Dinosaur Ridge Main Visitor Center, Denver Travel Guide

4.5 (2516)

Explore a world-famous dinosaur fossil site near Denver. Walk where dinosaurs roamed millions of years ago at Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison, Colorado.

Home
Travel Guides
Colorado
Denver
Dinosaur Ridge Main Visitor Center

Dinosaur Ridge, near Morrison, Colorado, is a world-renowned fossil site where visitors can walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs. See dinosaur bones and hundreds of tracks from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods preserved in the Dakota Hogback, offering a unique glimpse into prehistoric life.

A brief summary to Dinosaur Ridge Main Visitor Center

16831 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, Colorado, 80465, US
Click to display
Click to display

Monday 9 am-4 pm
Tuesday 9 am-4 pm
Wednesday 9 am-4 pm
Thursday 9 am-4 pm
Friday 9 am-4 pm
Saturday 9 am-4 pm
Sunday 9 am-4 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Dinosaur Ridge Main Visitor Center.

Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing a lot of walking on paved and unpaved surfaces.
Bring water and sunscreen, especially during the summer months, as there is limited shade on the trail.
Check the Dinosaur Ridge website for seasonal hours, tour schedules, and special events before your visit.
Consider taking a guided tour for a more in-depth understanding of the site's history and geology.
Arrive early, especially during peak season, to secure parking and avoid crowds.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more

Activate your presence

Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

Denver Zoo

Molly Brown House Museum

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Denver Art Museum

Denver Botanic Gardens

Explore Dinosaur Ridge Main Visitor Center on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Dinosaur Ridge Main Visitor Center, mapped for you.

Getting There

Driving

Dinosaur Ridge Main Visitor Center is located at 16831 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465. From Denver, take C-470 to the Alameda Parkway exit. The visitor center is a short drive from the exit. Free parking is available at the Main Visitor Center. Parking lots are closed and locked at 4 PM or 5 PM, depending on the season. Limited parking may pose challenges during peak times.
Public Transport

From Denver, you can take the tram to Federal Center Station W, then take a taxi to Dinosaur Ridge. Alternatively, take the bus from Colfax Ave & Broadway to Oak Station Gate C, then take a taxi to Dinosaur Ridge. A one-way fare on the tram or bus is approximately $3. A taxi from either station to Dinosaur Ridge will cost approximately $25-$30.

Discover more about Dinosaur Ridge Main Visitor Center

Dinosaur Ridge is a must-see destination for dinosaur enthusiasts and families alike. Located just west of Denver, near Morrison, Colorado, this National Natural Landmark features a remarkable collection of dinosaur tracks and fossils dating back to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. In 1877, Arthur Lakes, a professor, discovered the first dinosaur tracks, marking the beginning of paleontological exploration in the area.The Main Visitor Center serves as the starting point for exploring the ridge. Here, you can find exhibits, purchase tickets for guided tours, and pick up maps for self-guided walks. The Exhibit Hall features paleo-murals, fossil replicas, and real fossil bones of long-necked dinosaurs. Kids can enjoy hands-on experiences like digging for souvenir fossils and uncovering dinosaur fossils in the dig pits.The Dinosaur Ridge Trail is a 1.1-mile paved road where you can see hundreds of dinosaur tracks and a quarry of dinosaur bones. Interpretive signs along the trail provide information about the paleontological and geological history of the area.For a more in-depth experience, guided bus tours and walking tours are available. Knowledgeable guides share insights into the dinosaur tracks and bone fossils, local history, and geology.Dinosaur Ridge is open daily, with seasonal hours. The Main Visitor Center, Exhibit Hall, and Discovery Center operate from 9 AM to 4 PM during the winter and spring (November 1 to April 30) and from 9 AM to 5 PM during the summer and fall (May 1 to October 31).