Plan A Field Trip

 

Educators can schedule in-person field trips to Dinosaur National Monument.

NPS / Dan Johnson

Scheduling an in-person field trip is an excellent way to get hands-on learning experience out in nature. There are many different topics at Dinosaur National Monument that can complement your curriculum. When booking your trip, let us know which areas you want to focus on and rangers can direct you to the best locations. Topics include, but are not limited to, dinosaurs, fossils, paleontology, geology, canyons, rivers, and local human history. While the majority of in-person field trips occur at the Quarry Exhibit Hall, rangers may be able to lead activities in other areas as staffing allows. Learn about scheduling a field trip, academic fee waivers, teacher resources, and how to contact Dinosaur's education rangers.

 

Current In Person Field Trip Season

Spring 2025 Season
Dates: March 4, 2025 through May 23, 2025
Times: Morning Window (occurring between 9 am and Noon) or Afternoon Window (occurring between 1 pm and 5 pm)

 

How to Schedule an In Person Field Trip

1. In-person Field Trips should be booked at least 4 weeks in advance, especially if you would like to request ranger-guided activities. Select your desired date and time using our online scheduling form. The calendar only shows dates and times that are within our Current Field Trip Season. If you plan to be at the Quarry Exhibit Hall between 9 am and noon, select the 9 am time slot. If you plan to be at the Quarry Exhibit Hall between 1 pm and 5 pm, select the 1 pm time slot.
2. After booking through the online form, continue to monitor your inbox and spam folders for an email from [e-mail]. The email will contain further instructions necessary for scheduling your trip and submitting an Academic Fee Waiver.

Please Note...
Using the online scheduling form helps to prevent multiple large groups from visiting the same place at the same time, especially inside the Quarry Exhibit Hall and along the Fossil Discovery Trail. It also allows us to distribute requests for ranger-led activities. If you are not able to book at least 4 weeks in advance, or if the date you need is not available, you are still welcome to bring your students to Dinosaur National Monument for a field trip. However, ranger-led activities may be limited and your visit may need to be entirely self-guided.

 

Contact Dinosaur's Education Rangers

Have a question? See if it's already answered in the Facts and Questions (FAQ) section below. If you need more information, call the Quarry Visitor Center during our operating hours at [phone] (ext. 0) or email us.

 

Academic Fee Waivers

School groups and other approved academic institutions can apply for waiver of park entrance fees, provided the visit is for educational or scientific purposes and the resources or facilities the group intends to use support those purposes. Academic fee waivers are not granted automatically. There are 3 requirements that the group must meet to qualify for an academic fee waiver:

1. Eligibility
2. Educational Purpose
3. Relevancy of Park Resources or Facilities

After booking your in-person field trip with us, we will send you an Academic Fee Waiver Request form. Academic Fee Waivers must be completed and submitted to us at least 2 weeks prior to your field trip. See the Academic Fee Waivers page for more information.

 

Teacher Packs include a lesson plan binder and prop box that includes fossils and replicas of prehistoric animals.

NPS / Molly Swindle

Field Trip Resources

Teacher Backpacks
Use a Teacher Pack to hike the Fossil Discovery Trail with a self-led program. The teacher pack guides you and your class with an easy-to-follow lesson plan to learn about the different rock layers, the environments they represent, and the fossils you’ll see along the way. Ask to borrow a Teacher Pack at the Quarry Visitor Center. The pack includes a lesson plan, images in a binder, and a fossil kit. Many teachers find it helpful to download review the Fossil Discovery Trail lesson plan beforehand and print out Junior Ranger booklets for students to bring along. The lesson plan was made using Utah State Grade 4 education standards. Make sure you return the teacher pack to the Quarry Visitor Center before you leave.

Junior Ranger Program
The Junior Ranger Program is a great way to learn more about the park with a self-guided activity book. Anyone can become a Junior Ranger. We offer booklets for readers and pre-readers. Upon completing the booklet, you can turn it in to recieve a Junior Ranger badge. You can also scan or take photos of your completed booklet and submit it to us digitally. For more information about the program, visit our Junior Ranger webpage.

 

The Every Kid Outdoors 4th Grader pass card from 2022.  Click the card to get your pass.

NPS Photo

4th Grader Passes

The Every Kid Outdoors program offers 4th graders the opportunity to visit their National Parks and Monuments for free! As the name suggests, the 4th grader pass is only available to 4th graders. If you're in 4th grade and want to get your pass, visit the Every Kid Outdoors website to complete an activity and print out a paper voucher. Bring the paper voucher with you to Dinosaur National Monument and show it to the ranger to exchange it for a 4th grader card pass. We can't accept electronic or digital versions of the voucher, so make sure to bring a printed copy. Educators can also print vouchers for each of their 4th grade students. Visit the Every Kid Outdoors rules and regulations page for more details about the program.

 

Field Trip Facts and Questions (FAQ)

How much does a field trip cost?

Please see the Academic Fee Waivers page.

Do you offer virtual field trips or distance learning?

Yes. You can schedule a Virtual Field Trip with us during the winter season. 

What languages do you offer for ranger talks?

Currently, only English. However, if you have need for an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, please contact us at least 1 month in advance of your field trip to request one.

What ages do you teach?

Everyone. Rangers are trained to make their talks timely, appropriate, entertaining, and understandable for each age group, from kindergartners to high schoolers and beyond.

Can you accommodate people with special needs?

We strive to make all our resources, including field trips, as accessible and inclusive as possible. When booking your field trip, be sure to tell us of any special needs or requirements your group members may have. You can find more information about accessible areas and accommodations on the Accessibility page.

Please review the following accommodations that require advanced notice or reminders...

• If you require an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, please contact us at least 1 month in advance of your field trip to request one. 
• Assisted Listening Devices are available upon request for ranger talks and programs. Please let us know how many you will need when booking your trip.
• If you have anyone in your group who is blind or low-vision, please remind your ranger to provide verbal descriptions of props and landscapes. We also have brochures in large print and Braille, and tactile miniatures of the Wall of Bones available to touch upon request.
• We may be able to offer a wheelchair you can borrow for use in the Quarry Visitor Center and the Quarry Exhibit Hall. Ask a ranger if you need one.

Are field trips open to homeschool groups?

Yes. The field trip resources we offer are also open to homeschool groups. Be sure to schedule a field trip with us through our booking form.