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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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."
Legend
