tour of the tilted rocks

The auto Tour of the Tilted Rocks is definite must when visiting Dinosaur National Monument. Where else can you have scenic views along with amazing history. There are several stops along the way that you can go up and view Native American petroglyphs. The cottonwood trees were in full color which made our drive even more scenic. Josie Morris Cabin is at the end of drive, the last two miles is a dirt road but not a problem to travel. You can take a shady and easy but enjoyable walk into the box canyon that Josie Morris used to corral her cattle. You turn around for the return trip, but the scenery is just as enjoyable since you're viewing the scenery from a different direction.

Dinosaur National Park offers several auto tours, most of which are located on the Colorado side. The Tilted Rocks tour is just outside of the Dinosaur Quarry Visitors Center, which is pretty amazing in itself. My kids and I took the auto tour and were stupefied at the beauty all along the 10-mile tour. There are multiple places to stop (15) which are marked by a petroglyph icon sign. I definitely recommend purchasing the brochure which includes a map of the entire tour and historical information regarding each stop. I think it only cost one dollar, or two. These can be picked up in the Quarry visitor center or just outside of it at the beginning of the tour in a roadside receptacle. The first stop along the tour is at the Swelter Shelter Petroglyph station. A short walk up to the rock face will show amazing carvings from Native Americans hundreds and hundreds of years ago. There are two more stops to see similar carvings. The last stop at Cub Creek has giant lizard petroglyph visible from the road, but if you can endure a moderately strenuous climb up the mountain, even more await at the top!! My seven year old managed without complaint, but I did hold onto her hand as in some areas you will experience narrow footing. The tour has a fascinating ending at the Josie Morris Ranch, a remarkable woman who literally carved a life for herself out of this beautiful land.I was driving a four-door Chevy Impala during this tour and never encountered terrain too difficult for my vehicle. The last 1.7miles are dirt and not maintained, but I traveled them without a worry. I will be doing this tour again someday, as it was definitely worth it a hundred times over. :)