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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 »
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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 »
Places to Go: Rainbow Park & Island Park
View of the Green River at Rainbow Park NPS Visitors to the Rainbow Park and Island Park area, located on the Utah side of the monument approximately 30 miles (48 km) from the Quarry Visitor Center, can discover some of Dinosaur's most scenic geology, watch river rafters float past the Green River (or, with a little advance planning, be one of those river rafters), and explore petroglyphs and a historic ranch, both part of the monument's long human history. Picnicking and camping are also available in the area. Visiting the areas described below requires driving on unpaved roads. These roads are impassable when wet. Before heading to the Rainbow Park and Island Park area, stop at the visitor center for information on road conditions. A map of the Rainbow Park and Island Park area can be found here. 
Petroglyphs at McKee Springs NPS The Fremont people, who lived in this area approximately a thousand years ago, left evidence of their presence in petroglyphs (patterns chipped or carved into the rock) and pictographs (patterns painted on the rock). Petroglyph panels at McKee Springs include some of the finest large human-like designs in the Dinosaur area, as well as many other figures. The petroglyphs are a short walk from the roadside pullout. Ruple Ranch In 1882, Henry and May Ruple began homesteading in Island Park and developed a cattle ranch. The Ruples' son, Hod, took over the property in 1915. Later, Hod Ruple and his family switched from cattle ranching to sheep ranching. The property remained in the Ruple family until 1945. Although the family's original house burned in 1960, the corrals and loafing shed found on the site today were used in the Ruples' ranching operations. 
A raft trip departing Rainbow Park NPS River Rafting Raft trips must be arranged in advance. Learn more here.
View of the Green River from the Rainbow Park Campground. NPS Photo Rainbow Park Campground has three shady sites suitable for tent camping. There is no fee for this campground. The campground has picnic tables, firepits, and a vault toilet. There is no drinking water. Rainbow Park Campground is open year-round, but there is no winter maintenance on the dirt road leading to the campground. More information on camping at Dinosaur National Monument can be found here. Picnic Area Picnic tables, which are available in the Rainbow Park Campground, are located near the banks of the Green River and surrounded by spectacular scenery. The campground has a vault toilet, but there is no drinking water. Hiking The Island Park Trail is a rugged hike that leaves from near Rupple Ranch and traverses remote country until it reaches the Jones Hole Trail. This trail is not routinely maintained and can require route finding skills. It is 8 miles one way. |
Rainbow Park & Island Park Area Map
Maps
Did You Know?
How does an artist recreate a scene from the Jurassic era? Watch this video to see the development of scientific artist Liz Bradford’s painting-from sketches to completion-showing Dinosaur National Monument as it might have looked 150 million years ago. More...