Dinosaur National Monument

In 1909, paleontologist Earl Douglass was searching for fossils for the Carnegie Museum when he discovered a formation layered with prehistoric plant and animal fossils. A quarry was established and in 1915 Dinosaur National Monument was created to protect 80 acres in the quarry area. Today the monument includes 210,844 acres.

Dinosaurland Details

Many fossils are embedded in a sloping rock formation that was once a sandbar on the edge of a large river. As the river carried animal carcasses downstream, many became stuck on the sandbar, which eventually turned to rock. As a result, fossils from hundreds of creatures are concentrated in a small area. Many fossilized bones have been partially exposed but left intact in the rock where they can be easily seen. A building was constructed over the area, which is now known as "The Quarry" at the monument.

Research is ongoing. In Feb 2010, a team of paleontologists from Dinosaur National Monument, Brigham Young University, and the University of Michigan announced the discovery of a new, large, plant-eating dinosaur, Abydosaurus McIntosh.

The Quarry area makes up only a small part of the land included within the national monument. The remaining area includes canyons cut by the Green and Yampa rivers. The park backcountry is incredibly rugged and remote. It is very scenic and some areas have high wilderness value.

Driving Directions
From Salt Lake City to Vernal, UT is approximately 173 miles.

Take I-15 S toward Las Vegas/Cheyenne. Merge onto I-80 E exit 304 toward Cheyenne. Take the US-40 E (exit 146) toward Heber/Vernal. US-40/US-191 continue to Vernal.

Visitor Center Hours and Holiday Closures

The Quarry Visitor Center is open year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. Standard Hours, effective daily in Spring and Fall, are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These hours change seasonally in Summer and Winter (see the seasonal exceptions below for specific dates).

Summer Hours (May 21 - September 17)
Daily 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Winter Hours (December 1 - February 28)
Daily 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The Quarry Exhibit Hall is also open year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. Standard Hours, effective daily in Spring and Fall, are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These hours change seasonally in Summer and Winter.

Summer Hours (May 21 - September 17)
Daily 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Winter Hours (December 1 - February 28)
Daily 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Holidays for both the Visitor Center and Exhibit Hall
2024–2025

REQUEST INFORMATION

TRAVEL BUREAU INFORMATION

UINTAH COUNTY TRAVEL REGION

152 E. 100 N.
Vernal, UT 84078
800-477-5558

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