Dinosaur National Monument runs across the Colorado-Utah border and has two distinct camping areas that don't connect directly: Green River Campground near the Quarry Exhibit Hall on the Utah side, and Echo Park and Rainbow Park on the Colorado side, which require long dirt roads that become impassable after rain. Reservations for Green River are available through recreation.gov and are worth booking ahead for summer visits. Dinosaur National Monument dispersed sites cover the primitive options within and adjacent to the monument for those who want no-fee camping away from the developed loops.
Most developed sites have vault toilets and water during operating season, but services shut down and water gets turned off in winter. The monument also has a handful of cabin rentals at Dinosaur National Monument for a different base camp setup.
Echo Park Road is roughly 13 miles of dirt that turns to clay in rain, and passenger vehicles regularly get stuck. Check road conditions before committing to that route, and don't attempt it in any vehicle without decent ground clearance.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$24 / night
"Great reprieve from driving in blazing heat just 5 miles from Dinosaur National Monument Quarry Visitor Center."
"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"
$14 - $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 / 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."
$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."
"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."
$50 - $200 / night
"Very scenic lake camping. Beautiful formations, lake is clean, and not too busy, especially since we were there during July 4th weekend."
"They look nice from the outside."
"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."
Guide38 bucks a night. No privacy but plenty of spots to choose from. Electric, water and bathrooms. Very clean and maintained. Dump station and showers are extra. Good restaurant across street as well as a general store and gas station. Nights are very quiet and peaceful.
RangerIF the water and toilets were working this would be 5 stars. There was no notice at entrance or from the hosts who we engaged with before selecting site. :( Fortunately we are self contained. Loop B is FCFS. Some sites had peek views of Flaming Gorge. Sites nicely spread out, pretty level, and hard surfaced, not on dirt. CG can accommodate larger RV's in about 1/3 of sites ??. The memorial is on loop A and a very nice tribute to 3 firefighters killed on Carter fire. A nice easy hike across highway to a beautiful overlook of gorge.
RangerThis is a nice campground in desert like surroundings. There is a central bathrooms with individual shower rooms that are really clean. There are vault toilets scattered throughout. The space are mostly drive through, which is nice. This campground is close to all the main scenic routes and hikes.
GuidePass the campground and take first left on dirt road. Several sites down the road on green river. However the campground charges only $10 and you get vaults
GuideFelt more like a place to stop for day fishing. Maybe kids pulling off to drink beers.
We are going to try it….. tired and don’t feel like more driving.
RangerThese sites are right off highway 191 - take the Gravel Rd turn as you head north out of Dutch John. There is a large site on your right as you turn off the highway but if you drive down another couple hundred feet on your left is a group of 5 sites. Relatively level in the midst of trees. There is broken glass strewn about so be careful. Highway noise but it dissipates as the later it gets.
RangerThey double booked my site. Bathrooms were closed with running water but pit toilets were available. Unfortunately people were using the backside of the bathroom buildings to do their business. A fire went through here a few years back so it’s pretty open. A short drive to the river.
RangerDispersed camping off of FR542. You don’t need four wheel drive but a higher clearance vehicle is probably needed. Space for 2 to 3 vehicles. About 10 minutes out of Dutch John. All sites have a slope to them so be ready to level. It has a good view and a little higher elevation than the town.
TravelerThis small campground is great, well placed potable water spigots, bathrooms, and a centrally located dumpster made sanitation and cleanup easy as pie. Now the real reason to visit, the views are spectacular. Seriously some of the most beautiful canyon views I have ever seen. All sites are an easy walk to the views, and honestly perfectly spaced for privacy.
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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