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Dinosaur Ridge, Morrison, CO

Photo: Footwarrior, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingFamily FavoriteOutdoor AdventureFree

Dinosaur Ridge

16831 W Alameda Pkwy · Morrison, CO

Why you should go…

Dinosaur Ridge is a ridge west of Denver where fossils sit in the rock where they were found. A 1.1-mile paved road, closed to traffic, passes more than 250 Cretaceous tracks in the Dakota Formation on the east side, and on the west side you can see bones in the Jurassic Morrison Formation. The site yielded the first identified Stegosaurus fossils, after bones were found here in 1877. Walking the ridge on your own is free from sunup to sundown, and guided bus tours run for a fee.

  • #dinosaur tracks
  • #fossils
  • #paved trail
  • #geology
  • #guided tour

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Dinosaur Ridge, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Iconic

    Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

    Free

    A natural sandstone amphitheater in the foothills, free to hike by day and home to legendary concerts by night.

    1.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave

    Under $25

    See William F. Cody's hilltop grave, then tour museum exhibits on his life and his Wild West show.

    4.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Tours
    Iconic

    Coors Brewery Tour

    Under $25

    Walk through the malting, brewing and packaging processes of the Golden brewery, then sample the beer.

    5.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Larimer Square

    Free

    Stroll Denver's oldest commercial block, a row of 1870s to 1890s brick buildings filled with shops and restaurants.

    11 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Union Station Denver

    Free

    A restored 1914 railway depot turned grand hall of restaurants, bars, and a boutique hotel.

    12 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    16th Street

    Free

    Denver's mile-long downtown promenade, freshly rebuilt with wider walks and a free shuttle.

    12 mi awayMore like this