Dinos and Dunes in the Colorado Desert
- 10 People Maximum
- Moderate Activity Level
- Road Trip
Venture with us into the Colorado desert to unearth the mysteries of the enormous beasts that once roamed these grounds. On this six-day road-trip adventure, we’ll dig into the prehistoric past of this wild and rugged terrain, traversing canyons, mountains, deserts, and dunes as we go.
- Full-day fossil dig
- Remote hot springs
- Giant sand dunes
- Dinosaur experts
Itinerary
Day 1: Fossils and Footprints
Our journey begins with a behind-the-scenes fossil tour of the dinosaur collection at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. You’ll meet your expert guide, get to know your group, and see some dinosaur fossils up close. After exploring the museum, we'll head west with a stop at Dinosaur Ridge, where the world’s first known Stegosaurus and Apatosaurus fossils were discovered. Over 300 dinosaur tracks have been discovered here, including prints made by a mother and her child. We’ll continue our drive through the Rocky Mountains, stopping for an early dinner in Glenwood Springs, where Wild West gunfighter Doc Holliday is buried and where Ted Bundy once escaped from jail. Tonight, we'll check into our hotel and head to bed early for a good night’s sleep.
La Quinta Inn & Suites, Fruita, CO
Lunch, Snacks, Dinner
Day 2: Paleontology at the Quarry
Today, we'll wake up early and head out to the Mygatt-Moore Quarry for a one-day fossil dig with the Museum of Western Colorado—a real introduction to paleontology fieldwork. After digging to unearth the beasts of the past, we’ll freshen up at our hotel before meeting for a pub-style dinner and a Rocky Mountain microbrew or two at a local brewery.
La Quinta Inn & Suites, Fruita, CO
Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Such Great Heights
We'll drive southeast to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park for a picnic on the rim of the Black Canyon before making our way to the mystical town of Crestone, Colorado. Nestled in the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Crestone is home to more than two dozen ashrams, monasteries, temples, retreat centers, stupas, labyrinths, and other sacred landmarks, making it something of a mecca, drawing seekers of enlightenment from around the globe. Here, we’ll climb to the top of the Crestone Ziggurat, an ancient type of Assyrian temple. We’ll enjoy dinner in town before heading to our heated yurts (or cozy lodge rooms) at the Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa, where we'll recharge after a long day in naturally heated mineral pools.
Joyful Journey Hot Springs and Spa
Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Shifting Sands and Alien Watchtowers
Today’s adventure begins at Great Sand Dunes National Park. We’ll admire the massive shifting dunes, learn about their formation and how they’re constantly changed by the wind, and marvel at the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the distance.
After hitting the dunes, we’ll dust ourselves off, pile into the van, and head to the UFO Watchtower, a Crestonian’s UFO-themed campground, complete with self-built energy vortexes, massive alien sculptures, and the occasional UFO-themed wedding. We’ll then head back to the Joyful Journey to soak and stargaze. Our more free-spirited travelers can venture up the road to the Valley View Hot Springs for a dip in their natural rock ponds, where there’s no artificial light to disturb our view of the stars. The springs attract skinny dippers, so if the mood strikes, you can throw caution (and your clothes) to the wind.
Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Robot Dinos
On our final full day, we’ll make our way to the Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience to hang out with some animatronic dinosaurs. (There are full-scale dinosaur fossil casts, too, but they’re less lively.) After that, it’s on to Denver for a farewell dinner and a Jurassic Park viewing party at a cozy, local watering hole. We’ll spend our final night at Denver’s Dinosaur Hotel, an otherwise unremarkable hotel that's been decked out in dino decor. You’ll be greeted at the front door by a fiberglass stegosaurus named Stanley.
Dinosaur Hotel (Best Western), Lakewood, CO
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Farewell Fossil Friends
Hug your dinosaur friends goodbye, and move boldly into The Anthropocene. We’ll be digging through the memories we’ve made until our next adventure!
Trip Leaders
The total cost of this trip is $2,330. For travelers wishing to have single accommodations, an additional $400 will be due at the time of the final payment.
We’ll be staying at several different hotels and resorts on our journey and there are a variety of rooming configurations available. Single travelers should be prepared to share a room with travelers of the same gender, depending on the composition of the group. A limited single supplement of $400 is available for single travelers who prefer a single room. While at the Joyful Journey Resort, travelers will have the option of staying in heated yurts or in double-occupancy hotel rooms.
Most of the places visited on this itinerary are above 7,000 feet, which can make physical work feel more demanding. Altitude affects some more than others. Especially if you are sensitive to altitude, we encourage you to arrive a day or two early to acclimate.
Participants should be comfortable hiking between three and five miles per day at high elevation. There won't be significant uphill hikes, although those wishing to climb the sand dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park or the Crestone Ziggurat will be able to do so. We'll also be outside in the sun for our full-day dinosaur dig in the Colorado high desert. Sunscreen and water will be provided, but we recommend drinking water every hour and wearing breathable clothing that covers your skin, along with a wide-brimmed hat.
Our trip begins with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science at 10 a.m. on Day 1. DMNS is located a 35-minute drive from Denver International Airport (DIA). We recommend you arrive in Denver on the evening prior to our trip or by 7 a.m. on Day 1. Our trip concludes on Day 6 back in Denver. Hotel checkout is at 11 a.m, though we’re happy to help extend your stay if you'd like to enjoy Colorado on your own.
- Five nights of lodging in double-accommodation rooms, heated yurts, or private desert lodge rooms.
- Three breakfasts, daily picnic lunches (don’t worry, we’ll have lots of yummy options), and daily dinners.
- A guide with deep dinosaur knowledge, and access to local experts.
- Private transport throughout the trip, in a 12-passenger van.
- A brand-new headlamp for our after-dark excursions.
- Entrance to all national parks, museums, and activities.
- A full-day fossil dig at the Mygatt-Moore Quarry.
- Recommended reading materials, packing list, and pre-trip information packet.
- A great group of fellow Atlas Obscura dinosaur enthusiasts, excited to learn more about the storied history of Colorado’s western slope.
- If arriving by air, flights to and from Denver International Airport (DIA), and transportation to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
- Travel insurance (recommended).
- Additional meals and drinks outside of Atlas Obscura offerings, including most alcoholic beverages.
- Sand sled rental.
- If applicable, applying for a U.S. visa.
