Dinosaur Ridge

Dinosaur Ridge

Dinosaur Ridge is a special place where people can learn about dinosaurs. It is located in Jefferson County, Colorado, near the town of Morrison and just west of Denver. This amazing spot is part of the Dakota Hogback and was named a Morrison Fossil Area National Natural Landmark in 1973.

Many years ago, in 1877, a scientist named Arthur Lakes and his friend Henry Beckwith found the first dinosaur bones here. They discovered bones from famous dinosaurs like the Stegosaurus, Apatosaurus, Camarasaurus, Diplodocus, and Allosaurus. In 1937, workers building a parkway found dinosaur tracks, which made this place even more exciting for scientists and visitors.

Today, Dinosaur Ridge is a wonderful place for families to visit. You can take guided bus tours, walk along trails with signs that tell stories about the rocks and fossils, and visit a small Exhibit Hall and a Discovery Center. There is also a gift shop where you can find fun souvenirs.

The Dinosaur Ridge Trail is a fun walk where you can see real dinosaur footprints and other fossils. The trail is about 2 miles long and takes about 1 to 2 hours to explore. You will see ripple marks made by ancient water, dinosaur tracks, and places where dinosaurs may have taken care of their young. This trail helps us understand how the land has changed over millions of years and gives us clues about the world of dinosaurs long ago.