DAY TRIPS, SIDE TRIPS
The Dinosaur Diamond includes a regional area of influence of at least 15,000 square miles. The entire region is rich in dinosaur, fossil and archaeological resources, as well as world class recreation opportunities and geological, natural, and scenic resources. This larger area of influence strengthens and expands the Dinosaur Diamond in every classification of intrinsic resource qualities.
Nowhere in the Utah, Colorado or National Scenic Byways Programs is a byway corridor width or length defined in terms of a measurable unit, a political jurisdiction, geography, or any other way of defining a landscape. The National Scenic Byways Program defines a byway as the road or highway right-of-way and the adjacent area that is visible from and extending along the highway. The length of the corridor can vary depending on different intrinsic qualities. Intrinsic qualities include scenic, historic, recreational, cultural, archaeological, or natural qualities." (Federal Register, Vol. 60, No. 96, May 18, 1995).
The Dinosaur Diamond byway corridor varies. In many locations the byway may be construed as the visible landscape. The visible landscape may be broad open reaches where sight distances extend for miles or narrow canyons where visibility is greatly reduced. The byway corridor also varies with the Dinosaur Diamond's intrinsic resources. Though Dinosaur National Monument, the Red Fleet Dinosaur Trackway, and the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail are not directly on the DD, they are DD resources. In addition, the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is within close proximity to several other Scenic Byways.
Sample Itinerary
(to assist you in planning your visit)
Dinosaur Diamond - Places to Visit (Pdf File) - provides a brief tour of the dinosaur diamond and list many of the must see places to visit during your trip.
Day Trips
Vernal, UT Based Day Trips
Some of the best kept secrets in the Vernal area are only as far away as your car keys. Whether you're hunting for fossils, looking for Fremont Indian rock art, or scouting for incredible vistas, Marketed under Dinosaurland are eleven One-Day Tours are just what you need to get started. Take one. Take two.
- Diamond Mountain Jones Hole & Fish Hatchery
- Indian Petroglyphs Dry Fork Canyon
- Red Cloud Loop Scenic Backway
- Red Fleet & Steinaker Lake State Parks
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Outlaw Country
- Vernal Walking Tour
- Sheep Creek Canyon and Spirit Lake
- Indian Canyon Scenic Byway
- North Fork of the Duchesne River
- Rock Creek Canyon and Upper Stillwater Reservoir
Rangely / Dinosaur, CO based Day Trips
Fruita, CO Based Day Trips
Grand Junction, CO Based Day Trips
- Colorado wines are nationally acclaimed - come taste why! If wine is your special interest, our interactive Grand Valley map will also help you locate wineries throughout the valley. (Wine Map Pdf)
- Historic Downtown and Art on the Corner - You'll find unique shops and restaurants in Grand Junction's historic downtown district. Here, bike racks stand next to antique lamp posts, symbolic of the history and adventure that await you.
- Grand Mesa National Forest - Colorado hiking abounds in the Grand Mesa, a 10,000-foot high "Island in the Sky." Explore lush spruce forests and over 200 pristine stream-fed lakes jumping with trout. The largest flat-topped mountain in the world, the Grand Mesa offers extensive recreational facilities for camping, boating and fishing. In autumn, enormous stands of aspen radiate brilliant tones of yellow and gold. In winter, miles of Colorado hiking trails on the Grand Mesa become cross-country and snowmobiling trails.
- Colorado National Monument - 23,000 acres of awe-inspiring scenery sets the backdrop for your visit to Grand Junction, Colorado! Colorado hiking is legendary in the sandstone rock formations, arches, and canyons that date back over l.5 billion years. Drive along the serpentine 23-mile Rim Rock Road.
Green River, UT Based Day Trips
Moab, UT Based Day Trips
Duchesne, UT Based Day Trips
Roosevelt, UT Based Day Trips
Castle Dale, Ut Based Day Trips
Side Trips
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.
There are several side trips or excursions accessible via the Dinosaur Diamond that provide excellent travel routes for Dinosaur Diamond enthusiasts. Though "not on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway" they possess many of the same resources and thematic connections as sites on the Dinosaur Diamond. The following excursions provide exceptional visitor experiences.
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
Flaming Gorge has it all for outdoor enthusiasts: rafting, fishing, hiking, boating, camping, swimming, and mountain biking to name a few. the Gorge is renowned for its superb trophy and fly fishing. its waters are home to beautiful rainbow, brown and cutthroat troat, making it one of the finest tail-water fisheries in the world. The seductive scenery captivates your heart, as does the abundant wildlife including moose, Rocky Mountain elk, pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep. So grab the kids and take your time exploring this scenic byway while traveling the Dinosaur Diamond.
U.S. 191 from Vernal to the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area-This very popular 90-mile round trip offers travelers several unique resources. This segment of U.S. 191 is designated as the Flaming Gorge-Uintas National Scenic Byway with the interpretive theme of "Wildlife Through the Ages". This theme parallels the DD's interpretive themes. The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area provides breath-taking scenery and world-class recreation opportunities.
Click Thumbnails to view image
Manti_La Sal National Forest, Canyonlands National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument
U.S. 191 from Moab to Monticello and Blanding - Both the Frontier Museum in Monticello and the Dinosaur Museum in Blanding provide outstanding dinosaur, fossil and archaeological resources for Dinosaur Diamond visitors. Newspaper Rock (BLM) is just northwest of Monticello and the Museum at the Edge of the Cedars State Park, just northwest of Blanding provides additional dinosaur, fossil and archaeological resources for byway travelers. Monticello also is close to the Manti-La Sal National Forest and Canyonlands National Park. Blanding also is close to Natural Bridges National Monument.
The Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway showcases the White River National Forest's long history of multiple-use land management, making the byway a paragon of pristine scenery and excellent wildlife viewing. Lying at the heart of Colorado's "rugged individualism," visitors to this byway can embark on thrilling adventures while exploring forests, meadows, rivers, and a museum. Aside from recreation, this area contains a cache of interesting history. Located in Meeker, the White River Museum provides a quaint log cabin setting originally built in 1880. Old photos and antique possessions are on display; you'll see clothing ranging from wedding gowns to soldiers' uniforms. Ute Indian artifacts, including a peace pipe and moccasins, are also featured here. In this special setting, visitors learn the history of the White River Valley. Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway is not an ordinary recreational vantage point. It endures today as a working byway, speckled with timber-producing woodlands, active mines, and ranches. Offering an original museum and an unlimited array of outdoor diversions and charming landscapes, this byway is a pleasing trek into the remarkable world of the regal Rocky Mountains.
Delta County Museum
U.S. 50 from Grand Junction to Delta-The Delta County Museum exhibits excellent dinosaur, fossil and archaeological resources for public viewing. The 70-mile round trip for dinosaur and archaeological enthusiasts is well worth the trip. The characteristic western landscape along the route further enhances the trip
Huntington Canyon Scenic Byway
Traveling over the Wasatch Plateau between the towns of Fairview and Huntington, the Huntington Canyon Scenic Byway makes up half of the Energy Loop, a National Scenic Byway. The byway passes through the Manti-Lasal National Forest and provides excellent views of the mountain tops and valleys below. Huntington Canyon is filled with the history of the region, especially evident is the history of the Mormon pioneers who settled the area.
From I-70, the Byway climbs through the picturesque canyon of Plateau Creek to cool evergreen forests 11,000 feet above sea level. "Breathtaking scenes overlooking endless forests, and over 300 lakes!" is the easiest way to describe the 63 miles of the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, which takes you 6,000 ft. skyward into a magical Colorado alpine experience. Travel through 4 major ecological zones on this one drive. From Plateau Creek's desert sandstone canyon to the evergreen-rich, rarified air of the Land O' Lakes Area, most of Western Colorado's geology is represented. The Grand Mesa is known as the 'largest flattop mountain in the world' and serves as a major watershed for Western Colorado, sending its waters down along 5 drainages that support orchards, vineyards, farms, and ranches.
Dinosaur Diamond Partnership
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