A ridge near Morrison with more than 300 real dinosaur tracks and bones in the rock, where the world's first Stegosaurus fossil was found. You can ride a guided bus tour or walk the paved trail, and kids can dig in the outdoor dig areas.
Know before you go. Dinosaur Ridge doesn't list sensory supports. Here's what it says about the bus, the trail, the weather and the prices.
Dinosaur Ridge Main Visitor Center
Address
16831 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison 80465 Directions
Hours
Winter, Nov 1 to Mar 14: visitor center, exhibit hall and Lockley Discovery Center daily 9 am to 4 pm; guided bus tours daily 9:30 am to 3 pm; walking tours Saturday and Sunday by reservation. Closed Thanksgiving (Nov 26, 2026), Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
A guided bus tour takes “about 45 minutes to 1 hour.” “In the winter, they run once an hour.” You can reserve online for up to 13 people; walk-up spots aren't guaranteed. dinoridge.org
Space
“The trail is approximately 2 miles roundtrip and half of it is uphill.” “Plan on at least an hour; most people take 1.5-2 hours.” dinoridge.org
Temperature
“There is no shade or water on the paved trail.” dinoridge.org
Rules
“During snowy or severe weather, some of our sites may be inaccessible or our tour buses might not be running. If in doubt, give us a call at 303-697-3466 after 9 AM to confirm we are open.” dinoridge.org
What's at the visitor center, in Dinosaur Ridge's words
The Main Visitor Center includes “guided bus and walking tours, an exhibit hall and gift shop, outdoor dig areas for children, shaded picnic tables, free parking during business hours.”
Our note The bus is a way to see the tracks without the uphill walk, but it means riding with other families for up to an hour.
Our note In winter the parking lot closes at 4 pm, so start a walk early.
Three things to know
Bus tour: “Free for ages 2 and under, $15 for children ages 3-12, $21 for ages 13 and up.” It includes the exhibit hall. EBT, WIC and SNAP discounts are sold in person at the Main Visitor Center.
Exhibit hall without a bus tour, including the Lockley Discovery Center: “$10 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-12. Ages 2 and under are free.”
“Walking/bicycling is free and available from sunrise to sunset daily.” The trail is a closed paved road with signs at more than 15 fossil and rock sites, and an $8 audio tour by QR code.
In winter, Nov 1 to Mar 14, the visitor center and exhibit hall are open daily 9 am to 4 pm. A guided bus tour takes about 45 minutes to an hour; in winter it runs once an hour, and you can reserve ahead. Or walk the paved trail for free: about 2 miles round trip, half of it uphill, with no shade or water. Change anything.
Common questions
What if my child won't look at the schedule or story?
That is common at first. Leave it where the moment happens, point to one picture at a time, and keep it low-pressure. Many kids warm up to it after a few calm tries, in their own time.
Can I make this in Spanish?
Yes. Every tool and this page exist in Spanish, and the printed page comes out in the language you choose. Use the language switch at the top.
Do I need an account?
No. There is no signup, and we don’t keep what you type; anything you save stays on your device. Make it, print it, done.
