Best Glamping near Dinosaur, CO

This site is pretty central in the whole Dinosaur National Park geography about an hour from the main visitor center. We definitely needed a high clearance vehicle for the dirt road to get to it but evidently the road conditions vary a bit season to season and year to year, so call the rangers to check. This is tent-only no reservations and there are water, toilets, and designated camp sites, making it a remote frontcountry style campground. I’m not sure where you could go instead if it fills up since it’s in the middle of the park, but it was only 3/4 or so full in early spring. The absolutely beautiful cliffs and water make this campsite memorable and the other nearby areas in Dinosaur (petroglyphs, cave, fossils) make it exceptional.

This was a great weekend trip to Dinosaur. I had reserved a camping spot near the river with plenty of shade. It was an excellent choice (learned my lesson on shade in Sand Dunes). The spot was clean, but a little close to the road. There was not a ton of traffic, but privacy left something to be desired. The shade was a welcome relief from the hot sun in this area of the country. I was less than impressed with the dishwashing facilities (or lack there of). The bathrooms were also less than optimal. They got dirty fast and were filled with flies. Overall it was a nice level site with everything that you needed. The ranger presentation was also very nice.
Sleeping there was great. Perfect temperature with very little humidity. The river brings in cool breezes at night so it was wonderful. The park overall is not my favorite, but it was still a lot of fun. I would recommend it for kids for the Dinosaur angle alone. Also since the day hiking is minimal it gives you plenty of time to just hang around and go for a scavenger hunt or play a game.

Beautiful area and lake! Close to the town of vernal. 20 miles outside dinosaur National monument. Staff helpful. Bathrooms clean, nice shower areas! Not sure whether it was usual to have so much wind in the area, but good thing our tent was well secured! Had to stow test of the gear in the car so it wouldn’t blow away! Most beautiful sunset ever! Great campsite!

Access to the park was easy as was check in. The camp hosts were super nice and very accommodating during our three night’s stay. We proceeded backwards through the campground as instructed to pull through site 8, which is FHUs and 50 AMP. We had to maneuver our 39’ fifth wheel so the utilities side bedroom slide wouldn’t go into a tree. The utilities are placed in the middle of the pad so that was nice. However, water pressure was only about 25 to 30 psi so we filled our freshwater tank and used the pump. We got spotty service on Verizon between 1 and 2 bars. In the mornings we were able to get our Verizon MiFi to work well. We really liked being on the upper campground level with more space between the sites and the covered patio with the picnic table. Sites 1- 8 that lead to the upper level are FHUs. Beware that site 8 is a 1/4 moon turn with a large tree then two poles out the front of the site that people have complained about hitting. We could have backed out of the site but decided to go carefully forward and we missed the poles(obvious from scrapes that some people did not), but we did scrape the branches of the trees. Pull through site 7 is probably the easiest FHU to get into. The rest of the sites are a mix of different services, i.e. water and electric or no hookups at all. They also have a couple of yurts and a cabin. The main draw here seemed to be OHVs but there were also a few people with boats. Checkout Moonshine Arch. It took us twice to find the Moonshine Arch, which is just down the road from Steinaker SP. Google maps nor Waze will get you to the trailhead. It's best to ask for directions from the camp host manning the Steinaker SP gate entrance. The first time we were not prepared and missed the turn to the left after you get on the gravel road(there's no sign). When we got to the parking area, we had no idea which way to go and ended up wondering around. There was a couple with a brochure(which you can get at the park office) but it was basically worthless. Since it was hot and we had our dogs, we bailed but did have a nice hike. The second day we were better prepared and found a blogger who had posted instructions. Basically its a.8/less than a mile moderate hike as follows: 1) go through the green gate to an old, rough jeep trail and follow it around to the right to another green gate, 2) before that green gate follow the trail to the left until you come to an intersection where you'll go right and continue until you get to the flat rocks that go up a hill, 3) climb the flat rock hill staying towards the left until you see a BLM info sign, 4) at the sign follow the trail to the left(at this point you can follow the footprints in the sand) and keep going until you get to the arch, which has a sign that you are there, and of course the arch is hard to miss at this point. Some info says you can see the arch after you climb the flat rock hill. You can see trees around the arch once you know where it is but not the arch itself. Also, if you are into dinosaurs, this is your area starting with Vernal’s museum plus state and national sights as well.

This is a really neat camp for those looking to get away from the normal summer Colorado crowds. It’s in a gorgeous limestone canyon. I think there are 7 sites in juniper trees under hundred foot limestone walls. No cell service for me (ATT) but very quiet and peaceful. Please leave it cleaner than you found it. On this visit it was very clean and this was right after 4th of July weekend. This is a great soot to break up the drive from central Colorado to The Tetons.

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. the campground was very quiet. only 3 other sites occupied when we visited in late June. beautiful cliffs surround one side and the river with amazing views of steamboat rock are on the other. only downside was that the canyons seemed to form some sort of wind tunnel right thru the campground, at least while we were there, with the wind whipping up to 20 mph gusts.

Great campground. Very pretty location.

Title says it all. Gorgeous location along creek surrounded by awesome cliffs. But we had to leave because we literally couldn’t escape the mosquitos.

First and foremost I’d recommend only cars and suvs with 4wd to make the trek down to this spot. The road here is not made for bigger camping rigs or anyone that’s lacking experience driving off-road.

With that said if you make out here you’ll find a smaller CG w/ toilets that area clean, water during warmer months, as well as Rangers/hosts nearby that make sure everything is up to snuff.

Depending on what time of year you go and which site you choose could determine if you get A. Roasted by the sun and heat with no shade or B. Destroyed by mosquitoes.

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.

The location is great for hiking and exploring as well as having the river for some fun.

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 so they’re definitely active here and if hiking the river it gets pretty desolate

Most sites are drive in but there are a couple walk in sites as well. It’s about 50/50 whether you’ll have shade or not at your site.

First come first serve which IMO is a bonus and it’s such a haul to get here that usually you’ll have at least one site opened. When we came through here we got the last site so maybe it’s getting more popular as of late.

Each site has the usual table and fire ring but please check fire restrictions prior to lighting one up as this is a dry area and we want to make sure we do our part to keep it here.

Also PACK OUT ALL TRASH 👌🏼

This is an absolutely amazing place! We were at the regular campsite, but they are very close together. 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. Several Vault toilets are available. Potable water is also available. Would recommend a high clearance vehicle to get into the canyon. In the summer months it does get very hot, so be prepared.

My husband and I stayed here in our Overlanding Vehicle in June of 2021.  It is a long road down to the campground and it is first come first serve, but it is so worth the journey.  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.  No cell phone access but we were totally okay with unplugging!

This campsite has maybe 15-20 sites. I came on a Sunday in mid-October and it was a maybe 2/3 full. It’s in a beautiful, canyon-like setting near the Green River. 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. But there are many beautiful things to see in the area, so it was worth the drive. Just be aware the road is rough in places. You’ll need to drive slowly if you’re in a larger vehicle. Road signs say it is “impassable” when wet. So I wouldn’t try coming here when rain is in the forecast, unless you’re really prepared. There was also potable water available when I was there, but it was being shut off 10/17.

Enough reviews don't mention mosquitos that I think it must just depend on the day you go. That said, I went with one of my best friends a few years ago and we tell the story of our experience at parties. I go on multi week long road trips and have camped all over the country. So believe me when I say the mosquitos here, depending on the day, are utterly out of control.

The drive was beautiful but as soon as we got out, we could tell something was wrong. We put on double layers of clothes, bug spray and bug bracelets, and stood in the smoke of the fire we started; the bugs could not care less. We gave up on setting up tents and ran into the car and about 50 mosquitos followed us inside in the second it took to open the doors. We spent at least an hour trying to smack them all, literally covering the walls of her car in blood. After attempting to sleep in the sweltering car that night, we headed out of there before the sun rose. After it all, more of our skin was covered in bug bites than not. I've never seen anything like it.

It seems like an amazing spot when it's not suffering a plague. I could never roll the dice and try again though.

Beautiful remote campground and a ton of fun to drive to. But when we went the mosquitoes were so bad we cooked our food as fast as we could and ate in the car. We left a day early and the following night at our next camp the kids were having nightmares about mosquitoes... Lol. I've been camping most of my life and it's been a long time since I've encountered mosquitoes that bad.

Nice spots not too close together. Amazing view. Bathrooms, aka holes in the ground but well kept!

Quiet spots, beautiful view, nice hiking, great for kids.

This is a great lil campground although I feel like they tried to cram alot of campsites right on top of each other. All sites have picnic tables and firepits with a grill. Its kinda a dry vegetation in the park mostly sage brush and junipers, Some bigger shadier trees towards the lake but you better book those way in advance cause they fill up fast. They have small sites, tent sites, many large pull through sites, and even one small cabin. I did notice 3 bathroom facilities in spread throughout the park though and water spigots throughout. They have recently built a nature trail that runs from the side of the lake around to the front of it so thats a nice lil jont. They do also offer one group site that has a pavilion. This campground is not for anyone that doesnt like to be seen cause most likely you'll have a neighbor right next to you, above you, or below you.