Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Located in a region of spectacular canyons and mountains, this site has produced a large number of complete dinosaur skeletons since 1909.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
290 reviews
Excellent
208
Very good
62
Average
15
Poor
4
Terrible
1
RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada12,815 contributions
Aug 2022
Driving in from Colorado, we stopped at the first sign that we saw and drove the 17 miles into Dearlodge Park. It was a nice drive but not much to see. In Utah, we went to the Quarry Visitor's Center and the Quarry Exhibit Hall. We also did the driving tour there. This area was wonderful!
The Quarry Exhibit Hall was the obvious highlight. It was a wonderful display of fossils in situ. However, the driving tour from the quarry was also good - especially the petroglyphs. There were even more petroglyphs further in but we could not go there as a 4-wheel drive vehicle with rugged tires was required.
Cost of entry was $25.00 or a National Park Pass.
The Quarry Exhibit Hall was the obvious highlight. It was a wonderful display of fossils in situ. However, the driving tour from the quarry was also good - especially the petroglyphs. There were even more petroglyphs further in but we could not go there as a 4-wheel drive vehicle with rugged tires was required.
Cost of entry was $25.00 or a National Park Pass.
Written August 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kimekstrom
Ogden, UT188 contributions
Mar 2021
Had a great time with my 3 daughters at both the visitors center and the quarry. We everything we wanted to see in a couple of hours. We also took the time to drive around on the inside the park. Saw some great petroglyphs with easy roadside parking and a less than 100 yards from the road on level gravel trail. We also left the paved road and were able to drive about 10 miles into BLM managed land. Lots of great view and scenery. Mostly smooth gravel road until we got high enough that the snow made us nervous. We were in a 4WD SUV and never in any danger of getting stuck. Any passenger car could have made it several miles in with little risk, at least with the weather we had and the beginning of March. My 7 year old daughter also got the junior ranger badge, which was great fun for her. The rangers were awesome.
Written March 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John A
6 contributions
Sep 2021
Have been in the area several times and went out of my way to seeing this attraction. For anyone interested in paleontology this is a must see. The highlight is the sheltered building that allows visitors to observe the massive number of animals that must have died close together millions of years ago. Approaching from the west the road is not well marked in Jenson. Was easy from the east, as I overshot and had to turn around. Hint, if you pass the Green River you have gone too far. But do go there!
Written September 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eric F
Fort Myers, FL141 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
This is a place I came to for just a few hours on the way down from Grand Teton. I thought this place would just be some fossils, but it has a cool landscape too. The mountains, canyons, and desert rock formations were many colors and shapes. From the visitor center, a really cool bus tour has narration explaining the history of the rocks and fossils in the area. I have a certain soft spot for natural history, so I enjoyed this. The quarry wall with all of the bones was quite cool and you are allowed to touch the bones. There are also hikes that go around the landscape and to petroglyphs and fossils. Keep in mind, I only went to the southwestern area, the most popular part of the park. I loved this place and it has plenty to do and see. It’s definitely worth a detour.
Written July 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mesha W
Clinton, UT17 contributions
Feb 2020
We asked to do the Jr ranger program. They gave us an activity book to complete. My Children had done the Jr Ranger program at Promontory point, and it was a lot of fun. the book was interactive with all the displays, and there were scavenger hunts. Everything coincided with what was at the park. I was expecting Dinosaurs Jr ranger program to the similar. It wasn’t it was a book of work about dinosaurs like you would see at school. We just sat there for 15 minutes filling out the pages before we could look around. That was disappointing.
The rest of the trip was great. The wall of dinosaur bones was very fascinating. The park rangers were very pleasant and knowledgeable. Josie’s Cabin was my favorite part.
I recommend seeing it at least once if you are in the area.
The rest of the trip was great. The wall of dinosaur bones was very fascinating. The park rangers were very pleasant and knowledgeable. Josie’s Cabin was my favorite part.
I recommend seeing it at least once if you are in the area.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynne V
Columbia Falls, MT37 contributions
May 2022
The main attraction for most people-especially families with kids-is the dinosaur quarry. It is very interesting and easy to access-a shuttle goes right to it from the visitor center. But that's not all this out of the way place has to offer.
There are a number of short hikes. Most people drive out to the historic homestead and the prehistoric petroglyphs on the Cub Creek road. The Hog Canyon hike was nice. Lots of shade, and wildflowers.
The Harpers Corner road is a long drive, but the trail at the end leads to a spectacular view. Also, don't skip the Echo Park view point.
There are a number of short hikes. Most people drive out to the historic homestead and the prehistoric petroglyphs on the Cub Creek road. The Hog Canyon hike was nice. Lots of shade, and wildflowers.
The Harpers Corner road is a long drive, but the trail at the end leads to a spectacular view. Also, don't skip the Echo Park view point.
Written July 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth B
Burgaw, NC688 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
Dinosaur National Monument UT is a must see. It is hot and dry in summer so be prepared with plenty of water. Even an hour out there can prove exhausting especially if you are not used to the altitude or dry heat.
So much to see. Go early and enjoy all the petroglyphs, and scenery. The quarry is amazing and Josie Cabin worth the drive.
So much to see. Go early and enjoy all the petroglyphs, and scenery. The quarry is amazing and Josie Cabin worth the drive.
Written October 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary P
Auburn, CA33 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
This side of Dinosaur National Monument offers sweeping vistas, not fossils (go to the Utah side for that) so it is less used. The 60-mile round trip through the area offers absolutely breathtaking views and photo opportunities... canyons, mesas, rock strata... we loved it. If you have 4-wheel drive you can access the road to Echo Park from this road. The park road is paved, well maintained, and safe. Many scenic overlooks, some with restrooms. Highly recommend.
Written September 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
parksvisitor
Maple Grove, MN1,469 contributions
Sep 2021
Driving from Vernal, Utah, you can easily stop at the visitor center, do the scenic drive, and hike the Harpers Corner and Plug Hat Trails in one day. The Harpers Corner Trail is top-notch, so make that your number one goal. If you have a high clearance vehicle, then the other roads and trails are opened up to you.
Written November 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason M
Sykesville, MD17 contributions
Sep 2022
An incredible park, off the beaten path and not overrun with visitors like many of the National Parks in the West. Views of the terrain from Harpers Point and the drive out are incredible, almost like they were taken from a geology textbook. On the Dinosaur Quarry side, great views of fossils and bones with several short but challenging hikes in the hot summer sun. Schedule at least 2 days to take in the whole park.
Written September 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Will be coming from rmnp for two days. A week trip in and out of Denver. Planning to drive from granby taking the steamboat springs way there, staying one night and heading back towards Denver, the vail way. Should we plan on going to vernal/Utah side? What sights do we need to see-two small boys who love dinosaurs! Where is the best lodging for one night?
Written February 20, 2021
This is a great question. The Colorado side takes you up on top of the monument with views of Echo park which is a great swimming area, fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking. If you want to see the dinosaur quarry you will need to go to Utah. The national gate entrance is in an area called Jensen Utah just outside of Vernal. The quarry is amazing, and well worth a visit. There’s also an easy, kid friendly hike that has fossils as well. Accommodations in Jensen are an RV park but Vernal which is only a 10-15 minute drive from the park has many hotel options. We also have. Lot of public land for free camping. There are several outstanding petroglyphs sites on both sides.
Written February 25, 2021
Kelsey M
Elizabeth, Illinois
We will coming from Rocky Mountain National Park and have that afternoon and then the whole next day. Our original plan was to do the north side of the canyon that first afternoon and then all the south the next Full day. Going over our timing looks like it won't work out that way. I'm wondering how much is on the North side of the canyon that would make the drive worth it? Or should we just use the afternoon and next day to see the south side? We'll be heading to Grand Teton and Yellowstone after.
Written June 2, 2019
You might consider coming west from Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park through Kremmling / Steamboat Springs / Craig. Even though it's 2 lane highway, the speed limit is mostly 65mph, and I think the scenery is nicer than the 1-80. There's no dinosaur fossils on the Colorado side of the monument, mainly rafting load in sites. But it is worth visiting the Jensen Visitor Center/ Quarry Site (Fossils in hill)/ Auto Tour to Josie's Cabin. Then drive through Flaming Gorge north. Rock Springs is a busy freeway junction town with hotels and restaurants, but is hot windy and not glamorous. But the drive north across the open range to Pinedale is interesting with Pony Express markers, and the Mountain Man Museum in Pinedale is well worth 30 mins. The drive from Pinedale up to Jackson is one of the best ever. At The Tetons, the short boat ride and hiking at Jenny Lake is great, and a relaxed meal and gift shopping at the Jackson Lake Lodge is one of the nicest stops with fantastic views.
Written June 10, 2019
Hi we are driving from the tetons to moab in August and this looks a fun place to stop with the kids. could we see some of the main exhibits in a couple of hours?
Written July 1, 2017
My wife and I visited for a couple of hours on our way from Rocky Mountain NP to Yellowstone. We planned our trip in the UK, and I planned the detour to take in Dinosaur, a real highlight for me, as we live on the Jurassic Coast of Dorset, England, where we have great fossils but fewer Dinosaurs!
You guys have such fantastic National Parks and Monuments, and we have had the privilege of visiting a large number now. Encourage your kids to take an interest in them all, that will ensure they are kept open for future generations...
Written July 2, 2017
the website says "The Fossil Discovery Trail is currently closed". With this closed, will it be just like any other museum or is it still worth to drive all the way from Denver with 9 and 6 yr olds?
Written June 13, 2017
Still worth the drive. Main building is where all the fossils are. There are plenty of other places to get out of the car and hike/walk.
Written June 14, 2017
Has anyone camp at the Green River Campground during summer? What is the weather like?
Written May 26, 2017
We were there in Late April and it was quite cool. I know it can hot in the summer, but the campground is on the river and has lots of trees so it may not be too bad. It is absolutely gorgeous.
Written May 26, 2017
I was wondering if there is somewhere around the area, in the park, out of the park, into Utah or Colorado, that kids can be part of a dinosaur dig. Thanks!
Written January 9, 2015
No, sorry... I didn't see anything nearby that would fit the bill. Perhaps an online search might come up with something. Another site you might find interesting is Fossil Butte NM, in SW Wyoming east of Green River. No dinosaurs there, but they've dug up a massive quantity of fossils from fish and sea creatures to snakes and mammals. There are also private fossil hunters with shops, where they chip the stone away from the fossils, and that might be fun for kids to see (we sure enjoyed it).
Written January 9, 2015
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