Colorado’s Best Kept Secret Is A Beautiful Monument

Colorado has plenty of beautiful places to choose from that we might be able to consider "beautiful best-kept secrets." From Rocky Mountain National Park to Hanging Lake in Glenwood Springs there are lots of destinations along the way that are incredible to look at, but can you stand the crowds?

Read More: Why Did Colorado Abolish Two National Monuments?

One destination that checks all the boxes is Colorado's Dinosaur National Monument. It's beautiful and loaded with fun outdoor activities, and remains a "best-kept secret" because the tourists don't want to travel to the middle of nowhere to see it. This means it's ours to enjoy!

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See Real Dinosaur Fossils in Colorado

One of the must-see stops at Dinosaur National Monument is Quarry Exhibit Hall. Did you know nearly 1,500 dinosaur bones still embedded in the rock? As shown in the photo above, some of the most common bones found include Allosaurus, Apatosaurus, and Stegosaurus fossils. You won't find any of these at Hanging Lake.

Colorado's Ancient Petroglyphs and Pictographs

The Fremont people called most of Colorado home more than 1000 years ago, and evidence of their time on the land in and around Dinosaur National Monument can be found in the form of petroglyphs and pictographs on the surface of the rocks.

Read More: Your Kids Will Love Seeing Dinosaurs on this Colorado Road Trip

Everything You Love Minus the Crowds

Rocky Mountain National Park sees about 4.5 million visitors every year. The crowds at Dinosaur National Monument add up to about 300,000 people. This means you'll be able to enjoy the park throughout the year and never need one of those awful timed entry appointments. You'll be free to enjoy hiking, river rafting, camping, and watching the wildlife found throughout the area.