Dinosaur National Monument

The official tumblr page for Dinosaur National Monument operated by the National Park Service. www.nps.gov/dino

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Cub Creek Road to the Josie Morris Ranch is now open. You can drive the 1.8 mile road to visit the Cub Creek petroglyph sites, walk around the Josie Morris Cabin or hike the trails to Box and Hog canyons. (at Dinosaur National Monument) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvwyCVnBlV6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=z2h8u19anmfc

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The view from the north side of Split Mountain into Rainbow and Island Parks. Taken on 8/6/2017 (at Dinosaur National Monument)

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It's the start of National Park Week and today is a great day to take a hike on the Sound of Silence Trail. #nationalparkweek #findyourpark (at Dinosaur National Monument)

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Turtle Rock looks out over a snowy Cub Creek Valley. (at Dinosaur National Monument)

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The first significant snowfall of winter has fallen at the Quarry Visitor Center. Welcome to winter! #dinosaurnps (at Dinosaur National Monument)

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"Autumn... the year's last, loveliest smile" - William Cullen Bryant (at Dinosaur National Monument)

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Night sky over the Quarry Exhibit Hall! Not something you get to see everyday! If you look hard enough you can see the Milky Way. Photo Credit: Jacob Holgerson (at Dinosaur National Monument)

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You have a couple more days to enjoy your national parks for free in celebration of the 100th Birthday of National Park Service! Entrance fees are waived at Dinosaur and all other parks through Sunday, August 28, 2016. Our friendly entrance station staff will still be on duty to give you a park map or answer questions. And don't worry, they don't bite... much. #findyoupark #npscenntenial #enquentratuparque #NPS100 Photo Credit: Jacob Holgerson (at Dinosaur National Monument)

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Celebrating the 107th anniversary of Earl Douglass' first dinosaur fossil discovery on this date! After several days toiling in the hot desert sun searching for dinosaur fossils, Paleontologist Earl Douglass was feeling rather discouraged. But despite his frustrations, Douglass' longtime vision of finding a complete skeleton persisted, giving him hope and inspiring him to continue his search. Douglass' journal entry August 17th, 1909: "I began searching the hard sandstone which are unusually thick and well exposed there...and found lots of broken and shattered bones but as usual, nothing perfect. At last, in the top of the ledge where the softer overlying beds form a divide, a kind of saddle, I saw eight of the tail bones of a Brontosaurus [Apatosaurus] in exact position. It was a beautiful sight. It is by far the best looking dinosaur prospect I have ever found. The part exposed is worth preserving anyway." Unbeknownst to Douglass, the eight tail bones he found would lead him to a colossal dinosaur graveyard - one that would become world-famous. Nor did he know that he would spend the next 14 years of his life removing nearly 350 tons of dinosaur bones. #dinosaurnps #findyourpark #encuentrasuparque #nps100 (at Dinosaur National Monument)

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"If it weren't for the rocks in its bed, the stream would have no song." -Carl Perkins Photo Credit: Jacob W. Frank (at Dinosaur National Monument)

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Half the park happens after dark! Join us for astronomy programs at the Split Mountain Group Campground on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Check the park website for program times. https://www.nps.gov/dino/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?event=275C7066-1DD8-B71B-0BE4E738BCDF1D87 This picture was taken last week at our Wednesday night program and was done with the help of moonlight, a long exposure time, and a red light for the lettering. Photo Credit: Jacob Holgerson (at Dinosaur National Monument)

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Not a cloud in the sky. View of Split Mountain from the Sound of Silence trail. Photo taken July 14, 2016. #dinosaurnps #findyourpark #encuentratuparque #nps100

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#WildlifeWednesday Summer is now in full swing and sometimes on these hot days all you want to do is cool off. This Western Garter Snake knows that very well, it decided to take some time off and go for a dip. (at Dinosaur National Monument)

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Sometimes the darkest, fiercest storm can reveal that there is still a lot of light in the world. Rainbow from the Harpers Corner Trail. (at Dinosaur National Monument)

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Are you traveling with your pet this summer? Dinosaur has several pet friendly trails which now includes the River Trail between the Green River and Split Mountain campgrounds on the Utah side of the monument. Just remember to always keep pets on a leash when hiking. Because Dinosaur is a desert environment, we strongly advise hiking in the early morning hours when it is cooler. Always carry plenty of water for you and your pet. And remember to never leave pets (or kids) inside a vehicle, even when the windows are down, for any length of time. On a mildly warm day, the temperature can rise above 120 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes. This is life threatening for any occupants inside. For more information on traveling with pets at the monument, visit our website at: https://www.nps.gov/dino/planyourvisit/pets.htm Photo: A hiker and his canine companions enjoys the views on the River Trail. (at Dinosaur National Monument)

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Sometimes all you need to brighten your day is a curious little bird! This yellow warbler and all its friends are frequent visitors to the Green River Campground. #WildlifeWednesday #dinosaurnps #FindYourPark #encuentratuparque #nps100 (at Dinosaur National Monument)

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As dark skies around the world continue to disappear, many National Park Service units in the western U.S., including Dinosaur, are still in the dark! Redish Mars is front and center in our southern skies from the Green River Overlook on Cub Creek Road. Thanks to Ranger Jake for the photo. #FindYourPark #encuentratuparque #dinosaurnps #nps100 (at Dinosaur National Monument)