About Rainbow Park Campground
Overview Rainbow Park Campground is 28 miles (45 km) from the Quarry Visitor Center in the Utah portion of Dinosaur National Monument. It is located on a rugged dirt road that is impassable when wet. The campground sits beside the Green River near the Rainbow Park Boat Ramp at the head of Split Mountain Canyon. Rainbow Park Campground is open year-round, but there is no winter maintenance on the unpaved road. Recreation Dinosaur National Monument covers over 210,000 acres (84984 ha). Visitor Centers. The monument features two visitor centers - one in Colorado and one in Utah. Quarry Exhibit Hall. You can see over 1,500 dinosaur fossils still in the rock inside the Quarry Exhibit Hall (Jensen, Utah). History & Culture. Numerous cultural sites reveal stories of the people who lived here before and include Fremont petroglyphs, homestead cabins and former ranches. Hiking trails allow in-depth exploration. Hiking. There are miles of trails for hiking and cross-country travel. River Rafting & Boating. Whitewater rafting, both commercial and private, are is popular on the Green and Yampa Rivers. The Yampa River multi-day rafting trips begin at Deerlodge Park. The Yampa rushes downstream 44-miles (71 km) to join the Green River at Echo Park. Boaters continue downstream on the Green River to the take-out at the Split Mountain boat ramp. The Yampa is the largest free-flowing tributary within the Colorado River system. As such, it has a shorter season marked by fluctuations in water level resulting from snow received in the winter. It is characterized by famous rapids such as Teepee, Big Joe and Warm Springs. Raft trips must be arranged in advance. For more information, visit Dinosaur's Commercial Guided River Trips page. Private River Trips require a permit. Scenic Drives. Several roads provide access to key destinations and scenic sites. Scenic drives allow the windshield visitor to see spectacular geology. Facilities Vault Toilets - year round There is no potable water avai
How to Get There
Rainbow Park Campground is 28 miles (45 km) from the Quarry Visitor Center in the Utah portion of the monument. It is located on a dirt road that is impassable when wet. From the Quarry Visitor Center, drive south on State Road 149 for 4 miles (7 km). Turn right onto Brush Creek Road, and follow it for 5 miles (8 km). Turn right at the fork, following the signs to Island Park for 4 miles (7 km). Turn right onto the Island Park Road and follow it for 12 miles (19 km) to reach Rainbow Park Campground.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Long-sleeve shirt
Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
- 🧥
Light shell or windbreaker
Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 0 mph).
- 👖
Hiking pants or convertible
Layer for variable conditions.
- 🥾
Trail runners or low boots
Comfortable, broken in.
🎒 What to Pack
- 💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to Rainbow Park Campground
Heading to Rainbow Park Campground? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Rainbow Park Campground?
No central reservation system listed for Rainbow Park Campground. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10199721) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Rainbow Park Campground?
Rainbow Park Campground is 28 miles (45 km) from the Quarry Visitor Center in the Utah portion of the monument. It is located on a dirt road that is impassable when wet. From the Quarry Visitor Center, drive south on State Road 149 for 4 miles (7 km). Turn right onto Brush Creek Road, and follow it for 5 miles (8 km). Turn right at the fork, following the signs to Island Park for 4 miles (7 km). T…
How do I contact Rainbow Park Campground?
You can reach the park at phone: 435-781-7700 or email: dino_information@nps.gov.
References & Official Resources
