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Dinosaur National Monument

, Colorado and Utah

Acreage: 210,277.55
Category: National Monument
Date Established: 10/04/1915

At Dinosaur National Monument you can ride a river raft through 10,000 years of history.

As you glide along the Green or Yampa River, striated red rock canyons rise above you, packed with the fossilized remains of dinosaurs that once drank these same waters. Scan the cliffs and you may spot petroglyphs and pictographs left behind by Fremont, Ute, or Shoshone Indians.

Reflect on the fact that you are just one of many creatures to pass through this scenic and mysterious place. But don’t get too lost in thought! These rivers feature Class III, IV, and V rapids that can easily toss you a little too close to the rocks.

Begin your exploration of Dinosaur National Monument at one of the visitor centers, where you can watch a film about the area’s history and inhabitants and examine replica cliff face embedded with countless dinosaur bones. Then set out for a day-long river ride, hike one of the monument’s many trails, or enjoy the Tour of the Tilted Rocks or the Harpers Corner Auto Tour from the comfort of your car.

There are many ways to experience the rugged beauty and rich history of Dinosaur National Monument.

If You Go: 

Junior Ranger and Junior Paleontologist programs give kids a chance to earn a badge while they learn about fossils and geology.
 
Did You Know: 

Petroglyphs are images that have been scratched into the rock, while pictographs are painted on the surface. You can see both ancient art forms in Dinosaur National Monument.

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Earlier this summer, we had a very disappointing visit to Dinosaur N.M., when we learned that the Quarry portion (in Utah) has been essentially closed to the public for several years. The wonderful Pavilion, with its huge 150-foot long mosaic of dinosaur bones and skeletons unearthed nearby, is no longer accessible to visitors! The Pavilion was declared structurally unsound, and was closed. However, hope is on the way. Stimulus funding has recently been allocated to rebuild the Pavilion and to make other improvements to the N.M.. This work is scheduled to be completed in mid-2011. Check the status before you go.
Submitted by Rotund Robert at: September 24, 2009

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