Allosaurus, meaning "different delicate reptile," is a theropod (meat-eating dinosaur) that probably ate other smaller dinosaurs. Its teeth were up to 3 in (7.6 cm) long and serrated like steak knives for cutting flesh. Adults hunted by overpowering their prey, possibly in small groups. Juvenile Allosaurus relied on their longer limb bones that were better adapted to running in order to hunt smaller vertebrates.
Allosaurus jimmadseni is the second species of Allosaurus found at Dinosaur National Monument. The first specimen of A. jimmadseni was found in the monument. It is much rarer than Allosaurus fragilis and they differ in their skeletal details
Apatosaurus louisae is a species of sauropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic of North America found in the Morrison Formation, and its remains are present on the Wall of Bones at Dinosaur National Monument. Apatosaurus grew up to 69 ft (21 m) long and ate plants.
Barosaurus is a plant eater and the least common of all the sauropods (long-necked dinosaurs) found in the Carnegie Quarry. It is similar to Diplodocus, but has a longer neck and shorter tail. The forelimbs of Barosaurus are longer and more slender than those of the Diplodocus. Unfortunately, no one has ever found a Barosaurus skull so those on display are based on the skulls of other sauropods.
Travel back in deep time on the Fossil Discovery trail. Observe the fossils and other details recorded in rocks that bear witness to the environments in which they originated.
The Blue Mountain road leaves the monument. It is steep, rough, and suitable only for 4-wheel drive vehicles with off-road tires. It climbs about 3000 feet to the top of Blue Mountain. This mountain offers dramatic views of the area. The summit also harbors a relict woodland called Point of the Pines. Some mountaintops in this area contain small groves of conifers like ponderosa pine only on the very top.
CAUTION: Storm damage from August 2021 has altered and removed sections of the former trail. This unmaintained route contains several natural obstacles potential hikers must be prepared to navigate. This steep trail descends from the Yampa Bench Road to the Yampa River near the Harding Hole campsites. The trail provides dramatic views of Bull Canyon and the Yampa River.
Camarasaurus lentus is a species of sauropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic of the Morrison Formation. Camarasaurus lentus was a herbivore, and grew up to fifty feet long, shorter in length than some of its contemporaries like Diplodocus and Apatosaurus, but stood taller. Camarasaurus sounds huge by modern standards, but it is only a mid-sized sauropod.
Camptosaurus is a two-legged plant eating dinosaur. The beak-like front of the skull did not have teeth but was used to nip vegetation. Camptosaurus may have lived in small groups. It depended on its speed to escape predators. Camptosaurus is the ancestor of later large herbivores, such as iguanodonts, and duck bills.
Ceratosaurus is a genus of carnivorous theropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation. It is known from the Carnegie Quarry at Dinosaur National Monument from a single bone, a premaxilla. This bone is diagnostic for Ceratosaurus because, unlike other Morrison Formation theropods, Ceratosaurus has only three teeth in its premaxilla. Much rarer than its contemporary Allosaurus, the top of its snout was adorned with a crest, formed from its nasal bone.
A quarter mile hike up from Cub Creek Road leads to a variety of panels along a sandstone cliff. Over 1,000 years ago, the ancestral indgenous people of the region came here to carve and create elaborate designs including the 5 foot long lizard petroglyphs.
The Desert Voices Trail offers spectacular views of Split Mountain and several adjacent rock layers. Trail signs describe the area's geology and ecology. There are also many signs that were written and drawn by children for children.
Diplodocus longus is a species of sauropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic of North America. Diplodocus is one of the most abundant sauropods (long-necked dinosaurs) in the Morrison Formation. Its pencil-like teeth were only in the front of the jaws and were used to strip leaves off of low-growing plants. It could get up to 92 ft (28 m) in length and traveled in small herds. Despite its length, it was lightly built, weighing a mere 15 tons.
Dryosaurus altus is a species of ornithopod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic of North America, found in the Morrison Formation. Dryosaurus altus means “oak lizard” in reference to the leaf shaped teeth. It is a plant eating dinosaur with a beak and teeth in the back of its mouth. It had five fingers on each hand. To escape predators Dryosaurus depended on its strong legs to quickly run away.
Adventure beyond the bones and see the wilder side of Dinosaur National Monument along the Echo Park Road! Due to the rugged terrain, high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles are strongly recommended. The road is impassable when wet.
Whether you're a new backpacker or a seasoned one, the Ely Creek Backcountry Campsite along Jones Hole Trail offers excellent primitive amenities in a beautiful area. Permits and reservations required!
A parking lot marks the end of the Harpers Corner Road, however your explorations of Dinosaur’s Canyon Country don’t need to end here. You’ll also find the trailhead for a moderate 2 mile (3.2 km) roundtrip trail that features unsurpassed views of the Mitten Park Fault and Whirlpool Canyon, often complimented by the sound of the river echoing up the cliffs.
