Dinosaur National Monument

Dinosaur's climate is semiarid with temperatures averaging between 0° (F) to 30° (F) in January and 50° (F) to 100° (F) in July. Elevations within the park vary between 4500 and 9000 feet. Winter snow makes roads at higher elevations impassable while only light to moderate snow is found at lower elevations. Summer thunderstorms often cause heavy downpours and localized flooding, but may fail to dampen parched soils less than a mile away.

Closed for the winter starting October 29, 2007
During the summer, ranger-led programs are offered on request and when staffing permits. A 12-minute video provides an overview of the park.

Private vehicle: $10.00
Motorcycle: $5.00 - $10.00
Individual (Hiker, bicyclist): $5.00
Camping fees vary.

Reservations required for rafting trips and group camping.

Dinosaur has two opportunities for children to become Junior Rangers. The programs consist of completing an activity book that can be purchased at either bookstore for $2 each. The activity books must be done at the park and are designed to involve parents in the learning experience. The programs can usually be completed independently by children ages 8-12. Children ages 5-8 or younger will need assistance with reading and writing. The programs are Junior Ranger and Junior Paleontologist.

Junior Ranger

The activity book is completed along one of two self-guided auto tours: the Tour of the Tilted Rocks in Utah near the Temporary Visitor Center or the Harpers Corner Auto Tour in Colorado near the Canyon Area Visitor Center. The Tour of the Tilted Rocks activities take about 3 to 4 hours to complete. The Harpers Corner Auto Tour activities take about 4 to 5 hours to complete.

Junior Paleontologist

The activity book is completed at the Temporary Visitor Center in Utah and takes about an 1 to 2 hours.

Upon completion of either program you should present the activity book to a park staff member at either visitor center. The staff member will review the activity book and present the official patch for the program. The Junior Ranger patch is different from the Junior Paleontologist patch and many children complete both programs. There are no additional charges for the patches.

There are six developed campgrounds at Dinosaur National Monument--three in the Dinosaur Quarry Area and three in the Canyon Area. There are also many backcountry camping opportunities, including two designated backcountry sites at Ely Creek in Jones Hole Canyon.

Temporary Visitor Center Area Camping

Green River Campground
Green River Campground is five miles east of the Temporary Visitor Center, accessible via the park tour road.

Green River Campground has 88 sites--usable for tents or RVs. Each site has a picnic table and firepit. Drinking water and plumbed toilets are available. There are no showers. There are no electrical hook-ups for RVs. Firewood is available for sale. Camping fee is $12 per night, per site.

There are no reservations. Generally, the campground does not fill up except sometimes on major holiday weekends, such as Memorial Day and July 4th.

Green River Campground is open from mid-April to mid-October. At other times, use nearby Split Mountain Campground for general camping.

Split Mountain Campground (group camping)
Split Mountain Campground is four miles east of the Temporary Visitor Center at the Split Mountain boat ramp. It functions as a group campground during the high-visitation season. It serves as a general purpose campground in the off-season.

There are four group sites. Each site is shaded and can handle up to 20 people and six vehicles. Each site has a picnic table and firepit. Plumbed restrooms and drinking water are available. There are no showers. Cost is $25 per night, per site.

During the off-season (mid-October to mid-April), Split Mountain Campground serves as a general campground. During the off-season, there is no water, a vault toilet is available and no fees are charged. There are no reservations at Split Mountain during the off-season.

Rainbow Park Campground
Rainbow Park Campground is 26 miles from the Temporary Visitor Center. It is located on a dirt road that is impassable when wet. The campground is on the Green River at the boat ramp at the head of Split Mountain Canyon.

Rainbow Park Campground has four shady sites with limited facilities. There is no running water. It has a vault toilet. There are tables and firepits. Suitable for tent camping only. No fee.

Rainbow Park Campground is open year-round, but there is no winter maintenance on the dirt road.

Canyon Area Camping

Echo Park Campground (individual and group camping)
Echo Park Campground is located 38 miles north of the Canyon Area Visitor Center. It is located near the confluence of the Green and Yampa rivers. Access to the campground requires high-clearance vehicles. RVs and trailers are strongly discouraged due to sharp turns and steep grades.

Echo Park Campground has 22 sites, including one handicapped-accessible site and four walk-in sites. There is some shade. Suitable for tent camping. There is running water and vault toilets. No showers. Check with a ranger for current fire-use policy. Fee is $8 per site, per night. There are no reservations, but the campground rarely fills. The water is turned off from October to mid-April, and there is no camping fee at that time.

There is one group site. For group reservations, for a reservation form or call (435) 781-7759 to have a reservation form mailed to you.

Echo Park Campground is open year-round, but access is dependent on weather. The last 13 miles of dirt road are impassable when wet. Winter access is often impossible due to snow.

Gates of Lodore Campground
Gates of Lodore Campground is located 106 miles north of the Canyon Area Visitor Center. It is located on the Green River at the boat ramp at the head of Lodore Canyon.

There are 17 sites, some with shade. The sites have tables and firepits. There is running water and vault toilets, but no showers. The campground handles tents and RVs (but there are no hook-ups). Camping fee is $8 per site, per night. The water is turned off from October to mid-April, and there is no camping fee at that time.

Gates of Lodore Campground is open year-round, but winter access can be difficult due to snow.

Deerlodge Campground
Deerlodge Campground is located 53 miles east of the Canyon Area Visitor Center. It is located on the Yampa River at the boat ramp at the head of Yampa Canyon.

It has seven shady sites suitable for tents. The sites have tables and firepits. There is running water and vault toilets, but no showers. Camping fee is $8 per site, per night. The water is turned off from October to mid-April, and there is no camping fee at that time.

Deerlodge Campground is open year-round, but winter access can be very difficult due to snow.

Designated Sites
There is one designated backcountry location in the park. It is at the confluence of Jones Hole Creek and Ely Creek, along the Jones Hole hiking trail. Reservations are required to use this location. Call 435-781-7700 for reservations.

• There are two sites at this location.
• Maximum group size is 8 at each site.
• Treat water in creek before drinking.
• Vault toilet available.
• Pack out all trash.
• No fires.
• No bicycles.
• No pets.
• No soap discharge in creek.

At Large Camping
A free backcountry permit is required before you venture into the park's backcountry overnight. Water is scarce. Contact a ranger at 435-781-7700 or at 970-374-3000 if you need help planning your trip. Basically, you can camp anywhere provided you are:

• At least one mile from developed areas, like the Dinosaur Quarry and boat ramps.
• At least 1/4 mile from roads.
• At least 1/4 mile from hiking trails.
• At least 300 feet from water.
• At least 1/4 mile from cultural sites.
• At least 1/8 mile from the Green or Yampa rivers. (River campsites are closed to backpackers during the high-use river-running season, which is the second Monday in May until the second Friday in September.)