Dinosaur National Monument

Overview

A trip to the rugged landscape of Dinosaur National Monument is sure to bring out the naturalist in everyone. The National Monument preserves an incredible array of both paleontologic and archaeologic history, in addition to protecting breathtaking natural features. The mountains, basins, and river canyons that make up the park provide a natural playground for many types of recreation. Whether you're enjoying the miles of trails or floating down the Green River, geologic features are always on display. In fact, some specimens unearthed from the Carnegie Fossil Quarry really are on display, as many museums around the nation display dinosaur fossils recovered from this Monument.

To learn more about Dinosaur National Monument, visit www.nps.org

Local Info

Visitor Centers:
Please note that visitor centers are located in Utah as well as in Colorado. Fossil hunters will want to enter the park from the Utah side, as the most spectacular fossils are on display in the Quarry Exhibit Hall. More information on seasonal operating hours can be found here.

• Quarry Visitor Center: Hours vary seasonally. Open year round.
• Quarry Exhibit Hall: 8 am - 5:30 pm during summer months, hours vary at other times during the year. Open year round.
• Canyon Visitor Center: Hours vary seasonally. Closed October through late spring.

Fees & Passes:
To learn more about park fees, click here.

Visiting Tips

Dinosaur National Monument is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, though some facilities and roads close during the winter months. Be sure to check the park's website for current conditions and updated road and facility status.

Camping & Lodging

Camping:
Dinosaur National Monument operates six maintained campgrounds, three in Utah, and three in Colorado. Reservations can be made at the Green River Campground and Split Mountain Campground online or by calling 1-877-444-6777. All other campgrounds fill on a first come, first served basis. For more information on campground fees and ameneities, click here.

• Green River Campground (UT): Open early April-mid October.
• Split Mountain Campground (UT): Rates vary. Open year round. Group camping is available during part of the year.
• Rainbow Park Campground (UT): Open year round.
• Echo Park Campground (CO): Rates vary. Open year round.
• Deerlodge Park Campground (CO): Rates vary. Open year round.
• Gates of Lodore Campground (CO): Rates vary. Open year round.

Special Use Camping:

• Backcountry Camping: A free permit is required for overnight trips. Designated backcountry sites can be found along the Green and Yampah rivers, and camping at-large is acceptable. Full information and regulations about backcountry use can be found here.
• Boat Camping: Available during the busy season, sites are located along both the Green and Yampah Rivers.

Lodging:
Lodging is unavailable within the park boundaries. The local communities of Dinosaur and Rangely, Colorado, and the community of Vernal, Utah all provide lodging. Local communities are small, and often fill on weekends during the summer months. Reservations are recommended if you know in advance that you'll be staying in the area.

Food & Drink

There are no restaurants located within the park. If you have packed food, there are many pleasant picnic areas to enjoy a meal or a snack. Local communities offer a variety of dining options for visitors.

Other Activities

The area surrounding Dinosaur National Monument is popular for a variety of recreation types. Visitors will find exciting mountain biking located near the town of Vernal, Utah, where many miles of trail of varying difficulty provide an enjoyable ride for members of the whole family. Rock climbing is another activity that is available in the area, though the sandstone make up of the rock in this area makes climbing difficult. Ample BLM land surrounds the monument, and motorized recreation is also a popular choice.

Maps & Guidebooks

To download a variety of free brochures to help plan your visit, click here.