Travel Guide Dinosaur National Monument

This desert area on the southeastern flank of the Uinta Mountains, made up of steep canyons and arid, vertical mountains, is named for the dinosaur fossils it contains. It covers more than 84,000 acres that span part of Utah and, more broadly, Colorado. There are numerous viewpoints and trails around the Green River, canyons and colorful rock formations. The whole area offers exceptional prehistoric evidence.In 1909, paleontologist Earl Douglas discovered the Morrisson Formation and its Jurassic remains (from 201.3 to 145 million years ago). Protected, the site became a national monument in 1915. If the fossils, mainly of allosaurs and abydosaurs, were nestled in the sedimentary rocks of the canyons, a large part of them was removed at the beginning of the 20th century to be sent to the Pittsburgh museum. Now they can be seen in the Quarry Exhibit Hall, a building in the park. Don't miss the Dinosaur Wall, which contains hundreds of fossils - including diplodocus, stegosaurus, camarasaurus, and apatosaurus. There are also areas where you can touch them.