Dinosaur National Monument is a protected site in Utah and Colorado containing dinosaur fossils. The site has a semi-arid climate and offers hiking trails and campgrounds. The quarry, a notable feature, is closed for restoration. Other nearby sites of interest include Arches National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Visitors can purchase a National Parks Pass for entry to all national parks.
Dinosaur National Monument is a site that has been designated for protection by the US government because it contains numerous dinosaur fossil remains. These fossils are of paleontological interest and some have been preserved in situ so that members of the public can view them in the natural environment. The monument straddles the Utah-Colorado border near the towns of Dinosaur, Colorado and Vernal, Utah.
Fossils were first discovered at this site in 1909. President Woodrow Wilson took an interest in the area and designated it a Protected Site in 1915. Paleontologists continue to work at Dinosaur National Monument, discovering new specimens that provide valuable clues about the fossil record and the history of dinosaurs. Some are on display at the site, while others are kept in museums and other facilities so that researchers can access them more easily.
This site is marked by a series of deep canyons, with walls displaying striated patterns that reflect the geological history of the area. Dinosaur National Monument has a semi-arid climate that has helped preserve the fossils that formed there millions of years ago, and there are a number of hiking trails and campgrounds accessible to visitors to the camp. People pay fees for camping and park entry in a vehicle.
One of the most notable features of Dinosaur National Monument is the quarry, a site with exposed dinosaur fossils that have been preserved on site. As of 2010, the quarry has been closed for restoration. Unstable ground in the area made the building unsafe for visitors and substantial modernization was required. The funds from the Economic Recovery Plan have been allocated for the restoration of the quarry and many other sites administered by the National Parks Service. A virtual tour of the quarry is available for current visitors. Dinosaur National Monument fossils and reproductions are also on display.
Colorado and Utah have a number of other sites of interest, including the Florissant Fossil Beds, Arches National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado National Monument, and Canyonlands National Park. The Rainbow Bridge, believed to be the largest known national bridge, is located just across the Utah border in New Mexico. Visitors looking to tour the parks in this region might consider purchasing a National Parks Pass. These passes are available for a fixed fee and offer entry to all national parks without the need to pay vehicle fees.
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