RV camping near Dinosaur National Monument ranges from full-service facilities to more rustic options throughout northeastern Utah and northwestern Colorado. Campsites sit at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet, creating summer temperatures that often reach 100°F during daytime but cool significantly at night. The region's low humidity can create deceptively strong sun exposure requiring additional precautions for campers.
What to do
Kayak to dinosaur tracks: Red Fleet State Park offers kayak rentals to paddle across to see fossilized dinosaur footprints embedded in sandstone. A camper at Red Fleet State Park Campground notes, "Besides the wonderful scenery, our absolute favorite part of this campground is the ability to 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!"
Hike riverside trails: The Green River area features multiple walking paths with minimal elevation gain suitable for most fitness levels. "There is a nice easy-moderate trail along the river from Loop A Of the campground," mentions a visitor at Green River Campground.
Visit historical cabins: Take a midday break at Josie Morris cabin where planted trees provide much-needed shade for picnicking. A camper explains, "We chose to get up early to hike and beat the heat - afterwards we packed up lunch and drove over to Josie Morris cabin... Josie planted a lot of trees on her land, so there is a nice shady lawn with picnic benches and a view - it was the perfect lunch spot!"
What campers like
Dark sky viewing: The remote location offers exceptional stargazing opportunities away from light pollution. According to one visitor at Green River Campground, "Beautiful dark sky area and the stars at night are awesome. At night you can hear the Green River-which is near by."
Spacious sites with full hookups: Outlaw Trail RV Park provides roomier camping areas than some competitors. A reviewer states, "On the plus side, the sites are decent size, with full hookup, and it's a 6 minute drive to the Quarry Visitor Center of Dinosaur National Monument."
Family recreation areas: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated play spaces for children and outdoor activities. One camper at Outlaw Trail RV Park commented, "This place was awesome. Play set, tons of grass, sand volleyball, tether ball, picnic/grilling areas. laundry and bathroom/shower very clean."
What you should know
Extreme temperature variations: Summer days can exceed 100°F while nights drop significantly, requiring both cooling and warming gear. A visitor to Fossil Valley RV Park notes, "So first of all I want to say that the host is extremely nice and very accommodating. We were here at an unusual time of year so fair amount of vacancy, but still he let us stay until the late afternoon before deciding off we wanted to stay and pay for another night."
Limited shade availability: Most campgrounds have minimal tree cover, making portable shade structures essential. One camper advises, "If you have an easy-up or some sort of shade canopy, I highly suggest bringing it with you when you are camping in this part of Utah!"
Water taste issues: Some locations have unpalatable water despite meeting safety standards. A visitor to Vernal RV Resort shares, "The biggest complaint that I had about the sites was the taste of the water. We had to buy bottled water because we couldn't stand the taste of the tap water even though it went through a filter."
Tips for camping with families
Reserve shaded sites early: Sections with tree cover fill quickly during peak season. At Green River Campground, a camper advises, "Loops A and C are first come, if you need shade take loop B or C. Loop B reservations only."
Choose campgrounds with play structures: Pine Forest RV Park provides built-in entertainment options for children. A visitor mentioned, "This RV Park has very nice big shade trees and lots of grass. If you get a space towards the back of the Park the road noise mentioned by others isn't an issue."
Pack protective footwear: Some campgrounds have natural hazards requiring closed-toe shoes. One camper at Buck N Bull RV Park warns, "Watch out for thorns here. If you like to go barefoot or have dogs this is not the place for you. This was the only downside of the site but everything else was pretty good."
Tips from RVers
Utility placement considerations: Some parks position hookups more conveniently than others. A camper at Outlaw Trail RV Park notes, "Full hookups including electric, water, and sewer connections on gravel sites with smartly placed utilities in the middle of the pad."
WiFi limitations: Internet service varies significantly between facilities, often with speed restrictions. According to one reviewer, "WiFi is free, but each site is throttled to 5 Mbps (which is fine for basic streaming, but not HD or 4K)."
Laundry facilities: Several parks offer on-site laundry with reasonable pricing. A visitor states, "Clean, modern laundry. $2/wash and $2/40 min of dryer" - helpful for extended stays in the region.
