the fossilized skull of camarasaurus dinosaur
Over 1500 fossilized bones of various dinosaurs are still embedded in the cliff face including a skull and several neck vertebrae of a camarasaurus NPS Photo / Dan Johnson

Dinosaur National Monument

National Monument · Colorado · National Park Service

150 million years ago, dinosaurs roamed here. Their fossils are still embedded in the rocks. Today, mountains, desert, and rivers flowing in canyons support a variety of life. Petroglyphs reveal the lives and connections of Indigenous people to this land. Homesteaders and outlaws found refuge here. Whether your passion is science, adventure, history, or scenery, Dinosaur offers much to explore.

Plan your visit

Know before you go

Phone
4357817700
Official site
www.nps.gov
Managed by
National Park Service

Getting there

What's here

Highlights: Archeology · Arts · Photography · Explorers and Expeditions · Westward Expansion · Homesteading · Ancient Seas · Animals · Birds · Elk · Fish · Canyons and Canyonlands · Forests and Woodlands · Coniferous Forests · Fossils and Paleontology · Dinosaur · Geology · Mountains · Natural Sounds · Night Sky · River and Riparian · Scenic Views · Thickets and Shrublands · Trails · Unique Species · Endangered · Watersheds · Wilderness

Activities & features: Astronomy · Stargazing · Biking · Road Biking · Camping · Backcountry Camping · Car or Front Country Camping · Group Camping · RV Camping · Fishing · Guided Tours · Self-Guided Tours - Auto · Hiking · Backcountry Hiking · Front-Country Hiking · Off-Trail Permitted Hiking · Paddling · Canoeing · Canoe or Kayak Camping · Kayaking · Stand Up Paddleboarding · Whitewater Rafting · Junior Ranger Program · Skiing · Cross-Country Skiing · Wildlife Watching · Birdwatching · Park Film · Shopping · Bookstore and Park Store

Nearby parks

Parks of Colorado

Sources: National Park Service, Google Places · updated 2026-08-12