Dinosaur National Monument Plan Your Visit

The monument is open all year, but certain roads and facilities are closed during the winter months. When monument roads are open, they are open 24 hours a day. There are no dinosaur fossils in the Colorado portion of the monument. If you want to see Dinosaur Fossils, you must visit the Utah side of the monument near Jensen, Utah. Please see dates and hours of operation for the monument visitor centers below. Utah Side of the Monument Quarry Visitor Center (Seven miles north of Jensen, Utah) September 23, 2013 - May 16, 2014, Open daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m May 17, 2014 - September 7, 2014, Open daily 8:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m. September 8, 2014 - late May 2015, Opend daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Except, closed on Thanksgiving (November 27, 2014), Christmas (December 25) and New Years Day (January 1). Quarry Exhibit Hall (this is where you see Dinosaur fossils) September 23, 2013 - May 16, 2014, o pen daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (see information below) May 17, 2014 - September 7, 2014, open daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. September 23, 2013 - May 16, 2014, o pen daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (see information below) Also closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas (December 25), and New Year's Day (January 1). Fall, Winter, and Spring Access to the Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall October 21, 2013 through early May 2014 Due to both lower visitation and reduced staffing levels during our off season, access to the quarry is by car caravans. Visitors drive their personal vehicle to the quarry, following the ranger. Rangers lead car caravans to the exhibit hall at the following times: 9:30 a.m 10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. (last trip of the day) If you arrive after the If you arrive after the previous group has departed, you may have to wait up to 1 hour before the next departure. There is a twelve minute film, exhibits, and a bookstore in the visitor center to occupy your time while you wait. You can also take a scenic drive on the Cub Creek Road. Last caravan goes to the quarry at 4:00 p.m. Summer Access to the Dinosaur Quarry To access the Quarry Exhibit Hall, visitors must first stop at the Quarry Visitor Center located approximately ¼ mile from the exhibit hall. The visitor center features a staffed information desk, exhibits, sales area for the Intermountain Natural History Association and park film. Summer access to the Quarry Exhibit Hall is by shuttle bus only from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. If you arrive prior to 9:30 am, you will be allowed to drive your personal vehicle to the quarry. The access road closes to uphill traffic at 9:30 and shuttles depart from the visitor center every 15 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The last bus leaving the Quarry Exhibit Hall departs at 5:30 p.m. for the return to the visitor center. Visitors with accessibility needs should inquire at the information desk at the visitor center for directions on how to access the Quarry Exhibit Hall. Colorado Side of the Monument Canyon Visitor Center (Two miles east of Dinosaur, Colorado) October 1, 2013 - April 11, 2014, closed for the winter April 12, 2014 - May 1, Open Saturdays & Sundays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. May 2, 2014 - September 28, 2014, Open daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

November 1, closed for the winter season

Getting There

Plane

Flying in to Grand Junction, CO or Salt Lake City, UT would probably be the least expensive way to fly to Dinosaur. It is roughly a 3 hour drive from Salt Lake to the park in a rental vehicle, just over 2 hours from Grand Junction. Vernal, UT does have an airport and a few flights shuttle between it at Salt Lake every day.

Car

The popular Fossil Bone Quarry area of the park is only a 30 minute drive east from Vernal, Utah. Take Rt. 40 (Main Street) east out of Vernal until a well marked turn left/north from Jensen, UT onto Rt. 149. 7 miles later you reach the park.

Public Transportation

There are no transportation services to the park such as a taxi or bus. You must have your own transportation..