RoadAtlas
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States — Historical
North America

Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway

United States

In short: Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is a 720 km historical road trip in United States, typically driven over 3–4 days, best in Apr–Oct. Highlights: Dinosaur, Colorado, Dinosaur Quarry Wall, Vernal.

Distance
720 km
Duration
3–4 days
Best Season
Apr–Oct
NotableEasyHistorical

A loop through the greatest concentration of dinosaur fossils on Earth, the Dinosaur National Monument's quarry wall (1,500 bones embedded in exposed sandstone), the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, Arches National Park's red-rock arches, and the Book Cliffs' 160-million-year-old Morrison Formation strata. Where the Jurassic Period meets the American canyon country.

~1 refuel
~2 charges
Practical notes
This is an easy paved loop, but summer heat, hail, and sudden thunderstorms can make canyon-country driving uncomfortable. Dinosaur National Monument, Arches, and some quarry sites can have seasonal hours or shuttle-style access limits, so check ahead, carry plenty of water, and fuel up in Vernal, Price, Moab, or Green River before longer stretches.
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Plan this trip

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Stops along the route

Dinosaur, Colorado — Departure — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Departure
Dinosaur, Colorado
Gateway to Dinosaur National Monument. Harper's Corner Road leads to sheer canyon overlooks 800m above the confluence of the Yampa and Green rivers.
Hotels
Vernal — City — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
City
Vernal
Utah's dinosaur capital. The Field House Museum displays full skeletons and a Dinosaur Garden of 18 life-size sculptures in the fossil-rich Uinta Basin.
Hotels
Price — City — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
City
Price
The Price museum holds ceratopsian skulls and Utah raptor skeletons pulled from the Book Cliffs that tower above this coal-country crossroads town.
Hotels
Green River — City — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
City
Green River
The Green River cuts through the San Rafael Swell here, its canyon walls layered with the same Morrison Formation fossil beds that line the Diamond route.
Hotels
Fruita, Colorado — Arrival — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Arrival
Fruita, Colorado
The Diamond's western anchor. Dinosaur Journey has a working fossil lab and robotic mounts; Rabbit Valley's Trail Through Time shows bones eroding from open hillsides.
Hotels

Things to Do

Dinosaur Quarry Wall — Nature — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Nature
Dinosaur Quarry Wall
A 60m sandstone cliff holds 1,500 bones in situ: Stegosaurus, Diplodocus, Allosaurus, left exactly where they died 150 million years ago and touchable by visitors.
Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry — Nature — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Nature
Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry
Over 12,000 bones from 74 individuals packed into one Jurassic mudhole — the densest Allosaurus site on Earth, still actively excavated from the Morrison Formation.
Arches National Park — Nature — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Nature
Arches National Park
Over 2,000 sandstone arches rise from Entrada Sandstone deposited atop Jurassic fossil beds. Landscape Arch spans 88m; Delicate Arch stands alone on a slickrock bowl.
Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum — Museum — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Museum
Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum
Explore interactive exhibits showcasing fossils and geological wonders of the region.
John Wesley Powell River History Museum — Museum — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Museum
John Wesley Powell River History Museum
Discover the history of river exploration in the West through engaging displays.
Dead Horse Point State Park — Scenic Viewpoint — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Scenic Viewpoint
Dead Horse Point State Park
Offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Colorado River and Canyonlands.
Museum of Western Colorado: Dinosaur Journey — Museum — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Museum
Museum of Western Colorado: Dinosaur Journey
Features robotic dinosaurs and hands-on exhibits about the region's prehistoric past.

Where to Eat

Antica Forma — Italian — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Italian
Antica Forma
Authentic Neapolitan-style pizzeria known for its wood-fired pizzas and fresh ingredients.
The Tamarisk Restaurant — American — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
American
The Tamarisk Restaurant
Riverside dining offering classic American dishes with scenic views of the Green River.
Moab Brewery — Brewpub — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Brewpub
Moab Brewery
Popular spot featuring house-made beers and a diverse menu in a lively atmosphere.
Camilla's Kaffe — Café — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Café
Camilla's Kaffe
Charming café serving hearty breakfasts and lunches with a focus on local ingredients.

Explore related routes

United States road trips Notable Mountain PassesHistoric Road Trips North America routes

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway drive?

The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway covers 720 km from start to finish.

How long does the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway take to drive?

Most travellers spend 3–4 days on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway?

The recommended season for the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is Apr–Oct.

Where does the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway start and end?

The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway runs from Dinosaur, Colorado to Fruita, Colorado.

What are the main stops on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway?

The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway passes through Dinosaur, Colorado, Dinosaur Quarry Wall, Vernal.

Can I drive the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway in a regular car?

Yes — the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway?

Plan around 1 refuels (or about 2 EV charges) along the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, based on its 720 km length.

Is the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway safe to drive?

This is an easy paved loop, but summer heat, hail, and sudden thunderstorms can make canyon-country driving uncomfortable. Dinosaur National Monument, Arches, and some quarry sites can have seasonal hours or shuttle-style access limits, so check ahead, carry plenty of water, and fuel up in Vernal, Price, Moab, or Green River before longer stretches.

What scenic tier is the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway?

The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is a notable drive — Notable scenic drives — strong character routes that locals know well and that reward travellers willing to step beyond the most-photographed roads.