4 Minute Read
Jurassic World Rebirth is now in theaters! Both the Grand Junction Picture Show and Regal Canyon View are offering showtimes so treat yourself to some fresh-popped popcorn with extra butter and your favorite crispy soda! It’s time to go back in time and watch the dino team visit the most dangerous place on Earth, a research facility on an island that studied dinosaurs for Jurassic Park.
You don’t have to travel back in time to discover where the dinosaurs used to roam. Millions of years ago, Grand Junction and much of Colorado were occupied by massive prehistoric species. The fearsome Allosaurus, a faster and smaller version of a Tyrannosaurus Rex (that had longer arms), hunted its prey in Grand Junction. How do we know this? Many groundbreaking dinosaur fossil discoveries have been made in Grand Junction, Colorado. Today, there are numerous ways to explore Grand Junction’s prehistoric past, from a local dinosaur museum to several dinosaur hiking trails.
Discovering Dinosaurs
It may be hard to imagine, but millions of years ago, the entire state of Colorado was underwater. An expansive, shallow sea existed for hundreds of millions of years where many prehistoric species, like brachiopods and trilobites, lived. Their fossils have given some indication of this faraway past. Roughly 100 million years ago, the sea began to shrink, leading to lush landscapes and the emergence of new species. Over time, the geography continued to change, forming deserts, oceans, and even rainforests.
This dynamic environment proved to be the ideal ecosystem for many species of dinosaurs, including large land-based species like the Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Apatosaurus and the mighty T-Rex. Humans became aware of Colorado’s rich history in the 1860s when archeologists uncovered the first fossils. Over the next few decades, significant archaeological finds were made across Colorado, including the world’s first Stegosaurus fossils at Dinosaur Ridge near Denver in the 1870s, and the discovery of a nearly complete fossilized Apatosaurus—aka Brontosaurus—in 1901 at Dinosaur Hill, which is only a quick 20-minute drive from Grand Junction.
Dinosaur Journey Museum
At Dinosaur Journey Museum, you can step into the history of dinosaurs. The museum brings the prehistoric era to life with interactive and hands-on exhibits. Discover real dinosaur fossils and experience the thrill of animatronic dinosaurs! Admission is only $10 for adults and $6 for kids.
Dino Digs
Photo by: Mollie Shepardson
You can become a true paleontologist and dig for real dinosaur bones! Hosted by Dinosaur Journey Museum, as part of the Museums of the West, you’ll receive their expert guidance and tools to kick off these digs. They offer two dig experiences from June 4 to September 12, 2025:
- Half Day Digs ($115 per person)
- These digs are ideal for little ones (minimum age is 5) and run from the morning to midday. It offers a fun and accessible introduction to the world of paleontology.
- Full Day Digs ($175 per person)
- Full-day digs offer a more immersive experience (minimum age is 7). Spend the entire day searching for these historic treasures. A picnic lunch is provided at the quarry site.
Both digs wrap up with a tour of the Dinosaur Journey Paleo Lab back at Dinosaur Journey Museum. For more information or other ways to dive into history, check out this blog post. You can reserve your spot in a dino dig here.
Explore Dinosaur Trails
Dinosaur Hill
Today, Dinosaur Hill is not only a prehistoric archaeological site, it’s also a family-friendly hiking trail. Located just outside Grand Junction, the trail takes you through one of Colorado’s richest dinosaur fossil troves alongside canyons and vistas. While many fossils have been excavated and now reside in museums, dinosaur enthusiasts still have lots to see on the walk, including the cave where the Apatosaurus fossil was found over a century ago. The famous long-necked Apatosaurus fossil can be found at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.
Dinosaur Hill is a 1-mile-long loop trail suitable for all ages and skill levels. Interpretive signposts are positioned along the trail to teach visitors about various excavation sites where fossils were found. Highlights include the aforementioned Apatosaurus cave and an old quarry, where archaeologists dug and excavated many prehistoric fossils. From the trail’s highest point, you can even see the mighty Colorado River.
The trail is the perfect outing for individuals, couples, and families. The site is equipped with restrooms, parking, designated picnic areas and an information kiosk. The trail is relatively short, typically taking between 60-90 minutes. While it is a fairly easy hike, the trail includes some inclines and slopes, so wear comfortable walking shoes. Dogs are allowed as long as they are kept on a leash.
Riggs Hill
Photo by: Chelsie Hess
In preparation for Jurassic World Rebirth, you may have re-watched some of the classics and newer Jurassic World installments. Throughout the course of the movies, the Brachiosaurus appears in four of them and is expected to appear in the new movie. You can come explore where the very first brachiosaurus was found on Riggs Hill in 1900, just a 15-minute drive from Downtown Grand Junction. While the bones are no longer there, you can still enjoy this 0.9-mile easy loop and spot a cast of bones just like finding them yourself! This trail is sure to be an unforgettable adventure for the whole family and will give you a peek into the history of a major dinosaur in the movie.
Trail Through Time
The Trail Through Time in Rabbit Valley is about a 30-minute drive from Downtown and has an active fossil excavation quarry. At 1.5 miles, the trail is slightly more ambitious than Dinosaur Hill but is still family-friendly and includes various interpretive signposts that teach hikers about the many fossils found in the area. You can hike past real dinosaur fossils! One of the fossils that you can see in the rocks below you is the Diplodocus, an herbivore known for its long neck and whip-like tail. While this dinosaur doesn’t appear in the movies, you can still explore what these creatures were like through the informative signs and information about the landscape that these dinosaurs knew.
Fruita Paleontological Area
This trail will expand your knowledge of the Grand Junction Jurassic landscape. The Fruita Paleo Trail is an easy 0.7-mile interpretive loop. You can learn about what kinds of dinosaurs roamed the area, including Fruitadens, one of the smallest known dinosaurs (estimated to be 26-30 inches in length!). This site, a 25-minute drive from Downtown, boasts impressive finds and will walk you through where some of these were found, including fossils from Stegosaurus and Ceratosaurus dinosaurs. Both dinosaurs make appearances in three of the franchise’s movies, and the Stegosaurus will likely appear in the new film, helping you learn more about the history of these unique creatures.
Hiking in Grand Junction
These are only some of many trails in the Grand Junction area. From red-rock canyon hikes in the Colorado National Monument to a 28-mile paved trail along the Colorado River, Grand Junction is surrounded by over 76% public land, so finding your next hiking adventure is easier than you think. Mesa County is also the fourth largest county in Colorado, by land mass, so there is plenty of room to roam. For those who indulge themselves in history, Grand Junction also offers other historic areas to explore like Rabbit Valley and the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area.
The Escalante Canyon Petroglyph trail is a short 0.8-mile hike round trip in the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. As the name suggests, this hike is known for several petroglyphs carved into the stone along the trail. The well-preserved rock carvings are not quite as old as the dinosaurs, but they still date back thousands of years. The dinosaur trails and Escalante Canyon Petroglyph trail are all accessible year-round, but please keep in mind that the terrain can become muddy or slippery at certain times of the year, particularly in winter. During the summer, wearing protective sun gear and packing adequate water is advised, as there is little shade along these trails.
If you are looking for other dino dig destinations, consider Dinosaur, Colorado to view the wall of fossils at Dinosaur National Monument. Morrison, Canon City, and Florissant, Colorado, all have diverse fossil sites, as well.
Planning a Grand Junction Visit
There are many unique experiences to discover in Grand Junction, including the rich history of the area which is on display at the Museum of the West. From Colorado National Monument, part of the National Park Service, to the Grand Mesa, the largest flat-top mountain in the world, exploring is easy and accessible. If you’re looking for travel inspiration or to fill your itinerary while in town, check out the Official Grand Junction Visitor Guide.