One of the best collections of fossilised footprints and preserved bones in the world is found at this fascinating site, 20 minutes from Denver.
Discovered at the end of the 19th century, the fossils at Dinosaur Ridge are an absolute treasure trove of knowledge about the giants which roamed the earth millions of years ago. After the first bones were discovered, the area was covered in digs, which would go on to reveal a fantastic haul of tracks and fossils over the following years. The ridge has since been declared a National Natural Landmark, in 1973, and it attracts thousands of fascinated visitors every year.Bones were initially discovered in the area in 1877, including remains of some of the most well-known dinosaurs, such as Stegosaurus, Diplodocus and Apatosaurus. These remains are from the Jurassic era.Later excavations uncovered over 300 individual prints in 37 separate fossil trackways from the Cretaceous period, preserved in sandstone and mudstone. This represents a fantastic haul, and the mix of herbivorous Iguanadon with carnivorous therapods found here evocatively summons images of a hunt from tens of millions of years ago. The scale of these tracks, and therefore of the creatures which created them, is staggering – just compare your hand or foot with any of the prints, and let your imagination do the rest.Guided tours are offered daily, but must be reserved at least a fortnight in advance. You can also get a guidebook from the information centre or read the notices posted along the trail. The Dinosaur Ridge Exhibit Hall holds a lot of further information about these ancient animals.Give yourself at least a few hours to explore the wonders of Dinosaur Ridge. Open throughout the year, Saturdays from May to October are marked by Dinosaur Discovery Days, which are free of charge. Check the website before your trip for other events on site.This attraction is found near the town of Morrison, on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, and is 37 kilometres from Denver. There are bus tours from the city, or you can come by car. Parking is free of charge.
