Dinosaur Area - Northwest Colorado
Experience Dinosaur and Rangely, Colorado
Located three miles east of the Utah border in Moffat County, Dinosaur is a quiet, friendly community of 400 residents. Renamed Dinosaur in 1965 because of its proximity to Dinosaur National Monument, the town originally known as Artesia, has street names like Tyrannosaurus Trail and Brontosaurus Boulevard. The community welcomes visitors and travelers from around the world for the many spectacular sites and recreational opportunities of the area. There are herds of pronghorn antelope, deer, elk and wild horses. Miles of scenic adventure roads, bike paths, and hiking trails through high desert plateaus, canyons, and mountains are bountiful. There are nearby mountain streams with beaver dams, a wealth of bird life, small mammals, and thousands of square miles of public lands to explore.
Located 2 miles east of the town of Dinosaur is Dinosaur National Monument. The first dinosaur bones were discovered here in 1909 by Andrew Carnegie and Earl Douglas. Over time, scientists have discovered 13 species of dinosaur in Dinosaur National Monument.
KENNEY RESERVOIR AND THE TAYLOR DRAW DAM: 5 miles east of town on the White River. Spend your vacation time motor boating, sailing, fishing and swimming. There are well-maintained facilities: clean restrooms, group shelters, horseshoe pits, swimming area, a marina and sand beach play areas. The facilities are handicapped accessible.
Nestled in the valley of the White River in northwest Colorado, Rangely is a small community that offers a wide variety of activities such as premier hunting, golfing, boating, off-roading and fishing. Attractions include: Kenney Reservoir, Rangely Rock Crawling Park, Canyon Pintado, Diamond National Monument, and the Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway. See wild horses, deer, elk, antelope, migratory birds, coyotes, eagles, and hawks. There are nearby mountain streams with beaver dams, a wealth of bird life and small mammals, and thousands of square miles of public lands to explore.
Rangely was originally a Ute Indian trading post and, later, rancher's territory. You can look even further into the past on a self-guided tour, where you can view ruins and ancient art depicted on the rock walls. Maps and information are available at the Rangely Museum, just east of town. A great place to cool off in the summer is Kenny Reservoir, five miles to the East of Rangley. Enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming at this small, but pleasant watering hole. For a sunset and solitude, drive about 20 minutes south of town up Rabbit Mountain, where worries fade and memories are made. The Town of Rangely hosts excellent overnight accommodations and restaurants. We pride ourselves on making our visitors feel welcome and hope that your stay in our community is memorable.
Rangely is proud to be an "OHV Friendly" community. Operation of OHVs is allowed within Rangely town limits and on designated County Roads. OHVs are only permitted to cross State Highway 64/Main Street and State Highway 139.They are not permitted to drive down the State Highways.
*All OHVs must be equipped with the following: at least one headlamp, at least one red tail lamp, functioning braking system, spark arrester, muffler, current Colorado Parks and Wildlife registration sticker.
HUNTING IN RANGELY COLORADO: Rangely is located in Rio Blanco County with Moffat and Routt counties nearby. Northwest Colorado has large elk, mule deer and antelope herds. The region attracts about 28,000 hunters annually. Hunting Units are 21, 22, and 10. Resident and non-resident hunters must apply for licenses and tags in the area you wish to hunt.
ELKS PARK: At Stanolind Avenue and Bell Street in the southwest corner of town, it was originally built by the local Elks Lodge. Families can stretch their legs at the playground and relax under the mature landscaping that includes beautiful shade trees, lilac bushes, assorted shrubs, three picnic shelters, two sets of restrooms, basketball courts, horseshoe pits, sand volleyball court, and paved parking. Special Events are held at the park: 4th of July Celebration, Rangely Chamber Crab Crack, September Fest, Labor Day 5K and more.
Dinosaur is near: Meeker
Premium Dinosaur Area Businesses
OUR JOURNEYS SET AN EASY PACE: beach camps, Canyon hikes. Experience Jurassic World on a Colorado Rafting Adventure. O.A.R.S is an authorized concessionaire of Dinosaur National Monument.
Featured Dinosaur Area Businesses
Adventure is calling you to Rangely, Colorado and Moosehead Lodge Rooms and Cabins! Explore Dinosaur Diamond Scenic and Historic Byway and 160 miles of Off-Roading along wagon wheel trails.
OUR JOURNEYS SET AN EASY PACE: beach camps, Canyon hikes. Experience Jurassic World on a Colorado Rafting Adventure. O.A.R.S is an authorized concessionaire of Dinosaur National Monument.
Rangely, Colorado has outdoor adventure: hunt, golf, fish, water sports, Jeep, ATV. See wild horses! Kenney Reservoir. Colorado's only sanctioned rock crawling park. Dinosaurs National Monument!
For more travel information contact:
Dinosaur Area Activities & Maps
National Parks and Monuments:
Dinosaur National Monument
Scenic Byways:
Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway
Rafting & Kayaking:
Green River Rafting & Kayaking
Jeep & 4WD:
Dinosaur & Rangely Jeeping & ATV/UTV Trails