Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT
At the end of desolate stretches of black top in the sparsely populated northwest corner of
the state, Dinosaur National Monument is Colorado's most remote destination, but for trav-
elers fascinated by prehistoric life on earth, it is worth every lonely mile. It's one of the few
places on the planet that you can reach out and touch a dinosaur skeleton, snarling in its fi-
nal pose, in situ.
Although dinosaurs once inhabited much of the earth, only a few places have the proper
geological and climatic conditions to preserve their skeletons as fossils. Paleontologist Earl
Douglass of Pittsburgh's Carnegie Museum discovered this dinosaur fossil bed, one of the
largest in North America, in 1909. Six years later, President Woodrow Wilson acknow-
ledged the scientific importance of the area, which straddles the Utah-Colorado border, by
declaring it a national monument.
Aside from the quarry, there's lots to see here. The monument's starkly eroded canyons
provide the visitor with scenic drives, hiking, camping and river running.
Sights
Dinosaur Quarry
(
www.nps.gov/dino
;
per vehicle $10; 8am-7pm Memorial Day-Labor Day, 8am-4:30pm rest of year)
The Juras-
sic strata containing the fossils give a glimpse of how paleontologists transform solid rock
into the beautiful skeletons seen in museums, and how they develop scientifically reliable
interpretations of life in the remote past. Ranger-led walks, talks and tours explain the site;
information can also be gleaned from brochures, audio-visual programs and exhibits.
There is also a shop selling gifts and books. The Quarry is completely enclosed to pro-
tect the fossils from weathering.
PARK
Activities
Both the Yampa River and Green River offer excellent river-running opportunities, with
plenty of exciting rapids and choppy whitewater amid splendid scenery. From mid-May to
early September trips range from one to five days. Adventure Bound (
Click here
), in Grand
Junction, is a popular rafting outfitter for the area. Fishing is permitted only with the appro-
