Hiking in Colorado isn’t always just about summiting a mountain or climbing to an alpine lake, sometimes the state’s trails lead you along a journey through prehistoric times. Great for families or solo hikes, these are the best hikes to see dinosaurs in Colorado.
Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument is one of the best places to see dinosaurs in Colorado, and my favorite place to explore the outdoors. Straddling the border of Colorado and Utah in northwest Colorado, amongst some of the state’s most remote landscapes, Dinosaur National Monument spans 210,000 acres and features one of the most impressive displays of dinosaur fossils in the country.
The park’s main attraction is the Dinosaur Quarry, located on the Utah side near the town of Vernal, where you can observe a massive wall of rock containing approximately 1,500 dinosaur fossils. These fossils, dating back to the late Jurassic period (about 150 million years ago), include remains of species such as Allosaurus, Apatosaurus, and Stegosaurus.
An exhibition hall was built up and around the quarry, allowing visitors to literally walk amongst thousands of dinosaur bones and fossils. It’s one of the most impressive dinosaur fossil displays I’ve ever seen.
Beyond its paleontological significance, Dinosaur National Monument also boasts some of the state’s most beautiful and unique landscapes. Carved by the Green and Yampa rivers, the area features deep canyons, colorful rock formations, and diverse ecosystems ranging from desert to alpine forests. The monument also preserves evidence of human history, including petroglyphs and pictographs left by the Fremont people over a thousand years ago.
During my recent visits, I enjoyed several hikes: the Fossil Discovery Trail (near the quarry) and the Desert Voices Trail along Cub Creek Road. On the Colorado side, the hike to the Gates of Lodore is impressive, as well as the Confluence trail at Echo Park.
Dinosaur Ridge near Morrison
Dinosaur Ridge near Morrison is another great place to see dinosaurs in Colorado, and it’s only 20 minutes from Denver. While the small town of Morrison is best known for its epic concert venue—Red Rocks Amphitheatre—it is also a hotbed for prehistoric history. In fact, the town gets its namesake from the Morrison Formation—a geological formation from the Late Jurassic Period and is one of the largest sources of dinosaur fossils in the country.
There are guided tours available or explore on your own along the one-mile (one way) Dinosaur Ridge Trail to see over 300 fossil tracks and where the world’s first Stegosaurus fossil was found. If you’re looking for more of a hike, then hop on the Dakota Ridge Trail—a 4.4-mile trail with great 360-degree views of Red Rocks and Dinosaur Ridge.
Ouray Dinosaur Tracks
150 million years ago, a sauropod tromped through what is now the small Colorado mountain town of Ouray, leaving 134 consecutive footprints, which make up the largest continuous dinosaur trackway on the planet. Now they are available to the public after the United States Forest Service purchased two parcels of land totaling 27 acres.
The dinosaur track site encompasses 106 yards of sauropod tracks, named the West Gold Hill Dinosaur Track site. Imprinted in sandstone, the fossilized tracks are one of the very few examples of a dinosaur significantly turning direction (greater than 180 degrees). You’ll be able to access the site via the Silvershield Trail on a steep two-mile (out and back) trail.
Tip: While you are in town, be sure to also check out The Perimeter Trail for beautiful views of town and the San Juan Mountains.
Picketwire Canyon
Picketwire Canyon, also known as Purgatoire Canyon, is a geological and archaeological site hidden in southeastern Colorado’s Comanche National Grassland, about 25 miles south of La Junta. Carved by the Purgatoire River, this canyon is home to one of North America’s largest known dinosaur track sites, with over 1,400 visible footprints from various dinosaur species, including Brontosaurus from over 150 million years ago.
If you want to see the dinosaur tracks, you’ll have to commit some time to hike the 11.2-mile (round-trip) trail. Descending only 250 feet into the canyon, elevation gain is insignificant, as most of the trail is flat. Along the way, you’ll see historic ruins and grave yards, evidence of Hispanic settlers who lived in the area years ago.
This is my favorite trail for seeing dinosaurs in Colorado. It’s more challenging to get to (just in terms of the length of the trail), but you’ll find fewer crowds and plenty of room to explore
Tip for visiting: There is no coverage along this trail, making it very hot in summer. The best times to go are in spring and fall. And if you can plan it just right, visit after a rainstorm to see the giant dinosaur tracks filled with water, making reflective pools spread throughout the canyon.
Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience in Canon City
Best known for the Royal Gorge Bridge, Canon City is also one of the first areas where dinosaurs were found in the Garden Park Paleontological Area. The Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience is a family-friendly attraction that brings the prehistoric world to life. Explore the multi-story museum with interactive displays and full-scale dinosaur fossil casts. One of the main attractions is the outdoor Dinosaur Wild Walk, where you can stroll among life-sized animatronic dinosaurs in a natural setting.
Nearby, be sure to also check out the Garden Park Fossil Area. Several hiking trails lead to historic quarry sites, such as the Marsh and Cleveland Quarries, that were the result of the “Great Dinosaur Rush” of the West. This is another hiking area best enjoyed in the spring and fall months.
*all images were taken by me (unless otherwise stated) and are subject to copyright.
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