Dinosaur National Monument

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Protected area in the United States

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Dinosaur National Monument
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IUCN category	V
Location	[[Moffat County, Colorado and Uintah County, Utah, United States]]
Nearest city	[[Vernal, Utah]]
Area
Established	October 4, 1915
Visitors
Governing body	[[National Park Service]]
Website	[ Dinosaur National Monument]
This protected area related article is a stub.

Dinosaur National Monument is a United States National Monument located on the southeast flank of the Uinta Mountains on the border between Colorado and Utah at the confluence of the Green and Yampa Rivers. The nearest city is Vernal, Utah. The park contains over 800 paleontological sites and has fossils of dinosaurs.

History

Dinosaur National Monument was established on October 4, 1915, to protect an area rich in dinosaur fossils. The monument was expanded in 1938 to include the river canyons and scenic landscapes. The area was first explored by paleontologist Earl Douglass in 1909, who discovered a large deposit of dinosaur bones.

Geology

The geology of Dinosaur National Monument is characterized by the Uinta Mountains, which are part of the larger Rocky Mountains. The monument's rock formations date back to the Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years ago. The Morrison Formation is particularly notable for its abundance of dinosaur fossils.

Paleontology

Dinosaur National Monument is renowned for its fossil beds, which include remains of various dinosaur species such as Allosaurus, Apatosaurus, Camarasaurus, and Diplodocus. The Quarry Exhibit Hall allows visitors to view a wall of exposed dinosaur bones in their original rock layer.

Recreation

The monument offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, camping, whitewater rafting, and fishing. Popular hiking trails include the Harpers Corner Trail and the Jones Hole Trail. The Green and Yampa Rivers provide opportunities for rafting and kayaking.

Flora and Fauna

The monument's diverse ecosystems support a wide range of plant and animal species. Commonly seen wildlife includes mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and various bird species. The plant life ranges from desert shrubs to riparian vegetation along the rivers.

Visitor Centers

Dinosaur National Monument has two visitor centers: the Quarry Visitor Center in Utah and the Canyon Visitor Center in Colorado. These centers provide educational exhibits, information on the monument's history and geology, and access to the fossil quarry.

Related Pages

• List of national monuments of the United States
• National Park Service
• Paleontology in the United States
• Uinta Mountains
• Morrison Formation

See Also

• List of dinosaur-bearing rock formations
• List of fossil sites