Dinosaur National Monument Area

[Deadeye008]

Hi all. I'm planning a weekend trip with my family to this area in about two weeks. Other that the Quarry, what are some other sites/hikes/things to do in the area? Thanks!

 

[piper01]

Don't miss the McConkie Ranch petroglyphs near Vernal. They're absolutely amazing!

There are a few trails in the Quarry section of the park (Fossil Discovery, Sound of Silence, Desert Voices, etc). You can fill at least a half-day by hiking one of them, then driving the main road through the park to the Josie Basset cabin. There are two other short trails from there with lots of shade if it's hot out. Also, there's a neat stop along the road with giant lizard petroglyphs.

You could fill another day by driving the Harper's Corner Road and stopping at the outlooks (especially the last one), then driving Echo Park Road, poking around the historic Chew Ranch on the way. There's a short (~3mi) hike along the river to Mitten Park starting from the campground that ends at a huge fault with vertical rock layers, which you can see from above at the Harper's Corner Overlook. I highly recommend it! If you stay overnight at the campground, Sand Canyon is a longer hike than will fill most of a day. Except for scrambling up or around a small dryfall at the beginning, it was easy, just long (9-10 miles).

Here are the hikes descriptions that were posted at the Echo Park Campground in May 2013:

 

[uintahiker]

Fantasy Canyon is out that way. Pelican Lake is as well if you're into chasing big bluegills.

 

[JoshuaDyal]

I was going to recommend Fantasy Canyon too. I'll be seeing it with my nieces (most likely) in a few months myself. Google Image search it, and you'll see why it's a nice draw. It's like Goblin Valley on acid.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

I was going to recommend Fantasy Canyon too. I'll be seeing it with my nieces (most likely) in a few months myself. Google Image search it, and you'll see why it's a nice draw. It's like Goblin Valley on acid.

Surrounded by oil wells and facilities

 

[JoshuaDyal]

Surrounded by oil wells and facilities

Yeah, well... comes with the territory anywhere in the Vernal area, I suppose.