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michigansandzil's avatar
michigansandzil
Explorer
Dec 28, 2014

Dinosaur National Monument

Anyone ever been to Dinosaur National Monument?

I'm looking way into the future for 2016 summer plans.
We're heading from Michigan to Craters of the Moon NM in Idaho then to Yellowstone. Don't laugh, but yes, I'm considering leaving Michigan and heading to Wyoming via Colorado/Utah/Idaho. Ha! Why not?!?

I noticed that a stop at Dinosaur will only add 200 miles onto our trip route. I've always wanted to go there but it seems like it doesn't fit in with other routes. At some point in the future we'll go to the Utah parks (Zion, Bryce, etc) and Dinosaur would be too far out of the way to visit at that time, or am I wrong.

Kids will be 13, 11, 7.

Is it worth it? How long is recommended? Anyone ever done the rafting trip?
I'm thinking we can afford a day and a half at this stop. One day to raft (if it's worthwhile) and a half day at the quarry before we continue on our road trip to Craters of the Moon.

Thanks for the input.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Dec 28, 2014
    It has been many years (20?) since I made a quick side trip visit while on a business trip to Vernal. May have changed some since then. If you are very interested in paleontology, or just really like all things dinosaur, then it would probably be worth a side trip if it were not too far out of the way. The exhibits were great, although the visitor center/exhibition hall was not very large. I was there for probably little more than an hour. Would visit again if I were in the area or passing by, but not drive out of the way for it.

    Can't comment on rafting or camping there.
  • TexasShadow's avatar
    TexasShadow
    Explorer II
    Dec 28, 2014
    if you and your kids like fossils, this is a great place to see them. the campground along the river has some shade trees. don't know about the raft ride.
    if you're going on to craters of the moon from there, you'll enjoy going through Vernal UT and up through Flaming Gorge. there is a campground up on top of the pass in the pine trees, with water and dump and some elec hookups.

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