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Road To Rainbow Park In Dinosaur National Monument Closed Due To Washout

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Published Date

March 9, 2017

Washout around a large culvert has closed the Rainbow Park/Island Park Road in Dinosaur National Monument/NPS

Heavy rains have cut off access to the Rainbow Park Campground and boat ramp in Dinosaur National Monument, which closed the unpaved Rainbow Park/Island Park Road at the monument boundary in Utah after a ranger discovered it had washed out around a 6-foot culvert.

Staff had not been able to check the 13-mile road in the park’s northwest corner for several weeks due to snow and road conditions. The route is not maintained in the winter and in many areas has a clay surface, which is extremely soft and slippery when wet.

In addition to Rainbow Park Campground, McKee Springs petroglyphs, and the remnants of the historic Ruple Ranch, the route leads to a boat ramp that is the launch point for single-day rafting trips through Split Mountain Canyon. Park staff are reaching out to all permit holders for day-rafting trips through Split Mountain Canyon to let them know of the closure. All future single-day river permits are on hold until repairs are made and the road is reopened.

This closure does not affect visitor access to the Quarry Visitor Center or the Quarry Exhibit Hall, where visitors can see the dinosaur fossils.

A full assessment of the road has not been made but may reveal further damage. Since the washout is preventing vehicle access, a survey will be made by foot when conditions permit. No information is available on potential repairs or a reopening date.

Last September, a severe thunderstorm brought over 2.5 inches of rain in a short period of time and caused the washout of eight culverts along the road. The monument, along with staff from the Uintah County Road Department and Rocky Mountain National Park, made temporary repairs to reopen the road.

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