Public Tours

A 45-minute guided tour of the Ridge and admission to the exhibit hall Trek Through Time. Your expert guide will interpret the dinosaur tracks and bones, local history, and geology while you view the real fossils. Masks are required on the bus (ages 3+). (Note: You will not be on the shuttle bus for longer than 15 min between outdoor stops.)

• Group Tour –>$15 adults/$10 kids | 9:30-4pm | daily

• Private Tour –> 7+ guests | $125 flat fee | to guarantee a reservation (call 303-697-3466 – 1-7 days before tour) 

• Advance reservations are recommended: call 303-697-3466 (1-7 days before tour). Additional tickets may also be available on a first-come first-served basis at our Main Visitor Center.

Guided Walking Tours

Walk with a Geologist at Dinosaur Ridge Trail is a 2.5-hour walking tour of both East and West sides led by a professional or amateur geologist. In addition to the interpretation of the dinosaur track and fossil sites, it includes an in-depth discussion of the geology and changes of the Denver area through time. Walkers are transported by a small shuttle bus to the west side of Dinosaur Ridge for a 1½-mile walk back on the paved trail. This tour is designed for participants aged 16 and up. Masks are required on the shuttle bus (ages 3+). Admission to the exhibit hall Trek Through Time is included with your ticket. No dogs please.

• Walk with a Geologist Tour – Dinosaur Ridge: $15 per person | 13 guests max (2 guest min) | Saturdays: 9:30am  (view schedule) | Online reservations only

Walk with a Geologist at Triceratops Trail is a 2-hour walking tour of Triceratops Trail in Golden, Colorado. The 1.5-mile, gravel hiking trail located one block east of 6th Avenue and 19th Street in Golden, Colorado. The trail winds between large, vertical walls of sandstone and into reclaimed clay pits. A professional or knowledgeable amateur geologist  will lead the tour and highlight the many viewable dinosaur tracks, fossils, and impressions. Participants are responsible for their own transportation. This tour is designed for participants aged 16 and up. ). Admission to the exhibit hall Trek Through Time is included with your ticket. No dogs please.

• Walk with a Geologist Tour – Triceratops Trail: $15 per person | 19 guests max (2 guest min) | Saturdays: 9:30am (view schedule) | Online reservations only

Audio Tours

Audio Tour
A 2.5 mile, self-guided tour of the Ridge geared towards ages 16+. Currently only available in English. (For Spanish-speakers, consider our Spanish Family Field Guide). The Audio Tour includes one (1) admission to the exhibit hall Trek Through Time.

• Audio Tour: $6 per download to phone

Exhibit Hall

Exhibit Hall Trek Through Time
Walkthrough diverse environments at different prehistoric dates learn about Colorado’s ancient environments. 

• Exhibit Hall Entrance (a la carte): $3 per person | 2 and under free

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What will I see on a guided bus tour?

Guided bus tours feature stops at the Bone Bed, the Brontosaur Bulges, and the Dinosaur Track site. You will experience a brief talk at each site and see and touch the fossils.

Your tour includes a 45-60 minute educational experience typically enjoyed most by our guests ages five and up. Many younger guests also enjoy placing their hands in the dinosaur tracks and touching dinosaur bones on our tours.

Though our public tour buses are not available to school groups or other large tour groups, you can coordinate a scheduled tour for your group or school on weekdays.

When can I get on a guided bus tour?

Dinosaur Ridge’s tours operate at different times depending upon the season. Use the chart below for information on our hours of operation and tour departure options.

How do I get on a public bus tour?

Purchase a bus ticket at our Main Visitor Center gift shop or outside sales stand. Then find your way to our bus stop 15 minutes before the departure time stated on your ticket. If you miss your scheduled departure, return to the gift shop to receive a new time.

To be guaranteed a seat on a Guided Bus tour, you should arrive no later than 3:30 pm (summer) and 2:30 pm (winter). On rare occasions, the 3:30/2:30 pm deadline may be changed without notice due to extreme weather or other unusual circumstances.

Can my whole group ride the same bus?

We currently offer a variety of guided tour bus options. To guarantee your group is together, consider reserving a scheduled group tour.

Can I walk?

If you decide to walk the Dinosaur Ridge Trail from the Dinosaur Bone Site back to the Visitor Center, (about a 1.5-mile hike that’s mostly downhill), your driver can give you information on the trip to the Bone Site and can get you started on your hike by pointing out the Dinosaur Bones and Brontosaur Bulges before you continue on your own.

Can I take a self-guided tour?

Yes, self-guided visitation is a popular way for families and small groups to explore the features at Dinosaur Ridge and Triceratops Trail. We also offer a Guided Audio Tour that is $6 per download. Admission to the Dinosaur Ridge Trail, Triceratops Trail (located in Golden, CO), and the Main Visitor Center Gift Shop is free of charge. The Guided Bus Tour and Trek Through Time Exhibit Hall require a paid ticket. There are more than fifteen interpretive sites on Dinosaur Ridge Trail and six interpretive sites along Triceratops Trail that you may visit.

If you are bringing a group of 15 or fewer for a self-guided tour, you do not need to notify us ahead of time. For larger groups, please notify us of your plans to visit at least one week in advance by emailing tours@dinoridge.org.

Dinosaur Ridge and Triceratops Trail are open from sun-up to sun-down. Stop in to our Main Visitor Center Gift Shop or the Discovery Center to pick up a free map for your self-guided walking tour. Review our hours of operation or read more about Dinosaur Ridge Trail and Triceratops Trail. For self-guided tours of Dinosaur Ridge, please park at the main Visitor Center located at 16831 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, CO, 80465, unless you are instructed otherwise.