• Camarasaurus skull still embedded in the quarry face

    Dinosaur

    National Monument CO,UT

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  • Ely Creek Backcountry Campsites Closed

    The Ely Creek backcountry campsites located along the Jones Hole Trail have been closed until further notice due to bear activity in the area. More »

  • Numerous Campsites Closed in the Green River Campground

    A recent tree assessment of the Green River Campground identified potential safety issues with numerous cottonwood trees, requiring us to close many of the campsites. Please plan ahead so that you are not disappointed if the campground is full. More »

Island Park Trail

Rocky outrcrop with juniper trees.

The Island Park trail offers solitude and a good taste of Dinosaur's outstanding geology.

NPS PHOTO/Mike Weinstein

Length: 16 miles round trip. Not a loop.

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult.

Trailhead locations: 1) At Ruple Ranch, a 30-mile drive on paved and dirt roads north of the Quarry Visitor Center; 2) Trailhead location for Jones Hole Trail.

Brochure: None.

Description: This hike takes you through a diversity of scenery, including the multi-hued panaroma of Rainbow Park, sandstone knobs (pictured at left), the desert shrub community and sandstone canyons.

Special considerations: There is no shade except for the Ely Creek drainage. The trail is faint and hard to follow in places. Routefining skills and ability to use a map and compass are important if you plan to hike this trail. A detour down Sage Creek will take you to the dramatic upturned rock layers of the Island Park Fault. For maps, use the USGS 7.5-minute quadrangles for Island Park, Utah, and Jones Hole, Utah.

Did You Know?

Photo of tilted rock layers at sunrise.

Dinosaur National Monument's geology is a feast for the mind and the eye. The rock layers, which have been tilted by folding, expose a variety of colors and textures.