Within Dinosaur National Monument, Rainbow Park Campground sits at the end of a 20-mile dirt road that requires about 30 minutes of careful driving from the main highway. This National Park Service facility provides four primitive sites positioned close together along the Green River, where commercial rafting groups launch daily around 10am and 6pm.
The campground occupies open terrain directly on the riverbank, with each site featuring a fire ring with attached grill and picnic table. Sites accommodate up to two tents and allow vehicle parking adjacent to camping areas. The proximity between sites means little privacy when the campground fills, though several reviewers found themselves alone even on busy weekends. "Site has pit toilets, hand sanitizer, recycling/trash, but no running water," notes Lis G..
Petroglyphs appear 1.7 miles before the campground entrance, accessible via short hiking loops. Small trails wind through the surrounding landscape for exploration. The area offers dark night skies for stargazing, though mosquitoes can be problematic during warmer months. Cell service remains unavailable at the campground.
The $12 nightly fee applies per site and accepts cash or personal check. Campers should bring firewood, as little deadfall exists around the sites, and stock up on supplies in Jensen before making the drive.
Description
Overview
Rainbow Park Campground is 28 miles (45 km) from the Quarry Visitor Center in the Utah portion of Dinosaur National Monument. It is located on a rugged dirt road that is impassable when wet. The campground sits beside the Green River near the Rainbow Park Boat Ramp at the head of Split Mountain Canyon. Rainbow Park Campground is open year-round, but there is no winter maintenance on the unpaved road.
Recreation
Dinosaur National Monument covers over 210,000 acres (84984 ha). Visitor Centers. The monument features two visitor centers - one in Colorado and one in Utah. Quarry Exhibit Hall. You can see over 1,500 dinosaur fossils still in the rock inside the Quarry Exhibit Hall (Jensen, Utah). History & Culture. Numerous cultural sites reveal stories of the people who lived here before and include Fremont petroglyphs, homestead cabins and former ranches. Hiking trails allow in-depth exploration. Hiking. There are miles of trails for hiking and cross-country travel. River Rafting & Boating. Whitewater rafting, both commercial and private, are is popular on the Green and Yampa Rivers. The Yampa River multi-day rafting trips begin at Deerlodge Park. The Yampa rushes downstream 44-miles (71 km) to join the Green River at Echo Park. Boaters continue downstream on the Green River to the take-out at the Split Mountain boat ramp. The Yampa is the largest free-flowing tributary within the Colorado River system. As such, it has a shorter season marked by fluctuations in water level resulting from snow received in the winter. It is characterized by famous rapids such as Teepee, Big Joe and Warm Springs. Raft trips must be arranged in advance. For more information, visit Dinosaur's Commercial Guided River Trips page. Private River Trips require a permit. Scenic Drives. Several roads provide access to key destinations and scenic sites. Scenic drives allow the windshield visitor to see spectacular geology.
Facilities
Vault Toilets - year round There is no potable water available at this campground. You must bring all the water you need for drinking, washing, etc. There are no hookups, dump stations, or facilities for filling an RV water tank anywhere in Dinosaur National Monument.
Natural Features
This campground sits beside the Green River near the Rainbow Park Boat Ramp at the head of Split Mountain Canyon. It has wonderful views of geologic features such as the Mitten Park Fault.
Fee Info
All campsites at Rainbow Park Campground are first-come, first-served. You will pay upon arrival using Scan & Pay through the Recreation.gov mobile app (download the app before your visit). The year-round camping fee for Rainbow Park Campground is $12 per night.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsRainbow Park Campground is located in Utah near Jensen
Directions
Rainbow Park Campground is 28 miles (45 km) from the Quarry Visitor Center in the Utah portion of the monument. It is located on a dirt road that is impassable when wet. From the Quarry Visitor Center, drive south on State Road 149 for 4 miles (7 km). Turn right onto Brush Creek Road, and follow it for 5 miles (8 km). Turn right at the fork, following the signs to Island Park for 4 miles (7 km). Turn right onto the Island Park Road and follow it for 12 miles (19 km) to reach Rainbow Park Campground.
Coordinates
40.495401 N
109.174174 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
Features
For Campers
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
Drive Time
- 3 hrs 18 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 3 hrs 39 min from Provo, UT
- 3 hrs 55 min from Salt Lake City, UT
- 4 hrs 22 min from Ogden, UT
