Fossil Discovery Trail

The Fossil Discovery Trail is a moderate 1.1 mile trail found next to the Visitor Center in Dinosaur National Monument. The trail ends at the famous Quarry Exhibit Hall, which features a massive hillside built around excavated fossils still intact in the sediment. While a road does access the exhibit hall, the hike features colorful hills, fossil exhibits along the way, and quick geology lessons.

Fossil Discovery Trail Description

Look for the trail to begin just to the left of the Visitor Center, as you’re walking toward the entrance. The desert trail will run along the case of a sandstone rock wall, quickly crossing the road up to the exhibit hall, followed immediately by a short footbridge. Along the way you’ll wander past the employee housing as well as a small maintenance yard, which fade quickly as you make your way along the trail.

Continuing ahead, the trail will make a sudden bend to the left around the rocky ridge, where you can spot some petroglyphs carved into the rocks. Beyond the petroglyphs, you’ll begin ascending up into the pastel-colored hills, climbing up alongside a drainage. You’ll soon reach a small exhibit for the Mowry Shale, a prominent layer in the rock identified by its pebbly gray appearance.

Climbing higher from the Mowry Shale, you’ll next reach a spur trail for the Morrison Formation, where Jurassic fossils are frequently found. This spur trail even leads up to a fossil protruding from the rock layer itself, making it well worth the detour.

With vistas getting more and more stunning, you’ll then reach a fork for the Stump Formation. This layer also includes Jurassic Fossils, making the detour also worth it. From the Stump Formation spur trail, continue climbing up the trail where it will end at the road. Follow the road up for 0.1 miles to access the Quarry Exhibit Hall. Once you’ve experienced the hall, you can either head back down the trail, or walk down the road for a quicker route back, being careful to watch for traffic.

Getting There

From the Dinosaur National Monument Visitor Center, look for the trailhead to your left as you’re approaching the main entrance.