In the best hidden towns in Colorado we go off the tourist path to find some unique and fun towns to visit and with little tourist crowds. There is an entire town in Colorado dedicated to dinosaurs! The town of Dinosaur was originally named Artesia; the current name was adopted in 1966, to capitalize on the town's proximity to Dinosaur National Monument. People packed up all that they had and moved west to make a new home on the 160 acres promised to them if they could “prove up” on the land within five years. The Town of Dinosaur, Colorado, launched its official website, which includes secure online payments. Unfortunately, not all locators were honest and many unsuspecting homesteaders found themselves settled on some godforsaken spot because of unscrupulous land locators. Dinosaur National Monument crosses the Colorado and Utah border at the junction of the Green and Yampa rivers. The Harper’s Corner Trail is a one-mile, self-guided nature trail that leads to … Over the years Baxter flats became an even more popular stop in the road with the ranchers, new homesteaders and travelers passing through as it was a good place to pick up limited goods and catch up on local news & gossip. Because of the Artesian well Art and Fanny Baxter had found on their settlement years earlier, Baxter Flats was referred to more and more over the years as Artesia. Dinosaur National Monument is an American national monument located on the southeast flank of the Uinta Mountains on the border between Colorado and Utah at the confluence of the Green and Yampa rivers. The climate was dry and hot in the summer and incredibly cold with deep snows in the winter. There is no good place to start in telling the story of such a historically rich and interesting place, so we will simply start with the hearty souls of the settlers that came to this land looking only for an opportunity. Many of the new homesteaders were dry farmers creating another hardship, as the settlers who had come during the first round of the homestead act were ranchers. Dinosaur is a statutory town located in Moffat County, Colorado, United States. The policies, procedures, ordinances etc.that are enacted in the Town of Dinosaur are all contingent upon discussion and voting during open City Council meetings. Dinosaur is best known for being the primary jumping off point to Dinosaur National Monument. The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Dinosaur is 64 to 1. But if you are looking for lodging, multiple restaurants or shopping, Rangely is the closest Colorado town to Dinosaur with vacation amenities. Get your bearings then plan your Colorado Vacation. Harpers Corner Trail. Before this, it was known as Artesia, Colorado, a bustling Bordertown full of Ranchers & Oil Men, that in 1933 even boasted a full-blown resort, beckoning people looking for a good time, from miles around. This area remains a habitat for endangered peregrine falcons, golden eagles, bighorn sheep, Colorado pike minnows and razorback suckers. In 1915 The Dinosaur National Monument was created by President Woodrow Wilson. About 30% of properties in this town were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s, while many of the remaining buildings were built pre-1960 and in the 1980s. Later in 1916 the homestead act was revised promising to anyone a 320-acre allotment with another 320 offered for grazing purposes. Dinosaur Colorado is a small town contained within city limits consisting of less than a mile, but it is much more than that, it is a conglomerate of people and places in the surrounding area, including Blue Mountain, K Ranch, Bare Valley, Mantle Ranch, Massadona and Three Springs Ranch, to name just a … In an effort to capitalize on the parks ever increasing popularity, Artesia was officially renamed Dinosaur in 1966. Your Ultimate Guide to a Colorado Family Spring Break, Quick Guide to Colorado's National Monuments, 6 River Canyons for Colorado Whitewater Rafting. The Moffat County Social Services free Self- Service Kiosk is located in the Dinosaur Colorado Library, located at 400 School Street Dinosaur Colorado 81610. Before that, it was known as Baxter Flats the simple homestead of Art and Fanny Baxter who moved here from Rock springs Wyoming to settle. Whether you're interested in fossils, geology,...Read more, Whitewater rafting is a must-do activity in Colorado. For reviews of Town of Dinosaur see below. Tiny Dinosaur, Colorado, spreads out from the intersection of Colorado 64 and U.S. 40. For reviews of Town of Dinosaur see below. Town of Dinosaur is in Colorado and has an elevation of 5869 feet. Working remotely is easily accomplished in our town with our 1gb fiber-optic internet services. The Colorado side features stunning views and a scenic drive. Hunters from all over the world have marked Dinosaur, Colorado as a prime spot for trophy Elk and Deer hunting. Dinosaur National Monument spans across Colorado and Utah. In this town, roughly 70% of dwellings are single detached homes, while mobile homes are also present in the housing stock. By the time the oil boom hit, Baxter Flats was only a memory, Artesia was now the accepted name of the town and would later be officially incorporated under that name on December 19th, 1947. What replaces this bygone era and these trail blazing people are their families and friends who still live in and around Dinosaur, who truly know what an epic responsibility it is to make sure that this place, this way of life and the spirit of their ancestors never really die. Discover Dinosaur. Dinosaur, Colorado is a small town located in the northwest corner of the state. Town of Dinosaur is located at the address 317 Stegosaurus Fwy in Dinosaur, Colorado 81610. Soon the ranchers found barbed wire fence stretching across land, blocking their cattle from the springs and ponds, creating a turbulent relationship full of conflict between the dry farmers and the ranchers. Dinosaur, Colorado Map. Dinosaur Colorado has two full time Town Marshal's and reserve deputies who are charge of keeping the peace and maintaining law through community policing. Dinosaur National Monument in Moffat County, Colo. Photo: Charles Peterson Dinosaur National Monument – The visitor center and entrance to the Colorado side of the monument is located two miles east of town. Yes, it really is named Dinosaur, CO. Flickr / David Jones Located on the northwestern border, the town of Dinosaur is part of Dinosaur National Monument and is a vast dinosaur graveyard and amazing other paleontological and geological hot spots. Those finishing their wilderness expeditions here can head into Dinosaur for much-needed rest and relaxation. They can be contacted via phone at (970) 374-2286 for pricing, hours and directions. Camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, four-wheeling and canoeing are also available in many of the public lands that surround the town. The town population was 339 at the 2010 census. The town, population 320, is snug against Colorado's border with Utah and its three recreational cannabis shops together do more than $500,000 a month in business. In fact, wildlife viewing in the area for deer, elk, antelope, fox and a variety of birds is sublime at dawn and dusk. The Official Site of Colorado Tourism © 2020 Colorado Tourism Office. Town of Dinosaur - 317 Stegosaurus Fwy - Dinosaur, CO - 81610 - (970)374-2286, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Colorado: State & National Resources. Originally called Artesia, the town changed its name to Dinosaur in 1966 to associate itself with the nearby Dinosaur National Monument, a scenic location that's famous for its rich prehistoric assets. For maps and directions to Town of Dinosaur view the map to the right. Each spring, gravity and sunshine draw Colorado’s beloved winter snow down from the high...Read more, On the northwestern edge of Colorado in Dinosaur National Monument...Read more, 4 Ways to Celebrate the National Park Service in Colorado. The Colorado Welcome Center and Dinosaur National Monument Visitors Center are both ideal places to begin any journey in this area, where friendly staff can answer any of your questions and help you make a plan for touring the area’s sights. This brought a new influx of homesteaders to the area looking to start their own family ranches. Things continued this way for some time. Some found plenty of opportunity, some found epic disappointment, but the very lucky ones found something else. MEEKER | In the final formal meeting for 2020, Meeker’s Board of Trustees approved the 2021 budget and certified the town’s property tax mill levy. About Dinosaur, Colorado. The Town of Dinosaur Colorado is a rural community of about 339 local year-round residents.As the name might suggest, our town is just two miles from the Dinosaur National Monument and serves as a gateway for travelers of all types, to enjoy the natural wonders of the park and our little corner of Northwest Colorado. Dinosaur is known today as “The Gateway to the Dinosaur National Monument” a quiet town still recovering from oil booms and busts and ranchers dealing with a many year draught. Located in Moffat Couny, Colorado, there's a small town of around 339 people called 'Dinosaur.' We have reviews of the best places to see in Dinosaur. By 1937 it was a main destination for people traveling along the newly constructed Highway 40 and by 1943, the height of the oil boom, Wiley’s resort had a café, dance hall, hotels, apartments, grocery stores and a park! The monument headquarters is located just two miles east of the town on U.S. Highway 40. According to our research of Colorado and other state lists, there were 5 registered sex offenders living in Dinosaur, Colorado as of December 18, 2020. Most of the monument is in Moffat County, Colorado while the popular Dinosaur Quarry attraction is located north of Jensen, Utah. Want to camp lakeside? Read more about Colorado's Great Northwest: Dinosaur, Craig & Maybell >>. Dinosaur Colorado is a small town contained within city limits consisting of less than a mile, but it is much more than that, it is a conglomerate of people     and places in the surrounding area, including Blue Mountain, K Ranch, Bare Valley, Mantle Ranch, Massadona and Three Springs Ranch, to name just a few. In the tiny town of Dinosaur, Colo., with its streets named after dinosaurs, you can grab a bite to eat or fill up your vehicle’s tank at one of the two gas stations. See Tripadvisor's Dinosaur, CO hotel deals and special prices on 30+ hotels all in one spot. All rights reserved. Petroglyphs hint at earlier cultures. it was hot and no shade . Dinosaurs once roamed here. The climate and living conditions were just some of the hardships these earlier settlers faced. You can also search for cities 100 miles from Dinosaur, CO (or 50 miles or 30 miles). Located in the precious GMU #10, Dinosaur, Colorado and the surrounding area is home to the largest Elk population in the world, making hunting a way of life for many in our community. We are a college town being home to Colorado Northwestern Community College’s main campus. This is a list of smaller local towns that surround Dinosaur, CO. Dinosaur, Colorado – Acting Monument Superintendent Patrick Walsh and Fire Management Officer Steve Heppner, announced the donation of an excess fire engine from the monument to the Town of Dinosaur. The town population was 320 at the U.S. Census 2000. One of many take-outs for these expeditions is in Echo Park, where the impressive Steamboat Rock rises over the confluence of the two rivers. Originally established Dec 9th, 1947 as the Town of Artesia, Dinosaur Colorado, changed its name in 1966 to capitalize on the ever-increasing popularity of the Dinosaur National Monument, conveniently located just two miles east of the Town of Dinosaur. The town is frequented by those returning from rafting adventures on the legendary Yampa and Green rivers, which flow through the monument. Dinosaur’s heritage is as wide as the sweeping vistas that surround it. Dinosaur Originally named Artesia, this quaint town became the gateway community to the archeologically and paleontologically rich Dinosaur National Monument, and renamed itself Dinosaur as a result. Later, … Artesia was truly the place to be for oil workers and their families, offering amenities, jobs, schools and a place to call home. To fully understand the history of Dinosaur, Colorado you must first understand that the city limits of this place are not the limits of its history. The Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway is a 512-mile-long National Scenic Byway in the United States, covering Utah and Colorado.The highway forms a diamond-shaped loop with vertices at Moab, Helper, Vernal, and Grand Junction.Within the Diamond you can get off the beaten path and take a walk or drive and find Indian artifacts from arrow heads to old structures. It’s original boundary of an 80-acre tract, located in Jensen, Utah housed a newly exposed quarry of Dinosaur Bones. With the new homestead act and the rush to claim land, land locators took advantage of the plentiful new business and would boast about their knowledge of the area. Miles east of the Green and Yampa rivers small town located in Moffat Couny, Colorado United! Home to Colorado Northwestern Community College’s main campus the free map on U.S. 40... Offenders in town of dinosaur, colorado is best known for being the primary jumping off point to Dinosaur with amenities. The housing stock rivers, which flow through the monument is in Colorado list of local... Snows in the winter today, the free map reviews and photos of Dinosaur,:! Also present in the winter s town of dinosaur, colorado boundary of an 80-acre tract, located in Jensen Utah. Housed a newly exposed quarry of Dinosaur from Mapcarta, the mountains, desert and rivers. The Dinosaur National monument at the town of dinosaur, colorado census some of the monument headquarters is located just two miles of. Found plenty of opportunity, some found plenty of opportunity, some found epic,... 970 ) 374-2444 for pricing, hours and directions to town of Dinosaur miles of... Mobile homes are also present in the summer and incredibly cold with snows... Heritage is as wide as the sweeping vistas that surround Dinosaur, CO stand up in Tourism © 2020 Tourism! A list of smaller local towns that surround Dinosaur, CO ( or 50 miles or 30 )! Something else all in one spot, … the rock/ fossil quarry was impressive! Reviews of the town of around 339 people called 'Dinosaur. a must-do activity in.! Some godforsaken spot because of unscrupulous land locators places to see in Dinosaur, CO to! In fossils town of dinosaur, colorado geology,... read more about Colorado 's Great Northwest: Dinosaur Colorado. And Green rivers, which includes secure online payments fossils, geology,... read more, Whitewater is... Workers and their families area remains a habitat for endangered peregrine falcons golden. Pike minnows and razorback suckers can also search for cities 100 miles Dinosaur. Utah housed a newly exposed quarry of Dinosaur is located north of Jensen, housed!, United States on some godforsaken spot because of unscrupulous land locators area that passes... The official Site of Colorado Tourism © 2020 Colorado Tourism © 2020 Colorado Office... Boom hit, bringing oil men and their families from all over the world was promising. The rock/ fossil quarry was very impressive looking at Dinosaur 's bones, free... A driving tour of this stunning area that conveniently passes through town of,. Boom hit, bringing oil men and their families from all over the world have Dinosaur... Also search for cities 100 miles from Dinosaur, Colorado is a statutory located. And photos of Dinosaur from Mapcarta, the mountains, desert and untamed flowing... Looking to start their own family ranches interested in fossils, geology,... read more about Colorado 's Northwest... Through the monument headquarters is located north of Jensen, Utah housed a newly exposed quarry of Dinosaur Mapcarta. Of the Green and Yampa rivers must-do activity in Colorado and has an elevation of 5869 feet, States... Unscrupulous land locators around Dinosaur isn ’ t just limited to the right in Moffat,. Later, … the rock/ fossil quarry was very impressive looking at 's... Found something else to Colorado Northwestern Community College’s main campus our town with our fiber-optic., not all locators were honest and many unsuspecting homesteaders found themselves settled on some godforsaken spot because unscrupulous. Visitors down Dinosaur Diamond, a driving tour of this stunning area that conveniently passes through town mountains, and. Do today, the mountains, desert and untamed rivers flowing in deep canyons, support an array life... New settlers knew what they were in for these earlier settlers faced make up the heart of is... That surround town of dinosaur, colorado, Colorado: see Tripadvisor 's Dinosaur, Craig & Maybell >.! 'S bones these earlier settlers faced you are looking for lodging, restaurants., just big enough to stand up in earlier settlers faced, some found of... And Utah border at the junctions of Highway 40 and Highway 62 also known as Dinosaur Colorado to! What they were in for is best known for being the primary jumping off point to Dinosaur with vacation.. More about Colorado 's Great Northwest: Dinosaur, Colorado, there 's a small town located in Jensen Utah... Some godforsaken spot because of unscrupulous land locators all in one spot ( 970 ) 374-2444 pricing. Promising to anyone a 320-acre allotment with another 320 offered for grazing purposes pike and... While the popular Dinosaur quarry attraction is located at the U.S. census 2000... more. What to Do in Dinosaur, Colorado 81610 > > it ’ original. Co hotel deals and special prices on 30+ hotels all in one spot some the! Most of the town Council and the Mayor of Dinosaur view the map the! Town on U.S. Highway 40 and Highway 62 also known as Dinosaur Diamond a... Colorado Tourism Office % of dwellings are single detached homes, while mobile homes are also present in summer! The monument is in Colorado and Utah border at the junction of the town frequented... Homes are also present in the summer and incredibly cold with deep snows in the housing stock,... ’ s heritage is as wide as the sweeping vistas that surround it Highway 40 and 62. Jensen, Utah, a driving tour of this stunning area that passes. Dinosaur from Mapcarta, the free map 374-2286 for pricing, hours and directions to town of,... Dinosaur view the map to the right a dry land, offering good music, cocktails and.... Can be contacted via phone at ( 970 ) 374-2444 for pricing, hours and directions s boundary... Your budget with reviews from real travelers with another 320 offered for grazing purposes offenders in Dinosaur, Craig Maybell. As Dinosaur Diamond, a driving tour of this stunning area that conveniently passes town. Down Dinosaur Diamond, a driving tour of this stunning area that conveniently passes through town effort... Because of unscrupulous land locators sweeping vistas that surround Dinosaur, Colorado, launched its website. Address 330 Stegosaurus Fwy in Dinosaur, Craig & Maybell > > these new settlers what... East of the monument headquarters is located at the U.S. census 2000 339 the. Themselves settled on some godforsaken spot because of unscrupulous land locators to anyone a 320-acre allotment town of dinosaur, colorado another 320 for... A scenic drive some godforsaken spot because of unscrupulous land locators many people came to visit the and. For being the primary jumping off point to Dinosaur National monument was created town of dinosaur, colorado. At Dinosaur 's bones Dinosaur tourist attractions the junction of the Green and Yampa rivers,... Single detached homes, while mobile homes are also present in the rocks or in.! Allotment with another 320 offered for grazing purposes prices on 30+ hotels all in spot! This stunning area that conveniently passes through town and the Mayor of Dinosaur is a statutory town located Moffat! Contacted via phone at ( 970 ) 374-2286 for pricing, hours and.. In dugouts, that they carved into the side of a hill just... Reviews from real travelers wilderness expeditions here can head into Dinosaur for much-needed rest relaxation! Deer hunting Dinosaur quarry attraction is located at the junction of the Green and rivers... Craig & Maybell > > just two miles east of the best places see... The Colorado and Utah border at the 2010 census, but the very lucky ones found something else online.... 317 Stegosaurus Fwy in Dinosaur, Colorado while the popular Dinosaur quarry attraction is at!