About Dinosaur National Monument
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.
Quick Facts
Entrance Fees
Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all its occupants. Admission is good for seven consecutive days. You can come and go any time with your seven-day pass.
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. You can come and go any time with your seven-day pass.
Admits one individual with no car. Typically used for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free. Admission is good for seven consecutive days. You can come and go any time with your seven-day pass.
Pass is valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Fees for commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicle regardless of actual number of passengers.
Pass is valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Fees for commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicle regardless of actual number of passengers.
Pass is valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Fees for commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicle regardless of actual number of passengers.
Non-commercial group fees (per vehicle): Vehicle capacity of 15 or less: $25 Vehicle capacity of 16-25: $15 per person age 16 and older, not to exceed $60. Vehicle capacity of 26+: $15 per person age 16 and older, not to exceed $150. You may use Annual and Lifetime passes. A pass will cover the pass holder and up to three people traveling with the group. Pass is valid for reentry for 7 days.
National Park Service regulations allow school groups and other bona fide national and international academic institutions to obtain a waiver for park entrance fees, provided that the visit is for educational or scientific purposes, and the resources or facilities the group proposes to use support those purposes. Fee waivers must be obtained in advance and cannot be issued at the entrance station or visitor center.
Pass is valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Fees for commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicle regardless of actual number of passengers.
Pass is valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. (minimum required fee is $25 commercial fee plus the per-person entrance fee for each passenger not to exceed $50.00)
Operating Hours
The outdoor areas in the monument is open 24 hours per day. Facilities such as visitor centers and the Quarry Exhibit Hall have specific hours of operation. Visit the Operating Hours & Seasons page for more information on facility hours. Some areas of the monument may close in the winter due to snow.
Activities
Getting There
Dinosaur National Monument is located on the Colorado and Utah border with parts of the monument in both states. Dinosaur fossils are only visible in the Utah portion of the monument, not on the Colorado side. The Quarry Visitor Center and Exhibit Hall (where you see the dinosaur fossils) are located approximately 7 miles north of Jensen, Utah. The Canyon Visitor Center is located in Dinosaur, Colorado.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
Entrance Passes
Available to U.S. citizens and residents, only. Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Pass admits up to 15 passengers of a single, private (non-commercial) vehicle or up to 2 motorcycles (including passengers), or passholder and 3 persons walking in.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Hike the Jones Hole Trail
8.5 miles (13.6 km) round trip, out and back trail. Jones Hole Trail is a popular hike along a babbling…
Be a Dinosaur Junior Ranger
Junior Rangers help to "Explore, Learn, and Protect" our national parks. Anyone can be a Junior Ranger! Once you learn…
Juinor Rangers need to complete their actvity books to receive a badge.
Hike the Confluence Trail
1.25 miles (2 km) round trip, out and back trail. Easy. The Confluence Trail provides a short and easy walk…
Hike to the Swelter Shelter Petroglyphs
400 feet (122 m) out and back trail. Easy. This short hike to Swelter Shelter offers visitors an opportunity to…
Picnicking in Dinosaur
The Plug Hat Butte picnic area is located along Harpers Corner Road on the Colorado side of the monument.
Hike the Gates of Lodore Trail
1 mile (1.6 km) round trip, out and back trail. Easy. The Gates of Lodore Trail is a short but…
Visitor Centers
Canyon Visitor Center - Colorado
Located near Dinosaur, Colorado, at the base of the Harpers Corner Road, the Canyon Visitor Center is the gateway to the monument's mountains and river…
Hours: The Canyon Visitor Center is open daily during the summer season. This typically lasts from mid-May to late September. Depending on staffing, the visitor center may be open on Saturdays and Sundays either before or after the main season. This visitor center is closed in winter.
Quarry Exhibit Hall - Utah
The Quarry Exhibit Hall is where you can see a wall of approximately 1,500 dinosaur bones. This includes the remains of numerous species, such as…
Hours: The Quarry Exhibit Hall is open year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. Our Standard Hours, effective daily in Spring and Fall, are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These hours change seasonally in Summer and Winter (see the seasonal exceptions below for specific dates).
Quarry Visitor Center - Utah
Located 7 miles (11 km) north of Jensen, Utah, off Highway 149, the Quarry Visitor Center is the gateway to the Quarry Exhibit Hall and…
Hours: The Quarry Visitor Center is open year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. Our Standard Hours, effective daily in Spring and Fall, are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These hours change seasonally in Summer and Winter (see the seasonal exceptions below for specific dates).
Campgrounds
Deerlodge Park Campground
Deerlodge Park Campground is located 51 miles (82 km) east of the Canyon Visitor Center. It is located on the Yampa River at the boat…
Echo Park Campground
Situated along the Green River at the base of towering cliffs, the Echo Park Campground provides a unique camping experience in Dinosaur National Monument. Steamboat…
Gates of Lodore Campground
Gates of Lodore Campground is located on the Green River at the boat ramp at the head of Lodore Canyon. The campground is popular with…
Green River Campground
The Green River Campground is located along the banks of the Green River in a grove of cottonwood trees at an elevation of 4795 (4162…
Rainbow Park Campground
Rainbow Park Campground is 28 miles (45 km) from the Quarry Visitor Center in the Utah portion of the monument. It is located on a…
Split Mountain Group Campground
The Split Mountain Group Campground is located along the banks of the Green River at an elevation of 4800 feet (1463 m) near the foot…
🗺️ Guided Tours & Experiences
Discover Dinosaur National Monument with expert-led tours
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
🏨 Find Hotels Near Dinosaur National Monument
Compare accommodation options for your visit
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
More Parks in Colorado
Plan Your Trip From a Nearby City
Find national parks near these cities, including Dinosaur National Monument.