Planning Your Visit

The jagged edges of Split Mountain Canyon embrace the rapids of the Green River as it tumbles through the ancient rocks of the Unita Mountains. Can you hear the cry of a white-throated swift as it darts past, or the whistle of the wind through the junipers?

	Park Map Roads, Trails, Visitor Centers...
	Fees Entrance, camping, river...
	Recommendations What to do with your time...
	Facilities & Services Visitor Centers, Ranger Talks...
	Camping & Lodging Tents, RVs, Local Hotels...
	Hiking Trails Nature Walks, Scenic Destinations...
	Climate Seasonal weather, packing lists...

There is more to Dinosaur National Monument than dinosaurs. The following basic information is provided so you can plan your stay at the monument. The 210,000 acres within the park will grab your attention with its beauty, rugged wildness, solitude, and silence. This is a place to relax and reflect, or hike, drive, and boat through the diverse landscapes. Enjoy!

Entrance & Other Fees

Entrance:An entrance fee is charged only in the Dinosaur Quarry area in Utah, not in Colorado. The entrance fee is good for 7 days:

• $10 per family vehicle,

• $5 per motorcycle ($10 with a passenger),

• $5 for an individual (hiker or bicycle).

Special fees for commercial tours and buses apply. Phone (435) 781-7759 for an educational group entrance fee waiver or more detailed information.

Camping: Camping fees vary depending on the season and facilities. Be prepared to pay from $8.00 to $12.00 per night. Rates for the reservation-only group campsites at Split Mountain group campground are higher. For more information on campgrounds see the camping page.

River Permits: 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 or check the river information page

Recreational Activities

Hiking opportunities at Dinosaur abound. This is one of the best ways to really get a feel for the park and to get close to nature. Click here for more information on hiking.

White Water Boat Trips are maybe the best way to see the heart of Dinosaur. Boaters experience the thrill of rapids, beautiful cliffs, bighorn sheep, solitude, and nature, unvarnished and wild. Click here for more details on obtaining a private river permit.

Fishing opportunities are available within the monument. The Green and Yampa rivers contain catfish and northern pike. If you do fish, you need to know how to identify the four endangered native fish that live in these rivers. They are sometimes hooked by fishermen and must be immediately returned to the river unharmed. Jones Hole Creek is clear and cool, a perfect habitat for brown and rainbow trout. Special regulations apply in Jones Hole, such as artificial flies and lures only. All fishermen must have a valid state-fishing license and be familiar with the regulations.

Swimming is not recommended in the rivers. The water is cold, with strong currents. Public pools are in Vernal, Utah, and Rangely, Colorado. Swimming and water skiing are popular at Steinaker and Red Fleet state parks 6 and 11 miles north of Vernal.

Mountain Biking is a sport that is slowly growing in popularity at Dinosaur. There are no mountain bike trails in the monument. Bikes can travel on the paved and unpaved roads in the monument, but our roads are narrow and there are no road-shoulder bike paths. Mountain bikes are not allowed on any hiking trails or two-track backcountry roads. The best mountain bike routes in the monument are as follows:

• The Island Park Road is 12 - 17 miles long one way and ends at a primitive campground. It is unpaved, but well maintained, and an easy to moderately strenuous ride.

• The Echo Park Road is 13 miles long one way and ends at the Echo Park Campground (camping fee). It is unpaved, rough and steep, and a strenuous ride.

• The Yampa Bench Road is 51 miles long in the monument and an additional 20 miles or so to US 40. There are no campgrounds or water along this route. The road is unpaved, rough, steep in several places, and a very strenuous ride. Good planning is necessary to do this trip.

Pets

Bringing your pet to Dinosaur may restrict your activities. Pets are not allowed in our visitor centers, on any of the park's trails, in the backcountry, or in boats. They must be on a leash at all times or physically restrained. You can have your pet with you at your campsite, but it must be tied up. Sometimes folks think they can hike a trail and their pet will be okay in the car. That is not the case, however. The daytime temperatures are warm and pets have suffered terribly confined in a hot car, even with the windows partially rolled down for ventilation.

"Is The Park Crowded With People And Cars?"

The number of people who visit Dinosaur during the summer is low compared to other parks and that is one of its charms. The Dinosaur Quarry may be crowded in the middle of a summer's day. The rest of the park, however, is another story. Parking is always adequate at trailheads, overlooks, and visitor centers. Campgrounds usually do not fill up. It is not unusual to walk a trail and have it to yourself. Without a doubt, Dinosaur National Monument is a premier park for silence, solitude, relaxation, and reflection.

"What Is Available For Children To Do?"

• Dinosaurs fascinate children. Therefore, a visit to the Dinosaur Quarry is exciting for most youngsters. The Quarry bookstore has a fine selection of books and educational items specifically for children.

• Dinosaur has two different opportunities for children to earn Junior Ranger rewards. Because of the way they are designed both programs must be done at the park they cannot be completed in the comfort of your home. The programs are also designed to involve Mom and Dad in the learning experience. The programs can usually be completed independently by children ages 8-12. Children ages 5-8 or younger will definitely need assistance with reading and writing. The two programs are: Junior Ranger Activity Book sold for $2.00 at either bookstore in the park. The workbook is completed along one of two exploration routes, the Tour of the Tilted Rocks or Journey Through Time self guided auto tours. The Tour of the Tilted Rocks activities takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete. The Journey Through Time activities takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete. Junior Paleontologist Activity Book sold for $2.00 at either bookstore in the park. The workbook is completed at the Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Center in Utah and takes about an hour, sometimes two.

• The Desert Voices Nature Trail has wayside signs along the trail that were designed by children, for children. This is an enjoyable walk for a family. Youngsters like to get out and do things, so a walk along any of the park's trails can be enjoyable for your children if you make it fun for them.

• Children love river trips. A one-day or multi-day river trip will provide them experiences they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Adjacent Visitor Attractions & Information

Utah Field House of Natural History State Park, 

     Vernal, UT                                   (435) 789-3799

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, 

     Vernal, UT                                   (435) 885-3315

Ashley National Forest, Vernal UT                 (435) 789-1181

Bureau of Land Management, Craig CO               (970) 826-5000

Bureau of Land Management, Vernal UT              (435) 781-4400

Expedition Island Park, Historical Museum, 

     Green River, WY                              (307) 872-6435

John Jarvie Historic Ranch (BLM) 

     Browns Park, UT                              (435) 885-3307

Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge              (970) 365-3613 

White River History Museum, Meeker, CO            (970) 878-9982

Rangely History Museum, Rangely, CO               (970) 675-2612

Rangley Chamber of Commerce, CO                   (970) 675-5290
                                          
Meeker CO Chamber of Commerce                     (970) 878-5510

Craig CO Chamber of Commerce                      (970) 824-5689

Vernal UT Chamber of Commerce                     (435) 789-1352

Dinosaurland Travel Board (Utah)                  (800) 477-5558

Dinosaur CO Welcome Center                        (970) 374-2205

Return To
Dinosaur Home Page

Last Updated: April 2000