ON THE ROAD

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Montrose. Copper. Mountain. Carbondale. Steamboat. Springs. State. Bridge. GREAT. SALT .... You can see some of them at
Dinosaurs and Deserts Loop SALT LAKE CITY TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK AND BACK 1,365 miles

G R E AT S A LT LAKE

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

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Salt Lake City Vernal

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Provo

COLORADO

State Bridge 131 Glenwood Wolcott Springs

Castle Dale 70

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Kremmling Rancho Del Rio

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U TA H 191

Arches National Park

Colorado National Monument

Green River

Canyonlands National Park

Fruita Grand Junction 70

Moab

Estes Park 34

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Salina 70

Craig

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Steamboat Springs Hot Sulphur 40 Springs

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Carbondale

Palisade

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Vail

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Lyons Boulder Denver

Frisco Copper Mountain Leadville

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Aspen

Paonia Black Canyon of the Gunnison Delta National Park Montrose 50

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Rocky Mountain National Park

Dinosaur National Monument

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WYOMING Dutch John

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Colorado Springs

Dinosaurs and Deserts Loop Explore some of the country's most amazing red-rock landscapes and hidden hot springs on this 1,365-mile tour.

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MAP BY PETER SUCHESKI, PHOTO BY GRANT ORDELHEIDE

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cal town of Grand Lake just a five-minute drive from Rocky ome of the least-crowded and most beautiful redrock canyons, rivers and recreational opportuni- Mountain National Park [read about the park on pages 6-17]. Afterwards, raft the Colorado River near Kremmling, ties await you on this fantastic road trip. Start in Salt Lake City where a thriving performing visit Frisco and explore the stunning desert landscapes in arts scene and records detailing your family tree Colorado National Monument and Arches National Park. await. Then, leave the city behind as you head east to Vernal, Utah. Discover dinosaur bones and tracks, along with fantastic water recreational opportuniSUNRISE IN ARCHES ties. A highlight is floating on the crystal NATIONAL PARK clear Green River just below the Flaming Gorge Dam in your own raft. Farther east lies Dinosaur National Monument. Stop in Craig, Colo., and explore the area and the monument. In Steamboat Springs, stroll the downtown of this ski town that has churned out a record 80-plus Winter Olympic athletes since 1932. Then head to Kremmling and Hot Sulphur Springs, home to hot springs pools, en route to the breathtaking historiROCKY MOUNTAIN JOURNAL 2017

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PHOTOS BY SPORST (GIGAL), SHUTTERSTOCK, MICAH SHELDON (TEMPLE SQUARE) SCOTT ENGLEHART (OLYMPIC PARK)

ON THE ROAD

TOP 11 THINGS TO DO IN SALT LAKE CITY From a thriving performing arts scene to the world's largest collection of genealogy records, Salt Lake City is a fantastic place to start your Rocky Mountain National Park adventure.

Capitol Theatre Built in 1913, this elegant theatre is home to the Utah Opera but hosts everything from comedians to largescale productions.

FamilySearch Center Historic Temple Square This iconic attraction offers historic tours and beautiful gardens, although the temple itself is closed to tours.

This is the place to go for beginners wanting to reseach their family history.

Family History Library To really dig deep, head here where more than 2.4 million rolls of microfilmed genealogical records live.

Big Cottonwood Canyon

PHOTOS BY SPORST (GIGAL), SHUTTERSTOCK, MICAH SHELDON (TEMPLE SQUARE) SCOTT ENGLEHART (OLYMPIC PARK)

MAP BY PETER SUCHESKI, PHOTO BY GRANT ORDELHEIDE

Take a beautiful scenic drive or go on a hike in this breathtaking area.

Gilgal Scupture Garden

Culture and Arts

Filled with 70 eccentric sculptures, including Joseph Smith's head on a sphynx, this small city park is free.

Natural History Museum of Utah

Family Friendly

Blending into the mountainside, this is an amazing place to learn about the West.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir The world-famous singing group holds free, public rehearsals on Thursday evenings in Temple Square.

Outdoors

Utah Olympic Park Ride on a bobsled, alpine slide or zipline at this fun, family-oriented park.

Hogle Zoo Home to more than 800 animals, this easy-to-navigate zoo offers opportunities to feed a rhino.

Red Butte Garden Located in the Wasatch foothills, this botanic garden offers outdoor yoga seasonally and live concerts.

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UTAH FIELD HOUSE OF NATURAL HISTORY STATE PARK MUSEUM

MOUNTAIN BIKING AT MCCOY FLATS

WELCOME TO DINOLAND You’ll dig ancient animal history in Vernal, Utah.

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n Vernal, Utah, locals like to brag the town was established 150,000,000 years ago. And there are plenty of former ancient residents lying around to prove it. You can see some of them at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum. A giant Diplodocus stretching 90 feet from tail to tip will greet you at the door. Inside, get an engaging hands-on primer on what’s been going on for the last several million years. Learn how dinosaurs roamed the area and how to tell fossils apart from pebbles. Step into the Fossil Lab to discover how scientists work with dinosaur bones. And don’t miss the Dinosaur Garden where 17 full-sized replicas of prehistoric animals loiter. For those who truly want to get their hands dirty, plan ahead and sign up for the museum’s five-day fossil field program to dig for dinosaurs in the beautiful Uinta basin and mountains.  

FLAMING GORGE FUN Take a break from the

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desert heat by jumping in the sparkling water at Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Below the Flaming Gorge Dam

From there, head 13 miles north of Vernal on 191 to Red Fleet State Park where you can walk a 1.5-mile trail (made more challenging by its up-and-down terrain) to 200-millionyear-old dinosaur tracks. Go early in the morning or later afternoon as the tracks are difficult to see when the sun is directly above you. There’s great camping here, and the park rents kayaks, canoes and paddleboards to explore the Red Fleet Reservoir. Want in on the local food scene? Head to Betty’s Cafe, 416 W. Main St., for a reasonably-priced breakfast. For dinner, head downtown to the Vernal Brewing Co. for craft beer and a gastro pub menu. You’ll notice the beers are named after area attractions like Little Hole Lager [a boat takeout in the Green River] and Allosaurus Amber. Stop in at the visitor center in the Utah Field House of National History State Park Museum at 496 East Main St., or go to dinoland.com.

runs a mellow stretch of the Green River that’s great for family river floating. Rent a raft and float 7 miles down-

stream to Little Hole takeout where a shuttle picks you up. Or rent a houseboat and spend several days explor-

ing this 91-mile-long reservoir.   Learn more at flaminggorgecountry. com.

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PHOTOS BY COURTESY

RAFTING ON THE GREEN RIVER IN DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT

PHOTOS BY MONIQUE BAILEY (MOUNTAIN BIKER), DINOSAUR RIVER EXPEDITIONS (RAFTING), JEFF EDWARDS (MUSEUM), ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF UINTAH COUNTY TRAVEL & TOURISM

ON THE ROAD

Dinosaurs and Deserts Loop SALT LAKE CITY TO VERNAL, UTAH 178 miles, 3 hours and 15 minutes

EXPERIENCE THE

AND BEYOND! THEY CAME HERE FOR A REASON. The dinosaurs may have been prehisprehis toric but they knew what they were doing. They found a scenic oasis of adventure and stayed so long it here. Dinosaur National Monument is their final resting place. See what they saw and go beyond the bones to experience everything the area has to offer.

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ON THE ROAD

Dinosaurs and Deserts Loop VERNAL, UTAH, TO CRAIG, COLO. 121 miles, 2 hours

Jurassic Journey Animals from prehistoric times and today meet in Moffat County. BY JADE LANG two-thirds of Dinosaur National Monument. The monument is a breathtaking collection of river canyons, fossils and petroglyphs. Inside the Quarry Exhibit Hall, visitors can see more than 1,500 dinosaur fossils on a cliff wall and touch fossils from 149 million years ago. The Green River and Yampa River converge in the middle of Dinosaur National Monument, and the canyons are a sight to see, especially by river raft. “It’s absolutely gorgeous,” says Tom Kleinschnitz, executive director of the Moffat County Tourism Association. “Its views match or are better than the overlooks at some places in the Grand Canyon.” Just east of the monument is a place called Deerlodge Park where visitors can see hundreds of elk year-round. “There are times in the middle of the winter where they’ll bunch up into a herd of 800 to 1,000,” Kleinschnitz says. “So that’s an opportunity for people to really take incredible pictures.” If you seek more wildlife, head east to Maybell then north to the Sand Wash Basin area where one of the largest wild mustang herds still roam. Their biology can be traced back to horses brought over by early explorers from the Old World.

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ucked in the northwestern corner of Colorado with views that rival those of the Grand Canyon, Moffat County is your next destination en route to Rocky Mountain National Park. A little off the beaten path and away from the crowds, Moffat County encompasses the towns of Craig, Maybell, Hamilton, Massadona and Lay and is home to

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Visit the Moffat Tourism Association at 1111 W. Victory Way in Craig or visitmoffatcounty.com. Learn more about commerical rafting companies running river trips at nps. gov/dino.

PHOTO BY GRANT ORDELHEIDE

DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT AT SUNSET

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Reserve your RV or tent site to enjoy beautiful Colorado National Monument, only 15 minutes away. Mention RockyMtn2016 for free firewood & s’mores kit [970] 245-8531 793 22 Road Grand Junction, CO 81505

JunctionWestRVPark.com/RockyMtn

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The best places are always a little out of the way. The great ones, even more so.

Discover your next great adventure at VisitFlamingGorge.com

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FROM PADDLE TO SADDLE

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After you leave Rocky Mountain National Park, go on a cattle drive followed by whitewater rafting.

ou haven’t really vacationed in Colorado until you’ve ridden a horse and rafted the Colorado River in one day. No place makes this feat easier to accomplish than the authentic western town of Kremmling, 40 miles west of Grand Lake near the west entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Kremmling lies in the heart of Colorado’s ranching country, but don’t let this one-stoplight town fool you. It’s home to five river-rafting companies, a 10-minute drive to three reservoirs and the headquarters of Big Shooter Coffee where you can get a great cup of joe downtown. After finishing your latte, head to the Rusty Spurr Ranch just three miles out of town to start your Saddle-to-Paddle adventure. If you really want to feel like a cowboy, you also can do a cattle drive. “I am a city girl, but on this cattle drive, they match your riding experience to your horse,” says Shelly McManus, executive director of the Kremmling Area Chamber of Commerce. “They teach you the skills

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and when you are comfortable you start to round up cattle. The next thing you know you’re doing it.” Once you’ve stomped around enough in your cowboy boots, leave the barn behind and head to the river. The ranch offers a riding/rafting package or sign up at one of Kremmling's river-rafting companies. Or you can rent your own equipment along the banks of the river. Kremmling is where you pick up the Trough Road, a dirt road lined with some of the state’s most breathtaking and largely undiscovered sweeping canyon views. It leads to a rafter’s paradise located 19 miles away along the upper Colorado River, with whitewater stretches rated easy to extreme. That paradise is called Rancho Del Rio, a quirky settlement along a calm section of the Colorado River. Learn more on the sidebar to the right. Learn more at the Kremmling Chamber of Commerce, 203 Park Ave., or go to kremmlingchamber.com.

Head to the Soggy Dollar, a log-cabin-turned-rafting headquarters for the Colorado River Center in Rancho Del Rio. If you have experience rafting and kayaking, you can rent your boats and lifejackets here and arrange for a shuttle to pick you up at the end of the day. Otherwise, go on a guided trip and kick back as your guide fills you in on the area’s geologic and cultural history. You’ll find a joie de vivre energy here among the free-wheeling resident dogs, a convenience store housed in an old log-hewn cabin, a boat rental shop, a camping area and an openair food shack called “KK’s BBQ Center of the Universe.” Pull up a wooden stool here after an afternoon of rafting. A meal at the center of the universe never tasted so good.

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PHOTO BY TODD POWELL COURTESY OF FRISCO (MOUNTAIN BIKING), SHUTTERSTOCK (PEACHES)

THE SOGGY DOLLAR

A CATTLE DRIVE AT THE RUSTY SPURR RANCH IN KREMMLING, COLO.

PHOTO COURTESY RUSTY SPURR RANCH VIA KREMMLING AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SHUTTERSTOCK (OAR)

ON THE ROAD

Dinosaurs and Deserts Loop CRAIG, COLO., TO KREMMLING, COLO. 94 miles, 1 hour and 50 minutes

Hello Frisco

After exploring Kremmling, hit Colorado's ski town highway, I-70, and discover a laid-back mountain town with a ton of conveniences.

PHOTO BY TODD POWELL COURTESY OF FRISCO (MOUNTAIN BIKING), SHUTTERSTOCK (PEACHES)

PHOTO COURTESY RUSTY SPURR RANCH VIA KREMMLING AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SHUTTERSTOCK (OAR)

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hrow a Frisbee at 9,075 feet and see how far it goes at the Frisco Adventure Center. Just off of I-70, the adventure center sits in the historical town of Frisco on the shores of the Dillon Reservoir. Beyond the free Disc Golf course, the adventure center offers other fun activities for everyone in your car. The skate park and the bike park, complete with dirt jumps, are free and open to the public. But if you just want to relax and not worry about planning activities and dinner, consider a chuck wagon ride from the adventure center to a site nestled below the mountains for cowboy golf, cornhole, a BBQ dinner and Wild West show. Near the Frisco Adventure Center is the Frisco Bay Marina located on the shores of the Dillon Reservoir and on the east end of Frisco’s Main Street. Sit on the sandy beach and watch the sailboats in the distance. Or rent a powerboat, kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard here. Never kayaked before? Sign up for a guided tour and lesson. At night, settle into one of Frisco’s three National Forest campgrounds, two on the shores of Dillon Reservoir and within walking distance of the Frisco Adventure Park.

MOUNTAIN BIKING ON THE FRISCO PENINSULA

FUEL UP ORGANICALLY Frisco is a great place to stock up for the rest of your trip. If you’re looking for organic foods, you’ll

Learn more at townoffrisco.com.

be happy to know there’s a Whole Foods Market in town. There’s also a Safeway grocery store. For Colorado-grown fruits and vegetables, stop at Uncle John’s Farm Stand at 800 Main St. It’s open

late June through October selling produce from Palisade, Colo., including peaches and tomatoes, along with free-range, hormone-free beef. Learn more at townoffrisco.com.

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ON THE ROAD

Dinosaurs and Deserts Loop FRISCO, COLO., TO GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. 174 miles, 3 hours

A GRAND TIME

National Monument, but the monument isn't established until 1911. Stay at the Saddlehorn campground, perched above the canyons, and stroll to the visitor center.

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200 A.D.-1300 The valley’s first residents, the Fremonts, pave the way for future inhabitants.

1880S City founder George A. Crawford plants grapes on 60 acres near Palisade. Prohibition wipes out Colorado's wine industry.

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10 MILLION YEARS AGO Hard

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Dinosaurs thrive, leaving behind footprints and bones. See fossils at the Dinosaur Journey Museum in Fruita or on the 1.5-mile Trail Through Time 26 miles west of Grand Junction.

following migrating herds. Three hundred years later, Spanish and Mexican soldiers, priests and explorers visit. The U.S. gains control from Mexico in 1848. In 1881 the Utes are forced on a reservation.

1970S TO TODAY Grapes are planted, giving rise to today's vibrant wine scene. Go to Rapid Creek Cycles in Palisade to pick up a wine/orchard map and a cruiser bike with a basket large enough to fit your purchases. Or stop at the Grand Junction Visitor Center, 740 Horizon Dr., or visitgrandjunction.com for a valley wine map and advice.

PHOTOS COURTESY VISIT GRAND JUNCTION, SHUTTERSTOCK (GRAPES, COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT TOP LEFT)

1400- 1881 The Utes move in,

140 MILLION YEARS AGO

volcanic basalt seals the top of the Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mesa with an area of 500 square miles, laying the foundation for future outdoor fun. Today travelers can camp, bike and fish in summer and ski Powderhorn Mountain Resort in winter.

PHOTO BY BEN LEHMAN COURTESY OF DELTA COUNTY

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1.5-.17 BILLION YEARS AGO Geological features begin forming the Colorado

Just 30 miles from the Utah border, Grand Junction sits in the heart of Colorado’s redrock country. It was named after the Grand River, which was renamed the Upper Colorado River in 1921, and the junction of the Colorado and Gunnison rivers.  How has it gone from a western backwater to the heart of Colorado’s outdoor recreation and wine country? Here’s how it has evolved into what it is today.

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MT. LAMBORN

PHOTOS COURTESY VISIT GRAND JUNCTION, SHUTTERSTOCK (GRAPES, COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT TOP LEFT)

PHOTO BY BEN LEHMAN COURTESY OF DELTA COUNTY

Hidden Gems

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ust south of Grand Junction is Delta County, with a patchwork of historical towns offering incredible outdoor experiences without crowds. Sculpted by three rivers and surrounded by forests, wilderness areas, canyons and recreation trails, all with national designations, Delta County includes the towns of Cedaredge, Crawford, Delta, Hotchkiss and Paonia. Head to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and walk along the canyon edge on the North Vista Trail. From the North Rim Ranger Station to Exclamation Point, the trail is rated "moderate" and is 3 miles roundtrip. Get details at the ranger station. Discover more at deltacountycolorado.com.

So come, stay awhile, and enjoy the dramatic difference of Colorado’s Wine Country. visitgrandjunction.com or call 800-962-2547

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ON THE ROAD

Dinosaurs and Deserts Loop GRAND JUNCTION, COLO., TO MOAB, UTAH 112 miles, 2 hours

MOAB'S TOP SEVEN With so many things to do in Moab, we’re making it easy on you to choose with our favorite seven things to do with kids. Learn more at the Moab Area Travel Council at discovermoab.com. 1. DELICATE ARCH See this iconic arch up-close on a 3-mile roundtrip hike. At 64 feet high and 45 feet wide, it's Arches National Park’s largest freestanding arch. Along the way, you’ll pass the Wolfe Ranch cabin and Native American petroglyphs. Arrive early to get a parking spot and to avoid heat and crowds. 2. ZIP LINE ADVENTURE Get your adrenaline fix at Raven’s Rim Zip Line Adventures. Your day starts when you climb aboard an offroad, four-wheel-drive vehicle to drive to the high desert of Moab. There are six zip lines and a suspension bridge

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to test just how brave you are. The office is at 998 N. Main St.; 435-260-0973; ravensrim.com. 3. RAFT THE COLORADO RIVER See the red rock canyons from a different point of view on a half-day rafting trip on the Daily section of the Colorado River. Gentle rapids make this outing fun for everyone. Kids must be 40 pounds or heavier to go on area river trips. 4. COURTHOUSE WASH You don’t need to go to a museum to see ancient Native

PHOTOS BY BBRET EDGE COURTESY DISCOVER MOAB, DAVID KRAUSE (DINOSAUR)

FUN IN ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

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American art. Easily accessible from town, the Courthouse Wash art panel is 19 feet high and 52 feet long. Vandals defaced these drawings in 1980, but archaeologists restored the panels only to discover older drawings behind the white shields held by figures. Head north on Hwy. 191 and cross the Colorado River Bridge. Drive .5 miles to the parking area.

MOAB GIANTS

PHOTOS BY BBRET EDGE COURTESY DISCOVER MOAB, DAVID KRAUSE (DINOSAUR)

5. NEGRO BILL CANYON TRAIL For a beautiful hike along a year-round stream, do this 4-mile roundtrip hike to Morning Glory Natural Bridge. Spanning 243 feet, the natural bridge is the nation’s sixthlongest. Avoid the poison ivy near the bridge. Take Hwy 191 out of Moab and turn right onto Hwy. 128. Drive for three miles. The trailhead will be on your right. 6. SEE CANYONLANDS BY NIGHT & DAY Catch a rare glimpse of Utah's incredible red canyons, ancient petroglyphs and towering cliffs when you go on a flat water Colorado River boat tour. Canyonlands by Night & Day offer a number of trips, but consider the Sunset Jet Boat Tour, a 36-mile roundtrip adventure highlighted by the vibrant colors of desert rocks changing with the sinking sun. Or opt for the longtime classic Canyonlands by Night & Day Sound and Light Show. It's a laser-free, old-fashioned light show on canyon walls. Dinner is served on both tours in a dining area overlooking the river. Each trip has limited space, so it's best to make reservations in advance. Learn more by stopping in at 1861 N. Hwy. 191 or at canyonlandsbynight.com. 7. MOAB GIANTS Walk among life-sized dinosaurs on Moab Giant’s incredible outdoor walking trail. Or head indoors to the Tracks Museum to learn about fossilized footprints. Both are part of a new interactive museum, featuring great exhibits as well as a 3-D movie that covers everything from the Big Bang Theory to the age of the dinosaurs that began 220 million years ago. You also can get your hands dirty and dig up dinosaur bones along the trail outside. To get to Moab Giants, drive 9 miles north of Moab on Hwy. 191. The museum is located at the turnoff for Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park; 435355-0288; moabgiants.com.

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COLORADO RIVER

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INNER BOAT C R U I S E

Voted “Best Boat Tours in Utah,” two years in a row!

The harsh climate of the desert red rocks makes the Colorado River an oasis of relief for tired and dry visitors. Enjoy an evening dinner and boat cruise to relax your tired muscles. Choose from the Sunset Jetboat or the Sound and Light Show. For more info call 435-259-5261 www.canyonlandsbynight.com Located North of the Colorado River Bridge MYROCKYMOUNTAINPARK.COM

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