8 Best National Parks with Dinosaurs Fossils

Several national parks in the United States are known for their rich dinosaur fossil discoveries. Here are eight national parks and monuments where you can explore the history of dinosaurs and see some of the best-preserved fossils:

1. Dinosaur National Monument (Colorado/Utah)

One of the most famous dinosaur fossil sites in the world, this park features the Quarry Exhibit Hall, where visitors can view over 1,500 fossils still embedded in the rock.

2. Badlands National Park (South Dakota)

Known for its rich fossil beds, Badlands is home to fossils from many different prehistoric eras, including some early dinosaurs, as well as ancient mammals that followed the dinosaur age.

3. Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona)

This park preserves fossils from the Triassic period, including early dinosaurs like Coelophysis. It is also famous for its petrified wood, offering a glimpse into the ancient forests where dinosaurs lived.

4. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (Utah)

This monument has been one of the richest sources of Late Cretaceous dinosaur fossils, with many species unique to the region. It's a paleontological treasure trove.

5. Big Bend National Park (Texas)

Known for its fossils from the Late Cretaceous period, Big Bend’s Fossil Discovery Exhibit showcases dinosaurs like Quetzalcoatlus, one of the largest flying animals ever discovered.

6. Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota)

This park is known for its fossil beds, including remains of dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous period. You can find fossils of ancient reptiles as well as other creatures that coexisted with the dinosaurs.

7. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (Oregon)

While known more for mammalian fossils from after the dinosaur extinction, the John Day Fossil Beds also contain remnants from the time of dinosaurs, offering a broad glimpse of prehistoric life.

8. Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)

Famous for its striking hoodoos, Bryce Canyon has revealed some dinosaur fossils, mainly small plant-eating species. The geology of the area is as stunning as its paleontological significance.

These parks and monuments are key to understanding different periods of dinosaur history, from the early rise of these creatures to their extinction and the species that followed. They offer a unique glimpse into the prehistoric world, with opportunities to see fossils and learn about the time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.