3 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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.
"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"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 / 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. "
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $12 - $25 / night
"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."
"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."
from $12 / 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."
from $12 - $14 / 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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $12 - $40 / night
"Incredible scenery of DNM on display, site was right next to access road but no nighttime traffic at all. I would be concerned with a 2wd if it rained, I had great weather and this site was elevated."
"Must pay entrance fee or arrive after 5)"
"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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $40 - $200 / night
"What an awesome experience to spend the night so close to the monument."
"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."
GuideNice place to stay. Very Clean. Gift shop and restaurant were also very clean. Fishing on the green river is always great. Also great access to the southern end of the Gorge. Wonderful area in the mountains. Campground was green grass and newly planted trees when we went.
GuideThe campground for what it is great. Usually clean and maintained. Location is pretty lame unless your staying here for the fishing. Usually hot and windy. Lots of bugs. So unless your staying here to fish I would pass and go somewhere nicer or with a view.
TravelerOne of very few campgrounda open during the off-season. Peaceful / good cell signal / sits on a great trail.
RangerI rolled in expecting to pay the national park fee through their online portal (there was nobody at the entry gate), but as I continued straight (instead of taking the left to the visitor’s center and monument), I found myself on BLM land! I’m not sure if I would have had to pay if someone was monitoring, but I ended up buying a national pass the next day so I think I’m good 😅. Stunning place. I felt like I was sleeping with the dinosaurs! No amenities, but there was a fire pit. Mosquitos were present at dusk, and I think I parked on a fire ant hill. What an awesome experience to spend the night so close to the monument.
GuideI'd been traveling all day, from South Dakota to Moab when I came across this little gem. It's right off the highway, and a mostly level, paved lot. Perfect for a weary traveler to spend the night. No facilities, but I wasn't expecting any. Full bars of Verizon coverage. I couldn't ask for better
ScoutIncredible scenery of DNM on display, site was right next to access road but no nighttime traffic at all. I would be concerned with a 2wd if it rained, I had great weather and this site was elevated. I would not have driven my van on that access road if it was muddy or slippery. Water facilities at visitors center or nearby campgrounds, 5-10 min drive. 4 wheelers/atvs not allowed in DNM land or roads.
TravelerThis place still has trails being built in and around the grounds. Price is right, just $10!!! The bathrooms (pit toilets)are super clean. All sites come with table and fire ring. Some with covered tables. Trails for riding or running right at the entrance to the cg.
TravelerWe went a bit further than the recommended spot, just to sight see but actually found a spot that is a campsite in summer, and is now open spots. We parked 200 feet from the edge of the water. The spot came with a fire pit and picnic table.
ScoutFew spots betteen road and Green River. Some Mosquitos . Not so much noise. Ok for one or two night. I collected few trash in a bag. Cell signal good. Real blm ?
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.
Keep Exploring
