Tent camping near Dinosaur National Monument offers varied options on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands and within the monument. Located in northeast Utah and northwest Colorado, the monument sits at elevations between 5,000 and 9,000 feet with a semi-arid climate. Summer temperatures often reach 100°F while nights can drop to freezing during spring and fall.
What to do
Hiking to petroglyphs: Find ancient rock art near Rainbow Park Campground. "1.7 miles before the campground road there is a must see Petroglyphs site offering a couple of loop trails that bring you up the hill," reports Jeff K.
River paddling: Explore the Green River by paddleboard or kayak from Swinging Bridge. "I spent most of my time paddleboarding through the rocky formations next to the site. The water is shallow but beautiful," notes Hayley K.
Stargazing: Take advantage of minimal light pollution at Forest Service Road 217 Dispersed. Rebecca S. reports, "I'm here in October and though chilly it's gorgeous! There are a lot of hunters here with their four wheels but no one has bothered me."
What campers like
Solitude: Many dispersed sites provide isolation from crowds. Grant M. describes Rainbow Park Campground: "A long, gravel road lead me here on a quiet weeknight in October 2020. Absolutely pitch black out. There was no one here and no one for miles. Great view of the Milky Way. Totally silent."
Easy access from highways: Some sites sit just off main roads. "This was one of my favorite finds during my trip through Utah earlier this summer. As you head down this forest road you'll see multiple minimal dispersed campsites, most with small man-made rock firepits and nothing else," says Quinn Z. about Utah Forest Road 13 Dispersed Camping.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse animals. "Elk, Bear, Deer, and cows are around. Lots of places to explore and there are never many people around so I can let my dogs off the leash which is really nice," mentions Jacinda C. about Little Mountain Dispersed Camp.
What you should know
Road conditions: Many sites require driving on unpaved roads that become impassable when wet. "The road was pretty rough, some large divits and larger rocks on the road. I drive an outback so I just went slow and it was fine," notes Kate R. about Forest Road 13.
Weather preparation: Temperatures fluctuate dramatically between day and night. "We got out, set up a tent and started a fire (it was in the 30s upon arrival, just under freezing at day break)," reports Grant M.
Water availability: No potable water exists at most sites. Gina J. notes, "This campground is super remote and offers 4 primitive campsites. There are pit toilets and no accessible water. The river runs directly behind camp and trails run through the hills."
Tips for camping with families
Bring entertainment: With limited facilities, pack games and activities. "Lots is small and winding trails all over the landscape to explore. Very close to some of the coolest petroglyphs also," suggests Farah C.
Safety precautions: Prepare for wildlife encounters and extreme temperatures. "If you're lucky, you will come across the herd of elk roaming the grounds. Make sure your gas tank is full as there is no cell reception at the campsite," advises Gina J.
Select appropriate sites: Some areas work better for families than others. Lis G. describes Rainbow Park: "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 skies were very dark at night, perfect for seeing shooting stars and the milky way."
Tips from RVers
Low clearance challenges: Most dispersed camping areas near Dinosaur National Monument present challenges for large vehicles. Greg L. warns, "FS road #13 has large diameter cobble base and makes for a bumpy road. There are much better dispersed sites across the hwy on FS roads #839 and #838 for RVs and TTs. I would not go up this road with a trailer unless you had a turnaround open."
Site selection: Find flat areas with adequate turning space. "There were large camp sites. There was a large group in one when I went by, and other sites that could fit maybe 4 or so cars," notes Kate R.
Weather monitoring: Strong winds affect exposed sites. Christopher H. explains, "Great views from the top, but we chose a more sheltered site due to the strong chilly wind. Beautiful sunset and sunrise."
