Current Conditions

 

Monument Operations Due to COVID-19

Updated December 7, 2020

The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. Based on guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, access to Dinosaur National Monument is as follows:

Open:

• Quarry Visitor Center and Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall in Utah are open. Visitors are requested to wear masks and maintain distance between groups.
• Monument roads, overlooks, and trails are open.
• Campgrounds at Split Mountain, Echo Park, Deerlodge Park, Rainbow Park and Gates of Lodore are open for camping. All campgrounds have vault toilets, but no drinking water. Camping fees are charged, please pay in cash with exact change if possible.
• Backcountry camping is permitted, and free permits are required. Campers need to be familiar with the monument’s backcountry regulations and know where they will enter, exit, and camp prior to requesting a permit. Vehicle information (color, make, model, year, licence plate) is also required. Backcountry permits will be issued in advance by phone [phone] x0 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Fridays through Tuesdays. Permits will then be emailed to requester. Backcountry permits may also be issued in person at the Quarry Visitor Center from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Fridays through Tuesdays.
• Restrooms are available in campgrounds; along the Harpers Corner Road at most scenic overlooks in Colorado; in Utah, along the Cub Creek Road at Josie’s Cabin, Split Mountain Boat Ramp, at the top of the Fossil Discovery Trail near the Quarry Exhibit Hall parking lot, and at the Quarry Visitor Center when it is open.

Closed/Canceled:

• Theaters in the visitor centers remain closed and the monument film will not be shown.
• All ranger programs including night sky programs, guided walks, and talks are suspended until further notice. Self-guided junior ranger activity books are still availble upon request.

Changes to hours and/or facility closings may occur without warning.

When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders including the practice of social distancing, avoid crowding, wearing masks, if appropriate, and avoid high-risk outdoor activities. Also, please practice Leave No Trace principles, and avoid crowding and high-risk outdoor activities.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

 

January 5, 2021 Update

We make every effort to update this page in a timely manner. Dinosaur National Monument spans over 210,000 acres and ranges in elevation from 4,700 ft to over 9,000 ft above sea level. Conditions can vary widely from one area of the monument to another. Be prepared for possible changing conditions throughout the monument.

Dinosaur Quarry and Cub Creek Area

Roads

Cub Creek Road: open for eight miles with some slippery areas. Road closed to vehicles to Stops 13 petroglyphs, 14 (Lizard Trail) petroglyphs and Josie's Cabin.
Split Mountain Road: open.
Josie Morris Ranch Road: closed to vehicles. Open to foot traffic.

Campgrounds

Green River Campground: closed for the season.
Split Mountain Campground: open to all campers, no water available. All sites are first come, first serve. Expect snow, ice and possible muddy conditions.

Trails

Fossil Discovery Trail: open. Expect snow, ice and possible muddy conditions.
Sound of Silence Trail: open. Trail booklet available at trailhead. Expect snow, ice and possible muddy conditions.
Desert Voices Trail: open. Expect snow, ice and possible muddy conditions.
River Trail: open. Leashed pets permitted. Pick up and dispose of pet waste. Expect snow, ice and possible muddy conditions.
Lizard Petroglyph Trail: open. Access to trailhead by vehicle is closed. Expect snow, ice and possible muddy conditions.
Box Canyon Trail: open. Access to trailhead by vehicle is closed. Expect snow, ice and possible muddy conditions.
Hog Canyon Trail: open. Access to trailhead by vehicle is closed. Expect snow, ice and possible muddy conditions.

Rainbow Park & Island Park Area

Island Park Road: open, but impassible when wet.Travel not recommended due to snow and possible muddy conditions.
McKee Springs Petroglyph Trail: open.Travel not recommended due to snow and possible muddy conditions.
Rainbow Park Campground: open, no water available.Travel not recommended due to snow and possible muddy conditions.

Harpers Corner & Echo Park Areas

Roads

Harpers Corner Road: road open 5 miles to Plug Hat Butte. Harpers Corner Road is then closed beyond that point. Expect new snow and icy conditions. 4WD recommended.
Echo Park Road: open. Not accessable via Harpers Corner Road due to the road's closure at Plug Hat Butte.
Yampa Bench Road: open.Travel not recommended due to new snow and possible muddy conditions making road impassable. Beneath the snow, road is in poor condition, extremely rutted and sandy in areas, making it difficult even for 4WD.

Campgrounds

Echo Park Campground: open, no water available.Travel to campground not recommended. At the creek crossings going into the campground, there is as much as a 6" wall of ice on either side of the creek. Going past the Echo Park Campground towards the boat launch there is an approximately 18" high wall of ice around the creek crossing. It is inadvisable for anyone to attempt to navigate the creek crossing in a vehicle.

Trails

Plug Hat Butte Area Trails: open. Expect snow and possible mud.
Ruple Point Trail: access to trailhead by vehicle is closed.
Harpers Corner Trail: access to trailhead by vehicle is closed.

Deerlodge Park Area

Deerlodge Road: open. Snow and slippery conditions may exist in some areas.
Deerlodge Park Campground: open, no water available. Snow and muddy conditions may exist.

Jones Hole Area

Jones Hole Trail: open. Snow and muddy conditions may exist.

Gates of Lodore Area

Colorado HWY 318: snow and muddy conditions may exist.
Moffat County HWY 34 & 34N: open. Snow and muddy conditions may exist. Some washboard areas within monument.
Gates of Lodore Trail: open. Snow and muddy conditions may exist. Trail booklet available at trailhead.
Gates of Lodore Campground: open, no water available. Snow and muddy conditions may exist.