A conference brought me to Denver in June 2026, but arriving before the business portion of the trip gave me a chance to visit somewhere I’d long wanted to explore: Dinosaur Ridge.
The plan sounded simple. Check into the hotel, unpack, take an Uber to Dinosaur Ridge, explore, and return downtown ready for work. Instead, a mistaken destination selection, a drop-off at Red Rocks, concert traffic, and no cell coverage turned the outing into an unexpected hike before I reached the dinosaur tracks.
I did get to explore Dinosaur Ridge, and the visit was worth the effort. Getting there also taught me to check arrival locations, prepare for limited connectivity, and leave flexibility when adding an outdoor adventure to a business trip.
From a Connecticut Conversation to a Colorado Opportunity
My interest in Dinosaur Ridge began during a visit to Dinosaur State Park in Connecticut. A family we met told us about their child’s fossil camp experience at Dinosaur Ridge. We listened and thought fossil camp sounded like something we would enjoy, too.
Afterward, I researched Dinosaur Ridge and put it on my bucket list. When a conference brought me to Denver, I saw the chance to turn that interest into a visit without planning an entirely separate trip to Colorado.
I set aside time after arriving and before my business commitments began. Exploring on my own meant I could spend extra time at the sights that interested me, especially the dinosaur tracks. I thought I just needed a straightforward ride from the hotel to the visitor center.
The Right Attraction, the Wrong Drop-Off
When I searched for Dinosaur Ridge in Uber, I thought I had selected the Main Visitor Center. I later realized I had chosen the Martin G. Lockley Discovery Center at Dino Ridge, on the other side of the ridge.
I had studied the geography enough to sense something was wrong as we approached. I tried to explain my concern to the driver, but we couldn’t understand each other. We passed the Discovery Center and continued to Red Rocks, where he was picking up his next passenger.
A concert had just ended, and traffic was barely moving. After getting out, I also discovered I had no cell coverage there. My simple hotel-to-visitor-center ride had left me somewhere I had not intended to start.
The first lesson was clear: selecting an attraction’s name in an app is not enough when it has multiple locations. Next time, I would confirm the exact address and drop-off point before requesting the ride.
An Unexpected Hike from Red Rocks
With traffic barely moving and no cell coverage, I couldn’t arrange another ride. Backtracking on foot to the Main Visitor Center would have added many miles. Instead, I chose an uphill trail, hoping it would connect to Dinosaur Ridge.
My route followed Red Rocks Trail to Bailout Trail, then Dakota Ridge Trail. The name “Bailout Trail” felt particularly memorable under the circumstances. I spent roughly 40 minutes walking and hiking before reaching the Denver Basin Overlook.
Near a parking area, I asked a couple whether I had reached Dinosaur Ridge. They explained where I was and what I could see on either side of the ridge. Their help gave me a clearer plan for my visit.
The detour worked out, but I had started it without being certain where the trail would lead. This is an account of my experience, not a recommended route for arrival. For a future visit, I would save the official map and confirm access details beforehand rather than rely on finding a connection after arriving.
Finally Exploring Dinosaur Ridge
Once I reached Dinosaur Ridge, I could turn my attention to the reason for the outing. I explored the west side first, stopping to examine tracks, dinosaur bones preserved in rock, and other interpretive sights. Then I walked back uphill and down the east side toward the main dinosaur tracksite.
That tracksite was the highlight. After looking forward to this visit for so long, I wanted to linger, study the footprints, and take photos and videos. Exploring this way let me spend my time where my curiosity led me.
I spent about an hour and a half exploring Dinosaur Ridge before finishing at the Main Visitor Center. Despite the unexpected effort it took to get there, I was glad I made room for the visit and really enjoyed the hike.
For the fossil stops, photos, map, and practical visitor information, read my Dinosaur Ridge, Colorado visitor guide.
A Snack, a Ride, and Back to Business
At the Main Visitor Center, I explored the exhibits and browsed the gift shop before sitting outside at a picnic table near the dinosaur sculptures. I had a snack and took a break after an outing that had involved more walking than expected.
I had cell coverage there, so I could request an Uber back to my downtown Denver hotel. That was a welcome change from my drop-off at Red Rocks and the approach hike, where I couldn’t connect.
Back at the hotel, I turned my attention to the conference that had brought me to Colorado. Dinosaur Ridge had become a memorable part of the trip, even though getting there was far less straightforward than I’d imagined.
My return worked out, but I would plan transportation more carefully next time. Confirming the pickup location and planning for no cell service would make the outing easier to fit around work.
What I Would Check Before the Next Outing
I would still make time for Dinosaur Ridge on a business trip. I would change the arrival and return arrangements.
First, I would confirm the exact visitor center and street address before booking a ride, then check the destination pin with the driver before leaving. A familiar attraction name can lead to more than one location.
Second, I would download the site map and relevant directions while I had a connection. I would also plan a return ride in case my phone couldn’t connect, rather than assume service would be available wherever I finished exploring.
Those checks would make it easier to enjoy the opportunity that brought me there: exploring somewhere I had wanted to visit, using time around a trip already on my calendar.
Make Room for Something You Have Wanted to Do
A conversation in Connecticut put Dinosaur Ridge on my wish list. A conference in Denver gave me the opportunity to visit. Although the journey included an unexpected detour, seeing the tracks and fossils made it an outing I am glad I took.
Finding time to explore let me follow my interests and spend extra time at the main tracksite. It also meant handling the transportation problem myself, a reminder to prepare for the practical details as well as the attraction.
If an upcoming business trip puts you near somewhere you have wanted to explore, consider whether you can realistically include it. For more ideas, read our guide to combining business trips with outdoor adventures. For the sights and planning details from this visit, explore my Dinosaur Ridge visitor guide.
Adventure Never Gets Old™