Echo Park Campground provides direct access to Dinosaur National Monument at an elevation of 5,100 feet, situated where the Green and Yampa rivers merge. Located in a remote section of the national monument, this tent-only campground requires high-clearance vehicles to access via unpaved roads. Weather conditions range from scorching summers reaching 100°F to below-freezing winters, requiring careful planning for any glamping experience.
What to do
Hiking near Steamboat Rock: Explore trails surrounding Echo Park Campground's distinctive geological formations. "This site is pretty central in the whole Dinosaur National Park geography about an hour from the main visitor center. The absolutely beautiful cliffs and water make this campsite memorable and the other nearby areas in Dinosaur (petroglyphs, cave, fossils) make it exceptional," notes Amber A. from Echo Park Campground.
Lake activities: Steinaker State Park offers swimming, fishing, and water sports just 5 miles from Vernal. "There is a lake for fishing, swimming and water sports. There is a nice beach with pavilions and picnic sites. There are many walking trails and atv trails accessible from this campground," according to Tammy H.
Wildlife viewing: Watch for local fauna throughout the monument area. "Antelope wander around the park all day and the water is crystal clear," reports Sara at Lucerne Campground, where visitors frequently spot deer and small mammals in addition to pronghorn.
What campers like
Remote locations: Many campers appreciate the secluded sites away from crowds. "This site is at end of the FS #18 paved road and then .7 mi of gravel. The campground was very quiet. Only 3 other sites occupied when we visited in late June," writes Greg L. about East Park Campground.
Dark night skies: The area offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. "The star-gazing is excellent. The campsite was not, unfortunately, right on the river, although there is a reservable group campsite on the water, available for rafters," mentions Jeremy A. at Echo Park Campground.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and organized sites receive consistent praise. "This campground is beautiful, and the campsites vary between desert vegetation, large shady cottonwoods, and sandy beaches. There is also one cabin available to rent," says Amanda B. about Steinaker State Park Campground.
What you should know
Mosquito preparation: Bring extensive bug protection during warm months. "I've camped at hundreds of places and this spot is one of the worst I've been to as far as mosquitoes are concerned so prep yourself for that," warns Alex S. about Echo Park Campground, while Jared R. adds, "when we went the mosquitoes were so bad we cooked our food as fast as we could and ate in the car."
Road conditions: Many access roads require high-clearance vehicles. "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," Jon H. explains about Echo Park.
Water availability: Check seasonal water access before arrival. "Potable water is also available when I was there, but it was being shut off 10/17," notes Jeremy A. about Echo Park facilities, while Greg L. reports "NO water or garbage" at East Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreation areas. "There was a kids park, a swimming pool, a jump pad, and they had bike/3 wheeler rentals, and a mini golf coarse," Cortney M. shares about Vernal / Dinosaurland KOA.
Shaded sites: Reserve spots with natural coverage for hot summer days. "Some sites have covered awnings some have large shade trees," Cortney adds about the KOA, while at Steinaker State Park, "Some bigger shadier trees towards the lake but you better book those way in advance cause they fill up fast."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer easy wildlife spotting. "The campsite had rabbits, deer and antelope roaming around," writes Dani G. about Lucerne Campground, providing natural entertainment for children.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Verify campsite dimensions before booking. "Most sites are best for smaller rigs, tent trailers and tents. There were only 4-5 sites that would accommodate our 26' trailer," advises Terri D. about Cedar Springs Campground.
Hookup availability: Steinaker State Park offers various site types. "The campground has full hook up spots, Electrical, a cabin you can rent and tent sites," explains Tammy H., making it suitable for different RV needs.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain throughout the region. "Because the campground is on the side of a hill, sites are pretty unlevel, but we were able to adapt," notes Terri D. about Cedar Springs, a common situation in the mountainous terrain surrounding Dinosaur National Monument.
