If brick-and-mortar lodging is your preference for overnighting near Dinosaur National Monument, located at the border between Utah and Colorado, the nearby communities of Vernal, Utah, and Dinosaur, Craig, and Rangely, Colorado offer options, with Vernal, Utah (population 10,557 as of 2023) providing the most options.  Dinosaurland Travel Board (435-789-6932), and www.VisitMoffatCounty.com (970-824-2335) are two helpful resources for finding a place to sleep near the national monument.

If, however, you feel like pitching a tent beneath the stars within this national monument, there are six campgrounds (three on the Utah side and three on the Colorado side) from which to choose, including a group campground. Some campgrounds are first-come, first-served only, while other campgrounds are first-come, first-served seasonally, with advance reservations recommended during the peak season. Below is a quick rundown of each campground. For more detailed information, click on the campground name.

Campground location map in Dinosaur National Monument / NPS file

Campgrounds On The Utah Side

Green River Campground, Dinosaur National Monument / NPS file

Map of sites at Green River Campground, Dinosaur National Monument / NPS file

Green River Campground is the largest of the six campgrounds, offering 80 sites, including one ADA-accessible site (#41). Maximum RV/trailer lengths are 30 feet (9 m)/20 feet (6.1 m). There are no hookups, and drinking water, flush toilets, trash collection, and cell service are seasonal. Closed during the winter (October 16, 2025 – April 17, 2025), sites are $24 per night and advanced reservations through recreation.gov are advised during peak season (May 16, 2025 – October 1, 2025). Sites are first-come, first-served during the remainder of the season.

Split Mountain Campground, Dinosaur National Monument / NPS site

Split Mountain Campground is open year-round and offers four sites, each of which will accommodate a maximum of 25 people and six vehicles. While there is no designated ADA-accessible site, the campground is mostly flat. Wheelchair users may require some assistance moving around the sites. During peak season (April 18, 2025 – October 1, 2025) sites are available for groups only at $40 per night and reservations are advised through recreation.gov. During the off season, when the Green River Campground is closed, sites are open to both individuals as well as groups and are first-come, first-served. Individual sites are $12 per night. RVs and car/trailer combinations are allowed but maximum lengths are not listed on either the NPS or recreation.gov sites. There are no RV hookups. Trash collection, vault toilets, and cell service are available year-round. Flush toilets and drinking water are seasonal.

A site at Rainbow Park Campground, Dinosaur National Monument / NPS file

Map of sites at Rainbow Park Campground, Dinosaur National Monument / NPS file

Located along a rugged dirt road that is inaccessible when wet, Rainbow Park Campground is open year-round and offers four first-come, first-served sites. Each site is $12 per night. Although there are no designated ADA-accessible sites, most sites are level with relatively easy access from the gravel road and parking area. Maximum RV length is 15 feet (4.6 m). Trailers are not permitted. There are no RV hookups. Trash collection, food storage lockers, and vault toilets are available year-round. If you are looking for a great close-up view of the Mitten Park Fault, this campground is where you will find it.

Campgrounds On The Colorado Side

Echo Park Campground, Dinosaur National Monument / NPS file

Map of the Echo Park Campground area, Dinosaur National Monument / NPS file

Echo Park Campground is open year-round and offers 22 sites, first-come, first served, including one designated ADA-accessible site. There is also one group site reservable through recreation.gov, accommodating a maximum of 25 people. No RVs or trailers. Tents, vans, and trucks with camper tops are permitted. Summer camping (peak season May 16, 2025 – September 17, 2025) is $14 per night for a standard site and $12 per night for a site during winter. Senior/Access passholders receive a 50 percent discount on the non-group sites. The group site is $25 per night. There are no hookups. Vault toilets and food storage lockers are available year-round. Drinking water is available seasonally.

Note: the entire 13-mile (21 km) Echo Park Road is unpaved and impassable when wet. Winter access is often impossible due to snow on the Yampa Bench Road and the winter closure of the Harpers Corner Road.

Campsite #5 at the Gates of Lodore Campground, Dinosaur National Monument / NPS file

Site map of Gates of Lodore Campground, Dinosaur National Monument / NPS file

Located on the Green River at the boat ramp at the head of Lodore Canyon and popular with river rafters who often stay here before launching on the Green River, Gates of Lodore Campground is open year-round and offers 19 sites on a first-come, first-served basis for $14 per night during the peak summer season and $12 per night during all other times of the year. Senior/Access passholders receive a 50 percent discount. One campsite is designated as ADA-accessible. RVs/trailers are permitted and all sites are pull-through and can easily accommodate a 25-foot (8 m) RV. Some sites can accommodate larger RVs. There are no hookups. Drinking water is available seasonally. Vault toilets and food storage lockers are available year-round.

Deerlodge Park Campground, Dinosaur National Monument / NPS file

Deerlodge Park Campground offers seven walk-in campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis only. There are no designated ADA-accessible sites. There are no designated RV or trailer parking areas separate from the main campground parking area. During the summer, sites are $14 per night and in the winter, sites are $12 per night. Senior/Access passholders receive a 50 percent discount. This campground is open year-round, but winter snows may make it difficult due to snow. There are no hookups. Drinking water is seasonal. Vault toilets are available year-round.

Note: When the Yampa River exceeds an 18,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) flow rate, the campground will flood. Click on the links to check the current and predicted Yampa River flow rates.

Backcountry Camping

Ely Creek backcountry campsite, Dinosaur National Monument / NPS-Molly Swindle

If you really want to get away from it all, you will need a free backcountry permit for stays outside the established frontcountry campgrounds at Dinosaur National Monument.

There is only one designated backcountry campsite – Ely Creek – which is also is one of only two places along Jones Hole Trail where backcountry camping is allowed. Ely Creek offers two sites and is so popular, it must be reserved in advance.

For more information about this campsite, click here.