Overview
About Dinosaur National Monument.
150 million years ago, dinosaurs roamed here. Their fossils are still embedded in the rocks. Today, mountains, desert, and rivers flowing in canyons support a variety of life. Petroglyphs reveal the lives and connections of Indigenous people to this land. Homesteaders and outlaws found refuge here. Whether your passion is science, adventure, history, or scenery, Dinosaur offers much to explore.
AstronomyStargazingBikingRoad BikingCampingBackcountry CampingCar or Front Country CampingGroup CampingRV CampingFishingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - Auto
Weather
Dinosaur's climate is semiarid with temperatures averaging between 0°F to 30°F in January and 50°F to 100°F in July. Extreme winter low temperatures may reach -40°F and summer highs can top 110°F. Elevations within the park vary between 4,700 and 9,000 feet. Winter snow may be heavy at higher elevations while only light to moderate snow is found at lower elevations. Summer thunderstorms may cause heavy downpours and localized flooding, but fail to dampen parched soils less than a mile away.
Entrance Fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle$25.00
Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all its occupants. Admission is good for seven consecutive days. You can come and go any time with your seven-day pass.
Entrance - Motorcycle$20.00
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. You can come and go any time with your seven-day pass.
Entrance - Per Person$15.00
Admits one individual with no car. Typically used for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free. Admission is good for seven consecutive days. You can come and go any time with your seven-day pass.
Commercial Entrance - Van$50.00
Pass is valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Fees for commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicle regardless of actual number of passengers.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus$60.00
Pass is valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Fees for commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicle regardless of actual number of passengers.
Gallery
Photos of Dinosaur National Monument.
10 images
Things to do
Discover Dinosaur National Monument.
Be a Dinosaur Junior Ranger
Junior Rangers help to "Explore, Learn, and Protect" our national parks. Anyone can be a Junior Ranger! Once you learn about the monument and the amazing resources found here, you will be able to share your knowledge with friends and family!
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Bicycling at Dinosaur
Bicycling is allowed on any road within Dinosaur National Monument, but is not allowed on any trails. Paved roads within the monument are narrow, and often have no shoulders. Bicyclists should take proper measures to stay safe, and bring plenty of water in summer.
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Drive the Echo Park Road
1-4 HoursThe 14 mile (23 km) unpaved Echo Park Road takes drivers into the heart of Dinosaur National Monument. This rugged road begins along the Harpers Corner Road, winds through scenic canyon country, and ends near the banks of the Green River at Echo Park. High-clearance vehicles with all-wheel-drive (AWD) are strongly recommended. RVs and trailers are not advised. The road is impassable when wet.
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Drive the Harpers Corner Road
2-4 HoursHarpers Corner Scenic Drive is a 31 mile (50 km) paved road that offers wheelchair-accessible overlooks with spectacular views of Dinosaur's rivers and canyons. Along the way, visitors can enjoy picnic areas, as well as several paved paths and hiking trails. The road is accessible for most vehicles when clear of ice and snow. Harpers Corner Road is closed in winter, and reopens in spring when conditions allow.
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Drive the Island Park Road
2-4 HoursThe Island Park Road is an 18 mile (29 km) unpaved road that starts outside of Dinosaur National Monument and ends inside the park near the Ruple Ranch Site. The first 10 miles (16 km) are located outside of the park. The last 8 miles (13 km) reveal beautiful petroglyph panels at McKee Spring, a secluded campground at Rainbow Park, and stellar views of the Green River from Island Park. High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended. The road is impassable when wet.
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Drive the Tour of Tilted Rocks
1-4 HoursThis 10 mile (16) km paved tour along the Cub Creek Road in Utah provides a great introduction to Dinosaur National Monument. Take the Tour of Tilted Rocks to enjoy sweeping geology, historic homesteads, petroglyphs and pictographs, hiking trails, campgrounds, and scenic vistas! The road is usually accessible for passenger cars. Seasonal closures may affect the last 4 miles (6 km) of the road.
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Drive the Yampa Bench Road
2-6 HoursThe 18 mile (29 km) unpaved Yampa Bench Road offers visitors a look into the quieter side of Dinosaur. Running along a "bench" of land high above the Yampa River, visitors can experience incredible views and historic sites. High-clearance, four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles are strongly recommended for this rugged road. The road is impassable when wet.
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Fishing at Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument allows fishing as a means of providing for public enjoyment, and customary and traditional use, and regulates fishing to ensure that it is managed in a manner that avoids unacceptable impacts to park resources.
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Hike Sound of Silence Trail
1-3 Hours3.2 miles (5.1 km) round trip loop. Moderate to difficult. The Sound of Silence Trail takes hikers through the geologic diversity of Dinosaur National Monument. Hikers encounter a variety of terrain, including an intermittent stream bed, upturned rock layers, desert badlands, and slickrock. A short rock scramble is required. There is no shade on this trail. No pets allowed.
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