Dinosaur Rafting Tours
Where the Earth bends and breaks as archaic mountains and even older rivers collide, Dinosaur National Monument is considered by many the heart of Mother Nature herself. It is a prehistoric drama at its finest, not to mention the countless Jurassic era fossils that give the park its namesake. To truly experience Dinosaur in all its staggering grandeur, one must float within its remarkable river canyons
Green River
A magnificent towering canyon marks the start of the trip at the “Gates of Lodore” and follows one of the most beautiful stretches of river anywhere. Fed by dam-controlled flows from Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Dinosaur National Monument
The last of the wild ones! The Yampa is the last free-flowing river in the entire Colorado River system. With 4 or 5 day trips, you will be immersed in one of the most stunning river corridors in the U.S.
About Dinosaur National Monument
What river runs through Dinosaur National Monument?
Dinosaur National Monument is home to the Yampa and Green River confluence.
The Yampa River meanders through its own canyon for 46 miles until reaching the Green River in Echo Park. The trip begins at Deerlodge Park Campground and ends at the Split Mountain Campground for a total of 72 river miles.
The Green River meanders through Lodore Canyon for 18.5 miles until meeting the Yampa in Echo Park. The trip begins at the Lodore ranger station and ends at the Split Mountain Campground for a total of 45 river miles.
What class rapids are in Dinosaur National Monument?
Boaters on Yampa River trips will experience class III-IV rapids, while those on Gates of Lodore trips will experience class III+ rapids.
How much time do you need at Dinosaur National Monument?
Folks exploring Dinosaur National Monument via raft should plan for 3 days minimum in the park.
What kind of wildlife is in Dinosaur National Monument?
The most common wildlife sightings in Dinosaur National Monument are usually: Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, Big Horned Sheep, Deer, Otter, Beaver, Cottontail Rabbits and Prairie Dogs.
If you’re lucky, you may be able to see more elusive animals, such as: Fox, Pronghorn, Elk, Bobcat, Black Bear and Mountain Lion.
Are there dinosaur footprints in Dinosaur National Monument?
There is a massive quarry where you can see a multitude of preserved fossils and dinosaur footprints. As for dinosaur footprints to be found throughout the park, there are no established sites that have been excavated. You can certainly find fossils throughout the river canyon, while most not from the Jurassic era, if you know how to look for them.
Can you swim in the Green River at Dinosaur National Monument?
It is not recommended to swim in the river during spring months, as the water is cold and the current is swift. Later in the season from July to September swimming in calm areas, such as Echo Park, may be okay.
What city is closest to the Dinosaur National Monument?
The surrounding towns around Dinosaur National Monument include: Vernal and Jensen in Utah, and Dinosaur, Colorado. Jensen and Dinosaur are smaller towns, while Vernal is larger and hosts a regional airport.
Why go to Dinosaur National Monument?
Dinosaur National Monument is one of the most unique wilderness areas in the western United States, holding a wealth of historical, scientific, and ecological significance.
The canyons that make up Dinosaur National Monument were saved from dams that were set to put them underwater in the 1950s, and played a huge role in starting the Environmental Movement.
As for the park’s namesake, over 1,500 perfectly preserved dinosaur fossils were uncovered in the early 1900s, and is considered one of the “most productive Jurassic era quarries ever found” per NPS.
Dinosaur National Monument’s rarities apart from its fossils are plentiful, including the geologic masterpiece of Steamboat Rock and the Mitten Park Fault, along with the numerous Fremont pictographs and petroglyphs found throughout the canyons.
Photos
History & Videos
Maps
Yampa River
Gates of Lodore
Map of Dinosaur National Monument within the Colorado Plateau River System
