National Monument · CO, UT
The National Park Service lists 28 things to do at Dinosaur National Monument. 26 have no extra fee, 27 need no reservation, and 14 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Updated · NPS Data API
Junior Rangers help to "Explore, Learn, and Protect" our national parks. Anyone can be a Junior Ranger! Once you learn about the monument and the amazing resources found here, you will be able to share your knowledge with friends and family!
Year-round
Bicycling is allowed on any road within Dinosaur National Monument, but is not allowed on any trails. Paved roads within the monument are narrow, and often have no shoulders.
Spring, Summer, Fall Pets allowed
The 14 mile (23 km) unpaved Echo Park Road takes drivers into the heart of Dinosaur National Monument. This rugged road begins along the Harpers Corner Road, winds through scenic canyon country, and ends near the banks of the Green River at Echo Park.
1-4 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall Pets allowed
Harpers Corner Scenic Drive is a 31 mile (50 km) paved road that offers wheelchair-accessible overlooks with spectacular views of Dinosaur's rivers and canyons. Along the way, visitors can enjoy picnic areas, as well as several paved paths and hiking trails.
2-4 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall Pets allowed
The Island Park Road is an 18 mile (29 km) unpaved road that starts outside of Dinosaur National Monument and ends inside the park near the Ruple Ranch Site. The first 10 miles (16 km) are located outside of the park.
2-4 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall Pets allowed
This 10 mile (16) km paved tour along the Cub Creek Road in Utah provides a great introduction to Dinosaur National Monument.
1-4 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
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The 18 mile (29 km) unpaved Yampa Bench Road offers visitors a look into the quieter side of Dinosaur. Running along a "bench" of land high above the Yampa River, visitors can experience incredible views and historic sites.
2-6 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall Pets allowed
Dinosaur National Monument allows fishing as a means of providing for public enjoyment, and customary and traditional use, and regulates fishing to ensure that it is managed in a manner that avoids unacceptable impacts to park resources.
Spring, Summer, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed
3.2 miles (5.1 km) round trip loop. Moderate to difficult. The Sound of Silence Trail takes hikers through the geologic diversity of Dinosaur National Monument.
1-3 Hours Year-round
0.25 miles (0.4 km) round trip, out and back trail. Easy. The Box Canyon Trail is a relatively level and shady walk into a dead-end canyon. The trailhead is located on the north side of the parking area for the Josie Morris Cabin.
20-60 Minutes Year-round
3 miles (4.8 km) round trip. Difficult. Bull Canyon is a steep, unmaintained trail in a remote section of the monument. It begins on the Yampa Bench Road and takes hikers into the Harding Hole area along the Yampa River.
1-5 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall
1.25 miles (2 km) round trip, out and back trail. Easy. The Confluence Trail provides a short and easy walk to the confluence of the Green and Yampa Rivers at Echo Park. No pets allowed.
30-120 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall
1.7 miles (2.7 km) round trip loop trail. Moderate difficulty. The Desert Voices Trail starts at Split Mountain. It wanders through valleys and over rocky outcrops, offering dramatic views of the surrounding landscape. No pets allowed.
1-3 Hours Year-round
2.5 mile (4 km) round trip, out and back trail. Easy to moderate difficulty. The Fossil Discovery Trail gives visitors an opportunity to explore a variety of rock layers and see unexcavated fossils as they are often found by paleontologists.
30-90 Minutes Year-round
1 mile (1.6 km) round trip, out and back trail. Easy. The Gates of Lodore Trail is a short but scenic walk to a view of the Green River as it enters the Canyon of Lodore. A trail booklet is available at the Visitor Centers. No pets allowed.
45-120 Minutes Year-round
2 miles (3.2 km) round trip, out and back trail. Moderate difficulty. The Harpers Corner Trail runs along a narrow ridge to a spectacular viewpoint with views of the rivers far below. Along the way, hikers can gaze across the remote canyon country.
1-2 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall
1.5 miles (2.4 km) round trip, out and back trail. Easy. The Hog Canyon Trail is a pleasant hike into a box canyon near the Josie Morris Cabin. The trail is relatively flat and shaded, typically good for small children.
30-90 Minutes Year-round
8.5 miles (13.6 km) round trip, out and back trail. Jones Hole Trail is a popular hike along a babbling brook near the northwest corner of Dinosaur National Monument. The creek offers good trout fishing. A Utah State fishing license is required.
2-10 Hours Year-round
0.25 miles (0.4 km) round trip loop trail. Easy. The Plug Hat Trail offers scenic views of Dinosaur's rugged landscape from atop a sandstone butte. This trail is paved and wheelchair accessible. Leashed pets are allowed.
15-45 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall Pets allowed
3 miles (4.8 km) round trip, out and back trail. Moderate difficulty. The River Trail in Dinosaur National Monument connects the Split Mountain and Green River campgrounds.
1-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
9.2 miles (14.8 km) round trip, out and back trail. Moderate to difficult. For most of its length, Ruple Point Trail crosses a rolling terrain filled with sagebrush and juniper.
4-12 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall
400 feet (122 m) out and back trail. Easy. This short hike to Swelter Shelter offers visitors an opportunity to view a variety of petroglyphs and pictographs very close to the road.
10-30 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
The Plug Hat Butte picnic area is located along Harpers Corner Road on the Colorado side of the monument.
Year-round Pets allowed
The Quarry Exhibit Hall allows visitors to view the wall of approximately 1,500 dinosaur bones in a refurbished, comfortable space.
30-240 Minutes Year-round
River Rafting Information
1-6 Days Spring, Summer, Fall Reservation required Fee applies
Whitewater Rafting
Information on scenic drives
1-10 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Dinosaur has been recognized as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Skies Association. Much of the monument provides opportunities to view the night skies.
10-240 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Many visitors to Dinosaur National Monument are often surprised by the variety of wildlife that lives here.
Year-round Pets allowed
Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Dinosaur. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.
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