First Dino Dig in 100 Years at Dinosaur National Monument

Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you least expect them. Construction workers building a parking lot at Dinosaur National Monument stumbled upon fossilized bones in late 2025, launching the first dinosaur dig at the site in over 100 years.

The workers found pieces of sandstone containing dinosaur remains at the monument, which straddles the border between Colorado and Utah. National Park Service paleontologists identified the fossils as belonging to a large, long-necked dinosaur, most likely a Diplodocus, a species common to the area's ancient bonebed.

The discovery came as a complete surprise to scientists. Researchers had long believed the monument was exhausted of new finds after the last excavation wrapped up in 1924.

Paleontologists conducted excavations later that fall, carefully removing the ancient bones from their resting place. The fossils are now being studied at the nearby Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum, where scientists hope to learn more about the creatures that roamed the region millions of years ago.

Construction crews paused their parking lot project during the dig, then resumed and completed the work once paleontologists finished their excavation. The cooperation between builders and scientists ensured both projects succeeded without compromising either goal.

The Bright Side

This discovery reminds us that nature still has secrets to share, even in places we think we know inside and out. The monument earned its name from countless dinosaur fossils found there over a century ago, but this find proves the earth isn't done telling its stories.

The accidental discovery also highlights how everyday workers can contribute to scientific breakthroughs simply by staying alert and reporting unusual finds. These construction crews could have ignored the odd rocks, but their curiosity opened a new window into prehistoric life.

The bones now join collections that help scientists and visitors alike understand the ancient world that existed long before humans walked the earth.

Future visitors to Dinosaur National Monument will experience a site enriched by both its storied past and its newly discovered treasures.