close
Camper’s Guide: Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado

Camper’s Guide: Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado

At Dinosaur National Monument, comprised of landmass in both Colorado and Utah, visitors are able to take a step back in time. Here you can visit petroglyphs and fossils, as well as go rafting, camping, sightseeing, and more. With so much to see, families are rushing to this monument to catch a glimpse of the prehistoric.

Fossils

Fossil feature
Photo from Phil Hearing/Unsplash

There are over 1,000 fossils at Dinosaur National Monument. Housed at the Quarry Exhibit Hall, you can take a close look at these ancient artifacts embedded in the walls. The monument even has a dinosaur fossil recorded as being over 149 million years old!

Camping

The Dinosaur National Monument has six beautiful areas designated for camping. These areas include Gates of Lodore, Deerlodge Park, Echo Park, Rainbow Park, Split Mountain, and Green River. For the adventurous sort, backcountry campsites are open year round, pending access during winter months.

Petroglyphs

Although rare to see here at the Dinosaur National Monument, the Fremont people left more than a few petroglyphs depicting various animals. Since the pigments in these petroglyphs are easily degraded by our naturally produced oils, it is important to not touch the petroglyphs during your visit.

River Rafting

River rafting gear
Photo from shapes/Unsplash

Rafting at the Dinosaur National Monument is a highlight for many visitors and can be a great way to get some exercise and cool off during the summer months. For those interested in white water river rafting, you can choose to do a commercially guided trip on the Green and Yampa Rivers spanning over one day or multiples of days.

For those who want to take control of the rowing, you can choose the private trips by applying for a permit. Experience is required as these rivers have Class III and Class IV rapids, as well as a hydraulics that can flip your boat. Be realistic about your abilities and experience and you’ll certainly have an adventure to remember!

Related articles: Camper’s Guide: California’s Carrizo Plain National Monument or Camper’s Guide: Tallulah Gorge, Georgia

Featured Image from Backroad Packers/Unsplash