Dinosaur National Monument - Colorado

Harpers Corner Road Scenic Drive is the main attraction in the Colorado section of Dinosaur National Monument. There aren't any dinosaur bones in this section; to see the dinosaur bones you must go to the section in Utah. 

The scenic drive is 31 miles one way with a trail at the end that runs along a ridge - easy but not accessible. The road climbs from US 40 and passes through high desert, sagebrush covered plateaus with pull offs to view the canyons. Many of the interpretive signs and viewpoints can be seen without leaving your vehicle.

We were treated to the spring wildflower bloom. :)

Two paved accessible trails with great viewpoints start at Plug Hat Butte Picnic Area. The picnic area trail makes a loop and connects to the unpaved Bull Canyon View Trail which is accessible with assistance. The Bull Canyon Rim Trail that branches off from the Canyon View Trail may also be accessible with assistance since it travels along the fairly flat rim but we did not try it. 

 

The Plug Hat Trail, across the road from the picnic area, is an out and back trail that travels along a ridge and has easily accessed views. 

Iron Springs Bench Trail, almost to the end of the scenic road, is the only other trail that's paved. It's considered accessible but it's steep. It has a wonderful view at the end of a short climb. 

 

Only a small section of Harpers Corner Road is actually in the monument. The surrounding land is a patchwork of BLM, undeveloped private land, and remote ranches. We planned to camp on BLM land off of Blue Mountain Road/Route 16 but decided the large pull on Route 16, just off of Harpers Corner Road, would do fine for a night. There's very little traffic on Harpers Corner Road so we had a quiet, restful night. Monument  40.24323, -108.97383