If you’ve ever visited Dinosaur National Monument, you’re familiar with the dinosaur quarry, but many people skip one of the most interesting parts of this park – a fossil trail that features exposed dinosaur bones!
Dinosaur National Monument straddles the Utah/Colorado border. On the Utah side, it’s in Jensen, Utah, which is near Vernal.
Google You’ll pay $20 per vehicle to enter the park (the pass is good for seven days).
The Fossil Discovery Trail is a 1.2 mile-long trail that features interesting rock formations and exposed dinosaur bones.
Andrey Zharkikh/flickr
You can access the trail from either the Quarry Visitor Center or the Quarry Exhibit Hall.
Andrey Zharkikh/flickr This trail doesn’t offer any shade, and it can be very hot during most months of the year. Make sure to take plenty of water along.
The trail is considered moderately difficult.
Andrey Zharkikh/flickr You’ll encounter some rocky parts of the trail, and some sections are a little bit steep.
The views along the way are beautiful!
Andrey Zharkikh/flickr This hike offers some quintessential dinosaur country terrain, including desert plants, rocky outcrops and a great, big sky.
When you reach the Morrison formation, you’ll find several exposed dinosaur bones…
National Park Service
…including this large, fossilized leg bone from a sauropod dinosaur!
National Park Service Please don’t disturb the fossils! Not only is it illegal, but it ruins the experience for later visitors.
In addition to fossils, you also might encounter some cute and furry wildlife.
Andrey Zharkikh/flickr
Andrey Zharkikh/flickr They’re cute, but don’t feed them!
During summer months, take a ranger-guided tour to learn more about this area, and the dinosaurs who once called this place home.
National Park Service click here for more information about ranger-led tours.
Have you hiked Fossil Discovery Trail? Tell us about your trip!
You’ll pay $20 per vehicle to enter the park (the pass is good for seven days).
Andrey Zharkikh/flickr
This trail doesn’t offer any shade, and it can be very hot during most months of the year. Make sure to take plenty of water along.
You’ll encounter some rocky parts of the trail, and some sections are a little bit steep.
This hike offers some quintessential dinosaur country terrain, including desert plants, rocky outcrops and a great, big sky.
National Park Service
Please don’t disturb the fossils! Not only is it illegal, but it ruins the experience for later visitors.
They’re cute, but don’t feed them!
click here for more information about ranger-led tours.
If you’d like to learn more about Utah’s dinosaurs, check out these 10 adventurous spots to learn about Utah’s prehistoric giants.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
