Dinosaur Journey Museum in Fruita, Colorado

Do your kids love dinosaurs? 

 Western Colorado is one of the best places 

to learn about these cool prehistoric creatures! 

Just off I-70 in Fruita, Colorado is a museum filled with life-size dinosaurs and fun activities. It is called Dinosaur Journey, and its name is fitting since it does take you on a journey back through time. 

You enter through a stone arch and follow the yellow footprints. 

The first area allows the kids to touch fossils and see skeletal replicas of different creatures. The boys thought it was cool that so much of this stuff was found locally. Many of the first dinosaur fossils ever found were discovered in Colorado.

We wandered around and the boys found themselves face to face with a stegosaurus. There are buttons to push to interact with the realistic looking creatures. Did you know that Colorado's state fossil is the stegosaurus? Did you know that there was such a thing as a state fossil? I didn't either.

During our visit there was a special exhibit of the Super Croc! 

Seriously, look at the size of that thing.

 Wild J could have become a light snack for him, but wasn't scared. 

More cool robotic replicas to play with around every corner.

Sgt Al liked the Triceratops! 

Its fossils have been found near Denver, Colorado!

 Toward the back of the museum is a water play area that drew the kids in like a magnet. It was a fun activity for all five kids.

They had fun building dams and testing out the water's flow with floating ball and foam dinos.

 Baby C found the blackboard and did his best to draw a t-Rex, I think.

A big hit with my kiddos was the "quarry site" where you can dig up dinosaur bones. It is filled with walnut shells, and there are warning signs all around for anyone with allergies. You remove your shoes and enter the pit filled with tools and uncover the bones buried underneath.

Sgt Al found a big one!

We will warn you about this bridge. 

See the dino that is staring down my boys? 

If you don't move fast enough he will "spit" on you! 

The kids got a good giggle trying to escape his sprays.

We continued to explore and found ourselves in an earthquake. 

You stand on the black mat and push a button to get it started. 

The picture window in front of you shows how the plates shift

as the mat shakes through the different stages of an earthquake.

Learn about the local aquatic creatures. 

Big T is always a great helper for the younger siblings!

The huge dinosaur above Little Lu is enjoying a meal, 

but she doesn't seem to notice. 

She found the dino track activity where 

you use different rubber feet to make prints in the sand.

This is how Baby C and Little Lu measure up to a Brachiosaur heart. Wow!

There is also a viewing area to look into the working laboratory 

where dinosaur bones are prepared for display. 

I have one son interested in archeology, 

he was fascinated. 

End your visit with a trip to the really fun gift shop! 

Wild J give his sister a few quarters so she could ride the "shiny dino." 

As you can see, it was a big hit! 

This shop is filled with fun toys, books, 

jewelry, tourist trinkets and cool collectibles.

I love how hands-on this museum is, it kept my kids attention and had them looking forward to every turn. It is not a huge museum, but still packs in a lot of fun. I think it is a great spot to visit in the Grand Valley for families looking for some educational entertainment.

I mentioned museum membership in a previous post about The Museum of the West. If you do become a member of The Museum of Western Colorado it gives you admission to their three sites (including Dinosaur Journey) for year, 10% off gift shop purchases, as well as other perks. It is worth checking out if you plan on going to any or all of these museums more that a few times in a year. More info can be found HERE.

Also, if you go to their website there is even a schedule of dinosaur digs that you can participate in yourself. I know a few little boys who would love that, so you may see more in a future blog post!

Dinosaur Journey Museum is located at 550 Jurassic Court in Fruita, CO.  

Info for visitors:

Summer Hours
May 1 - September 30
7 days a week • 9 am to 5 pm

Winter Hours

October 1 - April 30
Monday - Saturday • 10 am to 4 pm
Sunday • Noon to 4 pm

Please note: Closed major holidays - New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. In addition sites may close for emergencies. Please call to confirm status.

Admission
$8.50 for adults

$6.50 for seniors

$5.25 for children

$24.50 for immediate family groups

Free to members