtual Field Trip email outside of the schedule posted above.

 
A cutout of a brown allosaurus head appearing to roar.

How to Schedule a Virtual Field Trip

  1. Virtual Field Trips must be booked at least 7 days in advance. Select your desired date and time using our online scheduling form. Your selected date and time must be within our current virtual field trip season. If you weren't able to book 7 days in advance, or if our listed dates and times don't work for you, contact us to see if we can accommodate you.
  2. After booking through our online form, continue to monitor your inbox and spam folder for an email from one of our Virtual Field Trip coordinators (dino_virtual_ranger@nps.gov). This will contain further scheduling instructions.
Please Note...
You will need to create a virtual meeting link in either Microsoft Teams or Google Meet, and send us the link. Without this link, our staff will be unable to access your Virtual Field Trip. You will also be required to fill out a Virtual Distance Learning request form (PDF) which will be emailed to you after you request a date and time. This document helps us gather vital information about your group so that the rangers can prepare. We must recieve BOTH the meeting link and completed Virtual Distance Learning request form at least 5 days prior to your Virtual Field Trip, or your appointment time will be released for others to book.
 

Contact Dinosaur Virtual Rangers

Have a question? See if it's already answered in the FAQ below. If it's not, call the Quarry Visitor Center during operating hours at 435-781-7700 (ext. 0) or email dino_virtual_ranger@nps.gov. Be aware that this email is only monitored when we are within our Virtual Field Trip Season Dates. If you send an email to this inbox outside those dates, there will be no response.
 

Virtual Field Trips Facts and Questions (FAQ)

 
Students with backpacks on viewing exhibits and fossils on the Wall of Bones at the Quarry.
Education

Whether you're visiting us in person or online, Dinosaur offers many resources for students, educators, and community leaders.

A ranger smiles, surrounded by kids in front of a panel of petroglyphs.
In-Person Field Trips

Immerse your students in science, history, and nature by scheduling an in-person field trip to Dinosaur National Monument during the summer.

Smiling kids hold golden Dinosaur junior ranger badges and plastic dinosaurs up to the camera.
Junior Ranger Program

Junior Rangers help everyone safely explore, learn, and protect National Park Service sites like Dinosaur. Anyone can be a Junior Ranger.

Last updated: August 20, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

4545 Hwy 40
Dinosaur, CO 81610

Phone:

435 781-7700

Contact Us