Jurassic

Jurassic National Monument protects 7,060 acres of paleontologically significant terrain near the town of Price in Carbon County, east-central Utah. Designated by President Trump in March 2019, the monument encompasses the renowned Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, one of the densest concentrations of Jurassic-age dinosaur bones in the world. Over 12,000 bones representing at least 74 individual dinosaurs and over 20 species have been excavated from the quarry since its discovery in the 1920s. The monument preserves this extraordinary fossil deposit along with the surrounding landscape of colorful badlands, sagebrush flats, and cedar-studded hills in the heart of Castle Country.

The monument's semi-arid badlands and sagebrush terrain support wildlife adapted to the high desert of eastern Utah. Mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and coyotes inhabit the area. Jackrabbits and cottontail rabbits are common. Golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and prairie falcons hunt over the open terrain. Horned larks, sage thrashers, and other sagebrush-obligate birds nest in the shrublands. Collared lizards, side-blotched lizards, and several rattlesnake species are present in the warmer months. The monument's ecological significance is overshadowed by its paleontological value, but the landscape supports a functioning sagebrush ecosystem that provides habitat for characteristic Colorado Plateau wildlife.

The vegetation at Jurassic National Monument is characteristic of the high desert transition zone between the Colorado Plateau and the Wasatch Plateau. Big sagebrush and rabbitbrush dominate the valley floors and gentle slopes. Utah juniper and occasional pinyon pine grow on the higher ridges and rocky outcrops. Greasewood and shadscale occupy the more alkaline soils of the badlands areas. Native bunchgrasses including Indian ricegrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, and galleta grass grow among the shrubs. Prickly pear cactus is common. The badlands formations, composed of Morrison Formation mudstones and claystones, support only sparse vegetation due to the infertile, clay-rich soils. Biological soil crusts are present on undisturbed ground between the sagebrush.

The Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry exposes the Brushy Basin Member of the Morrison Formation, a Late Jurassic-age deposit approximately 150 million years old. The Morrison Formation was laid down by rivers, lakes, and floodplains during a time when the region was part of a vast, semi-arid lowland inhabited by diverse dinosaur communities. The quarry's exceptional bone density — estimated at 60 bones per cubic meter — has puzzled paleontologists, with hypotheses ranging from a drought-related watering hole where animals died to a predator trap in soft, marshy ground. Allosaurus dominates the assemblage (approximately 46 individuals), along with Stegosaurus, Camarasaurus, Ceratosaurus, and numerous other species. The surrounding badlands expose colorful mudstones, siltstones, and sandstones of the Morrison and overlying Cedar Mountain formations.

Jurassic National Monument experiences a semi-arid continental climate with hot summers, cold winters, and about 9 inches of annual precipitation. Summer temperatures reach the mid-90s Fahrenheit with intense sun and low humidity. The badlands terrain absorbs and radiates heat, making conditions feel even hotter at ground level. Winters are cold with light to moderate snowfall. The sparse vegetation and lack of shade mean that summer visitors must be prepared for extreme heat exposure. Brief, intense thunderstorms during the July-August monsoon season can cause flash flooding in the clay-rich badlands, which become impassable when wet. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable visiting conditions.

The region around the monument has been inhabited by indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Fremont Culture people lived in the area from approximately 200 to 1300 CE, and Ute people subsequently used the region for hunting. Euro-American settlement in the early 1880s was driven by cattle ranching and later coal mining. The Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry was first identified by ranchers and University of Utah researchers in the 1920s. Major excavations began in 1929 under the direction of William Lee Stokes and continued through multiple university and museum campaigns over the following decades. Bones from the quarry have been distributed to over 65 museums worldwide, making Cleveland-Lloyd one of the most scientifically productive dinosaur quarries in history.

The Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1966, recognizing its exceptional scientific value. The Bureau of Land Management has managed the site since the 1960s, building a visitor facility and protecting the quarry from unauthorized excavation. Research has continued through partnerships with universities and museums, yielding new species descriptions and advancing understanding of Jurassic ecosystems. President Trump designated Jurassic National Monument on March 12, 2019, providing enhanced protection for the quarry and surrounding landscape. The monument designation recognized the site's international scientific significance and provided a framework for improved visitor facilities and interpretation. The BLM continues to manage the monument.

The Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry building is the monument's primary attraction, housing an enclosed excavation area where visitors can see dinosaur bones still embedded in the rock matrix. Interpretive displays explain the quarry's history, the excavation process, and the dinosaurs that died here 150 million years ago. Reconstructed dinosaur skeletons and casts are displayed. A short interpretive trail leads through the badlands landscape surrounding the quarry. The Rock Discovery Trail allows visitors to explore the colorful Morrison Formation exposures. A picnic area provides a rest stop. The monument is open seasonally, typically from March through October, with varying hours. No camping is available within the monument. The surrounding Castle Country offers additional paleontological and geological attractions.

Jurassic National Monument is located approximately 30 miles south of Price, accessed via State Route 10 and a series of county roads (some unpaved). The roads can become impassable when wet. The quarry facility includes a visitor center building with exhibits, a gift shop, restrooms, and a covered picnic area. No camping or overnight facilities exist within the monument. The monument operates seasonally, and visitors should check current hours and road conditions before visiting. Price provides full services, and the USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum in Price offers complementary dinosaur exhibits. No public transportation serves the monument, and a vehicle with reasonable clearance is recommended for the unpaved access road.

Conservation at Jurassic National Monument focuses on protecting the irreplaceable fossil resources from unauthorized collection, vandalism, and natural erosion. Fossil theft has been an ongoing concern at paleontological sites throughout the Colorado Plateau, and the monument designation provides enhanced legal protections and enforcement authority. Scientific research continues through regulated permits, ensuring that excavation benefits the scientific community. The monument's clay-rich badlands are vulnerable to erosion, and trails are designed to minimize visitor impacts on the fragile terrain. Road maintenance addresses the challenge of providing access while protecting the soft-surfaced access routes from damage during wet conditions. The BLM collaborates with academic institutions on ongoing research and educational programming.