Is Dinosaur National Monument Worth Visiting? (2024)
Have you ever wondered if Dinosaur National Monument is worth visiting? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know!
Is Dinosaur National Monument Worth Visiting?
Yes, Dinosaur National Monument is definitely worth visiting.
It is a beautiful place with a lot to offer visitors including one of the most significant dinosaur fossil beds in the world.
You can see the dinosaur bones at the Quarry Exhibit Hall and there are also opportunities to go fossil hunting on your own.
Things To Do At Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument is a great place to learn about dinosaurs, explore the outdoors, and experience the beauty of the American West.
1. Quarry Hall Exhibit
The Quarry Hall Exhibit is open year round from 8 am – 5:30 pm in the Summer, 10 am – 4 pm in the Winter, and 9 am – 5 pm the rest of the year.
You’ll start at the visitor center and take a tram up to the Quarry Hall Exhibit.
The Quarry Hall is really cool because it is built around where a ton of dinosaur fossils were found.
They didn’t full excavate the area, so all of the fossils are in the exact same spot they were originally found.
Once we got to the Quarry, we were able to explore it for as long as we wanted.
The trams run continuously all day.
So you can spend 5 minutes or 5 hours if you want.
We ended up spending about 45 minutes looking at all of the fossils and we were back out on the road by 3:30 pm.
2. Tour Of Tilted Rocks Scenic Drive
This is a 10 mile road that is open year round, with potential seasonal closures on the last 4 miles.
Along the way you’ll see historic homesteads, petroglyphs, pictographs, and scenic vistas.
Depending on how much time you want to take, this drive can be anywhere from 1 – 4 hours long.
3. Island Park Road Scenic Drive
This scenic drive can only be done when it’s dry and it’s highly encouraged to only do this drive in a high clearance vehicle because it’s an unpaved road.
Island Park Road is 18 miles and it goes from outside of Dinosaur National Monument to Ruple Ranch inside the park.
Along the drive, you’ll want to stop at McKee Spring to see petroglyphs.
There’s also a campground at Rainbow Park and you can see Green River from Island Park.
4. Harpers Corner Road Scenic Drive
This is a 31 mile paved road that is only open outside of the Winter season.
You’ll see a variety of rivers and canyons that are all throughout Dinosaur National Monument.
There are also hiking trails and picnic areas along the way.
In general you can expect to spend anywhere from 2 – 4 hours doing this scenic drive.
5. Echo Park Road Scenic Drive
Echo Park Road actually begins along Harpers Corner Road and is an unpaved 14 mile scenic drive.
This road can’t be driven when it’s wet.
It also requires high vehicle clearance with all wheel drive and it’s not recommended for trailers or RVs.
This scenic drive is also closed in the Winter and can be done in anywhere from 1 – 4 hours depending on what you want to stop and do along the way.
6. Yampa Bench Road Scenic Drive
Yampa Bench Road is an 18 mile unpaved scenic drive along the Yampa River.
You need a high clearance vehicle for this drive and it can’t be driven when it’s wet.
It closes seasonally for Winter weather and can be driven in 2 – 6 hours depending on what stops you make along the way.
7. Go On A Hike
The Dinosaur National Monument official page has every trail, it’s length, it’s difficulty, and anything else you need to know before you go.
8. Take A Guided River Rafting Trip Through Dinosaur National Monument
The best way to view the remote canyons throughout Dinosaur National Monument is with a rafting guide.
There are varying levels of difficulty with the rapids depending on if you choose to raft Green River or Yampa River.
Tips For Visiting Dinosaur National Monument
Here are some additional tips for planning your visit to Dinosaur National Monument.
The monument is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the spring or fall when the weather is mild.
The monument is located in a remote area, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly.
There are limited lodging and dining options in the area.
Be sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and snacks on your hike.
The monument is home to a variety of wildlife, so be sure to be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye out for animals.
Where To Stay When Visiting Dinosaur National Monument
There are 6 campgrounds at Dinosaur National Monument, 2 of which are right near Quarry Hall and the main visitor center.
The other campgrounds are essentially in each corner of the park, very far away from one another.
If you’re looking for hotel accommodations, TownePlace Suites By Marriott Vernal is a highly rated hotel in Vernal, Utah where the main visitor center and Quarry Hall Exhibit are located.
👉🏼 Click Here To Book Your Stay At TownePlace Suites By Marriott Vernal Today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Dinosaur National Monument
These are the most frequently asked questions we get about visiting Dinosaur National Monument.
☑️ What City Is Closest To Dinosaur National Monument?
The closest city to Dinosaur National Monument is Vernal, Utah.
It is about 16 miles from the monument’s Quarry Visitor Center.
Vernal has a variety of lodging, dining, and shopping options, and it is a good place to base yourself for exploring the monument.
Some more neighboring cities include Jensen, Utah, which is 7 miles away.
Craig, Colorado is 45 miles away and Rangely, Colorado is 60 miles away.
The closest major metropolitan area would be Salt Lake City, which is about 3 hours away.
☑️ How Many Fossils Are In Dinosaur National Monument?
There are over 1,500 dinosaur fossils exposed on the cliff face inside the Quarry Exhibit Hall at Dinosaur National Monument.
These fossils represent over 10 different species of dinosaurs, including Allosaurus, Apatosaurus, Camarasaurus, Diplodocus, and Stegosaurus.
In addition to the fossils in the Quarry Exhibit Hall, there are also many dinosaur fossils found throughout the monument.
Visitors can go fossil hunting on their own, but they are required to have a permit and must follow the rules set by the National Park Service.
☑️ What Is The Bone Wall At Dinosaur National Monument?
The Bone Wall is a cliff face inside the Quarry Exhibit Hall at Dinosaur National Monument.
It is a 150-foot long, two-story wall that contains over 1,500 dinosaur fossils.
The fossils are from the Late Jurassic period, about 150 million years ago.
They represent over 10 different species of dinosaurs, including Allosaurus, Apatosaurus, Camarasaurus, Diplodocus, and Stegosaurus.
The Bone Wall was discovered in 1909 by two brothers, Earl and Sidney Hollister.
They were prospecting for gold in the area when they came across the exposed bones.
The Hollisters contacted the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and a team of paleontologists was sent to investigate.
The team spent the next several years excavating the Bone Wall.
The Bone Wall is one of the most significant dinosaur fossil beds in the world.
It provides a glimpse into the ecosystem of the Late Jurassic period.
The fossils from the Bone Wall have helped scientists to learn more about the size, shape, and behavior of dinosaurs.
The Bone Wall is a popular tourist destination.
Visitors to the Quarry Exhibit Hall can see the fossils up close.
They can also learn about the history of the Bone Wall and the work of the paleontologists who excavated it.
More Fun Destinations To Visit In Utah
Since Dinosaur National Monument is in such a remote location in Utah, you’re bound to be including some other destinations on your trip here.
Below are some of our favorite places to visit in Utah.
🚗 Scenic Byway 12
Scenic Byway 12 is a fantastic road trip itinerary that takes you to some of Utah’s National Parks, National Recreation Areas, and just some scenic spots you must see around the Southwest of Utah.
🚗 Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks mirror each other on either side of Moab, Utah, making them perfect activities to pair together on a Utah road trip or weekend getaway.
🚗 Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks
Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks are also very close to each other and can even be visited in one day.
We did this on a recent road trip and spent the morning hiking Bryce Canyon and the late afternoon exploring areas of Capitol Reef.
🚗 Zion National Park
We’ve visited Zion National Park several times now and have had a vastly different experience each time.
The main attraction here is Hiking The Narrows, which is an awesome walk through a river in a slot canyon.
This is best done as part of a trip to Zion in the Summer months or just before or after that time.
If you visit during the Winter, most trails will be completely frozen over, but it’s the perfect time to book a cabin at the lodge and hang out by the fireplace, enjoying the beauty of the snow covered mountains.
More National Monuments Worth Visiting
While National Parks tend to get all of the attention, the lesser known National Monuments are some hidden gems you should definitely add to your travel bucket list.
Here are some of our favorites.
⛺️ Craters of the Moon
Craters of the Moon is a park in Idaho, not too far from Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
It has a short loop drive that stops off at cinder cones and other out of this world looking wonders that you can hike around.
⛺️ Little Bighorn Battlefield
The Little Bighorn Battlefield is in a remote area outside of Billings, Montana, not too far from Yellowstone either, just in the opposite direction.
⛺️ Devils Tower
Devils Tower is just a bit Southeast of Little Bighorn, in Wyoming.
Camping at the foot of it in the KOA campground is a fun experience you must add onto your trip here.
Conclusion: Is Dinosaur National Monument Worth Visiting?
If you’ve ever wondered if Dinosaur National Monument is worth visiting, now you know!
There’s so much to see and do here.
Even though it’s a little remote and takes a bit of time to get to, there’s plenty to do to make up for it.
