*Originally published in 2020
Updated on September 19, 2024:

"Life finds a way..." Imagine standing in the very spots where gigantic dinosaurs once roamed—how cool is that? At Dinosaur Ridge, you can walk through history while soaking in fresh Colorado air.

Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison is chock full of evidence of the area's prehistoric inhabitants. It seems dinosaurs loved the Denver area as much as everyone who wanted to move here!

The world's first stegosaurus was found at this site in 1877, and you can take a stroll along the stomping grounds of the prehistoric giants. In fact, over 300 footprints are on hand (or foot?) at the ridge. Most of the tracks are those of duck-billed herbivores and ostrich-like carnivorous dinosaurs, and research has uncovered that they represent only a tiny part of the extensive track-bearing beds of the Dakota Group, otherwise known as the Dinosaur Highway, which can be traced from Boulder, Colorado, to northern New Mexico.

This National Natural Landmark is located just outside suburban Denver. It has been ranked the top dinosaur track site in the United States and one of the top such sites in the world. Over 250,000 people visit it every year!

You don't want to miss the Dinosaur Ridge Trail, a paved trail open to pedestrians, bicyclists, and hikers and closed to through traffic (though bus tours are available). It offers more than 15 fossil and geologic sites, each with interpretative information. Another must-do is the Triceratops Trail, which offers several track sites, with the highlights of a large, three-toed Tyrannosaur track and many four-toed Triceratops tracks. The tracks differ from those at Dinosaur Ridge, and the fossils date back to 68 million years ago.

You can take a self-guided tour of exposed fossils, dinosaur tracks, and excavation sites. Exhibits at the discovery center, including many fossils, and guided tours are also free. The park's website has more information and helps you plan your trip.

From mid-March to mid-May, Dinosaur Ridge is the best place in the world to see Ferruginous Hawks during migration and is one of just two HawkWatch sites in the state.

As many as 40 hawks have been counted in one day and 241 in one spring a few years back, according to Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, which staffs volunteers and researchers to observe and track hawks and other bird species. Many of these volunteers, if on hand when you visit, are also happy to help you search the sky above the Dakota Ridge Hogback (Dinosaur Ridge) for hawks, eagles, vultures, and much more.

The ridge is in the migratory path of several bird species, and once you hike to the top, you'll be in the perfect place to spot some of our state's most majestic raptors and more. You'll want to bring your binoculars and be prepared for a short, steep hike up the ridge to the best vantage point.  

You can find directions and more information on the website.

Have you explored the fossils and feathers of Dinosaur Ridge? Let us know!