Location
The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway (Dinosaur Diamond) is located in eastern Utah and western Colorado. Three-quarters of the 512-mile loop are within Utah. The segment within Colorado was designated the Dinosaur Diamond Scenic and Historic Byway by the Colorado Transportation Commission on October 27, 1997. The segment within Utah was designated the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway by the Utah State Legislature in 1998.
The Dinosaur Diamond embraces an enormous geographic area and travels through several communities. In Utah the Dinosaur Diamond travels through Vernal, Roosevelt, Duchesne, Price, and Green River. In Colorado the Dinosaur Diamond travels through the City of Grand Junction and the communities of Fruita, Rangely, and Dinosaur. The Dinosaur Diamond's physical and thematic area of influence is yet larger, and includes the Utah communities of Castle Dale, Moab, Monticello, and Blanding as well as the Colorado community of Delta. The Dinosaur Diamond intersects with U.S. Interstate 70 near Green River Utah and Grand Junction Colorado.
What's A Scenic Byway?
Under the Byways Program, certain roads are recognized as scenic byways based on their archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic qualities. America's Byways are a distinctive collection of American roads, their stories and treasured places. They are roads to the heart and soul of America.
The National Scenic Byways Program
The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has provided funding for almost 1500 state and nationally designated byway projects in 48 states. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on one or more archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.
What is the difference between National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads?
All the roads designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation are considered part of the America’s Byways collection. To be designated as a National Scenic Byway, a road must possess at least one of the six intrinsic qualities (historic, cultural, natural, scenic, recreational, archeological). The features contributing to the distinctive characteristics of the corridor’s intrinsic qualities must possess regional significance.
To receive an All-American Road designation, a road must possess multiple intrinsic qualities that are nationally significant, and contain one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere. The road must also be considered a “destination unto itself.” That is, the road must provide an exceptional traveling experience so recognized by travelers that the primary reason for their trip would be to drive along the Byway.
The Dinosaur Diamond is currently preparing an application to be considered by the National Scenic Byways Program for 'All-American Road' listing
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway delivers discovery and exploration at several sites filled with science and history. The two-state Byway combines opportunities to see dinosaur bones being excavated and prepared by paleontologists for museum display. Visit the museums along the Byway that showcase reconstructed skeletons and fleshed-out recreations of dinosaurs found in the area.
World class recreation resources attracting travelers from around the globe also surround the Dinosaur Diamond. These include Dinosaur National Monument, the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Bridges National Monument, Colorado National Monument, several national forests and extensive federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The Green and Colorado Rivers are additional major natural amenities. Geologically unique mountains, valleys, plateaus, cliffs, and arches further accentuate the area.
In addition, dinosaur sites, archaeological areas scatter the region that encompasses the Dinosaur Diamond. Observe prehistoric Native American petroglyphs and pictographs that cover rock cliffs across the northern edge of the Colorado Plateau. Admire fine examples of this rock art, found near the Colorado National Monument in some of the highest concentrations in North America. Survey the natural stone arches and bridges in Arches National Park, internationally famous and truly magnificent.
Take a breather from dinosaur sites and rock art to enjoy outdoor recreation. Whether you prefer hiking, camping, or fishing, acres of public lands offer numerous opportunities for adventures. Grab a mountain bike and brave the Slickrock bike trail that travels through rugged red rock terrain just east of Moab. Go river rafting or kayaking on the Green, Yampa, and Colorado Rivers. Allow beasts of burden to lighten your load as you explore the area surrounding the Byway.
Enjoy the natural scenery along the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. Red, gray, and green rock formations await you at many turns. Forested mountain passes, canyons, cliffs, rivers, and plateaus adorn the nearby region. Take advantage of wide-open spaces and unobstructed views that reward Byway travelers.
Dinosaur Diamond Partnership
The region's vast resources are known and loved by an extensive public and private sector partnership committed to leveraging combined efforts to the benefit of all-present and future.
Please take some time to visit our partnerships websites for more information.
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