Overview

The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is a showcase of intrinsic qualities. Its world-class dinosaur, fossil and archaeological resources, including rock art, are second to none. Its recreational resources alone attract people from all over the globe. The Dinosaur Diamond's natural and scenic resources are so spectacular that two national parks and two national monuments embrace only some of them.

Its complex and revealing geology attract rock hounds and geologists from afar. Its cultural and historic traditions bring together the rich histories of prehistoric inhabitants, Native Americans, and western settlers. The combined magnitude of these resources warrant All-American Road designation under the National Scenic Byways Program. It would be difficult to find another region that embraces so much. Fortunately, many of its most precious resources are being actively protected. All American Road designation strengthens this protection.

The Dinosaur Diamond's most dramatic resources - the dinosaur, fossils and archaeological sites-are non-renewable treasures that must be protected for everyone for all time. They form the foundation for an ecotourism based management approach that enables rural economic development and the simultaneous protection of these non-renewable resources.

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). We have used these intrinsic values as subtitles and added 'Dinosaurs' to complete our attraction page links.

Recreation
Cultural Heritage
Archeological
Dinosaurs
Natural
Scenic
Other Attractions & Events

The Dinosaur Diamond's intrinsic qualities cover each of the required qualities and assessed in terms of their significance - whether they are:

Regionally Significant They have merit relative to resources in the western United States and draw visitors from a multi-state area.

Nationally Significant They have merit relative to resources in the entire United States and draw visitors from all over the United States.

Internationally Significant They have merit relative to global resources and draw international visitors.

Tread Lightly!® is a nonprofit organization whose mission is “To empower generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly through education and restoration.”

 

In 1985, the US Forest Service launched the Tread Lightly! program as a means of addressing concerns about the impacts from increasing numbers of visitors to the great outdoors for recreational purposes.  In 1990, to maximize the program’s effectiveness, management responsibilities were transferred to the private sector, making Tread Lightly! an apolitical, not-for-profit organization.

 

Tread Lightly! is funded by donations from individual members, corporations, dealerships, clubs, retailers and other organizations interested in spreading the message of responsible and ethical use of the outdoors.  Federal Partners include the National Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and Army Corps of Engineers.

Tread Lightly Principles & Tips (Pdf File)

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.