Dinosaur, CO and Jensen, UT (Dinosaur National Monument) - 2026

We stayed in Rangely CO to go to the Dinosaur National Monument. We didn't spend a lot of time in the Dinosaur CO location but we drove through the park. I didn't take any pictures inside the park but here are some pictures from Dinosaur CO.

I took these pictures in Rangely, this was parked at a WCS a construction company.

We spent most of our time at the Jensen, UT, west side of Dinosaur National Monument. We started at the Quarry Visitor Center to see the Quarry Exhibit Hall. Visitors are allowed to view the wall of approximately 1,500 dinosaur bones  that are 150 million years old. There is a section at the end that has fossils you can touch.

From the visitor center we took drove the scenic drive to Swelter Shelter where there are quite a few petroglyphs.

Next, we drove out to the Josie Morris Homestead. At nearing 40 years of age, divorced with children grown, she wanted a place of her own. She chose this place for its plentiful water and good pasture. Josie made this her homestead in this area until shortly before her 90th birthday in 1964. 

We hiked the trail into Hog Canyon. Josie Morris would pen and raiser her livestock within Hog Canyon. We saw remnants of a pen.

In 1989 a rare orchid was discovered here, a relic from earlier ages. A year later Federal, State experts, ranchers, scientists and others came to understand the geology, soils, hydrology and vegetation to save one small plant. Why? Because once it is gone, it is gone forever.

Orchid on the Abyss

On our walk back out of Hog Canyon we saw this big horn sheep.

After our hike into Hog Canyon, we decided to hike into Box Canyon.

Turtle Rock