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Dinosaur Preserves and Fossil Beds

The Colorado region is rich with fossil beds, especially with dinosaur preserves, bones, and tracks, in areas like Dinosaur Ridge, the Royal Gorge Region, Dinosaur National Monument, and Florissant Fossil Beds. If you have a paleontologist enthusiast in your group, visiting one or two of these preserves will make your trip to Colorado much more memorable. Upon review of these locations, you will discover that often they are nearby or on the way to where you are going.

Hotspots for Viewing Dinosaur Preserves, Tracks, and Fossils:

Dinosaur Ridge

The closest outdoor dinosaur preserve is a museum just 20 minutes west of Denver! Dinosaur Ridge is just off of I-70 as you start heading up the pass from Denver, and that's on the way to many places. This location is a paleontologist's top-rated site. You can view more than 250 fossil tracks on Dinosaur Ridge. There are several tour options, such as a guided or a self-guided walking tour. The self-guided walk across Dinosaur Ridge is a fascinating 1.1-mile walk with interpretive signs at key places. Guided public tour buses are available, and a popular way to see Dinosaur Ridge. For the ultimate experience, you can join a small walking tour group with a local geologist.

Dinosaur National Monument - Dinosaur Preserve

This National Monument is more out of the way. It resides in the northwest corner of Colorado and lies between the confluence of the Green and Yampa rivers. And what a spectacular place to visit! From Steamboat Springs, it’s about a two-hour, very scenic drive west. This area was inhabited for a long time, going back at least ten thousand years, and is where some of the most well-known fossilized skeletons of dinosaurs have been found. Visiting the Monument will take you back to the Jurassic era. It’s a working dinosaur quarry and is still rich with fossils today. You will see ongoing excavations, and you can join a guided walking tour. There is also an on-site museum with a gift shop.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Florissant is about a 45-minute drive west of Colorado Springs on Highway 24. The Florissant Fossil Beds are considered one of the world's richest and most diverse fossil deposits. For example, you can view a 14-foot-wide petrified redwood stump, and thousands of detailed fossils of plants and insects that reveal a very different prehistoric Colorado.

Dinosaur Preserves Scenic Byway

Once you have explored the Florissant Fossil Beds, take Highway 9 south to Canon City or the Royal Gorge Region for more amazing fossils and dinosaur preserves. The drive from Florissant to Canon City is just over an hour, but is incredibly scenic. The Royal Gorge Region is full of recreation opportunities in addition to its rich geological history. While there, check out the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, or consider a scenic train ride through the gorge. You can also go whitewater rafting, take an off-road tour of the area, hike, or mountain bike.

The Royal Gorge Region

This area has several fossil sites, parks, and the Gorge Regional History Museum. This museum has an outstanding collection of dinosaur fossils, bones, and a complete Stegosaurus replica skeleton. Consider driving Skyline Drive, west of Cañon City, which has dinosaur tracks and fossils viewable right from the road, and more via a short walk. There are even more dinosaur preserves in this region. Learn about all the different places in the Royal Gorge Region to view dinosaur preserves.

Garden Park Fossil Area
Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site
Skyline Drive Trackway Site

Exploring Colorado Dinosaur Preserves and Fossil Beds

Colorado never fails to amaze its visitors, and its rich prehistoric fossils, dinosaur preserves, and parks are another natural wonder waiting to be explored. Visiting these various preserves is not only educational but also an exciting way to imagine times gone by. Colorado is one of the few places that offers various ways to enjoy your vacation time. From sightseeing, outdoor opportunities, and educational experiences, such as exploring these fossil beds, all of which are often located near or on your way to another destination. We invite you to explore these special places, gain a new understanding of prehistory, and enrich your Colorado vacation.

by Kathleen Fitzsimmons

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HESTIVAL

HESTIVAL is an all-inclusive, family & critter-friendly camp-out weekend! Spend nights dreaming amongst the apples in Big B’s Delicious Orchards and daytimes full of activities, excursions, talented live music, fireside chats, cider tastings, stargazing, and delicious food & drink. HESTIVAL-goers will have day trip options to mountain bike, hike in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, or simply kick back and explore the local orchards before the group reconvenes for a daily Big B’s Cider at Happy Hour before a headliner band- Raising Appalachia- will take the stage and dance under the stars of the new moon.

Wild Horse Gravel Bicycle Ride

Back for 2021, Wild Horse Gravel showcases the unique high desertscape of the Western Slope. Hosted on the luxury High Lonesome Ranch, riders will be treated to a country cook-out, campfire, cabins, camping – or glamping – and the best local music. In short, there will be a Colorado country party to accompany the ride.In addition to being hidden well, well off the beaten path, The High Lonesome Ranch and its surrounding area isn’t open to riding year-round, so participants benefit from exclusive access to this secret stash of wild-west gravel. You’ll only be disappointed if you were hoping for a bunch of auto traffic on the route.We have two routes to choose from, and riders can decide which one on the day – even mid-ride. Feeling strong when you get back to the ranch? Then turn and head back out for another lap. Feeling like 45 miles is plenty? Then rest your legs at the ranch. Totally your call.
There are two timed segments that you can take as seriously or as frivolously as you like — the name of the game is doing a big gravel ride with friends new and old. Even those that hammer away at maximum speed will stop to regroup, taking in the views and the delicious local goodies at the well-stocked feed station. As with all Roll Massif Sportives, you’re going to want to bring your camera.

Sunrise to Sunset – Winter Park

Race the sun and gear up for the Sunrise to Sunset trail race in Winter Park, Colorado this summer. The 12-hour event is all about balancing camaraderie and challenge. Ride the singletrack course as a relay or race solo.

Crooked Gravel Bicycle Ride

High-altitude views abound in every direction. Crisp mountain air exhilarates the senses. And swarms of riders fire each other up. And that’s before the ride even starts!Both the 65- and 93-mile routes get right down to business, taking riders from downtown Winter Park onto remote gravel roads and up into the mountains.Crooked Gravel takes a few cues from an exploratory event the legendary Ron Kiefel put together a decade ago called Crooked Roubaix. Back before gravel bikes were really a thing, Kiefel and some friends set out on a 93-mile dirt-road adventure from Winter Park up into the high mountains on road bikes.

Off-Grid Expo

The 2021 Off-Grid Expo is a 3-day family-friendly, pet-friendly event showcasing products, services and educational seminars.
Our definition of “off-grid” is focused on living the outdoor adventure and “green” lifestyle. This desire to get all the products and services associated with the adventure lifestyle gathered into one expo has transformed into a family-friendly, three-day event full of innovative products and services, informative presentations, incredible food and drink and great giveaways.

National Parks Free Entrance Day

Come experience the national parks! On four days in 2018, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone.

Leadville Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival Weekend

At Leadville Ski Joring and Crystal Carnival Weekend, see the unique sport of ski joring and join mountain bike and Nordic ski races, a paintball biathlon, and umpteen other kinds of winter fun!

Ouray Ice Festival

For three days and four nights Ouray is an absolute ice climbing mecca; ice climbers, both novice and pro travel from around the world to celebrate the growing sport of ice climbing. During daily vendor exhibitions Festival attendees have the opportunity to demo the latest ice tools, apparel, and gear from the Outdoor industries leading retailers. Hundreds of spectators line the top of the Gorge on Saturday and Sunday to watch the world’s best ice and mixed climbing talent battle for the prize! And, with over 100 interactive and educational climbing clinics to accommodate every skill level, Festival participants are sure to have an experience to remember.

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Dinosaur Preserves, Tracks, and Fossils