Visitors from all over the world travel to experience this unique park in northeast Utah, where evidence of dinosaurs has been preserved for millions of years. Fortunately, the Dinosaur National Monument is in our own garden and very easy to get to. The park is technically a national monument, but it covers more than 200,000 acres. It’s also among the top travel destinations in the world for dinosaur and prehistory enthusiasts!
Here are the top 8 must-see attractions when visiting “Dinosaur Land”:
The bone wall
On the Utah side of the monument, visitors can interact with a deposit of real dinosaur fossils called the Wall of Bones. Over 1,500 fossils are on display, still embedded in the cliffs where ancient creatures came to rest millions of years ago during the late Jurassic period.
The Yampa and the Green River
On the Colorado side of the Monument Area, the Yampa and Green Rivers flow through deep, majestic canyons. These are some of the most beautiful viewpoints in the west. Don’t miss Harpers Corner Road for breathtaking views of the river below. The nearby Canyon Visitor Center provides more information so you can fully experience the Dinosaur National Monument.
McConkie Ranch petroglyphs
The petroglyphs at McConkie Ranch (also known as Dry Fork Canyon Petroglyphs) near Vernal, Utah, are some of the most impressive that many people have ever seen. They are clear, abundant, and many are large. McConkie Ranch’s petroglyphs are on private property but are open to the public.
Rafted the Green River
For a next level adventure, book a rafting trip through the canyon and down the Green River! For visitors who love a good adrenaline rush, this whitewater adventure is as exciting as it is beautiful. As you drift down the river, you’ll pass Steamboat Rock, a giant monolith in the center of Dinosaur National Monument that towers over the water.
Night sky stargazing
In 2019 the International Dark-Sky Association officially declared the Dinosaur National Monument an International Dark Sky Park. These are special areas where light pollution is strictly limited to protect the incredible view of the stars in the night sky. The view of the night sky at the Dinosaur Monument is breathtaking. So if you get the chance to pay a visit at night, don’t forget to look up!
Rainbow Park and Island Park
These parks are located in the northwest corner of the Dinosaur National Monument. You should stop by this section if you want to check out the Fremont petroglyphs. It’s amazing to see man-made art that has been around for so long! It leaves you wondering what it was like to live in this area when you were here.
Red Fleet State Park
Hike 200-million-year-old dinosaur tracks, take a boat ride, and fish on the Red Fleet Reservoir, and camp or picnic at a campsite overlooking a sandstone and desert landscape. In the heart of dinosaur land, Red Fleet is a destination in itself and a great place to explore the area.
The quarry exhibition hall
More real fossils and footprints can be viewed in the Quarry Exhibit Hall. This is the place where dinosaur fossils were first discovered in the area in 1909. Some of the fossils available include a rare baby stegosaurus, allosaurus, apatosaurus, and more!
There are so many fun things to do in Utah’s Dinosaur Land! To learn more, visit Dinosaur National Monument now.
This story contains sponsored content.
Comments are closed.