• Camarasaurus skull still embedded in the quarry face

    Dinosaur

    National Monument CO,UT

Ruple Point Trail

Split Mountain Gorge from Ruple Point
From the viewpoint at the end of the Ruple Point Trail, you can see the Green River winding through Split Mountain Gorge.
Dan Johnson
 
Length
4.75 miles one way / 9.5 mile round trip. Not a loop.
Level of Difficulty
Moderate to difficult. Trail may be difficult to follow in some areas.
Trailhead Location
Island Park Overlook on the Harpers Corner Road, 27 miles north of the Canyon Visitor Center
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're going and when you're due back, especially if you're hiking in a remote area.
Wear comfortable shoes, such as hiking boots or athletic shoes. Open-toed shoes are not recommended.
There is very little shade except at the very end of the trail. The trail is hard to follow as you descend at the end.
Use caution around the cliffs at the end of the trail.
Rules and Regulations
Pets are not allowed on trails or in the backcountry.
Carry out all trash.
Collecting artifacts, fossils, plants, or other objects is prohibited.
Do not feed or approach wildlife.
Description
For most of its length, Ruple Point Trail crosses a rolling terrain filled with sagebrush and juniper. Near the end of the trail, a short descent rewards hikers with a breathtaking views of Split Mountain Canyon and the Green River 2,500 feet (762 meters) below. The National Geographic Trails Illustrated map of Dinosaur National Monument is available from the park bookstore.
 
Scenery along the Ruple Point trail
The hike out to Ruple Point gives just a hint of the scenery that lies at the end of the trail.
Dan Johnson
 
View into canyon with river at bottom.
The view at Ruple Point is well worth the four-mile hike out to the point.
NPS PHOTO/Mike Weinstein

Did You Know?

Picture of anthropomorphic figure holding a circular shape pecked into a rock.

Do you know the difference between a petroglyph (pictured here) and a pictograph? Petroglyphs are images pecked into rock while pictographs are painted images. Dinosaur National Monument preserves both forms of Native American rock art.