Dinosaur National Monument
Designation: National Monument
Location: Colorado, Utah
📘 Park Overview
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.
🌤 Weather Information
Dinosaur's climate is semiarid with temperatures averaging between 0°F to 30°F in January and 50°F to 100°F in July. Extreme winter low temperatures may reach -40°F and summer highs can top 110°F. Elevations within the park vary between 4,700 and 9,000 feet. Winter snow may be heavy at higher elevations while only light to moderate snow is found at lower elevations. Summer thunderstorms may cause heavy downpours and localized flooding, but fail to dampen parched soils less than a mile away.
🚗 Directions
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.
Images
Over 1500 fossilized bones of various dinosaurs are still embedded in the cliff face including a skull and several neck vertebrae of a camarasaurus
Credit: NPS Photo / Dan Johnson
The Jones Hole Trail offers remote solitude in the wilderness of the monument.
Credit: NPS Photo/Conrad Provan
Steamboat Rock rises above the Green River in Echo Park
Credit: NPS Photo / Jacob W. Frank
The ancestral indigenous peoples left petroglyphs on many of the rock cliffs within Dinosaur National Monument including those at McKee Springs
Credit: NPS Photo / Jacob W. Frank
Jones Hole Creek flows year round, providing nourishment for vibrant, green forests.
Credit: NPS Photo/Conrad Provan
Fossils from a camarasaurus dinosaur display the well articulated specimens still found in the rock in the Quarry Exhibit Hall.
Credit: NPS
Hikers arriving at the end of the Harpers Corner Trail are rewarded with a view of the Mitten Park Fault, Green River and the Yampa River Canyons
Credit: NPS Photo / Dan Johnson
Dinosaur's dark skies provides dramatic views of the Milky Way Galaxy
Credit: NPS Photo / Jacob W. Frank
Visitors to Dinosaur may also see its diversity of wildlife including Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.
Credit: NPS/Jacob W. Frank
Rapids like those in Split Mountain Canyon challenge and thrill rafters on the Green River.
Credit: NPS/Jacob W. Frank
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Thursday, Jul 16
Sunny
High: 87.4°F | Low: 66.9°F
Humidity: 35%
Wind: 12.8 mph
Rain Chance: 17%
UV Index: 11.4
Sunrise: 05:59 AM
Sunset: 08:44 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (8%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 63.2°F
Cloud Cover: 17%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Friday, Jul 17
Sunny
High: 87.3°F | Low: 66.6°F
Humidity: 39%
Wind: 14.3 mph
Rain Chance: 57%
UV Index: 11.5
Sunrise: 06:00 AM
Sunset: 08:43 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (15%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 63.1°F
Cloud Cover: 57%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Saturday, Jul 18
Sunny
High: 86.5°F | Low: 66.5°F
Humidity: 42%
Wind: 15.2 mph
Rain Chance: 57%
UV Index: 11.6
Sunrise: 06:01 AM
Sunset: 08:43 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (23%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 64.2°F
Cloud Cover: 57%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Geology Overview
Discover fascinating fossils and evidence of ancient ecosystems with a ranger in this 20-30 minute talk. throughout the summer. Meet at the Quarry Exhibit Hall shuttle stop to learn more about the processes that have shaped today's landscape.
Please Note: Program topics can change due to unforeseen schedule changes. Programs may also be canceled due to adverse weather, for visitor or employee safety, or because of staffing shortages caused by emergencies such as fire or medical conditions.
Location: This talk takes place at the Quarry Exhibit Hall shuttle stop on the Jensen, UT side of the park. Visitors can take a 5-minute shuttle ride from the Quarry Visitor Center to the Exhibit Hall to hear the talk. Visitors with pets or accessibility needs should ask a ranger for directions to drive a personal vehicle to the Exhibit Hall.
Date: May 16, 2026 12:00am to May 19, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Geology Overview
Discover fascinating fossils and evidence of ancient ecosystems with a ranger in this 20-30 minute talk. throughout the summer. Meet at the Quarry Exhibit Hall shuttle stop to learn more about the processes that have shaped today's landscape.
Please Note: Program topics can change due to unforeseen schedule changes. Programs may also be canceled due to adverse weather, for visitor or employee safety, or because of staffing shortages caused by emergencies such as fire or medical conditions.
Location: This talk takes place at the Quarry Exhibit Hall shuttle stop on the Jensen, UT side of the park. Visitors can take a 5-minute shuttle ride from the Quarry Visitor Center to the Exhibit Hall to hear the talk. Visitors with pets or accessibility needs should ask a ranger for directions to drive a personal vehicle to the Exhibit Hall.
Date: May 21, 2026 12:00am to May 21, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Evening Program: Going Batty
Join a ranger for a 30-45 minute talk at the Green River Campground Program Circle, near Loop B Site 22. Topics vary from geology, history, wildlife, and more. Evening Programs occur on select nights. Programs are designed for general audiences. Bug spray is recommended. Extra parking for non-campers is available in Loop B.
Planned Program: Going Batty. Join Ranger Tiff as she explores the wonderful world of bats and debunks some common myths of our flying fuzzy neighbors.
Please Note: Program topics can change due to unforeseen schedule changes. Programs may also be canceled due to adverse weather, for visitor or employee safety, or because of staffing shortages caused by emergencies such as fire or medical conditions.
Location: Evening programs are located in the Green River Campground on the Utah side of the park. Talks are given from the Green River Campfire Circle, near Loop B Site 22, across from the restrooms.
Date: May 22, 2026 12:00am to May 22, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Evening Program: Seeing in the Dark
Join a ranger for a 30-45 minute talk at the Green River Campground Program Circle, near Loop B Site 22. Topics vary from geology, history, wildlife, and more. Evening Programs occur on select nights. Programs are designed for general audiences. Bug spray is recommended. Extra parking for non-campers is available in Loop B.
Planned Topic: Seeing in the Dark. Come by to learn how the nocturnal residents of Dinosaur National Monument have adapted to seeing in low light and how preserving natural darkness helps them survive.
Please Note: Program topics can change due to unforeseen schedule changes. Programs may also be canceled due to adverse weather, for visitor or employee safety, or because of staffing shortages caused by emergencies such as fire or medical conditions.
Location: Evening programs are located in the Green River Campground on the Utah side of the park. Talks are given from the Green River Campfire Circle, near Loop B Site 22, across from the restrooms.
Date: May 23, 2026 12:00am to May 23, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Evening Program: Going Batty
Join a ranger for a 30-45 minute talk at the Green River Campground Program Circle, near Loop B Site 22. Topics vary from geology, history, wildlife, and more. Evening Programs occur on select nights. Programs are designed for general audiences. Bug spray is recommended. Extra parking for non-campers is available in Loop B.
Planned Program: Going Batty. Join Ranger Tiff as she explores the wonderful world of bats and debunks some common myths of our flying fuzzy neighbors.
Please Note: Program topics can change due to unforeseen schedule changes. Programs may also be canceled due to adverse weather, for visitor or employee safety, or because of staffing shortages caused by emergencies such as fire or medical conditions.
Location: Evening programs are located in the Green River Campground on the Utah side of the park. Talks are given from the Green River Campfire Circle, near Loop B Site 22, across from the restrooms.
Date: May 29, 2026 12:00am to May 29, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Evening Program: Seeing in the Dark
Join a ranger for a 30-45 minute talk at the Green River Campground Program Circle, near Loop B Site 22. Topics vary from geology, history, wildlife, and more. Evening Programs occur on select nights. Programs are designed for general audiences. Bug spray is recommended. Extra parking for non-campers is available in Loop B.
Planned Topic: Seeing in the Dark. Come by to learn how the nocturnal residents of Dinosaur National Monument have adapted to seeing in low light and how preserving natural darkness helps them survive.
Please Note: Program topics can change due to unforeseen schedule changes. Programs may also be canceled due to adverse weather, for visitor or employee safety, or because of staffing shortages caused by emergencies such as fire or medical conditions.
Location: Evening programs are located in the Green River Campground on the Utah side of the park. Talks are given from the Green River Campfire Circle, near Loop B Site 22, across from the restrooms.
Date: May 30, 2026 12:00am to May 30, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Geology Overview
Discover fascinating fossils and evidence of ancient ecosystems with a ranger in this 20-30 minute talk. throughout the summer. Meet at the Quarry Exhibit Hall shuttle stop to learn more about the processes that have shaped today's landscape.
Please Note: Program topics can change due to unforeseen schedule changes. Programs may also be canceled due to adverse weather, for visitor or employee safety, or because of staffing shortages caused by emergencies such as fire or medical conditions.
Location: This talk takes place at the Quarry Exhibit Hall shuttle stop on the Jensen, UT side of the park. Visitors can take a 5-minute shuttle ride from the Quarry Visitor Center to the Exhibit Hall to hear the talk. Visitors with pets or accessibility needs should ask a ranger for directions to drive a personal vehicle to the Exhibit Hall.
Date: Jun 1, 2026 12:00am to Jun 18, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Evening Program: Going Batty
Join a ranger for a 30-45 minute talk at the Green River Campground Program Circle, near Loop B Site 22. Topics vary from geology, history, wildlife, and more. Evening Programs occur on select nights. Programs are designed for general audiences. Bug spray is recommended. Extra parking for non-campers is available in Loop B.
Planned Program: Going Batty. Join Ranger Tiff as she explores the wonderful world of bats and debunks some common myths of our flying fuzzy neighbors.
Please Note: Program topics can change due to unforeseen schedule changes. Programs may also be canceled due to adverse weather, for visitor or employee safety, or because of staffing shortages caused by emergencies such as fire or medical conditions.
Location: Evening programs are located in the Green River Campground on the Utah side of the park. Talks are given from the Green River Campfire Circle, near Loop B Site 22, across from the restrooms.
Date: Jun 12, 2026 12:00am to Jun 12, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Evening Program: Seeing in the Dark
Join a ranger for a 30-45 minute talk at the Green River Campground Program Circle, near Loop B Site 22. Topics vary from geology, history, wildlife, and more. Evening Programs occur on select nights. Programs are designed for general audiences. Bug spray is recommended. Extra parking for non-campers is available in Loop B.
Planned Topic: Seeing in the Dark. Come by to learn how the nocturnal residents of Dinosaur National Monument have adapted to seeing in low light and how preserving natural darkness helps them survive.
Please Note: Program topics can change due to unforeseen schedule changes. Programs may also be canceled due to adverse weather, for visitor or employee safety, or because of staffing shortages caused by emergencies such as fire or medical conditions.
Location: Evening programs are located in the Green River Campground on the Utah side of the park. Talks are given from the Green River Campfire Circle, near Loop B Site 22, across from the restrooms.
Date: Jun 13, 2026 12:00am to Jun 13, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Geology Overview
Discover fascinating fossils and evidence of ancient ecosystems with a ranger in this 20-30 minute talk. throughout the summer. Meet at the Quarry Exhibit Hall shuttle stop to learn more about the processes that have shaped today's landscape.
Please Note: Program topics can change due to unforeseen schedule changes. Programs may also be canceled due to adverse weather, for visitor or employee safety, or because of staffing shortages caused by emergencies such as fire or medical conditions.
Location: This talk takes place at the Quarry Exhibit Hall shuttle stop on the Jensen, UT side of the park. Visitors can take a 5-minute shuttle ride from the Quarry Visitor Center to the Exhibit Hall to hear the talk. Visitors with pets or accessibility needs should ask a ranger for directions to drive a personal vehicle to the Exhibit Hall.
Date: Jun 19, 2026 12:00am to Jun 19, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
11625 E 1500 S
Jensen, UT 84035
🏤 Mailing Address:
4545 Hwy 40
Dinosaur, CO 81610
📞 Voice Phone: 4357817700
📞 Fax Phone: 4357817735
✉️ Email: dino_information@nps.gov