National Park & Nature

Dinosaur National Monument

📍 11625 E 1500 S, Jensen, UT, USA

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4.3/ 5.0

★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location: USA, Utah
Category: National Park & Nature
Duration: Half day
Opening Hours: Quarry exhibit 9:00-17:30 spring-fall, may close in winter; visitor center open year-round
Ticket Price: $20/vehicle, valid 7 days, includes quarry and canyon areas
Address: 11625 E 1500 S, Jensen, UT, USA
Coordinates: 40.4420, -109.3040

Introduction

Dinosaur National Monument straddles the Utah-Colorado border, blending paleontology, geological wonders, and Western wilderness. The most famous feature is the dinosaur fossil quarry, where paleontologist Earl Douglass discovered vast dinosaur bones in 1909. Over 1,500 dinosaur fossils have been excavated, making it one of the world's most important dinosaur fossil sites. Visitors can see real dinosaur bones embedded in a rock wall at the quarry exhibit hall, a thrilling experience found nowhere else. The monument also features dramatic canyons carved by the Green and Yampa Rivers, with ancient Indian petroglyphs along the banks recording thousands of years of indigenous life. Visitors can raft through canyons, hike wilderness trails, or camp under brilliant starry skies.

✨ Highlights

Dinosaur Bone Wall

The quarry exhibit wall features over 1,500 real dinosaur bones embedded in rock, a unique global spectacle.

River Rafting

The Green and Yampa Rivers carve dramatic canyons offering world-class white-water and calm rafting.

Ancient Petroglyphs

River banks are covered with Fremont culture petroglyphs recording thousands of years of indigenous life.

Pristine Dark Skies

Far from city lights, the night sky is brilliant for stargazing and astrophotography.

Hiking and Camping

Multiple wilderness trails and campgrounds let you explore geological wonders and fossil sites.

Paleontology Education

Visitor centers and quarry offer rich exhibits and interpretation, ideal for family science learning.

🛈 Practical Info

→Best Time to Visit：May-Sep is best; summer for rafting, spring/fall for hiking

→Address：11625 E 150 S, Jensen, UT 84040

→Opening Hours：Quarry exhibit 9:00-17:30 spring-fall, may close in winter; visitor center open year-round

→Ticket Information：$20/vehicle, valid 7 days, includes quarry and canyon areas

→Transportation：Utah side: 20 min from Vernal; Colorado side: from Dinosaur town

💡 Tips

• The quarry exhibit may close in winter or off-season; verify on the official website before visiting.

• Summer rafting spots fill fast; book months ahead with licensed outfitters for Green or Yampa River trips.

• High desert climate is dry and hot; carry plenty of water, sunscreen, and hats in summer.

• Fossils and petroglyphs are legally protected; touching, collecting, or defacing is strictly prohibited.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Dinosaur National Monument?

Quarry exhibit 9:00-17:30 spring-fall, may close in winter; visitor center open year-round

How much is the admission for Dinosaur National Monument?

$20/vehicle, valid 7 days, includes quarry and canyon areas

Any practical tips for visiting Dinosaur National Monument?

The quarry exhibit may close in winter or off-season; verify on the official website before visiting. Summer rafting spots fill fast; book months ahead with licensed outfitters for Green or Yampa River trips.