Current Conditions

Monument Operations Due to COVID-19

Updated June 16, 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. Timed Ticket Reservations for the Quarry Exhibit Hall are required through June 30. Beginning July 1st. Capacity limits will be lifted and timed tickets will no longer be required. Consistent with CDC recommendations, people who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces. Unvaccinated visitors who cannot or choose not to wear masks are able to visit outdoor areas of the monument where social distancing between households is easy to maintain. Regardless of vaccination status, masks are required on the shuttle between the Quarry Visitor Center and the Quarry Exhibit Hall.
• Monument roads, overlooks, and trails that are normally open this time of year are open. See details below for specific roads and trails.
• Campgrounds are all open. Camping fees are charged, please pay in cash with exact change if possible. See details below for specific campgrounds.
• 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. 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 are currently closed, and the monument film will not be shown.
• All ranger programs including school field trips, night sky programs, guided walks, and talks are currently suspended. Self-guided junior ranger activity books are still available 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.

 

May 31, 2021 Update

We make every effort to update this page in a timely manner as conditions change. 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: open, drinking water available, for groups up to 8 people. Loop A & C are first-come, first-serve, and sites in Loop B are reservable through Recreation.gov.
Split Mountain Group Campground: open, drinking water available, for groups up to 25 people, by reservation through Recreation.gov.

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. Road is impassible when wet due to muddy conditions.
McKee Springs Petroglyph Trail: open.
Rainbow Park Campground: open, no drinking water available, all sites first-come, first-serve.

Harpers Corner & Echo Park Areas

Roads

Harpers Corner Road: open.
Echo Park Road: open. 4WD and high clearance recommended. Road is impassable when wet.
Yampa Bench Road: open, 4WD and high clearance recommended. Road has some deep ruts and sand in areas. Road is impassable when wet.

Campgrounds

Echo Park Campground: open, water available. Sites are first-come, first-serve, except for one group site for groups of 8-15 people that can be reserved through Recreation.gov.

Trails

Plug Hat Butte Area Trails: open.
Ruple Point Trail: open.
Harpers Corner Trail: open.

Deerlodge Park Area

Deerlodge Road: open.
Deerlodge Park Campground: open, water available, first-come, first-serve.

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, water available, first-come, first-serve.