When people think of Colorado they often don’t picture much more than snow-capped peaks and expansive plains. You may not believe it, but Colorado is also home to some really cool dinosaur finds – one could say we’re pretty famous for ’em! Researchers from around the world flock here in search of prehistoric fossils dating back to the Cretaceous period.
After the dinosaurs, Colorado becomes the land of ancient cliff dwellings, historic railroads, ghost towns, museums, and scenic byways.
Colorado Springs is home to some amazing options to learn about dinosaurs and Colorado’s past, take a look at our top picks in the list below:
Where: 201 South Fairview Street, Woodland Park, CO, USA
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9 AM- 6 PM | Sunday: 10 AM- 5 PM
This is the best place in Colorado Springs to visit with your little dinosaur fan!
In this amazing 20,000-square-foot world-class museum, families will get to travel back in time! The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center features amazing displays of dinosaurs, prehistoric marine reptiles, pterosaurs, and fish of North America’s late Cretaceous Period and is rated among the best dinosaur museums in the country!
Where: Manitou Cliff Dwellings, Cliff Road, Manitou Springs, CO, USA
Hours: May, June, July & August: 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. | March, April, September & October 9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M | November 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. | December, January & February 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.
The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are comprised of ancestral Puebloan ruins that date back to 800 to 1000 years old!
Visitors can explore the dwellings room by room with self-guided tours, wander through the preserve, and see the amazing architecture of the Ancient Puebloan people. You can also tour the Ancestral Puebloan Museum inside the Pueblo, where you will find dioramas depicting daily life, exhibits of tools, pottery, weapons, and more!
Where: 44895 West U.S. 50, Cañon City, CO, USA
Kids of all ages will find something fun at The Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience!
Explore science-focused interactive displays, full-scale dinosaur fossil casts, guided tours, hands-on exhibits featuring real dinosaur fossils, skinned animatronic dinosaur exhibits, and a multi-story ropes course.
Where: 400 South 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Hours:June – August: Daily 10 AM– 6 PM | September – May: Daily, 10 AM- 5 PM
Ghost Town Museum is the perfect spot to have an authentic western experience!
The whole family will love exploring this fun and historic look back at the old west town that used to
dot this region during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Where: 550 Jurassic Court, Fruita, CO, USA
Hours: Summer Hours: Daily, 9 AM- 5 PM | Winter Hours: Monday- Saturday 10 AM- 4 PM | Sunday Noon- 4 PM
Dinosaur Journey in Fruita is a Paleontological and Geological museum that highlights fossils and dinosaurs from the region!
See real fossils, cast skeletons, and robotic reconstructions of dinosaurs. The museum features many hands-on activities and over 15,000 fossil specimens.
Where: 612 Royal Gorge Boulevard, Cañon City, CO, USA
The Royal Gorge Regional Museum & History Center is home to exhibits highlighting and preserving the history of Fremont County and the surrounding region.
Families will love checking out rotating exhibits like Digging It! Fossils of Fremont County and Around the World in 80 Artifacts.
Where: 420 S 14th St, Burlington, CO 80807, USA
Hours:Monday – Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM | Sunday: 12 PM-5 PM
Nestled in the heart of Colorado’s Central Plains, Old Town Museum gives a glimpse of what life was like for the early Colorado settlers.
Their historic site is over 6 acres large and includes Over 20 fully restored buildings with authentic artifacts from the turn of the century.
Where: 4545 U.S. 40, Dinosaur, CO, USA
Get out of town and visit this historic site where dinosaurs once roamed!
You can view fossils embedded in the rocks, petroglyphs from early cultures, and the site of homesteaders and outlaws. Dinosaur has something for everyone with scientific discoveries, tales of adventure, historical significance, and beautiful scenery.
