Exploring The Quarry Exhibit Hall in Dinosaur National Monument

The Quarry Exhibit Hall at Dinosaur National Monument features an extraordinary wall showcasing around 1,500 dinosaur bones that were deposited by an ancient stream approximately 150 million years ago.

Paleontologist Earl Douglass of the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh made a significant discovery here in 1909, unearthing eight tail vertebrae from an Apatosaurus.

Today, this impressive wall displays fossils from ten distinct dinosaur species that thrived in the Morrison environment during the Late Jurassic period.

These species include Allosaurus, Apatosaurus, Camarasaurus, Diplodocus, Barosaurus, Dryosaurus, Camptosaurus, Ceratosaurus, Torvosaurus, and Stegosaurus.

The bone wall’s scale and preservation are truly remarkable.

Paleontologists use a detailed grid system to document the precise location of each fossil, and for a buck, visitors can purchase a brochure that identifies the names and locations of the bones.

Visitors also have the unique opportunity to touch genuine dinosaur fossils dating back 149 million years.

Beyond the bone wall, the Exhibit Hall features displays that include fossils of small mammals, clams, amphibians, reptiles, and plants from the Morrison environment.

A stunning 80-foot-long mural further illustrates the story of these ancient creatures and their ecosystem during the Late Jurassic period.

The building housing the Quarry Wall is designed with two levels, allowing visitors to view the fossil wall from both above and below.

Park rangers are available to answer questions, and the hall is open year-round, with hours varying seasonally and closures on certain holidays.

The Quarry Exhibit Hall is located about 0.25 miles up the hill from the Quarry Visitor Center.

Depending on the season, visitors may need to take a park shuttle or drive themselves to the Exhibit Hall. During our visit, we used the shuttle service, which was quick, easy, and enjoyable thanks to our fun driver.

After exploring the Quarry Wall, a hike along the Fossil Discovery Trail back to the visitor center is highly recommended. This easy 1.2-mile trail showcases three distinct fossil sites along the way.

Visiting the Quarry Exhibit Hall is an absolute must on any trip to Dinosaur National Monument. It offers an unforgettable and educational experience for all ages.