Fossil Hunting at Dinosaur National Monument, Utah/Colorado
PROHIBITED
Not permitted at this location
Key Conditions
- All fossil collection by the public is strictly prohibited at Dinosaur National Monument under 36 CFR § 2.1(a)(1) and the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 470aaa et seq.)
- The prohibition covers all fossils including invertebrates, plants, trace fossils, and vertebrate material — regardless of size, perceived scientific significance, or location within the monument
- Scientific research excavation may be conducted under a PRPA scientific permit issued to qualified researchers — not available to the public
- Observing fossils in situ (Carnegie Quarry Exhibit Hall, roadside exposures) is permitted and encouraged
- Photography of all visible fossils is permitted
Fossil collection prohibited — PRPA federal criminal penalties
All fossil collection at Dinosaur National Monument is prohibited under 36 CFR § 2.1(a)(1) and the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA).
PRPA criminalizes casual collection from federal land with penalties up to $100,000 fine and 2 years imprisonment for first offense. Trafficking carries up to $250,000 and 5 years.
There is no permit, personal-use allowance, or exception for the public. Observe, photograph, and report — do not collect.
Dinosaur National Monument was established in 1915 to protect the Carnegie Quarry — a concentrated deposit of Late Jurassic Morrison Formation fossils so exceptional that it changed scientists' understanding of Mesozoic terrestrial life in North America. The quarry was discovered in 1909 by paleontologist Earl Douglass of the Carnegie Museum; systematic excavation removed approximately 350 tons of fossil material between 1909 and 1924, now distributed in major natural history museums worldwide.
The monument has since expanded to protect 329 square miles of canyon country along the Green and Yampa rivers in Utah and Colorado, but the fossil protection mission remains central. The Morrison Formation — a Late Jurassic (~156–145 million years ago) sequence of mudstones, sandstones, and alluvial deposits — is exposed throughout the monument and has yielded some of the most complete dinosaur specimens known to science.
For visitors interested in fossil science, Dinosaur National Monument is exceptional. The Quarry Exhibit Hall provides direct visual access to the fossil wall. The adjacent Quarry Visitor Center has detailed geological and paleontological interpretation. The Canyon area offers views of Morrison Formation stratigraphy on a grand scale. The monument functions exactly as it should — as a place to see and appreciate fossils, not remove them.
Carnegie Quarry Exhibit Hall — what to expect
The Quarry Exhibit Hall (1625 E 400 N, Jensen, UT 84035) encloses a section of the original Carnegie Quarry fossil wall. Inside:
- 1,500+ fossil bones of 11 dinosaur species visible in the cliff face
- Species include: Allosaurus fragilis, Stegosaurus stenops, Diplodocus longus, Camarasaurus supremus, Brachiosaurus altithorax, and others
- Self-guided and ranger-led interpretation available
- Open year-round (hours seasonal — check nps.gov/dino for current hours)
Quarry Visitor Center: (435) 781-7700
The Exhibit Hall is the primary reason most fossil-interested visitors come to Dinosaur NM — it is genuinely worth the trip.
Visiting Dinosaur National Monument as a fossil enthusiast
- 1
Start at the Quarry Visitor Center
Stop at the Quarry Visitor Center on the Utah side first — interpretive exhibits on the Morrison Formation, the Carnegie Quarry discovery history, and the specific dinosaur species represented. This context makes the quarry wall visit significantly more meaningful.
- 2
Tour the Quarry Exhibit Hall
Walk through the Quarry Exhibit Hall and take time with the fossil wall. Use the exhibit labels to identify specific bones and species. The hall is designed so you can get within arm's length of the fossil surface — this is an extraordinary level of access not available at most museums.
- 3
Drive the Cub Creek Road (Utah side)
The Cub Creek Road passes Morrison Formation exposures throughout the canyon. At various pullouts, mudstone beds and eroded outcrop areas are visible with the geological context from the visitor center to interpret what you're seeing.
- 4
Explore the Canyon District (Colorado side)
The Canyon area along the Green and Yampa rivers (accessible from Dinosaur, CO on the east side) shows the same Morrison Formation at larger scale in dramatic canyon walls. Harpers Corner Road reaches excellent overlooks. This area sees fewer visitors than the quarry side.
- 5
Report any surface fossils you observe
If you notice eroding fossil material — bone or other paleontological material visible in cliff faces, talus, or trail surfaces — note the precise location and report it to the Quarry Visitor Center at (435) 781-7700. These observations have real scientific value.
Permits & Licenses
| Permit | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public collection permit | No | No such permit exists. The NPS does not issue fossil collection permits to the public at national monuments or parks. The PRPA scientific permit program is available to qualified professional paleontologists conducting research — it is not a recreational collecting program. |
Time & Seasonal Restrictions
- No collection of any fossil material — vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, trace fossils, or any other paleontological resource
- No digging, probing, or disturbing ground surface or rock faces in a manner that could damage fossil-bearing strata
- No use of rock hammers, chisels, probes, or any collection tools
- No mechanical equipment, vehicles off designated routes, or airborne devices (drones) over fossil-bearing areas without specific NPS authorization
- Photography, sketching, and observation of visible surface fossils are permitted and not restricted
Equipment Notes
- Camera — photography of the Carnegie Quarry fossil wall and roadside exposures is the primary way to document Dinosaur NM fossils
- Binoculars — useful for viewing distant fossil exposures along the canyon walls of the Green and Yampa rivers
- Interpretive materials — the Quarry Visitor Center has excellent exhibits contextualizing the Morrison Formation fossils and the monument's discovery history
- Water and sun protection — Canyon area temperatures exceed 100°F in summer; the monument is remote high desert with limited facilities outside the quarry area
What People Find Here
- Carnegie Quarry in-situ fossils — 1,500+ fossil bones of 11 dinosaur species visible in the cliff face exhibit, including Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, Diplodocus, Camarasaurus, Brachiosaurus, and others — observable only, not collectible
- Morrison Formation exposures — Late Jurassic mudstone and sandstone beds throughout the monument contain fossil material; visible in canyon walls along Green and Yampa river corridors
- Bone fragments in Morrison talus — occasionally visible in erosional talus at the base of Morrison Formation cliff faces; must be left in place and reported to rangers
Penalties for Violations
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| Violation | Statute | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Casual collection of any paleontological resource | PRPA (16 U.S.C. § 470aaa-9); 36 CFR § 2.1 | Federal offense; fines up to $100,000 and up to 2 years imprisonment for first offense under PRPA criminal provisions; civil penalties available |
| Trafficking in illegally collected paleontological resources | PRPA (16 U.S.C. § 470aaa-9(b)) | Enhanced penalties; up to $250,000 fine and 5 years imprisonment |
| Excavation or damage to resources | Antiquities Act (16 U.S.C. § 433) | Fine up to $500 and/or 90 days imprisonment |
Etiquette & Leave No Trace
- Observe but never touch — the Carnegie Quarry fossil wall is one of the world's most important paleontological displays; oils from skin contact damage fossil surfaces over time
- If you observe fossil material eroding out of a cliff face or on a trail surface, note the location carefully and report it to a ranger — rescued surface material has real scientific value and rangers can ensure it is properly documented and collected
- Do not share locations of observed but unreported fossil exposures on social media — unauthorized excavators use this information
Nearby Alternatives
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| Site | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| San Rafael Swell — BLM (Utah) | 130 mi | BLM land; common invertebrate and plant fossils allowed for personal-use collection under BLM casual use policy |
| Grand Staircase-Escalante NM — BLM | 265 mi | BLM-administered monument; common invertebrate fossils may be collected under BLM personal-use limits |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I collect any fossils at Dinosaur National Monument?
No. All fossil collection by the public is prohibited under 36 CFR § 2.1(a)(1) and the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA). There are no exceptions, permits, or personal-use allowances. The monument exists specifically to protect its exceptional fossil record.
What is the Carnegie Quarry?
The Carnegie Quarry is the Morrison Formation sandstone cliff face where paleontologists excavated thousands of Late Jurassic dinosaur bones beginning in 1909. Rather than removing all the bones, the NPS chose to leave a portion of the fossil-bearing wall exposed and enclosed it in the Quarry Exhibit Hall — a climate-controlled structure that allows visitors to see 1,500+ bones of 11 species still embedded in the cliff face exactly as they were found. It is one of the most remarkable paleontological viewing experiences available to the public anywhere in the world.
What should I do if I find a fossil at Dinosaur National Monument?
Leave it in place and report it to a ranger. Do not remove, move, or mark it in a way that could damage it. Note your GPS location or as precise a location description as possible. Report to the Quarry Visitor Center at (435) 781-7700. Surface-eroding fossils represent exactly the kind of discovery that researchers need to document before weathering destroys the specimen — rangers take these reports seriously.
Where can I legally collect fossils near Dinosaur National Monument?
BLM land adjacent to and surrounding the monument (outside NPS boundaries) allows casual surface collection of common invertebrate fossils under BLM's personal-use policy. Vertebrate fossils on BLM land require a PRPA scientific permit — they cannot be casually collected. The San Rafael Swell (BLM, about 130 miles south) is a well-known destination for common invertebrate and plant fossil collecting under BLM personal-use rules.
Is the monument in Utah or Colorado?
Both. Dinosaur National Monument straddles the Utah-Colorado state line. The Quarry area — the primary visitor destination — is in northeastern Utah (Uintah County). The Canyon area, including the spectacular Green and Yampa river canyons, extends into northwestern Colorado. Both states are part of the same monument and the same NPS regulations apply throughout.
Disclaimer
Information is provided for general guidance only. Regulations change frequently. Always verify current rules with the official jurisdiction before relying on this information for legal decisions. Permitted Pursuits is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Report an error.
Sources
- NPS — Dinosaur National Monument(accessed 2026-04-30)
- Paleontological Resources Preservation Act — PRPA (16 U.S.C. §§ 470aaa et seq.)(accessed 2026-04-30)
- 36 CFR § 2.1 — Preservation of Natural, Cultural, and Archeological Resources(accessed 2026-04-30)
- USGS — Carnegie Quarry Geologic Setting(accessed 2026-04-30)
Last verified: 2026-04-24 · Last updated: 2026-04-24