Dinosaur National Monument offers a variety of camping options across both Colorado and Utah sides of the park. Established campgrounds like Green River, Echo Park, and Gates of Lodore provide designated tent and RV sites with amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Several dispersed camping areas exist near the monument boundaries, including North of Dinosaur CR16 where campers can find free primitive sites on public land. The area supports both frontcountry camping with basic amenities and remote backcountry experiences with varying levels of accessibility.
Road conditions significantly impact access to several campgrounds in the area, particularly Echo Park and Rainbow Park. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for many of the dirt access roads, which can become impassable during wet weather. Seasonal operations affect availability, with most developed campgrounds open from April through October. Summer temperatures can be extreme, while mosquitoes are frequently mentioned as a concern in riverside areas. Campgrounds within the monument typically charge $6-20 per night, while dispersed camping on surrounding BLM land is generally free. "The road in and out is not for the faint of heart but if you get past the fear of falling off a steep cliff, it is actually quite beautiful," noted one visitor about the Echo Park access road.
Campers consistently highlight the dramatic canyon scenery and riverside settings as major draws to the area. Echo Park Campground receives praise for its location near Steamboat Rock and the confluence of the Green and Yampa rivers, though several reviews mention overwhelming mosquito populations during certain times. The remote nature of many sites offers exceptional stargazing opportunities and wildlife viewing. Dispersed sites along CR16 are described as peaceful with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Several visitors mentioned appreciating the solitude, with one noting they found "no one around, no one else on the planet." Water access is limited at most sites, with campers advised to bring their own supplies for dispersed camping areas where no facilities exist.
$24 / night
"You are steps away from the river. They are huge campsites that can fit a large group. Great spot to enjoy the beauty of Dinosaur National Monument"
"Great camping spot at Dinosaur National Monument. Awesome trails and has spigot throughout for water."
$12 - $25 / night
"Situated where the Green and Yampa rivers merge, you are surrounded by amazing cliffs with the main feature being Streamboat Rock. Campsites are very nice and clean."
"We only stayed one night and it was really windy, however, we still walked around and enjoyed the path along the river and the towering cliffs. "
"Just randomly driving thru Colorado and run into Dinasaur and a peaceful off grid place to camp. No one around. No one else on the planet. Great place to stop."
"I drove further down the road slightly over the utah border and it was silent and serene with beautiful views. All the spots available on this road were gorgeous."
$12 - $14 / night
"This campground is in the most remote part of the Dinosaur National Monument. Big campspots with a few Cottonwood trees right on the Green River. Can be busy with rafts launching and retrieving."
"This spot is in a pretty remote section of Northwest Colorado so it's pretty calm and quiet."
$12 - $40 / night
"This campsite is in the middle of the Dinosaur National Monument on the green river. It is a small campground with a group site and some individual picnic / camp sites."
"SEPTEMBER 2020 This campsite is in the first few miles of Dinosaur National Monument along the Green River."
$12 / night
"Each shaded site is equipped with fire ring with attached grill, an adjacent picnic table, and spots for a maximum of 2 tents in each campsite."
"The river runs directly behind camp and trails run through the hills. If you're lucky, you will come across the herd of elk roaming the grounds."
"Must pay entrance fee or arrive after 5)"
"Two of my friends and I stayed at this spot one night and I wish we had more time to spend at this spot because of the location, beauty, and remote feeling."
$40 - $200 / night
"Very scenic lake camping. Beautiful formations, lake is clean, and not too busy, especially since we were there during July 4th weekend."
"To keep it fairly brief, the camp sites are mainly situated around a large, open, slightly uneven grass area which is great for tent camping and day activities (volleyball, frisbee, catch, BBQing.)"
"Don't go here if you are not familiar with driving on loose sand. It would be fairly easy to get stuck in the middle of nowhere."
"There used to be a road going farther down to more sites but it is closed to motorized vehicles now. The dirt road coming in is a bit rough but I made it with an SUV and 16’ TT. Just go slow."
"Right outside visitor center for Dinosaur national monument, Quarry wall of dinosaur bones and several self guided auto tours with stops along the way. No shade. No fire pits. New facility."
"Awesome spot to stop and launch off on adventures into Dinosaurs national monument. Would stay here again when I come to visit. Staff was very nice and accommodating and very quiet at night."
RangerWe were there in mid-January and grateful to find the unlocked pit toilet. The place was quiet and dark (it was January and NO ONE was around). We saw wild horses a little further away from where we parked the van.
TravelerThis is in a GREAT location, and was perfect for a one-night stay on the road. I imagine it would also be great for a visit to the nearby Park. Main Street is 1 mile away, and has many restaurants and shops. Bathrooms were clean. Inexplicably, however, the park smelled like fish: like the leftovers from a fish-centric farmer’s market, or like someone had been cleaning fish all over the park.
GuideSolitary, beautiful, calming. If ever I needed just such a spot. Vast and accessible to all vehicles. Thanks Utah !!!
RangerNot much flat ground for tent other than the lower portion nearest the highway. Plenty of good area for trucks or vans. A LOT of trash and broken glass scattered around. Random people stopped by to shoot into the distance a few times and then keep driving. It would be a good place to bring a buggy or dirtbike though lots of hills and trails.
TravelerI just wanted to get away for a single night, and this spot was an easy pull off with plentiful choices, and lots of elbow room. I didn’t have my mountain bike, but it would be an awesome spot for a fun floaty, easy mountain bike weekend too.
RangerDon't go here if you are not familiar with driving on loose sand. It would be fairly easy to get stuck in the middle of nowhere. And that is the best part - it's the middle of nowhere with fabulous vistas of the layered rock buttes behind and the valley below. I'd happily go again and stay awhile.
ScoutWe did a mid Oct. stay here and had the place to ourselves. The dirt road was in good condition and easy to drive on. We did have to open a gate and it was really hard to open. Other than that it was a great spot next to the water.
LegendBeautiful site along the Green River within Dinosaur National Monument. We arrived about 4 pm on a Sunday in October so had several FCFS sites to choose from. There is a nice easy-moderate trail along the river from Loop A Of the campground. Quiet with clean, basic bathrooms. Lots of cottonwood trees changing color now.
TravelerCame at the end of the season (early October). Lots of sites to choose from. Friendly and helpful Camp Manager. Took a day trip into Vernal.
Campsite tucked back into the pines. Nice and private. Clean and warm showers.
Dinosaur National Monument camping options range from primitive sites with spectacular night skies to more developed campgrounds with essential amenities. The monument spans approximately 210,000 acres across the Colorado-Utah border with elevations ranging from 4,700 to 9,000 feet. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F at lower elevations while spring and fall offer milder conditions with temperatures between 60-80°F during the day.
Hiking to petroglyphs: Rainbow Park Campground provides access to nearby petroglyphs that make for an excellent day activity. "Lots of small winding trails all over the landscape to explore. Very close to some of the coolest petroglyphs also," notes a visitor to Rainbow Park Campground.
Water activities: The Green River offers excellent kayaking and swimming opportunities. At Red Fleet State Park Campground, visitors can "rent kayaks and kayak over to see the dinosaur footprints. This was our first time seeing anything of the like, and it absolutely blew our minds!"
Stargazing: The remote nature of many camping locations provides exceptional dark sky viewing. A camper at North of Dinosaur CR16 dispersed site mentioned, "The skies were very dark at night, perfect for seeing shooting stars and the milky way."
Wildlife encounters: Many campsites offer opportunities to observe local fauna. At Rainbow Park Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "If you're lucky, you will come across the herd of elk roaming the grounds."
River access: Several campgrounds provide direct access to the Green River. At Split Mountain Group Campground, a camper enjoyed "a private path to the river & a nice little swimming hole area. Our dog was in heaven!"
Solitude: The remote nature of many sites offers peaceful camping experiences. A visitor to North of Dinosaur CR16 described their experience as "Peaceful and low-mid T-Mobile," while another noted, "We were all alone. Not sure how many spots are there."
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require navigation of unpaved roads that become impassable in wet conditions. A visitor to Rainbow Park Campground advised, "Drove 20 ish miles along a desolate desert dirt road - well maintained - to arrive on a Friday with no other people around."
Wildlife awareness: Be prepared to encounter various wildlife including potentially dangerous animals. A camper at Echo Park Campground warned, "I will advise to be lion and bear aware down here also. During my hike with my son we came upon a Lion kill site (deer) and then on a later hike had clear fresh tracks of a lion."
Limited amenities: Most dispersed sites lack basic facilities. At North of Dinosaur CR16, campers should note there's "No shade, rocky, need a 4WD for some of the uphills. 10 miles to the sites on a dirt road if you come from the northwest."
Choose campgrounds with shade: Summer temperatures can be extreme, making shade essential. At Green River Campground, a visitor recommends, "If you need shade take loop B or C. Loop B reservations only."
Bring extra water: The desert environment requires additional hydration planning. A reviewer at Gates of Lodore Campground suggested, "Bring lots of water - it is HOT in the summer! We chose to get up early to hike and beat the heat."
Look for educational opportunities: Many sites offer learning experiences for children. At Split Mountain Group Campground, a camper noted their children "love the Jr. Ranger Program" at the nearby visitor center.
High clearance recommended: Many access roads require vehicles with higher clearance. At Gates of Lodore Campground, a visitor shared, "Nice campground, easy drive in on well maintained dirt road," but cautioned about rougher roads in other areas.
Limited hookup options: Most campgrounds within the monument have few or no RV hookups. A visitor to Gates of Lodore noted, "Nice campground, fire pits, picnic tables, pit toilets, had water, no power, NO Verizon service at all."
Consider commercial alternatives: For those wanting full hookups, areas outside the monument offer more RV-friendly options. One camper at Outlaw Trail RV Park mentioned, "Clean, modern laundry. $2/wash and $2/40 min of dryer. Clean restrooms. Showers 0.25 cents for 7 minutes. Level gravel sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available near Dinosaur National Monument?
Dinosaur National Monument offers diverse camping options. Inside the monument, Green River Campground — Dinosaur National Monument features spacious sites near the river with water spigots and flush toilets but no hookups. For RV travelers, nearby options include Outlaw Trail RV Park, which provides full hookups in close proximity to the Quarry Visitor Center. Budget-conscious campers can explore dispersed camping on BLM land near the monument boundaries. Several private RV parks and state park campgrounds are available within a 25-minute drive of the monument, providing additional amenities like showers and electric hookups for those who prefer more facilities.
Is camping available year-round at Dinosaur National Monument?
Camping availability at Dinosaur National Monument varies seasonally. The monument's primary camping areas like Gates Of Lodore Campground — Dinosaur National Monument typically operate seasonally rather than year-round. For winter camping options, consider Steinaker State Park Campground, located about 20 miles from the monument, which maintains year-round operations. Weather significantly impacts accessibility, especially in winter when snow may close certain roads and camping areas. Always check the National Park Service website or contact the visitor center for current conditions before planning a winter camping trip, as facilities and water availability may be limited during colder months.
Where are the campgrounds located in Dinosaur National Monument?
Dinosaur National Monument features several campgrounds in different areas of the park. Deerlodge Park Campground — Dinosaur National Monument offers a peaceful, inexpensive option ideal for tent campers seeking tranquility. Split Mountain Group Campground — Dinosaur National Monument is designed for larger gatherings. Additional options include Echo Park Campground, located in a scenic valley, and Rainbow Park Campground, which provides a more remote experience. These campgrounds are strategically positioned throughout the monument, allowing visitors to choose locations that best suit their interests, whether exploring the dinosaur quarry, hiking trails, or enjoying river activities.
Are there cabins or alternative lodging available near Dinosaur National Monument?
While Dinosaur National Monument itself doesn't offer cabins, alternative lodging options are available nearby. Vernal / Dinosaurland KOA provides cabin accommodations just a 15-minute drive from the monument, perfect for visitors seeking more comfort than traditional camping. Fossil Valley RV Park in Vernal, about 25 minutes from the monument, offers clean facilities for RV travelers. For those wanting indoor accommodations, the towns of Vernal, Utah and Dinosaur, Colorado have several motels and hotels within easy driving distance of the monument's attractions. These options are particularly valuable during inclement weather or for visitors preferring amenities like private bathrooms and climate control.
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