In case you woke up wondering where the name Stegosaurus comes from, here’s the answer: It’s Greek for “roof lizard,” chosen for the shingle-like plates that make this prehistoric Late Jurassic animal so visually distinctive. You can learn more about this fascinating creature and other dinosaurs at Dinosaur Ridge, part of Morrison-Golden Fossil Areas Natural Landmark, just outside the greater Denver Metro area in Morrison, Colorado.

Not only is this location regarded by many prominent paleontologists as the nation’s foremost site for preserved tracks — and notable for the numerous dinosaur bones discovered here — this geographic location is also marked by enormous footprints clearly preserved in rocky surfaces at the edge of the mountains.

© Dinosaur Ridge

If it’s hard to picture the mile-high zone along Colorado’s Front Range as a seashore bordered by lakes, rivers and marshes, take a look at a map showing how this region once sat on the edge of the Cretaceous Seaway, also known as the Western Interior Seaway or North American Inland Sea. This shallow body of water was so large, it filled the space between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachians.

Expert guides, including geologist Kermit Shields, can take you on a tour and explain how the long-ago tropical climate made this area an ideal home for many species. You’ll learn how a tooth from a Tyrannosaurus Rex was found nearby in 1874, as well as how the remains of the first horned dinosaur ever discovered were unearthed from an unassuming gulch. Today, you can walk along the path from the top of the ridge and pass numerous marked sites, where enormous footprints record this remarkable period in our planet’s history, including tracks left by a Velociraptor.

© Dinosaur Ridge

Want to deepen the experience? Hosted speakers and events are offered regularly. You can register to participate in an actual dig, such as the ongoing Triceratops Gulch Project. On Sept. 23 and 24, researchers Matthew Mossbrucker and Erin LaCount lead Exploring Local Giants, a field trip that includes local fossil areas, Morrison Natural History Museum, School of Mines Geological Trail and Triceratops Trail in the nearby town of Golden. Visit the website for pricing and other details. Through summer and fall months, Dinosaur Ridge Main Visitor Center, Exhibit Hall and Discovery Center are open daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Guided bus tours are offered, and walking tours take place on Saturday and Sunday. The site parking lot is located at 16831 W. Alameda Parkway in Morrison.