Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SOUTH OF DINOSAUR NATIONAL
MONUMENT
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Dinosaur
POP 350
Just a few miles east of the Utah border, on the doorstep of Dinosaur National Monument,
Dinosaur is easy to skip. In an effort to capitalize on its location by the monument, the
town changed its name from Artesia in the mid-1960s and gave the streets dinosaur-themed
monikers (Brachiosaurus Bypass, Triceratops Tce…). Junk car lots and forlorn homesteads
dot the rolling hills of this windswept landscape.
Only a few things entice travelers to hit the brakes on the way through town. The well-
stocked
Colorado Welcome Center
( 970-374-2205; 101 E Stegosaurus St; 8am-6pm Memorial Day-Labor
Day, 9am-5pm Labor Day-Memorial Day, closed Jan & Feb; )
has maps for scenic drives, and informa-
tion on area rafting and camping. The information is provided by a pair of doting ladies
who'll help you plan your travels in Colorado's west and know every little town between
here and Denver.
If you're hungry, the best bet is a greasy bite at
BedRock Depot
( 970-374-2336; 214 W Bronto-
saurus Blvd; mains $3-9; 11am-5:30pm Mon & Thu-Sat, 1-5pm Sun; )
, a nostalgic ice cream and es-
presso shop that serves a coy menu of dino-themed sandwiches like the 'Allosaurus De-
light,' a savory chicken apple sausage on a roll. The potato roll of Leona, one of the own-
ers, is famous around here, as is the homemade ice cream. The only other place to eat is 20
miles east of town: the
Massadona Tavern & Steakhouse
( 970-374-2324; 22927 US Hwy 40; mains $8-18;
4-8pm Tue-Fri, 11am-8pm Sat & Sun; )
. Way out on a lonely stretch of Hwy 40, it has the feel
of a mid-century roadhouse and serves up passable chops, battered fish and chips, burgers
and pints of beer. There are a few spare motels on Hwy 40, but none of them are recom-
mended.
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