Arrival at Dinosaur
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Leaving Stagecoach State Park, we had one final wildlife moment when a fox appeared at our campsite, slipping quietly through the grass as if to send us off. Then it was time for a long drive toward a very different landscape. The scenery shifted from rolling green hills to rugged canyons and wide-open desert. By the time we reached Dinosaur National Monument, it felt like we had entered another world entirely.
Fox at Stagecoach State Park
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Dinosaur National Monument delivers fossils embedded in sandstone, dramatic canyons, and landscapes shaped by deep time. We stayed at Green River Campground, a peaceful spot along the river and just minutes from the main sights.
After settling in, we headed straight to the Quarry Exhibit Hall. The building protects a massive wall of rock packed with dinosaur fossils. Many thanks to paleontologist Earl Douglass, who discovered the site in 1909 and pushed for its preservation, allowing visitors to see the bones exactly as they were unearthed more than a century ago.
That evening, we drove into Naples, Utah for dinner at Swain’s. The steakhouse offered an “All You Can Eat Sirloin” special for $27.99, which was tempting, but we went with ribeye instead. No regrets. As we left town, we passed a herd of cows, and I couldn’t help but wonder if we had just eaten one of their relatives.
We also passed a giant pink dinosaur statue in Naples, because apparently no dinosaur town is complete without a bubblegum-colored roadside mascot.
Back at camp, I walked a short stretch of the River Trail along the Green River. A beaver surfaced across the pond, while a deer, mid-squat, delivered a less-than-majestic wildlife moment to close out the evening.
After settling in, we headed straight to the Quarry Exhibit Hall. The building protects a massive wall of rock packed with dinosaur fossils. Many thanks to paleontologist Earl Douglass, who discovered the site in 1909 and pushed for its preservation, allowing visitors to see the bones exactly as they were unearthed more than a century ago.
That evening, we drove into Naples, Utah for dinner at Swain’s. The steakhouse offered an “All You Can Eat Sirloin” special for $27.99, which was tempting, but we went with ribeye instead. No regrets. As we left town, we passed a herd of cows, and I couldn’t help but wonder if we had just eaten one of their relatives.
We also passed a giant pink dinosaur statue in Naples, because apparently no dinosaur town is complete without a bubblegum-colored roadside mascot.
Back at camp, I walked a short stretch of the River Trail along the Green River. A beaver surfaced across the pond, while a deer, mid-squat, delivered a less-than-majestic wildlife moment to close out the evening.