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Hiking
Self Guiding Nature Trails
Desert Voices Nature Trail: This trail is close to the Dinosaur Quarry and is a particularly good trail to visit after viewing the bones and exhibits at the quarry. The trail begins in the Split Mountain area across from or west of the boat ramp. Signs along the trail explain what you can experience as you walk through this arid environment. A special feature of the trail is a series of signs produced specifically for children by children. The trail is about 1 1/2 miles long round trip and is moderately difficult. The best times to walk the trail are in the morning or evening when it is not so hot. The interpretive signs will introduce you to the threats confronting arid environments in the West. We think you will find this trail provokes thought and self evaluation of your lifestyle.
Sound of Silence Route: The Sounds of Silence route is also close to the Dinosaur Quarry and is about 3 miles long round trip. This is not a "trail" in the traditional sense, but rather a route, which is difficult to follow and is designed to challenge you as a hiker. The purpose of the route is to help you learn to find your way and properly hike in the desert. An added benefit is that you will experience silence like you have probably never experienced it before.
Cold Desert Trail: This trail is located at Monument Headquarters Visitor Center along US 40, 2 miles east of Dinosaur, Colorado. It is a 1/2 mile in length and is an easy walk. Many people find the desert shrub community that stretches out for miles beyond US Highway 40, to be a monotonous and lifeless landscape. That is not the case and this trail tries to prove it. The trail will introduce you to the variety of plants and animals that make the desert shrub community their home. This is a great trail for the family and a good way to prepare yourself for the drive up the Journey Through Time self guiding auto tour along the Harpers Corner Road which begins at Headquarters.
Plug Hat Trail: This is another short trail along the Harpers Corner Road. It is 1/4 mile in length and an easy walk. Like the Cold Desert Trail, this trail at Plug Hat is an introduction to the flora and fauna of the pinion pine and juniper forest community. An added bonus is the spectacular views of the surrounding landscape from the trail. There are also additional signs and scenic views across the road at the Plug Hat picnic area. The Plug Hat picnic area also has a short trail that is accessible to those confined to a wheel chair and the pit toilet is also fully accessible.
Harpers Corner Trail: At the end of Harpers Corner Road is this 2 mile long round trip trail that is moderately difficult. If I had to pick a "must hike trail", this would be it! The trail will take you to the end of a point from which you will have an eagle's view of dramatic geologic features and a breathtaking view of the canyons of the Green and Yampa rivers. The best times to walk this trail are in the early morning or evening when the light is especially dramatic for artful photographs.
Gates of Lodore Trail: At the end of the campground at Gates of Lodore is a 1 1/2 mile round trip trail that is an easy walk. The trail offers spectacular views of the river gorge and introduces some of the plants and geology of the area. One question will boggle your mind, "Why and how did this river cut through this mountain rather than flow around it?" After walking the trail chat with the ranger at Lodore and get recommendations about other sites to visit in Browns Park. There is a lot to see in the north end of the park.
Hiking Trails
The trails listed in this section are marked and maintained hiking trails that allow you to explore the beauty, solitude, flora, and fauna that is Dinosaur National Monument.
Jones Hole Trail and Ely Creek Trail: This may be the prettiest hiking trail in the park. From the Dinosaur Quarry, drive 1 hour along the Brush Creek Road and Diamond Mountain Road to the Jones Hole National Fish Hatchery. The hatchery has parking, restrooms, and an information kiosk for your convenience. The Jones Hole Trail is 8 miles long, round trip, and will take you from the hatchery down to the Green River. It is a moderately difficult walk if you go the distance; an easy walk if you go a short distance. Half way down the trail is Ely Creek, 4 miles round trip, a good compromise destination.
The Jones Hole Trail follows the clear, spring-fed waters of Jones Hole Creek. In the summer when it is warm, you can wade in the creek, but do so with care. The rocks are covered with algae and are slick and sharp. Brown and rainbow trout make their home in the creek, feeding on the abundant supply of aquatic insects that graze upon the algae clinging to the rocks. I've seen muskcrat in the creek, attracted to the abundant aquatic vegetation and mink hunting for trout. After the sun sets silver-haired bats snatch aquatic insects that have hatched and are flitting about looking for mates. Keep an eye out for mammal tracks left the night before in the mud by striped skunk, raccoon, ringtail, and mountain lion. The life in Jones Hole is an intricate web of interdependence between plants and animals.
If you fish the creek you will need a Utah fishing license. State fishing regulations require the use of flies and artificial lures only; bait is not allowed. Special catch limits apply and you are responsible for knowing the regulations.
As you begin your hike, the trail enters the riparian woods. Riparian is a name applied to the community of plants and animals that make their home in the creek's flood plain. It is a community characterized by high soil moisture (due to its proximity to the creek), higher humidity under the tree canopy, and occasional disturbance by flash floods. Box elder trees form an enclosed and cool canopy over the trail in the riparian zone. Music from the creek and from the many birds in the canopy will serenade you as you walk. Riparian communities are one of the rarer, but most productive wildlife habitats in this arid landscape.
In a number of places the trail rises out of the flood plain onto the open and warmer benches in the canyon bottom. The canyon benches are above the creek and therefore, have drier soils. This more arid environment supports bunch grasses, mountain mahogany and squaw bush shrubs, and juniper trees; good habitat for mule deer and bighorn sheep. If you keep your eyes open you may see them.
A little beyond the bridge is an archeological site, Deluge Shelter. Wayside signs explain some of what we know about the prehistoric Indians that have lived beside the creek for over 7,000 years. When you first see the Indian rock art, resist the urge to touch it. Touching rock art abrades its surface and leaves behind oils from your fingers which accelerate the erosion of these 1,000 year old works of art.
When you reach the junction with the Island Park Trail at Ely Creek, approximately 1.8 miles from the hatchery, you have several choices. You can continue hiking the remaining 2.2 miles to the Green River, or you can walk up the Island Park Trail about 1/4 mile to Ely Creek waterfall. This is a wonderful spot, shaded by Douglas fir and birch trees, with background music of cascading, splashing water. This is a great spot to cool off and take a break.
From the waterfall you can continue up the Island Park Trail another 1/3 mile to the fork in the trail. The left fork continues on for 7 1/2 miles, up and out of Jones Hole to the historic Ruple Ranch in Island Park. The right fork takes you another 2-3 miles up into the box canyons of the Labyrinths. The "trail" eventually peters out as you penetrate country far less traveled. In the Labyrinths you are on your own; keep tabs on the landscape as you go so you know how to get back.
As you continue down the Jones Hole Trail a short distance you will cross Ely Creek and come to the Ely Creek Campsite. This is the only designated backcountry campsite in the monument. A free backcountry permit is required to stay overnight at one of the two campsites. You must reserve one of these sites at the Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Center. No fires are permitted. Camping is not permitted elsewhere in Jones Hole Canyon or the Labyrinths.
When you leave Ely Creek and head toward the Green River you cross the Island Park Fault. The creek continues to cut ever deeper into the Madison Limestone beyond this point. Near the Green River you will walk past a rock outcrop that looks strikingly different from the Madison Limestone. This is the red sandstone of the older Lodore Formation, Cambrian Age rock (510-570 million years old). Trilobites crawled about the ancient Lodore sea floor amongst their neighbors, brachiopods and marine worms in the mud.
The trail ends in the Jones Hole Campground. This campground is for river running parties only. Respect the privacy of river runners in their campsites as you approach the river. Keep your eyes open for bighorn sheep. They often hang out in this area beside the river.
You've earned a rest. At the Green River you can loll about, soak your feet, lay in the shade of the box elder trees, and watch the river glide by. When you are rested you can start back to your car, IF you can tear yourself away from this beautiful, tranquil scene. When you walk this trail you enjoy an extra special day.
Island Park Trail: No Information Available
Ruple Point Trail: No Information Available
Fees (subject to change)
Entrance Fee
Use your National Parks Pass or Golden Pass (Age, Eagle and Access) for park
entry!
Annual Pass
$20..............Annual
The Annual Pass allows the holder and all guests in their vehicle to enter the park for one year. Fees only collected at the Dinosaur Quarry area on the Utah side of the park.
Family Vehicle
$10..............7 Days
Fee covers everyone in a single private vehicle. Fees only collected at the Dinosaur Quarry area on the Utah side of the park.
Hike-In or Bicycle
$5.................7 Days
$5 / person for those hearty enough to hike or bike to the park! Fees only collected at the Dinosaur Quarry area on the Utah side of the park.
Motorcycle
$5.................7 Days
$10 for motorcycles with 2nd rider. Fees only collected at the Dinosaur Quarry area on the Utah side of the park.
Permits
River Permit
Fees and non-commercial river permits are required for private white water
river trips on the Green and Yampa rivers within the park. For information
on fees, equipment and experience requirements, and how to apply for the
permit lottery, call (970) 374-2468.
Facilities
DINOSAUR QUARRY VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year - 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone (435)789-2115
HEADQUARTERS VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year
Location - 2 miles east of Dinosaur, Colorado on Hwy 40
Closures - Open daily 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., during the summer. Winter hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, closed on weekends and holidays. There is no entrance fee.
Exhibits - Exhibits and a 10-minute orientation program provide information about the monument's scenic canyon country.
Camping
Echo Park
(38 miles north of Headquarters) Newly renovated, $6.00/night, 17 campsites,
including 1 handicap accessible, plus 4 walk-in sites and one group site.
Water and vault toilets, handles tents. Check with a ranger on present fire
use policy. Access is dependent upon weather, the last 13 miles of road are
unpaved and impassable when wet. The road also requires high-clearance
vehicles, RVs and trailers are STRONGLY DISCOURAGED. Closed by snow in
winter.
Gates of Lodore
Open All Year
(106 miles north of Headquarters) - $5 per night, handles tents and RVs, has
some shade, drinking water, vault toilets, tables and fireplaces, and is Open
All Year.
Green River
Open from about 04/01 to 10/01
(5 miles east of Dinosaur Quarry) - $12 per night, has 88 sites, handles
tents and RVs, is well shaded, usually has drinking water but does not for
the 2000 summer season because of a water line break. Some areas will be
closed for water line construction, water will not be available. No fees
will be charged until construction is complete. Has modern restrooms, tables
and fireplaces, firewood for sale, and ranger talks at the campground
campfire circle.
Rainbow Park
Open All Year
(26 miles from Dinosaur Quarry on unpaved road) - no fee, 2 sites, handles
tents, no water, vault toilet, tables and fireplaces, and is Open All
Year. Road to campground is impassable when wet.
Split Mountain
Open All Year
(4 miles east of Dinosaur Quarry) In the summer this campground is for group
camping only, but is otherwise Open All Year. The campground has
group camping fees, 4 sites, can handle tents, is shaded, has drinking
water, modern restrooms, tables and fireplaces, and firewood for sale. Call
(435) 781-7759 to reserve a group campsite.
Call (435) 781-7759 for info.
Group Camping
Group campsites are located in the Split Mountain Campground only during the summer months (May through October). You can reserve a campsite for your group by calling (435) 781-7759. The Split Mountain Group Campground contains 4 sites. A maximum number of 20 people can camp in each site. The campground is situated by the Green River with a spectacular view of the mouth of Split Mountain Gorge. The campground is fairly well shaded and has drinking water, modern restrooms, tables and fireplaces, and firewood for sale. The group camping fee is $10 for a non-refundable reservation fee and $25 per night.
Camping Available in the Winter
The Split Mountain Campground (4 miles east of the Dinosaur Quarry) is open in the winter. There is no fee or water. A vault toilet is available. Temperatures at night can reach minus 20 to 40 degrees, so be prepared.
Echo Park and Green River campgrounds are closed in the winter. The Gates of Lodore, Deerlodge Park, and Rainbow Park campgrounds are open during the winter, but access is dependent upon road conditions due to snow.
Backcountry Camping
Dinosaur National Monument is not known as a backpack and horse pack park. The reason for this is the monument’s lack of a trail system. However, if you can read a map and are comfortable camping in an arid environment, the backcountry possibilities in the monument are endless. A knowledgeable ranger at one of the visitor centers can help you plan a trip. You can also purchase a USGS or Trails Illustrated topographic map of Dinosaur National Monument. The Trails Illustrated map has suggested backpack routes on the map.
Overnight backpack and horse pack trips require a free backcountry use permit available at either visitor center or a field ranger.
The Ely Creek Campground in Jones Hole is the only designated backpack campground in the park. You can make a reservation and obtain a backcountry permit for an Ely Creek site at the Dinosaur Quarry visitor center. The campsite is located two miles down Jones Hole Trail and has two sites. A maximum of 10 people can stay in each site, fires are not permitted.
During the low-use river season (second Saturday in September to the second Sunday in May) backpackers can camp at accessible river camps along the Green and Yampa rivers.
Because of our arid climate the backcountry of Dinosaur National Monument is slow to recover from inadvertent damage. The following are minimum impact camping practices you should follow.
Activities
We have noticed that a lot of people assume that the main experience at Dinosaur National Monument is to see the dinosaur bones at the Dinosaur Quarry. That makes sense given the park's name. Nothing, however, could be farther from the truth. Even though this is a National Monument, it contains 210,000 acres of some of the most rugged and beautiful mountain and canyon country in the West. You really should plan to spend more than a few hours at Dinosaur National Monument.
Auto
Touring
Biking
Camping
Climbing
Cross
Country Skiing
Fishing
Hiking
Kayaking
Snowshoeing
Swimming
Whitewater rafting
Wildlife
Viewing
Travel Basics
Getting There
Car - The popular Fossil Bone Quarry area of the park is only a 30 minute drive east from Vernal, Utah. Take Rt. 40 (Main Street) east out of Vernal until a well marked turn left/north from Jensen, UT onto Rt. 149. 7 miles later you reach the park.
Public Transportation- There are no transportation services to the park such as a taxi or bus. You must have your own transportation. For private river runners vehicle and passenger shuttle service is available from Wilkins Bus lines (435) 789-2476 and River Runners Transport (435) 781-1120.
Weather & Climate
The day-to-day weather conditions are highly variable at Dinosaur National
Monument. They change not only with the season, but with time of day and
where you are. Bring clothing to accommodate unexpected highs and
lows.
Accessibility
Although The Fossil Bone Quarry is only somewhat wheelchair accessible,
there are campsites, picnic areas, and scenic trails that are.
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