Dinosaur Ridge, Colorado
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In Jefferson County
Dinosaur Ridge, located just outside Morrison, Colorado, offers a truly unique opportunity to step back in time and explore a remarkable paleontological site. Situated approximately 20 minutes from Denver, this location is considered by many experts to be the premier destination for dinosaur footprint discoveries in North America. It’s a place where you can literally walk alongside the remains of creatures that roamed the Earth over 100 million years ago.
The area gained prominence in 1877 with the discovery of some of the earliest dinosaur fossils from the famous Morrison Formation, including the world’s first identified Stegosaurus remains. Beyond the bones, Dinosaur Ridge boasts hundreds of dinosaur footprints preserved in the rock, remnants of a time when this area was a coastal plain bordering a vast inland sea. Visitors can explore these footprints, alongside fascinating geological formations known as “Brontosaur Bulges,” and gain insights through interpretive trails and informative exhibits.
The main entrance, Dinosaur Ridge museum, provides a centre with guided tours and self-guided explorations. Adjacent to the site is the Martin G. Lockley Discovery Center at Dino Ridge, offering detailed exhibitions on the prehistoric history of Colorado and the local fossil finds. Many visitors combine their visit with exploring nearby attractions like Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Morrison Natural History Museum. It was even the discovery of these footprints during the construction of the Alameda Parkway in 1937 that truly established Dinosaur Ridge as a significant site for paleontological research.
Whether you’re a seasoned dinosaur enthusiast, a geology buff, or simply curious about natural history, Dinosaur Ridge provides a rare and unforgettable experience – a chance to connect with the ancient world in a tangible way.
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