Current Conditions

 

Monument Operations Due to COVID-19

Updated April 12, 2021

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. Reservations required beginning May 1. Visitors are still required to wear masks in all federal buildings and maintain distance between groups. Visitors who choose not to wear masks are able to visit outdoor areas of the monument where social distancing between households is easy to maintain.
• Monument roads, overlooks, and trails that are normally open this time of year are open. See details below for specific roads and trails.
• 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. The Green River Campground is expected to be open by April 16.
• 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 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Permits will then be emailed to requester. Backcountry permits may also be issued in person at the Quarry Visitor Center.
• 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 school field trips, 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.

 

April 3, 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 including Josie Morris Cabin Road: open.
Split Mountain Road: open.

Campgrounds

Green River Campground: closed. Anticipated to open with water on by April 16.
Split Mountain Campground: open for first-come, first-served primitive camping, no water. Anticipated to open with water on for groups by April 16. Reservations for groups in Split Mountain begin April 17.

Trails

Fossil Discovery Trail: open.
Sound of Silence Trail: open. Trail booklet available at trailhead.

Desert Voices Trail: open.
River Trail: open. Leashed pets permitted. Pick up and dispose of pet waste.

Lizard Petroglyph Trail: open.
Box Canyon Trail: open.
Hog Canyon Trail: open.

Rainbow Park & Island Park Area

Island Park Road: open. Possible muddy or rutted areas. Road is impassible when wet due to muddy conditions.
McKee Springs Petroglyph Trail: open.
Rainbow Park Campground: open, no water available.

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. Snow removal at higher elevations along this road are ongoing. Anticipated to open past Plug Hat Butte by April 17. Drivers who access the Harpers Corner Road via country roads will find locked gates on the sections of Harpers Corner Road that remain closed.
Echo Park Road: Not accessible via Harpers Corner Road due to the road's closure at Plug Hat Butte. Expected to have areas of mud and snow.
Yampa Bench Road: open, but not recommended even for 4WD and high clearance. Road is in poor condition, extremely muddy, rutted, with very deep sand in areas. Drivers on county roads attempting to access the east end of the Yampa Bench Road may encounter deep snow and mud.

Campgrounds

Echo Park Campground: open, no water available. Not accessible via Harpers Corner Road due to the road's closure at Plug Hat Butte. Travel via the Yampa Bench Road is not recomended due to areas of deep mud and snow.

Trails

Plug Hat Butte Area Trails: open.
Ruple Point Trail: trailhead not accessible via Harpers Corner Road due to the road's closure at Plug Hat Butte.
Harpers Corner Trail: trailhead not accessible via Harpers Corner Road due to the road's closure at Plug Hat Butte.

Deerlodge Park Area

Deerlodge Road: clear.
Deerlodge Park Campground: open, no water available.

Jones Hole Area

Jones Hole Trail: open.

Gates of Lodore Area

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