Triceratops Trail
Discover ancient dinosaur footprints, including Triceratops and T-Rex, on this unique fossil trail in Golden, Colorado. A short, educational hike for ...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds
Triceratops Trail
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover ancient dinosaur footprints, including Triceratops and T-Rex, on this unique fossil trail in Golden, Colorado. A short, educational hike for all ages.
"A cute little trail with cool fossils, perfect for a quick walk and a glimpse into prehistoric life."
Wear Comfortable Shoes
The trail is mostly gravel with some steeper sections and railroad tie steps. :athletic_shoe:
Download Audio Tour
Enhance your visit with a downloadable audio tour for more insights. :iphone:
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.5 · 122 reviews
Type
Hiking Area
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Triceratops and T-Rex Footprints
Main trail
See impressive fossilized tracks of ancient giants, including Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex. A must-see for any dinosaur enthusiast!
Duck-Billed Dinosaur Tracks
Along the trail
Discover additional fossilized impressions from duck-billed dinosaurs, adding to the prehistoric narrative of this site.
Late Cretaceous Flora Impressions
Trailside
Beyond dinosaur tracks, find trace fossils of palm fronds, leaves, and invertebrates from the Late Cretaceous period.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Key for Fossil Finds
Parking and Trail Access
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Wear Comfortable Shoes
The trail is mostly gravel with some steeper sections and railroad tie steps. :athletic_shoe:
Download Audio Tour
Enhance your visit with a downloadable audio tour for more insights. :iphone:
Bring Water & Snacks
Limited shade and no seating at the top means you'll want to be prepared. :water_wave:
Plan for Out-and-Back
The trail is an out-and-back, not a loop. You'll need to retrace your steps. 🚶
Tips
from all over the internet
Wear Comfortable Shoes
The trail is mostly gravel with some steeper sections and railroad tie steps. :athletic_shoe:
Download Audio Tour
Enhance your visit with a downloadable audio tour for more insights. :iphone:
Bring Water & Snacks
Limited shade and no seating at the top means you'll want to be prepared. :water_wave:
Plan for Out-and-Back
The trail is an out-and-back, not a loop. You'll need to retrace your steps. 🚶
Check Parking Fees
Parking is paid hourly, so budget your time accordingly. 🅿️
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find Triceratops Trail to be a charming and educational out-and-back hike, perfect for a quick exploration of Late Cretaceous fossils. While the trail is well-maintained and the signage helpful, the lack of shade and facilities, along with paid parking, are noted drawbacks. It's particularly enjoyed by families and dinosaur enthusiasts for its unique prehistoric trackways.
"This trail is an out-and-back trail of about a half-mile. It leads to some late Cretacous impression fossils that include footprint casts of Triceratops (or potentially Torosaurus) and Tyranosaurus as well as duck-billed dinosaurs. While not nearly as spectacular as the trackways at dinosaur ridge they are worth the trip nonetheless. There are also trace fossils of palm fronds, leaves, and invertebrates. The trail does connect to the golf course, but there is no easy return to the trailhead and parkinglot from the course."
Adam Wallenfang
"The trail is clean and easy to walk. The attractions are cool to see and the signage helps to decipher what your looking at. Now the trail does not loop around and goes directly into the golf course so you have to just turn around. There is limited shade and no bathrooms. It's paid to park and you can do it by the hour which is nice. The whole trail can be completed within an hour without kids. If you have kids probably go for the two hour mark."
M H
"Such a cute little trail my boyfriend and I stumbled upon! Highly recommend for a quick place to just get moving and see some cool fossils! Also saw a cute little lizard which made the walk that much better!"
Phoebe Schaible
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Triceratops Trail is located in Golden, Colorado, west of Denver. It's accessible via a short hike from the designated parking area. Some visitors found it a bit tricky to locate initially.
Yes, there is paid hourly parking available at the trailhead. Be sure to factor this into your visit duration.
Information on direct public transport to the trailhead is limited. It's generally recommended to drive or use ride-sharing services to reach the Golden area.
The trail is a well-maintained gravel path with some railroad tie steps. While manageable with a stroller, some steeper sections might require extra effort.
The trail is marked by gray gravel after passing the Blue and Green dino house. Some visitors noted it can be a bit challenging to find initially.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Triceratops Trail is a free attraction, though parking is paid hourly.
As an outdoor trail, it's generally accessible during daylight hours. However, it's best to visit during cooler parts of the day, especially in summer.
No advance booking is required for Triceratops Trail as it's a free, open-access trail.
The out-and-back trail is about a half-mile long. Without kids, it can be completed within an hour. With children, plan for about two hours.
Unfortunately, there are no bathrooms or trash cans directly at the trailhead or along the trail.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can see late Cretaceous impression fossils, including footprint casts of Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus Rex, and duck-billed dinosaurs.
The trail is a well-maintained gravel path with some zig-zagging sections and a few railroad tie steps. There are some steeper areas.
There is limited shade along the trail, so it's advisable to visit during cooler times of the day or wear sun protection.
The trail does connect to the golf course, but there is no easy return path to the trailhead from the course itself. It's an out-and-back trail.
A downloadable audio tour is available to enhance your understanding of the fossils and the site's history.
📸 📸 Photography
The most photogenic spots are undoubtedly the well-preserved dinosaur footprints. Capture the scale of these ancient tracks.
Yes, photography is permitted. Be mindful of other visitors and the delicate nature of the fossils.
Early morning or late afternoon light can create dramatic shadows on the fossil prints, enhancing their visual appeal.
While generally allowed, avoid using flash photography directly on the fossils if it could cause damage. Respect any posted signage.
Focus on close-ups of the footprints, wide shots showing the trail's context, and perhaps some shots of the surrounding landscape.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit