The Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience in Cañon City can be found on US Highway 50, just four and a half miles from the world-famous Royal Gorge canyon. Built in 2016 by local Cañon City businessmen with a passion for paleontology, the Experience is more than a museum—it’s an educational opportunity, a place to have hands-on family fun.
It offers a stunning view of the Royal Gorge Bridge, America’s highest suspension bridge, as well as the surrounding Sangre de Cristo mountain range.
Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience is focused on giving its visitors a wealth of different dinosaur-oriented offerings. They provide interactive scientific displays and full-scale dinosaur fossil casts. Go on a guided tour, put your hands on genuine dino fossils, and witness animatronic exhibits. For those with even more energy to get out, try the multi-story ropes course.
Museum Exhibits
Family favorites include the Dinosaur Walk, which shows off sixteen different life-sized animatronic dinosaur models, and the Paleo Lab, where paleontologists working in conjunction with local non-profits and the museum uncover recently discovered Colorado dinosaur fossils.
There are also numerous highlights just for kids, including the Kids’ Dig, where children can unearth a replica of a T-Rex skeleton, and a theater with a rotating selection of dinosaur-oriented films.
Two different ropes courses (one for littler guests, one for larger adventurers) are a fun way to work off extra energy, enjoy the spectacular views, and challenge your balance. It’s all while safely tethered in full-body harnesses that allow the wearer to self-guide along the course. There’s even a section that passes directly over the heads of a twenty-foot tall T-Rex and an eighty-foot long Diplodocus.
In addition to its permanent exhibits and interactive fun, the museum is available to be booked for birthday parties, school field trips. It offers an annual Halloween-centric event featuring hayrides, face painting, pumpkin picking, and a costume contest.
Details
Address: 44895 W, US-50, Cañon City, CO 81212
Phone: 719-275-2726
Season: Year-round
Website: dinoxp.com