Current Conditions

Alerts

Caution

  • Alert 1 , Severity ,caution ,, Fall Storm Impacts Monument A strong storm hit the monument with heavy rain on Thursday, September 22. The Fossil Discovery Trail remains closed due to storm damage. The Island Park Road to the Rainbow Park area is also closed. The Dinosaur Quarry and visitor center are open.
    more

Information

 

We will try to update this page in a timely manner, however, due to the range in elevations and soil types for our roads and trails, conditions can change rapidly in Dinosaur National Monument. The Echo Park and Island Park Roads often become impassable after a rain storm. during winter, some areas may receive heavy snow while others are clear and dry. If you are headed into the park and you have doubts about the accuracy of this information, please call the visitor center at (435) 781-7700 or email us.

 

September 28, 2016 Update
A strong fall storm impacted the monument with significant rainfall. The Island Park Road which provides access to the McKee Spring Petroglyphs, Rainbow Park Campground and Boat Ramp and the Ruple Ranch area is closed until further notice. The Fossil Discovery Trail remains closed due to storm damage.

Visitors should check the weather before heading out to explore. Travel on unpaved roads in the monument immediately after a rainstorm is not recommended due to the soft soils of the road beds.


 

Dinosaur Quarry Area (Utah)
Split Mountain Road: Open
Cub Creek Road: Open all the way to the Josie Morris Ranch.
Fossil Discovery Trail: Closed due to storm damage.
Sound of Silence Trail: Flooding on September 22 washed away many directional signs and trail markers. Trail is open but hikers will find the trail difficult to follow in places. Route finding skills are necessary. Hikers will also encounter deep mud and eroded areas. Lots of elk/deer trails may create some confusion on location of trail.
Desert Voices: Some muddy areas.
River Trail: Clear. Leashed pets are allowed on this trail.
Box Canyon Trail: Clear.
Hog Canyon Trail: Clear.

 

Rainbow Park / Island Park Area (Utah)
Island Park Road: Road is currently closed and impassable due to damage caused by the recent heavy rainfall. Projected reopening date is unknown. This road is not maintained in winter. Travel into this area is not advised during winter.

 

Jones Hole Area (Utah)
Road to Fish Hatchery: Clear. Avoid traveling on road during snowstorms.
Jones Hole Trail: Clear. Some muddy area.
Ely Creek / Island Park Trail: Some muddy areas. Trail maintained to waterfall. Trail beyond waterfall to Ruple Ranch and may be difficult to follow.

 

Harpers Corner/Echo Park Area (Colorado)
Harpers Corner Road: Road is open and clear. Watch for falling rocks at Plug Hat Butte. Watch for animals, especially at dusk and dawn.
Echo Park Road: Small washouts occurred during recent storm. High clearance 4WD vehicles only advised. Travel not advised when road is wet. High clearance vehicles are recommended when road is passable.
Yampa Bench Road: Conditions unknown. Travel not advised when road is wet. High clearance all wheel drive vehicles are always recommended for this road. Check weather conditions prior to driving.
Access Roads to Yampa Bench Road and Monument Boundary: Unknown, probably muddy and rutted due to heavy rain. Check weather conditions prior to driving.
Harpers Corner Trail: Clear.
Ruple Point Trail: Clear.

 

Deerlodge Park (Colorado)
Deerlodge Road: Road construction continues. Visitors may experience delays This road is not maintained in winter and travel is not recommended.

 

Gates of Lodore (Colorado)
Colorado Highway 318: Some rutted areas.
Moffat Count Roads 34 & 34N: Some rutted area.

Contact the Park

Mailing Address:

4545 Hwy 40
Dinosaur, CO 81610

Phone:

(435) 781-7700
Phones are answered during normal business hours if staff are available. Voicemails are responded to as soon as possible.

Contact Us

Tools

Stay Connected