Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument is a United States National Monument spanning from Northwestern Colorado into Northeastern Utah.
Understand
The monument was created in 1915 to protect an extensive deposit of fossilized dinosaur skeletons as well as pictographs dating back 10,000 years. The monument is divided into two districts, the Canyon Area on the east side and the Dinosaur Quarry on the west side. Each district has its own visitor center. Pets are allowed inside the monument but must be on a leash no longer than 6 ft (1.8 m). Pets are not allowed inside any buildings or on any hiking trails.
History
Dinosaur National Monument's cultural history dates back 10,000 years. The Yampa and Green Rivers have provided water for survival in an arid country. Indian rock art in the form of petroglyphs and pictographs provide evidence that many people have come before modern travellers. The Fremont Indians lived in the canyons in Dinosaur National Monument 800 - 1,200 years ago. Following the Fremont were the Ute and Shoshone, who are still found in the area today. Early settlers left their mark on the landscape with their homesteads. Those who had access to the rivers and a constant flow of water survived, while others dried up with drought and moved away. Now, many of the remains of homesteads are found alongside the Indian art work of the past.
The park's value as a site for dinosaur remains was established when paleontologist Earl Douglass first came to Utah looking for mammal fossils. He returned in 1909 and discovered an immense deposit of dinosaur bones, now protected at Dinosaur National Monument. Although made famous by dinosaurs, Douglass died preferring his beloved mammal fossils over dinosaurs.
Landscape
This part of Utah and Colorado is rocky-desert, with sinuous canyons deep-cut by rivers.
Flora and fauna
Climate
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Dinosaur's climate is semiarid with temperatures averaging between 0°F (-17°C) to 30°F (-1°C) in January and 50°F (10°C) to 100°F (38°C) in July. Elevations within the park vary between 4700 and 9000 feet. Winter snow makes roads at higher elevations impassable while only light to moderate snow is found at lower elevations. Summer thunderstorms often cause heavy downpours and localized flooding, but may fail to dampen parched soils less than a mile away.
Get in
By road
Both districts of the Monument are accessed via U.S. Highway 40. From Salt Lake City, take I-80 east to US 40 east, about 4 1/4 hours and 185 mi (297 km). From Provo, take US 189 north to US 40 east, about 4 hours and 166 mi (267 km). From Denver, take I-70 west, to SR 9 north, then to US 40 west, about 5 hours and 285 mi (459 km).
Fees/Permits
Fees are charged from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. All permits are valid for seven days.
- Private passenger vehicle - $10
- Motorcycle - $5 for single rider, $10 for double rider
- Hiker/bicyclist - $5
There are several passes for groups traveling together in a private vehicle or individuals on foot/bike that provide free entry to Dinosaur National Monument and all national parks, as well as some national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and national forests:
- The $80 Annual Pass (valid for twelve months from date of issue) can be purchased by anyone. Military personnel can obtain a free pass by showing a Common Access Card (CAC) or Military ID.
- The $80 Senior Pass (valid for the life of the holder) is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. Applicants must provide documentation of citizenship and age. This pass also provides a 50% discount on some park amenities. Seniors can also obtain a $20 annual pass.
- The free Access Pass (valid for the life of the holder) is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentation of citizenship and permanent disability. This pass also provides a fifty percent discount on some park amenities.
- The free Volunteer Pass is available to individuals who have volunteered 250 or more hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program.
- The free Annual 4th Grade Pass (valid for September to August of the 4th grade school year) allows entry to the bearer and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle. Registration at the Every Kid Outdoors website is required.
The National Park Service offers free admission to all national parks on five days every year:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January); next observance is January 20, 2025
- The first day of National Park Week (third Saturday in April); next observance is April 19, 2025
- The National Park Service Birthday (August 25)
- National Public Lands Day (fourth Saturday in September); next observance is September 28, 2024
- Veterans Day (November 11)
Get around
Harpers Corner Road is closed from mid-December to approximately Easter due to snow at the higher elevations.
All dirt roads in the park are clay based and impassable when wet, even with four-wheel drive vehicles. These roads are Echo Park Road, Yampa Bench Road, Island Park Road and the road into Gates of Lodore. These roads are not maintained in the winter and can be impassable due to snow. The use of chains on wet clay roads renders the roads all but impassable for those who follow. Waiting for several hours will allow the roads to dry, leaving them in drivable condition for all visitors.
See
Dinosaur Quarry district
- Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Center, Highway 149 north of Jensen (North of Highway 40), ☏ +1 435 781-7700. Labor Day-Memorial Day Weekend: Daily - 8:30AM-4:30PM, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day; Memorial Day Weekend-Labor Day Weekend: daily - 8:30AM-5:30PM. The Dinosaur Quarry district contains rich deposits of fossilized dinosaurs skeletons, most of which are under the protective covering of the Permanent Quarry Visitor Center.
Canyon Area district
- Canyon Area Visitor Center, 4545 Highway 40, Dinosaur, UT (2 miles east of Dinosaur to Harpers Corner Road, north on Harpers Corner Road, first right into the parking lot), ☏ +1 970 374-3000, fax: +1 970 374-3003. October 29-May 1: Closed; May 2-Memorial Day Weekend: 8:30AM-4:30, closed M-Tu; Memorial Day Weekend-August 30: daily - 8:30AM-4:30PM; September 1-October 26: 8:30AM-4:30PM, closed M-Tu. The Canyon Area is a region of deep, twisting canyons. Petroglyphs can be seen here but the district contains no dinosaur fossils.
Do
Hiking
Each district has numerous trails of varying length and difficulty.
- Dinosaur Quarry District. 6 trails ranging from 1/2 mi (0.8 km) to 3 mi (4.8 km)
- Canyon Area District. 4 trails ranging from 1/4 mi (0.4 km) to 8 mi (13 km), one of which is handicapped-accessible.
River Rafting
The Green and Yampa Rivers pass through the monument, offering Class III and Class IV rapids. Unless you are an experienced river rafter, do no attempt without a professional guide.
- Private boats - $15 application fee, plus $20 for a one-day permit or $185 for a multi-day permit.
- Commercial guide trips - See the Dinosaur NM website for a current list of authorized commercial guides. [1]
Buy
Eat
There are no restaurants within Dinosaur National Monument. However, several picnic areas provide a relaxing atmosphere with a view. Picnic areas are located:
- Near the Split Mountain boat ramp along the Tour of the Tilted Rocks self-guided auto tour near the Temporary Visitor Center.
- At the Josie Bassett Morris homestead at the end of the Tour of the Tilted Rocks self-guided auto tour near the Temporary Visitor Center.
- At Plug Hat Butte along the Harpers Corner Auto Tour road in the Canyon Area of the park.
- At the Canyon Overlook along the Harpers Corner Auto Tour road in the Canyon Area of the park.
- At the Harpers Corner Trailhead along the Harpers Corner Auto Tour road in the Canyon Area of the park.
Nearby communities offer a variety of dining options.
Sleep
Lodging
There is no lodging within Dinosaur National Monument. However, the nearby communities of Vernal, Dinosaur and Rangely have lodging. Obtaining lodging in the area can be difficult; it is recommended that you reserve lodging ahead of time if you plan on staying in the area overnight.
Camping
Dinosaur Quarry District
- Green River Campground, 5 mi (8 km) east of the Temporary Visitor Center. Open from mid-April to mid-October. 88 tent or RV spaces (no hookups). Drinking water and flush toilets are available but there are no showers. $12/night.
- Split Mountain Group Campground, At the Split Mountain boat ramp (4 mi (6 km) east of the Temporary Visitor Center), ☏ +1 435 781-7759. Open from mid-April to mid-October. 4 group sites, up to 20 people per site. Flush toilets and drinking water are available but there are no showers. Reservations are required. In the off-season, general camping is allowed without reservation for no charge; However, there is only a vault toilet available and there is no water. $25/night.
- Rainbow Park Campground, Near Green River boat ramp (26 miles from the Temporary Visitor Center). 4 tent sites, no water, vault toilet. The road to the campground is a dirt road and is impassible when wet. Free.
Canyon Area District
- Echo Park Campground, Near confluence of Green and Yampa Rivers (38 miles north of the Canyon Area Visitor Center), ☏ +1 435 781-7759. 22 tent sites, one being handicapped-accessible. One group site, up to 20 people. Running water (from mid-April to Sept.), vault toilets, no showers. High-clearance vehicles are required to access the campground, the last 13 mi (21 km) are on a dirt road. Reservations are not required except for the group site (call for reservation) Mid-April to Sept: $8/night; Sept. to mid-April: Free.
- Gates of Lodore Campground, Near Lodore boat ramp on the Green River (Head of Lodore Canyon, 106 mi (170 m) north of the Canyon Area Visitor Center). 17 tent or RV sites, no hookups. Running water (from mid-April to Sept.), vault toilets, no showers. Mid-April to Sept: $8/night; Sept. to mid-April: Free.
- Deerlodge Campground, Near boat ramp at the head of Yampa Canyon (53 mi (85 km) east of the Canyon Area Visitor Center). 7 tent sites. Running water (from mid-April to Oct.), vault toilets, no showers. Mid-April to Sept: $8/night; Sept. to mid-April: Free.
Backcountry
Most of Dinosaur National Monument's 210,000 acres is proposed wilderness. With proper planning, a backcountry trip at Dinosaur can be a wonderful experience of solitude and serenity. Wilderness camping is allowed with a free permit that can be obtained at the visitor center or by phone (+1 435 781-7700 or +1 970 374-3000).
The park's backcountry rules are that you must have a permit and adhere to the following restrictions:
- Campsite must be at least one mile from developed areas, like the Dinosaur Quarry and boat ramps.
- Campsite must be at least 1/4 mile from roads.
- Campsite must be at least 1/4 mile from hiking trails.
- Campsite must be at least 300 feet from water.
- Campsite must be at least 1/4 mile from cultural sites.
- Campsite must be at least 1/8 mile from the Green or Yampa rivers. (River campsites are closed to backpackers during the high-use river-running season, which is the second Monday in May until the second Friday in September.)
There is one designated backcountry camping area within the park which must be reserved in advance:
- Jones Hole Creek, Confluence of Jones Hole Creek and Ely Creek, along the Jones Hole hiking trail, ☏ +1 435 781-7700. 2 sites that accommodate up to 8 people at each. Water from creek, vault toilet, pack trash out. Reservation required. Free.
Stay safe
Vehicle
Keep your vehicle's gas tank above half-full. Distances can be deceptively long between services. Watch for wildlife on monument and nearby roads. Wildlife can be abundant along roads during all seasons. Please observe speed limits and be aware of wildlife in the road corridor. Four wheel drive may not be enough on some monument roads. Many park roads are clay-surfaced (unpaved), and become impassable when wet no matter what kind of vehicle you have. Get weather and road condition reports before traversing park roads.
Weather
Dinosaur is a land of extremes; please dress appropriately for the season. Summer temperatures can soar over 100F (38C); winter temperatures can drop well below 0 F (-18C). Summer nighttime temperatures can be cool. Dress appropriately, including proper shoes and headwear, use sunscreen. Dressing in non-cotton layers allows you to add and remove clothing as needed while not retaining moisture that can lead to hypothermia.
Always carry and drink plenty of water. Extreme temperatures, high elevation, and an arid landscape can lead to rapid water loss. Many locations may not have water readily accessible and may require backpackers/hikers to carry fresh water. All water gathered in the monument must be treated before consumption.
Trails
Watch Your Step. Trails are often rocky and uneven, and other hazards may be present. Slow down, enjoy the scenery, and watch your step.
Carry food with you. At higher elevations your body must work harder than at lower elevations; more work means more calories burned. The monument ranges from 4700 feet to over 9000 feet in elevation. Salty foods can replace electrolytes lost through sweating. Eating helps your body use water efficiently.
Afternoon thunderstorms during summer are common, and lighting can strike from miles away. During summer thunderstorms avoid high, bare rock surfaces to prevent being struck by lightning. If caught outside find the lowest point possible that is not near a tree or other tall object, and make yourself small/short. Also be aware of flash flooding in canyons; a storm miles away can send a wall of water raging down a canyon, flooding it within minutes, emptying just as fast.
Wildlife
Most wildlife is more scared of you than you are of them. You might, however, surprise or startle wildlife or accidentally make an animal feel threatened. Watch where you walk; if you do come across wildlife, give it plenty of space as well as an escape route. Small children and pets may be particularly vulnerable – keep your group together at all times. Be wary of animals that are being aggressive.
Snakes are an important and beneficial part of the ecosystem. Most snakes found in the monument are non-poisonous, but two are poisonous: the midget faded rattlesnake, and prairie rattlesnake. Snakes, like all wildlife in the monument, should be observed and enjoyed from a safe distance.
Plants can bite, too. Many plants, including cactus, greasewood, Russian thistle, and others can scratch, stick, or otherwise be dangerous. Watch where you put your hands and feet.
Go next
- Jensen - The closest town to the park borders, offering limited services.
- Vernal - This town in Utah is located southwest of the park's borders.
- Dinosaur - Located in Colorado southeast of the park's entrance.
- Rangely - Located in Colorado to the southeast of the town of Dinosaur.