Dinosaur National Monument

This protected area spans over 210,000 acres across Colorado and Utah, featuring exposed dinosaur fossils embedded in sandstone cliffs, deep river canyons, and desert landscapes with colorful rock formations.

Established on October 4, 1915, following paleontologist Earl Douglass's discovery of dinosaur skeletons in 1909, making it one of the first areas designated specifically to protect fossil resources.

The monument preserves petroglyphs and pictographs created by the Fremont people who lived in the region from 200 to 1300 AD, depicting human figures and animals carved into rock surfaces.

Visitors can explore the Quarry Exhibit Hall to view over 1,500 exposed fossils, hike various trails, camp at six campgrounds, and participate in river rafting on the Green and Yampa rivers.

The monument contains the Wall of Bones display where actual dinosaur fossils remain embedded in their original rock face, allowing visitors to see them exactly as they were discovered.

Location: Uintah County

Location: Moffat County

Inception: October 4, 1915

Website: https://www.nps.gov/dino/index.htm

Operator: National Park Service

Website: https://nps.gov/dino

GPS coordinates: 40.53333,-108.98333

Latest update: October 16, 2025 19:08