7 Fascinating Things To Do In Morrison Colorado You Really Must See

Morrison Colorado is a small town in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, just southwest of Denver. This “Gateway to the Rocky Mountains” is where you will find tons of natural beauty and history. These seven things to do in Morrison Colorado are at the top of our list when visiting the area.

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Things to do in Morrison Colorado

Before you venture out for the day, make sure you:

• Wear sunscreen
• Bring a refillable water bottle
• Wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes
• and dress appropriately for changing weather

1.) Dinosaur Ridge

Dinosaur Ridge is the #1 tracksite in the United States where you can see more than 300 dinosaur tracks, and even some Jurassic fossils and bones! The Dinosaur Ridge trail is located on the side of a mountain where you can see fossils that are “inset”, or intact, pithing the mountain ridge itself. Don’t worry if you have little ones, most of the tour is hands-on and even touch-encourage!

Some of the best-known dinosaurs were found on Dinosaur Ridge including the very first Stegosaurus bones. (Did you know the Stegosaurus is Colorado’s State fossil?). Life-sized replicas of the Stegosaurus and an Iguanodon greet you in the parking lot and make for a great photo opt.

Dinosaur Ridge Colorado Tours

Tickets for the tours are available in the gift shop. You have the option to take part in:

• a self-guided 1-2 hour walking tour
• a guided 1 1/2-2 1/2 hours long walking tour (advanced online registration is required)
• or be transported by bus for a 45 minute guided tour (advanced registration suggested)

Each tour also allows you access to the Exhibit Hall and the kids can try digging for souvenir fossils in the Benton Seaway Box. Our family opted for the the bus tour due to having grandparents with us. There are 15 sites along on the Dinosaur Ridge trail each with an interpretive signs. FYI: the bus tour does not stop at every site.

If you are thinking of taking a multigenerational vacation with grandparents, here are 11 tips for how to plan a trip that everyone will enjoy!

Dinosaur Ridge Trail is an incredible, personalized tour of life that existed in Colorado millions of years ago. Make sure you also check out the Dinosaur Ridge Discovery Center and Triceratops Trail, both located in Golden, CO, which is about 3 miles north of Morrison.

Know Before You Go: Dinosaur Ridge is a 100% donor-run adventure, parking is free, there are picnic tables if you pack a lunch, restrooms are located in the parking lot, and make sure you bring water and sunscreen!

2.) Discover Downtown Morrison

After you enjoy Dinosaur Ridge, head to downtown Morrison. This quaint small town has plenty of restaurants and unique shops with tons of options of Colorado swag. One of our favorite shops was the Meadowsweet Gifts and Wellness store. They had adorable local products, zero waste items, and my daughters favorite part, a whole wall of loose-leaf tea!

After you are finished shopping, make sure you check out the historic Morrison Church. This iconic little white church was built in 1885 and is known as one of the oldest in the Wild West

3) Riverwalk Along Bear Creek

After you are done shopping and eating in downtown Morrison, make you way to the Bear Creek Riverwalk. This is a great spot to enjoy the sounds of the creek, take in the picturesque scenery, take some photos by the beautiful murals, and just take time to enjoy the quaint historic town of Morrison.

4.) Hop On The Lariat Loop Scenic and Historic Byway

Take a drive on a section of the Lariat Loop that connects Morrison CO to the town of Evergreen. You will not be disappointed in the views, turn after turn, including the variety of parks along the way. Nearly every geologic form of mountain can be seen on this 30 minute ride.

5.) Take A Hike

If you enjoyed the Bear Creek Riverwalk in downtown Morrison, make sure and stop at Lair o’ the Bear Park, off State Highway 74. The Bear Creek Trail winds its way through three adjoining parks: Lair o’ the Bear Park, Corwina Park, and O’Fallon Park. In fact, the Lair o’ the Bear Park is a favorite trailhead for hikers due to a large parking lot, picnic tables, and the proximity to Bear Creek.

6.) Visit the Morrison Natural History Museum

Despite the Morrison Natural History Museum looking small from the outside, it is BIG on discoveries! Inside you will find fossils, bones, skulls – all from the Jurassic period and more specifically from the Morrison Formation.

A volunteer guide will take you on a tour through this Morrison dinosaur museum and answers all of your questions as you learn more than you ever imaged about Colorado, dinosaurs, and fossils from millions of years ago! Matt was our guide and he was one of the best tour guides we’ve ever had!

Side note – They have one of the best gift shops we’ve ever been to. Nothing beats realistic, and accurate, dinosaur figurines and a huge wall of books. A great selection of books is something that a lot of gift shops are lacking. Trust me, this is the stuff that homeschooling moms dream about!

7.) Visit Red Rocks Amphitheater

Red Rocks Amphitheater is probably one of the most well known things to do in Morrison Colorado. Enjoy the various views of the infamous Red Rocks Amphitheater by entering and exiting through different entrances. Each one offers a unique perspective of the rock formations that are awe-inspiring.

One of the most incredible things about Red Rocks is when you stand at the top of the amphitheater, you are seeing a venue that has been in place since the early 19th century. That’s right! Red Rocks Amphitheater isn’t a modern day marvel.

Red Rocks Amphitheater has been around since the early 19th century. It seems that very few people understand the long standing history of the venue itself. Within the visitor’s center museum, there is an incredible interactive display that chronicles the history of the theater with beautiful “then vs now” photos. You can along take a walk along side a timeline that lists all of the people who have performed at Red Rocks Amphitheater.

Where To Stay In Morrison CO

Since there are not many hotels in Morrison Colorado, you may have to broaden your search to include surrounding towns like Evergreen or Golden.

Our family stayed in a beautiful place in the mountains of Evergreen, complete with an optional a-frame guest house if you need additional space.

And that’s a wrap! While there is not of ton of things to do in Morrison Colorado, these were some of our family’s favorite activities during our visit.

Will you be heading to Morrison Colorado anytime soon? Let me know your thoughts below or if you have any questions about planning your trip.