Dinosaur National Monument & Vernal, Utah: Dog-friendly guide

Dinosaur National Monument is hands down one of the most mind-blowing places we’ve ever visited, a hidden gem through and through. There is SO much to see and discover, and the landscape is wildly beautiful. In this post, you’ll find all the info you need to visit this area with your dog and have an amazing time!

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Introduction to Dinosaur National Monument

Dinosaur National Monument is a treasure trove of history, culture, and natural beauty. Once roamed by dinosaurs, its fossils remain embedded in the rocks. This park is vast and diverse, spanning two states: Colorado & Utah. 

Dog standing in river, looking at rock formations
Views from the Green River

The area has supported life for thousands of years, with evidence of Indigenous peoples like the Fremont, who created petroglyphs and pictographs still visible today. Later, homesteaders, trappers, and explorers like John Wesley Powell left their mark, with Powell famously navigating the Green and Colorado rivers. Established in 1915 to protect its rich fossil beds, the monument was expanded to safeguard the Green and Yampa rivers. Visitors can explore its unique landscapes, ancient art, and the legacy of conservation efforts sparked by the 1950s Echo Park Dam controversy. Today, Dinosaur National Monument is a haven for science, history, and adventure lovers alike.

More information about Dinosaur National Monument

Dinosaur fossil skeleton
One of the incredibly preserved dinosaur skeleton fossils in the Quarry Exhibit Hall

Introduction to Vernal, Utah – A gateway town but so much more

Vernal, the largest city in Uintah County, Utah, lies in the high desert of the Uintah Basin, about 175 miles east of Salt Lake City and near the Colorado border. With a population of 10,432 as of 2022, Vernal serves as a gateway to attractions like Dinosaur National Monument, Flaming Gorge, and the Uinta Mountains. Unlike many Utah towns, Vernal wasn’t settled by Mormon pioneers but grew from scattered cabins built in the late 1800s. Vernal boasts historic sites, local businesses, and events like the Dinosaur Round-up Rodeo.

Pink Dinosaur sculpture
A delightful giant pink dinosaur – Dinah – greets you when you drive into Vernal

We chose to stay in Vernal, which is right outside the Utah entrance to the park. In terms of restaurants, lodging, and overall town infrastructure, this is definitely the place to be. It’s also the place where you will definitely find the most dog-friendly lodging options. Plus, it’s filled with dinosaur-themed public art like murals and sculptures, which is absolutely delightful! 

A few of our favorites in Vernal

  • Antica Forma – This place was such a surprise! It has really delicious wood-fired pizza and tons of other Italian Options
  • Plaza Mexicana – Delicious traditional Mexican food
  • Dinosaur Brew Haus – No frills burger place with great beer options
  • Khao Hom Thai Kitchen – A food truck in a yard, set up with dog-friendly outdoor tables, and completely delicious food!
  • Vernal Brewing – Great pub food and beer options
  • Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum – A really excellent small natural history museum. This is not dog-friendly, but if you have the opportunity to visit, we highly recommend.

More information about Vernal, Utah

Land acknowledgement

Red rock formations and a lake
Incredible shoreline at Red Fleet State Park

Dinolsaur National Monument and Vernal, Utah, is located on the ancestral homelands of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), & Timpanogos peoples.

To show respect to the native peoples who cared for these lands long before white settlers, we do several things: 

  • Research and speak the names of the traditional guardians of the land. We use Nativeland.net 
  • Ask permission from the land itself before we enter. It might seem silly at first, but the more this becomes a habit, the more you become attuned to the ways in which the land speaks.
  • Make donations to native-led organizations that support the communities whose ancestral lands were stolen.

Our story

I’ve been aware of Dinosaur National Monument for years, but I didn’t fully understand how it stood out in comparison to the other stellar National Parks in Colorado and Utah, so I didn’t prioritize it. 

Then came July 2024. My good friend and I had started making a tradition of July road trips for a very sentimental reason. Her dad passed away a couple years prior. They were very close, and I had gotten to know him as well. He was a spirited, humorous Scottish man who was a marine geologist with an affinity for admiring handsome cows of all sorts. His birthday was in July, and we decided to start taking an annual road trip to somewhere with interesting geology each year on his birthday to honor him. And this year, Dinosaur popped to mind. It fit our criteria – a somewhat exotic destination, but not too far of a drive from where we live. Without knowing much about the park except that it allows dogs in many areas, we packed up Bonnie & Ada, and took off to discover what Dinosaur had to offer. 

Now personally, I’ve explored a ton of Colorado and Utah, so I wasn’t expecting to be blown away to the degree that I was. And it’s hard to explain, but as soon as you enter the area, you GET IT. The sheer diversity of visible geology is captivating. So many different colors of rock layers are exposed in the most incredible formations, and completely unlike other areas we’ve explored. We only had a couple days here, and I thought it would be enough. But alas, I find myself thinking about this area frequently, and dreaming about when we can return. Below you’ll find info about the incredible places we explored, plus others that are now on our to-do list for next time.

Dinosaur National Park’s pet policies

Dog splashing in river
Ada loved playing in the cool, refreshing river on the hot day when we visited the park
  • Leash Rule: Pets must be on a leash (maximum 6 feet) or physically restrained at all times. They cannot be left unattended or tied to objects.
  • Allowed Areas: Leashed pets can be within 100 feet of roads, parking lots, campgrounds, day-use areas, and river launches. They are welcome on select trails, including:
    • Colorado Side: Plug Hat Butte trails, Canyon Overlook, Echo Park Overlook, and Iron Springs Bench Overlook.
    • Utah Side: Swelter Shelter Petroglyphs trail and the River Trail.
  • Restricted Areas: Pets are not allowed on shuttles, inside visitor centers, or the Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall. In summer, visitors with pets can drive to the Quarry. Pets are also prohibited on non-designated trails, in backcountry areas, and during river trips.
  • Violations: Owners of pets running loose may face additional costs, including boarding, veterinarian fees, transportation, and fines.

Click here to read all pet policies at Dinosaur National Monument

Our strategy for visiting Dinosaur National Park

It’s important to know that while Dinosaur is one large unit of land, it is functionally divided into the Utah part, and the Colorado part. Technically, they can connect, but it would be via a long dirt road that requires high clearance and 4×4 driving. So it’s helpful to think about it in two parts: 

  • The Utah side is accessed via the Quarry Entrance road, and is anchored by the Quarry Visitor Center. 
  • The Colorado side is accessed via Harper’s Corner Road, and is anchored by the Canyon Visitor Center. 

The two visitor centers/entrances are about 30 miles apart, and then there is more driving once you enter the park from either angle. So if you want to see both sides of the park, I recommend allowing at least two days, and devoting one day to the Utah side, and one day to the Colorado side. 

It’s also important to know that dinosaur fossils are ONLY viewable on the Quarry side. So if it’s dinosaur stuff you’re after, definitely prioritize this side!

Hiking with your Dog: 12 Tips to Always be Pup-Pared

Guide to visiting (nearly) any National Park with your dog

Utah side

Sign that says: Welcome to Utah, Life Elevated
  • Enter from: Quarry Entrance Road
  • Visitor Center: Quarry Visitor Center (not dog-friendly, so recommended you take turns with someone inside, and someone outside with your dog)

On the Utah side, we recommend starting by visiting the Quarry Exhibit Hall (which necessitates a stop into the Quarry Visitor Center to arrange transportation). Then driving through the Cub Creek area, and making several stops at the dog-friendly trails, picnic areas, and viewpoints, all of which are explained below. 

Activity #1: Quarry Exhibit Hall

The Quarry Exhibit Hall at Dinosaur National Monument offers a fascinating glimpse into the Late Jurassic Period with over 1,500 fossilized dinosaur bones embedded in the Morrison Formation. Inside, visitors can view fossils of iconic species like Stegosaurus and Allosaurus, as well as exhibits on ancient mammals, reptiles, and plants. Accessible year-round, the Exhibit Hall can be reached by shuttle. However, dogs are not allowed on the shuttle, so if you simply tell the rangers in the visitor center you are visiting with a dog, they will allow you to drive to the quarry facility. 

ADA-compliant features ensure accessibility, and pets are welcome in the parking area but not inside the hall. When we visited, we simply took turns hanging outside in the shaded area with the pups, and exploring inside the quarry hall. There’s even a dog-friendly drinking fountain, so be sure to hydrate!

Activity #2: Cub Creek scenic drive with stops for scenic views, picnic areas, and hiking

From the Quarry Visitor center, we recommend driving the 10 mile (one way) scenic drive along Cub Creek Road, and stop at the following dog-friendly spots.

Utah side itinerary

  1. Quarry Visitor Center & Quarry Exhibit Hall – Dogs are not allowed inside the visitor center or Exhibit Hall
  2. Swelter Shelter Petroglyphs 
  3. Green River Scenic Overlook
  4. Green River Campground – A great place to park and let your pup splash around in the river
  5. Green River Trail – This is the longest dog-friendly hiking trail in the park, so definitely recommended to get your pup some exercise
  6. Turtle Rock
  7. Cub Creek Petroglyphs
  8. Josie Morris Homesite – Dogs are not allowed to enter the home, but can walk around and stretch legs in the parking lot.

Colorado side

  • Enter from: US 40 & Harper’s Corner Road
  • Visitor Center: Canyon Visitor Center (not dog-friendly, so recommended you take turns with someone inside, and someone outside with your dog)

When entering from the Colorado side, we recommend a quick stop into the Canyon Visitor Center to orient yourself. Then embarking on the Harper’s Corner scenic drive, which leads to stunning views of the Green and Yampa river canyons.. Along the way there are dog-friendly picnic areas, viewpoints, and trails you can explore, detailed below. If you have a high clearance vehicle, you can also explore the Echo Park area.

Harper’s Corner Scenic Drive itinerary

  1. Canyon Visitor Center – Dogs are not allowed inside the visitor center
    • Cold Desert Trail 
  2. Plug Hat Butte Picnic Area
    • Plug Hat Butte Trail
    • Plug Hat Trail
  3. Escalante Overlook
  4. Upper Canyon Overlook
  5. Vivas Cake Hill Overlook
  6. Echo Park Overlook & Picnic Area
  7. Island Park Overlook
  8. Harper’s Corner

Add-on activity if you have high clearance vehicle: Echo Park Scenic Drive

Echo Park, in the heart of Dinosaur National Monument’s canyon country, features the confluence of the Yampa and Green Rivers near the towering Steamboat Rock. Accessing Echo Park requires an additional 13 mile journey from Harper’s Corner Road, on unpaved roads suitable for high-clearance vehicles only. Check road conditions before visiting, and only attempt this drive if you have proper vehicle capability. 

Details about the hikes you can enjoy with your dog

(Utah side) Green River Trail

(Colorado side) Cold Desert Trail

(Colorado side) *Plug Hat Butte Trail

(Colorado side) *Plug Hat Trail

*These two trails can be linked together via the parking lot, and will result in about a 1 mile walk.

Incredible dog-friendly places near Vernal & Dinosaur that are worth a side-trip

Fantasy Canyon

Fantasy Canyon, often referred to locally as Flying Witch, features strikingly eroded sandstone formations that rise vividly from clay beds, located 40 miles south of Vernal. Visitors can explore a self-guided trail adorned with interpretive signs that provide insight into the area’s unique natural marvels.

We highly recommend you visit this incredible place at sunset time to see the most amazing colors bounce around off the rock formations.

Hike: Fantasy Canyon Loop Trail

Red Fleet State Park

Red Fleet State Park, located at 5,500 feet in northeastern Utah near the Uinta Mountains, offers a variety of activities, including hiking to 200-million-year-old dinosaur tracks, boating, fishing, camping, and picnicking. Known for its red slick rock formations, the park gets its name from three Navajo sandstone outcrops resembling a fleet of ships rising from the reservoir. The arid climate features hot summers and cold winters, with plant life such as juniper, sagebrush, and cacti, and wildlife including deer, coyotes, badgers, and a variety of birds like golden eagles, hawks, and ospreys.

Hikes in Red Fleet State Park

Dinosaur Trackway Trail

  • Trailhead: Red Fleet Dinosaur Trackway Trailhead
  • Length: 1.8 mi round trip
  • Elevation Gain: 278 ft
  • Trail Info on AllTrails

Battleship Loop Trail

  • Trailhead: Red Fleet Dinosaur Trackway Trailhead
  • Length: 2.5 mi round trip
  • Elevation Gain: 416 ft
  • Trail Info on AllTrails

Moonshine Arch

Moonshine Arch, an impressive 85 feet long and 40 feet high, is nestled within the Weber sandstone at Red Mountain’s base. Access involves a parking area near private land, so visitors are urged to respect property rights. High-clearance vehicles and hikers can proceed along the marked road to the arch, following metal directional signs and staying on designated paths.

Hike: Moonshine Arch Trail

Three Kings Panel

The McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs, renowned for their “Classic Vernal Style” Fremont rock imagery, are among the finest examples of Native American art associated with the Fremont culture. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, these petroglyphs are located on private land owned by Bar V Bar Enterprises Inc., operated by the McConkie family, who graciously allow public access.

Hike: Three Kings Panel Trail

  • Trailhead: McConkie Ranch
  • Length: 1.4 mi round trip
  • Elevation Gain: 114 ft
  • $5 per vehicle fee to park and explore the petroglyphs
  • Trail Info on AllTrails

Packing List: Always be pup-pared

Dog standing on red rocks, wearing orange backpack
We never hike without a Ruffwear backpack!

Check out all of our favorite gear in the Rockporch lockers below.

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