Dinosaur Diamond Scenic and Historic Byway
Beginning and End Points: Grand Junction, Dinosaur
Points of interest: Grand Junction, Colorado National Monument, Fruita, Highline Lake State Park, Canyon Pintado, Donosaur, Dinosaur National Monument
Distance one way: 134 miles
Estimated driving time: 4 hours

Grand Junction
Otherwise known as the Grand Valley, this beautiful area is the center of Colorado wine country.  With many vineyards gracing the landscape, be sure to visit one of the local vintners who will be happy to invite you to a tasting.  There are plenty of RV sites in towns with full hookups.

Colorado National Monument
Grand Junction provides the southern entrance to Colorado National Monument where you will find Rim Rock Road, an ideal route to follow for amazing vistas during sunrise or sunset.  Be sure your RV fits through the rock tunnel along the way as it is only 16 feet high.

Fruita
Northwest of Grand Junction lies the town of Fruita, which is also the exit point of Colorado National Monument if you came in through the southern entranceway.  With many trails running throughout the backcountry areas, Fruita is a favorite with mountain bikers.  RVers can find a resting point in town if you’re in the mood for a stay.  And while you’re in the area, take a stop at the Colorado Welcome Center at Fruita.  Here you can find information on the area along with a knowledgeable staff who are ready to answer any question.  Be sure to pick up a free Official State Vacation Guide along with a state map.

Highline Lake State Park
There are many campsites here that are RV friendly, even if there is a lack of water and no electrical hookups.  There is, however a dump station.  With two lakes that more than make up for the missing amenities, you can take an afternoon to fish on Mack Mesa Lake with its abundance of rainbow trout.  Highline Lake is another great destination for an afternoon of speed boating, if that’s your preference.  If you’re traveling during the winter, make sure to bring your binoculars as migrating waterfowl are in abundance in this beautiful Colorado locale.

Canyon Pintado
Located in the Douglas Creek Valley, the Canyon Pintado is known for its sandstone walls that hold more than 200 sections of artwork etched into their surfaces.  Fifty of these sections have been interpreted, with 18 of the panels providing the best illustration of how the inhabitants lived during Puebloan times.  Drive along Highway 139 between Rangely and Fruita to arrive at the canyon where you will want to spend some time soaking in the history.

Dinosaur
Fossil fields rich with treasure have made this area famous with those who are interested in relics from the great past.  Here you will find dinosaur sculptures and a town that is rife with dinosaur references.  Take a moment to visit the Welcome Center at Dinosaur where you can obtain up-to-date information on all things prehistoric.

Dinosaur National Monument
Within the park you will find the majestic Yampa and Green rivers along with the sandstone cliffs that border them.  Geology hunts, hiking, fishing, and rafting are all popular activities and a driving tour is essential for appreciating the ancient rock art and fossils that abound.  Though there are no hookups for electricity or water, there are many campgrounds that are otherwise ideal for RV travelers.

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Created in 1970, the Hayden Heritage Center Museum is housed in the former Denver and Rio Grande Western Depot, built in 1918. For all of you western history buffs, the museum is one of the most definitive for its exhibits depicting mining and cowboy life. From the varied artifacts to the many photographs, you will get an authentic feel for the pioneer, mining, and ranching life that was such a strong part of the Yampa Valley’s heritage.

The stately brick train depot was a major stop in its time, but only extended 17 miles further from Haydon to Craig, Colorado before the line was discontinued. It stands today as a monument to the vitality of Hayden, which still emanates a vivacity from days gone by.

Address: 300 West Pearl, Haydon, CO 81639
Phone: 970-276-4380
Email: heritagemuseum@nctelecom.net
Directions: North of Main St. (Hwy 40) at the intersection of Poplar St. and Pearl St.
Admission: Free

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Hahn’s Peak, with its 11,000 foot pinnacle dominating the sky, was founded in 1865 during the Colorado mining boom and was considered the original county seat of Routt County near Steamboat Lake. The village boasted the first school and post office in the county and was famed for its jail called the Bear Cage.

Just 25 miles north of Steamboat Springs, Hahn’s Peak retains its notoriety for its old time jail that housed one of America’s most famous outlaws, Butch Cassidy early in his career.

After the mining craze began to die down, Hahn’s Peak became a ghost town until a homesteading ranch took over the area. But people were still fascinated with the history of the village and slowly the old buildings began to be reconstructed alongside contemporary log cabins and houses. Now, with its aura of a quiet residential town, Hahn’s Peak Village offers visitors a sense of what historic residential life is all about. No snowmobiles, dirt bikes, or ATVs are allowed in the town, helping to preserve the peace that makes the place so special.

The Little Green Schoolhouse, a national historic site that has been carefully maintained by the Hahn’s Peak Historical Society, houses the local museum. Here you can really get a sense of the history of the village. Pick up the brochure that provides a self-guided walking tour through the Village where you can see many of the original buildings that are still in operation. Please refrain from getting too near the old log cabins, as these are working residences belonging to the locals.

Besides its historic value, a visit to Hahn’s Peak Village is a must for its exquisite views of Steamboat Lake. With Steamboat Lake State Park surrounding the area, you can enjoy the many activities that make this destination so ideal for vacation activities such as camping, fishing, and hiking.

The Routt National Forest is an ideal campground area where you can drive along the trails and pull off where you want to set up your site. Take any one of the dozens of roads in the area, all which were used by miners of the past, to enjoy hiking or mountain biking. Sections of the hiking and biking trail system are known as Elkhorn Stock Driveway and Wyoming Trail, which were commonly used in bygone times for cattle and sheep drives by the local cowboys and ranchers.

With great activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, wildlife observation, horseback riding, mountain biking; the entire area around Hahn’s Peak and Steamboat Springs is one of the best vacation destinations in Colorado. Add the famed Steamboat Springs Ski Resort for winter sports and you can have a real vacation heaven right here on Colorado Rockies earth!

Directions: From Steamboat Springs, 6th and Lincoln (US 40), head northwest on US 40 1.7 miles. Turn right on Elk River Road (county road 129) & go 24.4 miles. Turn right on Main Street (county road 113).
Little Green Schoolhouse Museum: 970-879-7291, open summer season, May thru September

Mountain Biking Loops

• Hahn’s Peak Lake / Nipple Peak Loop (21 miles, with shorter variations)
• Crane Park / Elkhorn Mountain Loop (14-1/2 mile, with shorter variations)
• Circle Bar Basin Loop (6-1/2 miles)

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Traveling along Highway 139 between Fruita and Rangely, en route to the Dinosaur National Museum, you can discover one of the most interesting and yet often overlooked wonders of Northwest Colorado. The Painted Canyon is a testimonial to both the Ute and the Fremont Native American tribes who decorated the over 200 known sites with petroglyphs and pictographs representing the world as they saw it.

A petroglyph is a carving made in stone representing real or symbolic objects. A pictograph is a painted design, often representing the flora and fauna of the region as well as images of people and images of daily or mythological life. Sixteen of the roadside sites are marked with signposts, with many easily reached by foot and others presenting more of a challenge to see.

Some examples of these magical works lie at mile 56, the Canyon Pintado Site that was noted in 1776 by the Spanish Excalante expedition. Here you can see a large pictograph of Kokopelli, the famed flute player from Anasazi myth.

A half mile down from here you will find the White Birds Site and beyond at mile 57.8 you can see the Cow Canyon Site, and at 59.7, the State Bridge Site. Plan on hiking the 40 minute trail at East Fourmile Draw (mile 67.6) where you can absorb many archeological sites and displays, with the Sun Dagger Site as the final jewel in the crown. Another fascinating area is Camel Ridge Site at mile 70.5 where you will see many abstract paintings just 250 yards from the roadside.

White Birds

There are many captivating sites along the way, where what might appear to be an ordinary rock face will turn out to reveal an etching or painting. Grab a brochure at Grand Junction or Fruita before you set out so that you can fully enjoy the acres and acres of museum quality sites that are often overlooked while traveling to other destinations. Take your time to discover what sites you can and you will be rewarded by a truly artistic glimpse into the Native American perspective.

Directions: 1-70 to Fruita. Take Colorado Hwy 139 at mile marker 15 north through Loma. The first site is Waving Hands at mile marker 53.5.

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