Dinosaur museum near Grand Junction
The museum is Dinosaur Journey at 550 Jurassic Court in Fruita, not in Grand Junction itself. Fruita lies a short drive west on the I-70 corridor. Two fossil trails sit nearby, Dinosaur Hill and Rabbit Valley, so the museum and one outdoor stop fit together.
This page covers the sites in Colorado's Grand Valley area. The national monument that carries the dinosaur name is a different destination, far to the north.
Dinosaur Journey in Fruita
Hours and prices for 2026.
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| Memorial Day to Labor Day | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Labor Day to Memorial Day | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
Adults pay $11, seniors $9 and children $7. Check holiday and special closures before you drive out. Fossil preparation can be watched only when the team is actually at work, so do not plan the visit around it.
For families with children, Dinosaur Hill fits well after the museum.
Dinosaur and Grand Valley tours
Fossil outings, scenic drives and family days around Fruita and Grand Junction, with live prices and availability.
Dinosaur Hill and Rabbit Valley
Two outdoor fossil sites.
Dinosaur Hill
A 1-mile loop with about 150 feet of climbing. It is open year-round during the day and free. There is a parking lot and vault toilets, but no drinking water. Dogs are allowed on a leash. The hill marks the site of an Apatosaurus dig in 1901. Nothing is open to visitors for digging.
Rabbit Valley Trail Through Time
A 1.5-mile loop at a paleontological site. It lies about 30 miles west of Grand Junction on I-70 at exit 2. Research digs happen here, but that does not mean a daily demonstration or a place to collect fossils.
Bring water for both walks. For desert heat and sun rules, see the weather page.
Dinosaur National Monument is a different trip
Do not mix it up with the Fruita sites.
Parts of Dinosaur National Monument lie roughly 120 miles (193 km) north of Grand Junction. That is a regional figure, not a road distance from Fruita to the fossil hall. The Fossil Hall is a separate building at the Quarry Visitor Center near Jensen in Utah. The Canyon Visitor Center on the Colorado side is near the town of Dinosaur. Treat it as a long day or an overnight, and check conditions first.
If you only have a short stay, stay with the museum in Fruita and the two fossil trails. Add the Fruita page for bike trails and town stops, or the Colorado National Monument for canyon views.
Planning a dinosaur day
A simple order for the day.
Start at the museum when it opens. Drive to Dinosaur Hill afterwards for the short loop, or head west to Rabbit Valley if you want a longer outing. Dinosaur Hill costs nothing, and you should check the conditions at Rabbit Valley before you go. Bring water and sun protection, because Dinosaur Hill has no drinking water. See day trips for longer outings from Grand Junction.
Dinosaurs near Grand Junction: frequently asked questions
Where is the dinosaur museum?
Dinosaur Journey is at 550 Jurassic Court in Fruita, a short drive west of Grand Junction.
How much does it cost?
In 2026 entry is $11 for adults, $9 for seniors and $7 for children.
Can I see fossils being prepared?
Only when the team is working that day. It is not a daily guarantee.
Is Dinosaur Hill free?
Yes. The 1-mile loop has no entry fee and is open year-round during the day.
Can I dig for fossils at Rabbit Valley?
No. Rabbit Valley has an active research site, but that gives no private collecting rights and no daily demonstration.
Is Dinosaur National Monument near Fruita?
No. Parts of it lie about 120 miles north of Grand Junction, and its fossil hall is in Utah.