Located near Vernal, Utah and Dinosaur, Colorado. The park was created in 1915, and consists of two main areas: the quarry, which is on the Utah side, and Canyon Country on the Colorado side.
The quarry is the place that most people associate with Dinosaur National Monument. It's an exposed wall of rock containing 1,600 fossils (including a few nearly-complete skeletons) from 11 different dinosaur species. This area is enclosed in a glass and steel structure, and is attached to a visitor center and gift shop. A nature hike and 10 mile long scenic drive are also available near the main quarry area.
Dinosaur National Monument expanded in 1938 to include 300 square miles of canyon country on the Colorado side. The easiest way to take in the scenery is on the Harper's Corner Scenic Drive, a 31-mile drive starting at the main headquarters visitor center at Route 40, which is 38 miles east of Vernal, Utah. There are a number of scenic lookouts, picnic areas, and hiking paths along the drive.
If you have a dinosaur-crazed kid, or are perhaps a bit obsessed yourself, this is a must-see. The wall of fossils is mind-boggling when you remember that the arrangement is natural. The monument folks just excavated, and the wall pretty much built itself. The surrounding towns are dinosaur-themed as well, since the monument is the main tourist draw in the area.
Travel Info
Open year-round except federal holidays.
Entrance Fee: $10 per vehicle, $5 for pedestrians, motorcycles, and bicycles (allows access for 7 days)
Annual Pass: $20, gives access to the pass holder and all people in his/her vehicle.
Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Center: Open 8 am to 4:30 pm every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Quarry is open from 8 am to 7 pm.
Main Headquarters Visitor Center: Open 8 am to 4:30 pm weekdays, closed on federal holidays during fall, winter, and spring months. Open 8:00 am to 4:30 pm on weekends during summer.
References used:
Utah travel guide http://www.go-utah.com/
DesertUSA http://www.desertusa.com/dino/