Directions to Dinosaur Ridge from Interstate 25

Alternate route when West Alameda Parkway is closed

Check when the road will be closed

From I-25, take I-76 west.

Westbound I-76 will merge into westbound I-70.

Take I-70 through Denver and exit onto southbound C-470.

Take the Morrison Road exit off of C-470.

Turn right (west) onto Hwy 8/Morrison Rd heading towards the town of Morrison.

After approximately 500 feet, turn right (north) onto South Rooney Road.  The intersection with South Rooney Road is just before the Conoco Station.

Follow S. Rooney Rd past Bandimere Speedway then under C-470.  The road will curve to the left and parallel the east side of C-470.  S. Rooney Rd will end at a stop sign at West Alameda Parkway.

Turn left (west) at the stop sign and follow West Alameda Parkway for approximately 1/4 mile.  The Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center is on your right.

From North Denver:

If you're coming from north of I-76 (including the Fort Collins, Longmont, Westminster, Thornton, and Northglenn areas), please use these directions.

  • From I-25, take I-76 west.

  • Westbound I-76 will merge into westbound I-70.

  • Once on I-70 continue to exit 259, which is located just west of Denver near Heritage Square and the roadcut through the Dakota hogback.  Coming from Denver, you'll find the exit just as you leave the suburbs of Denver and start heading into the mountains.

  • From exit 259, take a left onto Jefferson County 93 and head south towards the town of Morrison and Red Rocks.  After approximately 1.5 miles, you will come to an intersection with a sign for Dinosaur Ridge.  Turn left at this intersection to go up the west side of Dinosaur Ridge.  If you continue straight through the intersection, you will head into downtown Morrison.  If you turn right at the intersection, you will head into Red Rocks Park.

  • Once you're on the road leading up the west side of Dinosaur Ridge, you will curve around a hairpin turn at the top of the Ridge, and then start heading down the east side of Dinosaur Ridge.  Towards the bottom of the hill, the road will curve to the right.  After the curve, you will see the entrance to the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center on your left.

From Central Denver:

If you're south of I-76, but north of Hampden/Hwy 285, please use these directions.

From South Denver:

If you're south of Hampden/Hwy 285 (including the Denver Tech Center, Parker, Castle Rock, and Colorado Springs areas), please use these directions.

  • From I-25, get on northbound C-470 (C-470 is oriented East/West in this are, but curves for North/South travel as you head further west).

  • Take the Morrison Road exit off of C-470.

  • Turn left (west) onto Hwy 8/Morrison Rd heading towards the town of Morrison.

  • After approximately 500 feet, turn right (north) onto South Rooney Road.  The intersection with South Rooney Road is just before the Conoco Station.

  • Follow S. Rooney Rd past Bandimere Speedway then under C-470.  The road will curve to the left and parallel the east side of C-470.  S. Rooney Rd will end at a stop sign at West Alameda Parkway.

  • Turn left (west) at the stop sign and follow West Alameda Parkway for approximately 1/4 mile.  The Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center is on your right.

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