Camping opportunities surrounding Dinosaur, Colorado span from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV accommodations. Positioned at approximately 5,900 feet elevation near the Utah-Colorado border, this high desert region experiences summer temperatures often exceeding 95°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Proximity to Dinosaur National Monument allows campers direct access to ancient petroglyphs, fossil displays, and diverse hiking trails within a short drive.
What to do
Dinosaur track hunting: Kayak across Red Fleet State Park's reservoir to view ancient dinosaur footprints embedded in sandstone. "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!" reports a visitor to Red Fleet State Park Campground.
River access exploration: Camp near Green River for water activities and scenic views. "A few miles back into the park but good paved roads the whole way. Verizon roaming signal but can surf web easily. Shady spots in the after noon are great. Bathrooms are basic and not amazing but access to the river and great views all around," notes a camper at Green River Campground.
Monument tours: Use campgrounds as base camps for exploring Dinosaur National Monument's two distinct sections. "The Josie Morris cabin is an interesting historical site - what one women accomplished out in the middle of nowhere was impressive! 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!" shares a visitor after staying at Green River Campground.
What campers like
Shaded sites: Many campgrounds offer tree cover for relief from summer heat. "Red Fleet offers RV sites, tent sites, and even has a couple teepees you can also rent out and stay in. Short walk to the lake. Bathroom facilities with running water. Grassed area with covered picnic tables," notes a reviewer of Red Fleet State Park.
Water activities: Lakes and rivers provide swimming and boating opportunities during hot months. "I love camping at Red Fleet State Park for so many reasons. Surrounded by beautiful red rock and pinion pines, the beauty of the desert will take your breath away. There are fossilized dinosaur tracks in the rocks across the lake, and beautiful hiking trails for you to enjoy," explains a camper at Red Fleet State Park Campground.
Spacious campsites: Some RV parks provide ample room for multiple vehicles. "This was a great place for us to put a group together. The sites could accommodate trailers over 40ft with ease. We had easy access to some of the OHV trails in the area but had to drive to some of the main ones back near Vernal," notes a visitor to Vernal RV Resort.
What you should know
Limited shade availability: Desert conditions mean tree cover is sparse at many campgrounds. "My suggestions are to take some kind of extra shade. There are not a lot of trees for shade. Also lots of ice to keep food cool. This park is 15 minutes from Vernal so if you forget anything you can get it with a quick trip to town," advises a Red Fleet State Park camper.
Water quality issues: Water taste varies significantly between campgrounds. "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," notes a Vernal RV Resort visitor.
Wildlife precautions: Bears are present in the area, requiring proper food storage. "The area does have black bears, but there were no bear bins in the campground, so you have to lock all of your food and toiletries in the car at night. There are bear-proof dumpsters for trash and recycling though," warns a visitor at Green River Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Teepee rentals: Red Fleet offers unique accommodation options. "We rented a TeePee site. It was fun for the kids to sleep in a TeePee. There was a small table with a roof over it. The was also a grill box that we set our gas stove on top of for cooking. The campground sits higher than the day use area," shares a camper.
Recreation options: Several parks offer dedicated play areas. "This place was awesome. Play set, tons of grass, sand volleyball, tether ball, picnic/grilling areas. laundry and bathroom/shower very clean. And staff was great to work with," notes a visitor to Outlaw Trail RV Park.
Junior Ranger programs: Dinosaur National Monument offers educational activities. "Our family loves Dinosaur National Monument and the Green River Campground, amazing campsites close to the green river are clean and the rangers are top notch and super friendly, we love the petroglyphs and the kids love the Jr. Ranger Program," reports a Green River camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose based on your shade and space needs. "If you want the best shade, choose the B loop," advises a Green River Campground visitor, while another notes about Fossil Valley RV Park: "If you get a space towards the back of the Park the road noise mentioned by others isn't an issue."
Hookup variations: RV parks Dinosaur, Colorado and surrounding areas offer different levels of service. "$49 for 30Amp hookup/water/sewer," reports an Outlaw Trail visitor, while another notes: "$55/night for full hook up. Has showers and laundry, Wi-Fi. Sites are very close together. Pretty good amount of shade."
Laundry facilities: Some parks provide on-site laundry. "Clean, modern laundry. $2/wash and $2/40 min of dryer. Clean restrooms. Showers 0.25 cents for 7 minutes. Level gravel sites," reports a visitor to Fossil Valley RV Park.
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