North Dinosaur Open Space Park

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Parks

Colorado

Nearby: Hayden Green Mountain Park Thunder Valley Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

North Dinosaur Open Space Park is a popular destination located in the state of Colorado that offers visitors a chance to explore the prehistoric world.

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Summary

There are several reasons to visit the park, including hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. The area also features unique geological formations, including sandstone cliffs and canyons.

One of the major points of interest in the park is the Dinosaur Ridge Trail, which features several dinosaur tracks and fossils that date back millions of years. Visitors can also explore the Dakota Ridge Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that it was once home to a variety of dinosaurs, including the Stegosaurus and the Allosaurus. Today, visitors can still see evidence of these ancient creatures in the form of fossils and tracks.

The best time of year to visit North Dinosaur Open Space Park is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild. Summer can be hot and crowded, while winter can be cold and snowy.

Overall, North Dinosaur Open Space Park is an excellent destination for nature lovers and history buffs alike. With its unique geological formations, prehistoric fossils, and diverse wildlife, it offers something for everyone.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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