Josie's Ranch ~ Dinosaur National Monument

An excellent place to find some peaceful serenity on the face of this planet most definitely is Josie's Ranch in Dinosaur National Monument! This old west ranch is nestled in a small grassy green valley in a mountainous high desert setting, so the scenery is as majestic as can be. Tall old growth trees provide plenty of shade and the bright sunlight glistens between the leaves, which creates a heavenly effect. Josie's humble cabin sits in the middle of it all and the first view of this rustic timber structure has a way of making a visitor completely forget that the outside world exists.

Some historic places are worth mentioning in great detail, while others are best left for a visitor to discover in person. Plenty of information about Josie's Ranch is provided in the Dinosaur National Monument Self Guided Tour Book, which is available in the Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Center. The information placards at the historic ranch offer even more insight into the life of Josie Bassett Morris, who once was a wild west character of mythical proportions.  

A brief overview of Josie Bassett will provide plenty of inspiration for touring the old historic ranch site. Josie grew up in an age when pioneers were staking claims throughout the west and the outdoorsy lifestyle she led as a child served as a primer for when she settled by Cub Creek as a homesteader. She built a cabin at the mouth of Hog Canyon in this high desert wilderness and lived by means of determined self sustenance. Hunting, ranching, gathering and farming was the code of pioneer life in remote places and this hearty woman mastered all of these skills. Josie was as sharp as can be and when the age of radio and television communications rolled around, her tales of the old west became a valuable link to the past.

Just like the natives, Josie understood the concepts of conservation and natural harmony, which are the key to existing in the wild. A lot can be learned from Josie Bassett's experience and this is what a tour of the peaceful ranch is all about. For those who relish the though of living off the grid, a tour of Josie's Cabin will surely be all the inspiration needed for building a cozy little deep woods home of your own!