A Guide to Fossil Hunting in America’s Dinosaur Region

Beyond Jurassic World, the ultimate U.S. destination for dinosaur enthusiasts lies roughly three hours east of Salt Lake City and five hours west of Denver, where Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming meet—offering incredible chances to explore the nation’s ancient past.

This area is rich in fossils, footprints, and geological wonders, easily accessible through numerous well-maintained parks, monuments, and trails. There’s no shortage of camping and outdoor activities, making it perfect for nature and history lovers eager for a week of exploration amid expansive deserts and stunning rock formations.

Our focus area begins in northwestern Colorado, travels along Highway 40 into Utah, veers north at Vernal into Wyoming, and continues west to the Fossil Butte National Monument. Along the route, you'll discover Dinosaur National Monument, the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, and more. These celebrated parks offer a less crowded alternative to popular spots like Moab or Yellowstone, making this stretch a hidden gem.

While there are numerous parks and protected areas in this region, we’ll highlight three key locations.

Dinosaur National Monument

Spanning 210,000 acres across Colorado and Utah, Dinosaur National Monument features a stunning cliff face with approximately 1,500 exposed dinosaur bones, including well-known species like the stegosaurus, allosaurus, and apatosaurus. The park also showcases 1,000-year-old petroglyphs and pictographs created by the Fremont people, along with 220,000 acres of scenic trails, campgrounds, and drives.

Make this location your trip's home base, and ensure that the areas of the park you wish to explore are open during your visit. "Planning ahead is crucial," advises Park Ranger Molly Swindle, highlighting that while the Wall of Bones is accessible year-round, the Harpers Corner Scenic Drive often closes in winter. Thus, if your main focus is the dinosaur bones, any time of year is good, but to fully experience the park, timing is key.

Whenever you visit, take a moment to gaze at the stars, as Dinosaur National Monument is recognized as an International Dark Sky Place. This means you can enjoy views of the Milky Way throughout the year, especially in summer when park rangers host stargazing programs at a special viewing area with telescopes and binoculars available for stargazing.

Accommodation options

Located just five miles from the Quarry Exhibit Hall, Dinosaur’s Green River Campground offers stunning views of the high desert, river, and mountains. The campground features plenty of trees and shrubs for privacy, along with amenities like potable water, restrooms, picnic tables, and fire pits. It tends to be popular in spring, summer, and early fall, so it’s wise to book a few months ahead. Sites are priced at $18 per night.

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

After spending a couple of days at Dinosaur, journey about an hour north to the stunning Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, part of the Ashley National Forest. While there have been discoveries of dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs here, these sites aren’t open to the public. The real draw is the breathtaking scenery: geological marvels shaped over thousands of years are the main attraction. The reservoir is a hotspot for water sports enthusiasts, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, water-skiing, and jet skiing. It's also a haven for landscape photographers, featuring a variety of geographical wonders, from canyons and layered cliffs to unique rock formations and spectacular sunsets.

“Key highlights of the forest include the Flaming Gorge Dam, which provides recreation opportunities along the 91-mile-long reservoir, and the striking red cliffs of Red Canyon,” explains Ashley National Forest Service Officer Don Jaques. “The Red Canyon Visitor Center and Overlook is a must-see for travelers, offering views down into the 1,400-foot-deep Red Canyon that frames the reservoir below.” He notes that this area showcases some of the most diverse geological formations shaped by earthquakes, erosion, and the relentless forces of wind and water.

Accommodation options

The Flaming Gorge region is dotted with campgrounds of various quality, with the Canyon Rim Campground hitting all the right notes. Perched on the canyon's edge, securing one of the rim-side sites allows you to wake up to breathtaking views. The campground provides essential amenities such as tables, water, fire rings, and pit toilets. Additionally, it’s conveniently located near the Red Canyon Lodge Restaurant, where guests can enjoy American dishes like bison burgers and grilled trout, and can also find options for horseback riding and renting bikes and canoes through the lodge.

Fossil Butte National Monument

About 90 minutes west of Flaming Gorge lies Fossil Butte National Monument, often called "America’s Aquarium in Stone." This site marks the transition in the fossil record toward aquatic life from a lake that existed roughly 50 million years ago during the Eocene epoch. It features remarkably well-preserved fossils of fish, insects, reptiles, birds, plants, and mammals. At the museum on-site, you can explore around 2,000 fossils arranged by type in informative display cases and create fossil rubbings as mementos. The surrounding park also offers trails that provide sweeping views of Wyoming’s sagebrush desert scenery.

Don’t miss a visit to Red Fleet State Park, located between Dinosaur and Flaming Gorge, where a trail leads you to a collection of dinosaur tracks believed to be over 200 million years old. These tracks, embedded in Nugget Sandstone, can be up to 17 inches long. To find the trailhead, follow the signs to Red Fleet Reservoir about 15 minutes north of Vernal. The trail offers roadside parking and features an easy to moderate 1.7-mile out-and-back hike. Currently, the park is closed for extensive renovations but is expected to reopen for the Summer 2024 camping season; check for updates before your visit.

Accommodation options

While established campgrounds are limited around Fossil Butte, the area along the Wyoming/Idaho border offers plenty of boondocking opportunities. If you prefer a more formal campsite, consider two options based on your desired atmosphere: North Eden Campground on Bear Lake for a vibrant environment with lots of water sports, or head south to Little Creek Campground near Randolph for a tranquil escape beneath expansive skies.

This article is part of our Meet Me in the Middle series, which highlights unique towns, cities, and outdoor destinations waiting to be discovered between America’s busy coasts. Explore more from Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and the Midwest.