• 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 »

Jones Hole Trail

Hikers on the Jones Hole Trail
Hikers on the Jones Hole Trail as it approaches the Green River
NPS/Dan Johnson
 
Length
4.25 miles one way / 8.5 mile round trip. Not a loop. This does not include the side trip to Ely Creek Falls
Level of Difficulty
Moderate
Trailhead Location
At the Jones Hole Fish Hatchery. A 47-mile drive on paved roads north of the Quarry Visitor Center. This road is normally plowed and kept open year round.
Your Safety
Be prepared for desert hiking: Take a hat, sunscreen, and water. A minimum of 2 quarts of water per person is recommended in the summer.
Let someone know where you are going and when you are due back, especially if hiking in a remote area.
Wear comfortable shoes, such as hiking boots or athletic shoes. Open-toed shoes are not recommended.
The area is frequented by wildlife including mountain lions and bears. Keep children close
Rules and Regulations
Pets are not allowed on this trail or in the backcountry.
Carry out all trash.
Collecting artifacts, fossils, plants, or other objects is prohibited.
Do not feed or approach wildlife.
Description

A pleasant hike along a babbling brook in the bottom of a lovely canyon. Basically level walking with a few ups and downs. Quite a bit of shade. Trail terminates at the Green River. Approximately 1.5 miles down the trail from the fish hatchery are several panels of Fremont petroglyphs and pictographs. After two miles, the Island Park trail intersects with the Jones Hole trail at Ely Creek.

A short walk up Island Park trail takes you to a small waterfall. Designated backcountry camping sites available near confluence of Ely Creek and Jones Hole Creek. Good trout fishing is available in Jones Hole Creek. A Utah fishing license is required. The National Geographic Trails Illustrated map of Dinosaur National Monument is available from the park bookstore.
 
Deluge Shelter pictographs
Pictographs at Deluge Shelter
NPS/Dan Johnson
 
Ely Creek Falls
A small waterfall on Ely Creek which is a short walk from the Jones hole Trail.
NPS/Dan Johnson

Did You Know?

Split Mountain

Split Mountain, the name John Wesley Powell gave to one of the Dinosaur’s most recognizable features, is aptly named: over millions of years, the Green River has carved a canyon into the center of the mountain, splitting it in two.