Friends of Dinosaur Ridge

Friends of Dinosaur Ridge

Friends of Dinosaur Ridge
Visitor Center

Who we are...

The "Friends of Dinosaur Ridge" is a non-profit organization of volunteers, whose diverse projects are supported by memberships, grants, visitor center sales, donations, and fees collected for tours. It has the following mission:

· to preserve and protect geological and paleontological resources at Dinosaur Ridge;

· to use these resources to introduce the public to natural science, and

· to teach students and the public that science is fun.

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The Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center

...is run by the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge and is open Monday thru Saturday from 9:00am - 4:00pm and on Sunday from 12:00pm - 4:00pm.

Admission is free, donations are accepted.

We offer free information and are a dinosaur shopper's paradise for sales and souvenirs .

All organized tours start from the Visitor Center where parking for all cars, vans, and buses is free.

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*Interpretive Self-Guided Trail Nearly Complete at Golden's Fossil Trace Golf Course*
July 31, 2003 marked the opening of Golden's new Fossil Trace Golf Course. In the months leading up to the opening, the Friends have been busy installing a path, split rail fencing, retaining walls, and interpretive signs. Once completed, and with the approval of the City of Golden, we hope to have the interpretive trail open for self-guided tours. The interpretive trail is approximately 1/2 mile long and will feature 5 stops, which examine dinosaur tracks, clay mining, the geology of the Golden area, and plant fossils. The trail intercepts the newly completed bike path, which terminates at the intersection of 6th Avenue and 19th Street in Golden.

*Viewing Area at the Brontosaurus Bulges completed!*
Construction on a new seating and viewing area at the Brontosaurus Bulges was completed in the first few days of May 2003. Construction of a wheelchair accessible viewing platform began on the west side of Dinosaur Ridge in March. The site now features the Jurassic Time sign, which discusses the paleo-environment of the Morrison Formation, and a description of the "Brontosaurus Bulges". In the spring of 2002, several support columns were placed near the large, hanging prints to ensure their preservation.

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Caution to Collectors

Fossils are a non-renewable resource and should be protected for future generations.

State Law forbids collecting any fossils or rocks anywhere on Dinosaur Ridge.

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