Deerlodge Park Campground

• No reservations accepted. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Echo Park Campground

• Reservations are only available for the Group Campsite at the Echo Park Campground. All other sites are first-come, first-served. Reservations for the Group Campsite can be made below, or by calling Recreation.gov at 1-877-444-6777. Group sites can be reserved no more than 12 months in advance. The latest you can make a reservation is 24-hours in advance.

Gates of Lodore Campground

• Reservations are not accepted for sites. All sites are first come, first served.

Green River Campground

• Sites in Loop C are first-come, first-served when Green River Campground is open. Reservations are available for the A and B Loop sites during peak season dates, approximately mid-May through September. Reservations can be made below, or by calling Recreation.gov at 1-877-444-6777. Campsites can be reserved no more than 6 months in advance. The latest you can make a reservation is 24-hours in advance. When Green River Campground is closed in the slow season, Split Mountain campsites are open to individuals and groups on a first-come, first-served basis. Green River Campground is more likely to fill up on weekends and warm-season holidays, such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.

Rainbow Park Campground

• No reservations accepted. All sites are first come, first-served.

Split Mountain Group Campground

• Reservations for this campground are available during peak season, approximately mid-April through early October. Reservations can be made below, or by calling Recreation.gov at 1-877-444-6777. Group sites can be reserved no more than 12 months in advance. The latest you can make a reservation is 24-hours in advance. When Green River Campground is closed in the slow season, Split Mountain campsites are open to individuals and groups on a first-come, first-served basis.

Allosaurus fragilis

Allosaurus, meaning "different delicate reptile," is a theropod (meat-eating dinosaur) that probably ate other smaller dinosaurs. Its teeth were up to 3 in (7.6 cm) long and serrated like steak knives for cutting flesh. Adults hunted by overpowering their prey, possibly in small groups. Juvenile Allosaurus relied on their longer limb bones that were better adapted to running in order to hunt smaller vertebrates.

Allosaurus jimmadseni

Allosaurus jimmadseni is the second species of Allosaurus found at Dinosaur National Monument. The first specimen of A. jimmadseni was found in the monument. It is much rarer than Allosaurus fragilis and they differ in their skeletal details

Apatosaurus louisae

Apatosaurus louisae is a species of sauropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic of North America found in the Morrison Formation, and its remains are present on the Wall of Bones at Dinosaur National Monument. Apatosaurus grew up to 69 ft (21 m) long and ate plants.

Baker Cabin

This small cabin sits in a remote area of Dinosaur National Monument overlooking the Yampa Bench.

• This is a sunny, outdoor location. Mountains rise to the south. To the north is a broad, flat expanse. On a nearby slope sits a small cabin made of large logs. Tall grass and sagebrush grow beside the cabin.

Barosaurus lentus

Barosaurus is a plant eater and the least common of all the sauropods (long-necked dinosaurs) found in the Carnegie Quarry. It is similar to Diplodocus, but has a longer neck and shorter tail. The forelimbs of Barosaurus are longer and more slender than those of the Diplodocus. Unfortunately, no one has ever found a Barosaurus skull so those on display are based on the skulls of other sauropods.

Beginning Dinosaur's Fossil Discovery Trail

Travel back in deep time on the Fossil Discovery trail. Observe the fossils and other details recorded in rocks that bear witness to the environments in which they originated.

• When standing on the Fossil Discovery Trail behind Dinosaur National Monument's Quarry Visitor Center, the cliff next to you is the Frontier Sandstone Formation. It is a tan color, approximately 100 feet tall by a half mile long. Near the top of the cliff is a large brown patch with a wave pattern within, also known as ripple marks. These ripples indicate water flowing over a sandy beach from approximately 100 million years ago, when the Western Interior Seaway once covered this area - a vast difference from today's high desert landscape! In this same area, located on the ground behind and to the left of the trailhead sign, there is a huge dark-brown rocky sphere called a concretion. It's approximately 2 feet tall, 2 feet wide and the largest in the monument. Concretions form when minerals settling out of ground water gather around a nucleus, such as a pebble or shell. Most concretions in Dinosaur are pea to marble-sized, but the hefty dimensions of this one (and others here) is due to the presence of large amounts of water from the former seaway. 

Blue Mountain Road

The Blue Mountain road leaves the monument. It is steep, rough, and suitable only for 4-wheel drive vehicles with off-road tires. It climbs about 3000 feet to the top of Blue Mountain. This mountain offers dramatic views of the area. The summit also harbors a relict woodland called Point of the Pines. Some mountaintops in this area contain small groves of conifers like ponderosa pine only on the very top.

• A rugged dirt road traversing desert scenery as it ascends a large mountain.

Box Canyon Trail

Box Canyon is easily accessible from Josie Morris' cabin and is an excellent family hike.

• A short sandy trail winding into a sandstone canyon.

Bull Canyon Trail

CAUTION: Storm damage from August 2021 has altered and removed sections of the former trail. This unmaintained route contains several natural obstacles potential hikers must be prepared to navigate. This steep trail descends from the Yampa Bench Road to the Yampa River near the Harding Hole campsites. The trail provides dramatic views of Bull Canyon and the Yampa River.

• A steep, narrow canyon with an unmaintained dirt trail winding its way through difficult desert terrain.

Camarasaurus lentus

Camarasaurus lentus is a species of sauropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic of the Morrison Formation. Camarasaurus lentus was a herbivore, and grew up to fifty feet long, shorter in length than some of its contemporaries like Diplodocus and Apatosaurus, but stood taller. Camarasaurus sounds huge by modern standards, but it is only a mid-sized sauropod.

Camptosaurus aphanoecetes

Camptosaurus is a two-legged plant eating dinosaur. The beak-like front of the skull did not have teeth but was used to nip vegetation. Camptosaurus may have lived in small groups. It depended on its speed to escape predators. Camptosaurus is the ancestor of later large herbivores, such as iguanodonts, and duck bills.

Ceratosaurus

Ceratosaurus is a genus of carnivorous theropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation. It is known from the Carnegie Quarry at Dinosaur National Monument from a single bone, a premaxilla. This bone is diagnostic for Ceratosaurus because, unlike other Morrison Formation theropods, Ceratosaurus has only three teeth in its premaxilla. Much rarer than its contemporary Allosaurus, the top of its snout was adorned with a crest, formed from its nasal bone.

Confluence Trail

• An even-terrain, sandy trail traveling along a river flowing through a steep canyon with sandstone cliffs.

Cub Creek Petroglyphs Pullout #13

Fremont petroglyph site located along the Cub Creek Road in Dinosaur National Monument. Petroglyphs can be seen by a short walk from the parking area.

• Large cliffs loom above visitors at this location. Some of the cliffs are covered with a dark stain, known as "desert varnish." In some areas of the stain, you can see animals, humanoid figures, or abstract shapes.

Cub Creek Petroglyphs Pullout #14

A quarter mile hike up from Cub Creek Road leads to a variety of panels along a sandstone cliff. Over 1,000 years ago, the ancestral indgenous people of the region came here to carve and create elaborate designs including the 5 foot long lizard petroglyphs.

• A short trail leading up a cliff face towards a sandstone cliff lined with intricate rock carvings of people and animals like lizards.

Deluge Shelter Petroglyphs

The Deluge Shelter area features a variety of petroglyphs and pictographs, many of which are exceptionally preserved.

• As you make your way along a narrow path through the plants, the Deluge Shelter spur of the Jones Hole Trail leads you to a vertical sandstone rock face. The rock is rough and ranges from tan to reddish in color. In many of the petroglyphs, the paint has faded, but the etchings are still visible. In areas where the rock is shaded by ledges, some pictographs are still vibrant because the pigment has not been faded by the sun. The ledge extends alongside the narrow trail and features many humanoid figures, animal figures, abstract shapes, and pockmarked designs. There is a wayside exhibit here, titled "Sheltering Ancient Images." The main picture shows a line drawing of two people, one standing, one kneeling, creating petroglyphs and pictographs. The text reads: "Approximately 800 to 1,400 years ago, this area was home the Fremont people. They left evidence of their presence in the form of petroglyphs, patterns chipped or carved into the rock, and pictographs, patterns painted on the rock. Few Fremont structures remain, but known dwelling sites range from natural shelters, such as rock overhangs or shallow caves, to small villages. Because the Fremont moved according to the availability of water and food, they occupied many of the dwelling sites for only part of the year. They may have used this site, Deluge Shelter, in this way. For a thousand years, this rock overhang has shaded these pictographs from the strong midday sun. This limited exposure to sunlight may have helped to preserve the vibrant colors in these ancient images." On the right side of the exhibit are photos of the images on the rocks. The first is of a red pictograph. It features an animal-figure resembling an antelope with long frond-like horns sweeping back over its body, followed by another small dog-like animal. The text reads, "Are these original colors? Yes, the Fremont created these colors using pigments made from minerals, clays, or other natural materials." The image immediately below is of a reddish-brown pictograph featuring three humanoid figures, standing shoulder to shoulder. Each has six thin protrusions sticking up from the crown of its head. The text reads, "Why have the colors lasted so long? The ancient pictographs that have survived are generally located in protected areas, like rock overhangs or shaded ledges. Weather, rockfall, and vandalism can affect their appearance. The final image shows a humanoid figure with two large, curved protrusions emanating from the crown of its head. The text states, "Why did they make these designs? Archeologists have several theories: the images may have related to hunting, identified clans, served ceremonial or religious purposes, or simply expressed the artist's imagination."

Desert Voices Trail

The Desert Voices Trail offers spectacular views of Split Mountain and several adjacent rock layers. Trail signs describe the area's geology and ecology. There are also many signs that were written and drawn by children for children. 

• A small trailhead winding off amongst trees and shrubs along a dry streambed towards a a rolling desert landscape.

Diplodocus longus

Diplodocus longus is a species of sauropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic of North America. Diplodocus is one of the most abundant sauropods (long-necked dinosaurs) in the Morrison Formation. Its pencil-like teeth were only in the front of the jaws and were used to strip leaves off of low-growing plants. It could get up to 92 ft (28 m) in length and traveled in small herds. Despite its length, it was lightly built, weighing a mere 15 tons.

Dryosaurus altus

Dryosaurus altus is a species of ornithopod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic of North America, found in the Morrison Formation. Dryosaurus altus means “oak lizard” in reference to the leaf shaped teeth. It is a plant eating dinosaur with a beak and teeth in the back of its mouth. It had five fingers on each hand. To escape predators Dryosaurus depended on its strong legs to quickly run away.

Echo Park

Echo Park is located in the heart of Dinosaur's canyon country.

• A large open area down inside a canyon with towering sandstone cliffs and two rivers merging together.

Echo Park Overlook

Echo Park Overlook peers across the wild landscapes of Dinosaur National Monument.

• A forested overlook covered in pines and junipers, viewing vast canyons and plateaus.

Echo Park Road

Adventure beyond the bones and see the wilder side of Dinosaur National Monument along the Echo Park Road! Due to the rugged terrain, high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles are strongly recommended. The road is impassable when wet.

• From the Harpers Corner Road, the Echo Park road begins by heading down an unpaved section of steep switchbacks known as "the dugway." There is a sign at the first switchback that reads, "Caution: No Trailers. Passenger cars not advised. Impassable when wet." In many places, the dirt is a bright rust-red color. For those not driving the vehicle, the dugway provides some sweeping views of the valley down into Echo Park. Sage, juniper trees, and other desert plants sparsely carpet the landscape. Colorful sediments of yellow, tan, gray, are visible beneath the greenery. You may feel the car bounce over rocks and potholes throughout the duration of your trip. At the bottom of the dugway, the sweeping vistas disappear for a while. After about 10 miles, there is a fork in the road. A brown sign behind the fork says, "Echo Park, 4 miles" with an arrow pointing left. Below this, there is an arrow pointing right. The text beside it reads, "Castle Park, 9 miles. Elk Springs, 42 miles." The arrow pointing right towards Castle Park and Elk Springs directs visitors down the Yampa Bench Road. After turning left to continue towards Echo Park, you will pass through the historic Chew Ranch. A metal-covered wagon stands on wooden wheels between a log cabin and a decaying wooden fence that was once a corral. Across the road, the whitewash paint is fading from an abandoned house, which sits beneath the shade of some large Fremont cottonwood trees. The remaining four miles leads you over some small creeks, which may or may not be dry. You will pass an abandoned cabin with a roof of thatch and red clay. Shortly after, a sign reading "Petroglyphs," denotes the secluded location of the petroglyph site at Pool Creek. As you continue descending into Echo Park, huge sandstone walls seem to rise up and envelop the view. At the bottom of one of these steep rock faces, there is a short shallow alcove. The sign there reads, "Whispering Cave." Not far beyond this point, you will reach the end of the road at the Echo Park Campground. Vault toilets are available in the small, concrete shelter. A bulletin board offers information. Potable water for drinking is available at pumps in various locations when weather allows.

Elephant Toes Butte

Elephant Toes Butte stands as a unique landmark amongst the Cub Creek area scenery.

• A large beige, orange-colored sandstone butte that has for large boulders in front, giving the formation the appearance of an elephant's foot.

Ely Creek Backcountry Campsite

Whether you're a new backpacker or a seasoned one, the Ely Creek Backcountry Campsite along Jones Hole Trail offers excellent primitive amenities in a beautiful area. Permits and reservations required!

• Near the junction of Ely Creek and Jones Hole Creek, there is a small camping area to your right as you head down the trail towards the river. The ground here is flat and sandy, with enough space to accommodate a couple of tents. Trees surround the site and provide intermittent shade. Cut logs and boulders provide seating. At the edge of the campsite, there is a brown-colored bear locker for storing food and scented items. The locker has a picture of bears on it, along with written bear safety information. To the left of the bear locker, a narrow trail slopes up the small hill. Following this trail will lead you to an enclosed vault toilet a short distance away from from the campsite. As you walk in, the toilet is to the right back corner of the structure. Toilet paper is usually provided, and is located just below the accessible handrail to your left when you're sitting on the seat. Signs on the trees around the campsite warn of dangerous wildlife. The bear sign reads: "WARNING: Black bears have recently been reported in this area. If you see a bear: avoid it if you can, back away slowly and leave the area. Make noise so the bear knows you are there. If a bear approaches you: Remain calm and face the bear. Back away slowly; do not run. You cannot outrun a bear. Stand tall, appear large, wave arms or jacket. Group together, pick up small children. Make noise, throw things, try to scare it off. Fight back aggressively and use bear spray if the bear attacks. Please report all black bear sightings to the nearest ranger or call the park. Leave your name and phone number with the date, time, and place the bear was seen. Removal of this sign is illegal and may result in injury to others."

Ely Creek Falls

The tiny, but beautiful Ely Creek Falls site offers a cool place to rest along the Jones Hole Trail in Dinosaur National Monument.

• A narrow stream leading towards a small waterfall pouring over rocks, shaded by pine and birch trees.

Escalante Overlook

On clear days, the Escalante Overlook offers excellent views of the Uinta Basin from the Harpers Corner Road.

• The road to the Escalante overlook is paved and hook-shaped, with a small loop at the end. This loop features several wayside exhibits along a flat, paved sidewalk, which offers views of the Uintah Basin. A sloping ridge sweeps away from the sidewalk. Patches of bare rock peek out from a blanket of diverse plant life, which includes a mix of sagebrush, manzanita, and juniper trees. The valley below is flat in comparison to the rocky outcrops lining your vision. Visibility depends on haze, but on clear days, the town of Vernal, UT can be seen in the distance. Three waysides line the sidewalk where you face the valley. The leftmost one is an older wayside titled, "Polluted air. Where is it coming from?" A map of the western U.S. shows air currents coming into the area from different directions, with color-coded squares indicating urban air pollution, coal and oil-fired power plants, copper smelters, and oil refineries and fields. A blue arrow pointing down from the north is labeled, "Clean Air Under Some Meteorological Conditions." A gray arrow points towards Utah from southern California, labeled, "Dirty Air Most Often." A gray arrow pointing towards us from south Texas reads, "Dirty Air Under Some Meteorological Conditions." Other pictures show cities with urban air pollution, coal and oil-fired power plants, copper smelters, and oil refineries. The text reads, "Prevailing winds bring air pollution from southern California as well as local sources. A white steam plume from an electric generating facility 25 miles southwest is usually visible. The power plant burns low-sulfur coal and uses efficient air pollution control technology, which cuts its emissions of sulfur dioxide to about 500 tons each year." The middle wayside is titled, "The quality of your view depends on the quality of the air." It features three pictures of the view before you, but with different levels of haze. The text reads, "National Park Service natural areas are created to preserve the natural scene of primitive America. In the arid west, spectacular views are an important part of that natural scene. Monitoring has shown that 90% of the time, scenic vistas are affected by manmade pollution at all monitoring locations within the lower 48 states. Sulfates limit visibility more than any other pollutant, causing about half of the haze in this region. Sulfur dioxide emitted from industrial processes is transformed in the atmosphere to fine sulfate particles, which scatter light very efficiently. Sulfates can cause haze hundreds of miles from its source. Local visibility is also impaired by smoke from home wood heating stoves. Sulfur dioxide comes mainly from coal and oil-fired power plants, copper and aluminum smelters, and from oil, oil shale, and natural gas extraction and refining. Many of these industries are located near Dinosaur National Monument The final wayside titled, "Are we there yet?" features text above an old spanish-style map. A picture in the upper left-hand corner shows a Spanish missionary holding the reins of a horse. Beside him, an indigenous person sitting atop a horse points ahead. The caption reads, "How many different maps or devices did you use to arrive at this spot today? The Dominguez-Escalante expedition could only rely on geographical and astronomical observations, local guides, and trial and error to select their route. Father Escalante Discovers Utah Valley by E. Keith Eddington." The main body text reads, "From this spot in the fall of 1776, you might have seen a small expedition crossing the plains below, heading west into Utah. The group was led by Atansasio Dominguez and Silvestre Velez de Escalante, two Franciscan friars attempting to find a northern route from Santa Fe, New Mexico to newly-established Spanish missions in Monterey, California. Their expedition was the first known group of Europeans to enter what is now Dinosaur National Monument. Maps and journal entries described many of Dinosaur's prominent landmarks and included details of crossing the Green River near the modern-day Quarry Visitor Center on September 16, 1776. Eventually, the friars would explore Utah Valley, south of modern-day Salt Lake City. After abandoning their quest to reach California, they endured an arduous journey back to Santa Fe, navigating the canyon country surrounding the Colorado River in what is now Southern Utah. Although they did not achieve their stated goal, the Dominguez-Escalante Expedition is credited as the first group to map vast areas of the American West, paving the way for later travelers. Their journey would set in motion dramatic changes for the Native peoples who inhabited the area.

Fossil Discovery Trail - Quarry Hall Trailhead

The Fossil Discovery Trail is an easy hike just down the road from the Quarry Exhibit Hall.

• A vertical trailhead sign off of a paved road traveling downhill into a desert valley.

Fossil Discovery Trail - Visitor Center Trailhead

The Fossil Discovery Trail is readily accessible from both the Quarry Visitor Center and the Quarry Exhibit Hall.

• A vertical sign next to a sandy trail walking next to a large sandstone cliff face.

Fossil Discovery Trail Petroglyphs

• A large overhanging sandstone rock with a smooth surface containing various images left by ancestral native peoples over one thousand years ago.

Gates of Lodore

• A flowing river cutting into a steep canyon.

Gates of Lodore Trail

The Gates of Lodore trail takes hikers to the grandeur of the entrance to Lodore Canyon.

• A trailhead leaving from the end of a campground towards a steep-walled canyon.

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 1

• An open area covered in green shrubs and vegetation against a desert hillside backdrop.

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 10

• A dry desert clearing with grayish-green shrubs growing sparsely throughout.

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 11

• A dry desert shrubland leading towards a vast, steep canyon.

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 12

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 13

• A rugged , rocky cliff face towering above a greenish flowing river.

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 14

• A narrow desert trail winding through shrubs, heading towards a steep river canyon.

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 15

• A steep, rugged river canyon, surrounded by desert shrublands.

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 16

• A steep, rugged canyon with a flowing river, surrounded by desert shrubland scenery.

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 2

• A small campground in a green desert landscape next to a flowing river.

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 3

• A large rock with orange, light green, and pasty colored lichens across its surface.

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 4

• A large greenish-blue river flowing through a desert landscape with greenery along the banks.

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 5

• Large desert mountainsides with reddish soils, covered with small shrubs, standing in front of a flowing river.

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 6

• Large reddish hills and mountainsides with a river flowing in front of them.

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 7

• Shrub-like juniper and pine trees growing on a desert hillside.

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 8

• A small cactus with multiple lobes covered in spines, growing low on the desert floor.

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 9

• Green shrubs with waxy leaves growing throughout a desert landscape.

Green River Scenic Overlook

The Cub Creek Valley Overlook sits above the Green River Campground off the main road providing a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.

• A panoramic view from a roadside pullout overlooking a vast valley between two mountains. A flowing rivers carves its ways through cottonwood trees, farmland and a desert landscape.

Harpers Corner

A parking lot marks the end of the Harpers Corner Road, however your explorations of Dinosaur’s Canyon Country don’t need to end here. You’ll also find the trailhead for a moderate 2 mile (3.2 km) roundtrip trail that features unsurpassed views of the Mitten Park Fault and Whirlpool Canyon, often complimented by the sound of the river echoing up the cliffs.

• A paved parking lot loop, surrounded by juniper and pine tress, with trailhead access to canyon overlooks.

Harpers Corner Overlook

• An expansive view of two rivers meeting together as the wind through vast canyons.

Canyon Visitor Center - Colorado

• Canyon Visitor Center - Colorado
• Located near Dinosaur, Colorado, at the base of the Harpers Corner Road, the Canyon Visitor Center is the gateway to the monument's mountains and river canyons. This building is open in summer and closed during the winter. Exhibits and a park film orient visitors to resources, and staff are available to answer questions. A bookstore sells items that can further enhance your experience. Restrooms and water are available seasonally. There are no dinosaur fossil sites on this side of the park.

Quarry Exhibit Hall - Utah

• Quarry Exhibit Hall - Utah
• The Quarry Exhibit Hall is where you can see a wall of approximately 1,500 dinosaur bones. This includes the remains of numerous species, such as Allosaurus, Apatosaurus, Camarasaurus, Diplodocus, and Stegosaurus. Exhibits, including an 80 foot (24 m) long mural, reveal the story of the many animals that lived in the Morrison environment during the Late Jurassic. This building is open year-round, except on certain holidays. Hours change seasonally.

Quarry Visitor Center - Utah

• Quarry Visitor Center - Utah
• Located 7 miles (11 km) north of Jensen, Utah, off Highway 149, the Quarry Visitor Center is the gateway to the Quarry Exhibit Hall and the wall of dinosaur bones. This facility features a staffed information desk, gift shop, and theater with a 12-minute park film. Exhibits introduce a variety of resources and places to explore within the monument. During summer, shuttle buses depart from here for the Quarry Exhibit Hall. This building is open year-round, except on certain holidays. Hours change seasonally.

• Hike the Jones Hole Trail
• 8.5 miles (13.6 km) round trip, out and back trail. Jones Hole Trail is a popular hike along a babbling brook near the northwest corner of Dinosaur National Monument. The creek offers good trout fishing. A Utah State fishing license is required. Backcountry camping requires a permit. Camping at Ely Creek requires advanced reservations. No pets allowed.

• Be a Dinosaur Junior Ranger
• Junior Rangers help to "Explore, Learn, and Protect" our national parks. Anyone can be a Junior Ranger! Once you learn about the monument and the amazing resources found here, you will be able to share your knowledge with friends and family!

• Hike the Confluence Trail
• 1.25 miles (2 km) round trip, out and back trail. Easy. The Confluence Trail provides a short and easy walk to the confluence of the Green and Yampa Rivers at Echo Park. No pets allowed.

• Hike to the Swelter Shelter Petroglyphs
• 400 feet (122 m) out and back trail. Easy. This short hike to Swelter Shelter offers visitors an opportunity to view a variety of petroglyphs and pictographs very close to the road. Petroglyphs and pictographs are fragile, irreplaceable records of the past that many still hold sacred. Don't touch, trace, or take rubbings of them as it ruins the designs. This site is protected by federal law. Leashed pets are allowed.

• Picnicking in Dinosaur
• The Plug Hat Butte picnic area is located along Harpers Corner Road on the Colorado side of the monument.

• Hike the Gates of Lodore Trail
• 1 mile (1.6 km) round trip, out and back trail. Easy. The Gates of Lodore Trail is a short but scenic walk to a view of the Green River as it enters the Canyon of Lodore. A trail booklet is available at the Visitor Centers. No pets allowed.

• Hike the Harpers Corner Trail
• 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip, out and back trail. Moderate difficulty. The Harpers Corner Trail runs along a narrow ridge to a spectacular viewpoint with views of the rivers far below. Along the way, hikers can gaze across the remote canyon country. A pamphlet for this trail is available at the Visitor Centers. The trail is typically inaccessible in winter. No pets allowed.

• Hike the Ruple Point Trail
• 9.2 miles (14.8 km) round trip, out and back trail. Moderate to difficult. For most of its length, Ruple Point Trail crosses a rolling terrain filled with sagebrush and juniper. Near the end, a short descent rewards hikers with a breathtaking views of Split Mountain Canyon and the Green River below. No pets allowed.

• Hike the Plug Hat Trail
• 0.25 miles (0.4 km) round trip loop trail. Easy. The Plug Hat Trail offers scenic views of Dinosaur's rugged landscape from atop a sandstone butte. This trail is paved and wheelchair accessible. Leashed pets are allowed.

• Hike the Box Canyon Trail
• 0.25 miles (0.4 km) round trip, out and back trail. Easy. The Box Canyon Trail is a relatively level and shady walk into a dead-end canyon. The trailhead is located on the north side of the parking area for the Josie Morris Cabin. This is typically a good hike for small children. Keep kids close, and watch for poison ivy. No pets allowed.

• Hike the River Trail at Dinosaur National Monument
• 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip, out and back trail. Moderate difficulty. The River Trail in Dinosaur National Monument connects the Split Mountain and Green River campgrounds. This trail climbs to a bench above the river and offers dramatic views of Spilt Mountain, the Green River, and Cub Creek Valley. In spring, the slopes may be briefly covered with an array of wildflowers. Leashed pets are allowed.

• Hike the Hog Canyon Trail
• 1.5 miles (2.4 km) round trip, out and back trail. Easy. The Hog Canyon Trail is a pleasant hike into a box canyon near the Josie Morris Cabin. The trail is relatively flat and shaded, typically good for small children. Keep kids close, and watch for poison ivy. No pets allowed.

• Hike Sound of Silence Trail
• 3.2 miles (5.1 km) round trip loop. Moderate to difficult. The Sound of Silence Trail takes hikers through the geologic diversity of Dinosaur National Monument. Hikers encounter a variety of terrain, including an intermittent stream bed, upturned rock layers, desert badlands, and slickrock. A short rock scramble is required. There is no shade on this trail. No pets allowed.

• Hike the Fossil Discovery Trail
• 2.5 mile (4 km) round trip, out and back trail. Easy to moderate difficulty. The Fossil Discovery Trail gives visitors an opportunity to explore a variety of rock layers and see unexcavated fossils as they are often found by paleontologists. The most famous of these rock layers is the Morrison Formation, which contains dinosaur fossils. No pets allowed.

• Quarry Exhibit Hall
• The Quarry Exhibit Hall allows visitors to view the wall of approximately 1,500 dinosaur bones in a refurbished, comfortable space.

• Hike the Bull Canyon Trail
• 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip. Difficult. Bull Canyon is a steep, unmaintained trail in a remote section of the monument. It begins on the Yampa Bench Road and takes hikers into the Harding Hole area along the Yampa River. River users can use the trail to access other scenic overlooks. The campsites at Harding Hole are reserved for rivergoers during the high-use river season. Permits are required for overnight camping. No pets allowed.

• Hike the Desert Voices Trail
• 1.7 miles (2.7 km) round trip loop trail. Moderate difficulty. The Desert Voices Trail starts at Split Mountain. It wanders through valleys and over rocky outcrops, offering dramatic views of the surrounding landscape. No pets allowed.

• Wildlife Viewing in Dinosaur
• Many visitors to Dinosaur National Monument are often surprised by the variety of wildlife that lives here.

• Drive the Echo Park Road
• The 14 mile (23 km) unpaved Echo Park Road takes drivers into the heart of Dinosaur National Monument. This rugged road begins along the Harpers Corner Road, winds through scenic canyon country, and ends near the banks of the Green River at Echo Park. High-clearance vehicles with all-wheel-drive (AWD) are strongly recommended. RVs and trailers are not advised. The road is impassable when wet.

• Drive the Island Park Road
• The Island Park Road is an 18 mile (29 km) unpaved road that starts outside of Dinosaur National Monument and ends inside the park near the Ruple Ranch Site. The first 10 miles (16 km) are located outside of the park. The last 8 miles (13 km) reveal beautiful petroglyph panels at McKee Spring, a secluded campground at Rainbow Park, and stellar views of the Green River from Island Park. High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended. The road is impassable when wet.

• Drive the Harpers Corner Road
• Harpers Corner Scenic Drive is a 31 mile (50 km) paved road that offers wheelchair-accessible overlooks with spectacular views of Dinosaur's rivers and canyons. Along the way, visitors can enjoy picnic areas, as well as several paved paths and hiking trails. The road is accessible for most vehicles when clear of ice and snow. Harpers Corner Road is closed in winter, and reopens in spring when conditions allow.

• Bicycling at Dinosaur
• Bicycling is allowed on any road within Dinosaur National Monument, but is not allowed on any trails. Paved roads within the monument are narrow, and often have no shoulders. Bicyclists should take proper measures to stay safe, and bring plenty of water in summer.

• Drive the Yampa Bench Road
• The 18 mile (29 km) unpaved Yampa Bench Road offers visitors a look into the quieter side of Dinosaur. Running along a "bench" of land high above the Yampa River, visitors can experience incredible views and historic sites. High-clearance, four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles are strongly recommended for this rugged road. The road is impassable when wet.

• Drive the Tour of Tilted Rocks
• This 10 mile (16) km paved tour along the Cub Creek Road in Utah provides a great introduction to Dinosaur National Monument. Take the Tour of Tilted Rocks to enjoy sweeping geology, historic homesteads, petroglyphs and pictographs, hiking trails, campgrounds, and scenic vistas! The road is usually accessible for passenger cars. Seasonal closures may affect the last 4 miles (6 km) of the road.

• View the Night Sky at Split Mountain
• Dinosaur has been recognized as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Skies Association. Much of the monument provides opportunities to view the night skies. The Split Mountain Campground has a designated night sky viewing area and is where the monument hosts night sky viewing programs.

• Fishing at Dinosaur National Monument
• Dinosaur National Monument allows fishing as a means of providing for public enjoyment, and customary and traditional use, and regulates fishing to ensure that it is managed in a manner that avoids unacceptable impacts to park resources.

• Scenic Drives
• Information on scenic drives

• River Rafting at Dinosaur
• River Rafting Information

Fossil Discovery Trail: A Journey Through Time

Hike through millions of years of geologic time on the Fossil Discovery Trail. Each rocker layer shows evidence of former ecosystems and extinct plant and animals that lived in landscapes quite different from what we see today. Long ago, dynamic forces pushed and tilted these layers upward. Then erosion exposed the layers as colorful mounds and ridges, full of signs of ancient life.

Harpers Corner Driving Tour

Despite the name, there is more to the monument than dinosaurs. The Harpers Corner Road will introduce you to an area that features rolling sagebrush covered slopes and the canyon country of the Green and Yampa rivers.

Harpers Corner Trail: Tour of the Canyons

Welcome to the Canyon Country of Dinosaur National Monument. This guide is numbered to the points of interest along the Harpers Corner Trail, which leads to sweeping views of the canyons.

Passage to the Gates of Lodore

Gates of Lodore is located on the northern tip of Dinosaur National Monument. It is a long drive to the area and the wild, remote country adds to its sense of isolation. Here, the Green River, after winding across the broad valley known as Browns Park, turns toward the south and makes a direct path into the mountains in front of it. The Green enters into deep canyons filled with rapids that challenged Major John Wesley Powell who passed through here in 1869 on his voyage down the Green and Colorado Rivers.

Sound of Silence Trail: Tilted Landscapes

While you hike through one of the quietest places in the West, natural sounds will prevail, including the call of birds and the rustle of wind through the plants. Though we may associate this place with quiet, the landscape can speak to us - if we are ready to listen. Numbered signposts along the trail correspond with this tour, taking you through different habitats and millions of years of time.

Tour of the Indigenous Past: Petroglyphs and Pictographs

Since time immemorial, people have called this place home. While some cultural groups left little evidence of their presence, others made lasting marks on the landscape. Petroglyphs (etchings) and pictographs (paintings) created on the rocks centuries ago offer an intriguing connection to the people and cultures of the past. This self-guided tour will traverse the landscape once traveled by the ancestral indigenous people of the region well over 1,000 years ago.

Tour of the Tilted Rocks: Cub Creek Road

The Tour of the Tilted Rocks is a 10-mile (20 mile round-trip) scenic auto tour that takes visitors along the Cub Creek Road. During the tour, multiple points of interest will be easily accessible from the roadside including petroglyphs sites, scenic overlooks and vistas, trailheads, and the Josie Morris Homestead Cabin.