Dinosaur Ridge

The highlight of Dinosaur Ridge is a 2-mile (3-kilometer) paved trail featuring more than 300 dinosaur tracks, plus fossilized bones and ripple marks from a prehistoric ocean. Visitors can walk or bike along the trail for free or pay for a 1-hour guided bus tour that stops at the most interesting sections. There's also a hop-on, hop-off shuttle for those who want to explore independently without walking the entire way (check the website for shuttle operating hours).

The main visitor center features interactive exhibits that showcase what the area looked like during different prehistoric periods, plus simulated dino-dig boxes for kids.

• If you're planning to walk the trail, wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers.

• Bring sun protection and a water bottle to stay safe amid the high-altitude elements.

• Walking the trail round-trip will take 1–2 hours.

• Kids age 2 and under go free; ask about active military and veteran discounts.

Dinosaur Ridge is located about 30 minutes west of downtown Denver in Morrison, just east of the intersection of Alameda and Colorado State Highway 470. Free parking is available at the visitor center parking lot.

The site is open daily, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. May through October, the visitor center is open daily for business hours, with shorter hours November through April. Check the website for tour departure times.

This natural amphitheater and famous concert venue is right next to Dinosaur Ridge, so the two foothills attractions can easily be visited in one day. You can drive to both, or access the Dinosaur Ridge Trail directly from Red Rocks entrance 1. There's even a discovery center on the trail’s west side that's designed just for visitors entering from Red Rocks.

Dinosaur Ridge got its name because of the abundance of dinosaur fossils Arthur Lakes unearthed along Colorado's Dakota Hogback in 1876. A portion of the hogback was christened Dinosaur Ridge and is now a celebrated outdoor museum famed for its prehistoric remnants and geological features.

Dinosaur Ridge is free to enter; it's easy to access the trails and explore the site. For a deeper dive into paleontology and the site's fossil discoveries, opt for a guided tour, for which there's a charge. Some travelers prefer the convenience of a bus tour or the informative content of an audio guide.

The bulges at Dinosaur Ridge refer to the preserved footprints of dinosaurs from the Jurassic period. Dinosaurs such as brontosauruses walked on soft sediment, and these prints were filled by layers of sand over the years. These then solidified into fossils over 150 million years, leaving a visible downward bulge.

Yes, visiting Dinosaur Ridge is worthwhile, especially for those interested in dinosaurs and geology. Famed for its plethora of fossils and ancient footprints, it’s one of the world’s most famous dinosaur fossil sites. Here, nature lovers can explore hiking trails and enjoy the educational, family-friendly exhibitions.

Yes, there’s free parking at Dinosaur Ridge and usually plenty of spaces. You can find parking at multiple locations, including right next to the Main Visitor Center on 16831 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, Colorado. There’s also parking near the Discovery Center on 17681 W. Alameda Parkway, Golden, Colorado.

It typically takes between 1-2 hours to walk around the Ridge Trail, which is just over 2 miles (3 kilometers) long. This gives you enough time to stop and read displays, and explore the fossils at a leisurely pace. If you're short on time, opt for a bus or bike tour to speed up your exploration.