Current Conditions

Alerts

Park Closure

• Important Shutdown Notice

  Alert 1 , Severity ,closure ,, Important Shutdown Notice During the government shutdown, the Quarry Exhibit Hall and Visitor Center are closed. Roads and trails at Dinosaur National Monument will remain accessible unless safety concerns warrant their closure. Emergency and rescue services will be limited.

Information

• Winter Road Closures

  Alert 1 , Severity ,information ,, Winter Road Closures Harpers Corner Road in Colorado is now closed at the Echo Park Road turnoff. Cub Creek Road in Utah is closed at the Blue Mountain Road intersection. Neither closure affects access to seeing the dinosaur fossils at the Quarry Exhibit Hall in Utah.
  more

---

 

We 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. During winter, some areas may receive heavy snow while others are clear and dry. If you are traveling to the monument and would like additional information, please call the visitor center at [phone] or email us.

 

December 6, 2018 Update
The first snowfall has arrived at the monument with heavier amounts at higher elevations. Many of the unpaved roads in the monument are now impassable. Travel on unpaved roads in the monument when wet or snow covered is not recommended due to clay and soft soils. Weather can be extremely unsettled and variable at Dinosaur during the winter. A sunny, dry, day can quickly change to cold, windy, rainy or snowy. Temperatures my fall below freezing or even below 0ºF. Visitors should check the weather before heading out to explore and always let somone know about their plans.

 

Dinosaur Quarry Area (Utah)
Cub Creek Road: closed at intersection with Blue Mountain Road. Last 1.8 miles is open for hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
Split Mountain Road: open.
Fossil Discovery Trail: snow covered. More information...
Sound of Silence Trail: snow covered. There may be elk/deer trails that create some confusion on location of trail. A $1 guide book for this trail is available at the Quarry Visitor Center or trailhead. More information...
Desert Voices Trail: snow covered. More information...
River Trail: snow covered. Leashed pets are allowed on this trail. More information...
Box Canyon Trail: snow covered. Road closed 1.8 miles before trailhead. More information...
Hog Canyon Trail: snow covered. Road closed 1.8 miles before trailhead. More information...
Green River Campground: closed for winter. More information...
Split Mountain Group Campground: open. Water is off for the winter. Winter rates in effect. More information...

 

Rainbow Park / Island Park Area (Utah)
Island Park Road: Travel not advised when the road is wet or snow covered due to clay soils. This road is not maintained in winter.
Rainbow Park Campground: open when accessible by road, no water.

 

Jones Hole Area (Utah)
Road to Fish Hatchery: clear. Call the Hatchery for current road conditions: 435-789-4481
Jones Hole Trail: snow covered.
Ely Creek / Island Park Trail: snow covered. Trail between Ely Creek waterfall and Ruple Ranch and may be difficult to follow anytime of the year.

 

Harpers Corner/Echo Park Area (Colorado)
Harpers Corner Road: Road is open 24 miles to Echo Park Road turnoff. Last five miles is closed. Watch for snow and ice. Be cautious of animals on the road, especially at dusk and dawn.
Echo Park Road: report received on December 4 that "dugway"portion of the road has significant snow drifts that make it impassable. Travel to Echo Park Road from the Yampa Bench Road is not advised when the roads are snow covered, wet or muddy. When road is passable, high clearance vehicles are recommended. Road is not maintained in winter.
Yampa Bench Road: Travel is not recommended on this road when wet or snow covered, due to clay soils. High clearance, all wheel drive vehicles are always recommended for this road. Check weather conditions prior to driving. Road is not maintained in winter.
Access Roads to Yampa Bench Road and Monument Boundary: Unknown.
Harpers Corner Trail: snow covered. Trailhead is not accessible by vehicle due to road closure. A $1 guide book for this trail is available at the visitor centers or trailhead. More Information...
Ruple Point Trail: snow covered. Trailhead is not accessible by vehicle due to road closure. More information...

 

Deerlodge Park (Colorado)
Deerlodge Road: snow covered. Road is not maintained in winter.

 

Gates of Lodore (Colorado)
Colorado Highway 318: clear.
Moffat County Roads 34 & 34N: snow covered. Some washboarding may be present.
Gates of Lodore Trail: snow covered. A $1 guide book for this trail is available at the trailhead or monument visitor centers. More information...
Gates of Lodore Campground: open. Water is turned off for the winter.