Current Conditions

 

Changes in Monument Operations Due to COVID-19
August 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 - Timed tickets are required to visit the Dinosuar Quarry Exhibit Hall (Also known as the Wall of Bones). Tickets are available to reserve through recreation.gov. Tickets often sell out for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Plan ahead and purchase your tickets prior to your visit.
• Canyon Visitor Center in Colorado - Facility capacity is being managed. If the facility is at capacity, you may be directed to return at another time.
• Monument roads, overlooks, and trails are open.
• River Trips including permitted daily trips through Split Mountain Canyon and multi day trips on the Green and Yampa rivers have resumed. Most launch dates have already been assigned for the 2020 season. Any remaining river permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis through Recreation.gov. If you have a concession-operated river trip scheduled, check with your concessioner on its status.
• Developed campgrounds at Split Mountain, Green River, Echo Park, Deerlodge Park, and Gates of Lodore are open for camping and have drinking water and restrooms available. Rainbow Park Campground is also open, with vault toilets and no drinking water. Camping fees are charged, please pay in cash with exact change if possible.
• Backcountry camping has resumed. 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. All backcountry permits will be issued by phone [phone] x0 from 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Permits will then be emailed to requester.
• Restrooms are available in all developed campgrounds; along the Harpers Corner Road at most scenic overlooks, and at the Canyon Visitor Center front patio 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 from 9am to 5pm, daily.
• Drinking water is available in all developed campgrounds except Rainbow Park; at the Canyon Visitor Center front patio in Colorado; and in Utah at the Quarry Visitor Center back patio, the top of the Fossil Discovery Trail near the Quarry Exhibit Hall parking lot, and at the Quarry Visitor Center from 9am to 5pm, daily.

Closed/Cancelled:

• 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 junior ranger programs are suspended until further notice.

While most operations have resumed, 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.

 

July 15, 2020 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

Cub Creek Road: open.
Split Mountain Road: open.
Josie Morris Ranch Road: open.
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, passable. Travel not advised when road is wet.
McKee Springs Petroglyph Trail: clear.

Harpers Corner & Echo Park Areas

Harpers Corner Road: open, clear.
Echo Park Road: Passable. High clearance, 4WD vehicles advised. Impassable when wet.
Yampa Bench Road: passable. High clearance, 4WD vehicles advised. Impassable when wet.
Plug Hat Butte Area Trails: open.
Ruple Point Trail: open.
Harpers Corner Trail: open. Trail booklet available at trailhead.

Deerlodge Park Area

Deerlodge Road: open.
Deerlodge Park Campground water is now off.

Jones Hole Area

Jones Hole Trail: open.

Gates of Lodore Area

Colorado HWY 318: clear.
Moffat County HWY 34 & 34N: open, clear. Some washboard areas within monument.
Gates of Lodore Trail: open. Trail booklet available at trailhead.