I have wanted to go to Dinosaur National Monument for 15 years. The six hourish drive from Denver makes it tough on typical two day weekends, BUT Memorial Day 2015 would prove to be the year we made it AND the kick off to the 2015 Camping Season. We opted for the Utah side as it seemed to have a bit of everything – campgrounds, hiking, dinosaur doings and, as rain has been an issue as of late, more passable roads and the weather proved . Want to go? 10 reasons to get Dinosaur National Monument now!
1. Great $12 / night Campsites. (P.S. Rumor is the campsites rarely fill up except on holiday weekends)
$12 / night Campsite (#9) at Green River Campground.
Kicking off the 2015 Camping Season.
2. Views
View from Utah side of Dinosaur National Monument
3. And Views
Dinosaur National Monument, Utah
4. And Views
The Green River (that is not green)
Also the Green River and also still not green
5. Learn about Ladies that Were Legends
This is the cabin of Josie Basset. After marrying five times, hung out with outlaws and then decided to bag it all and be a rancher until the age of 90.
View from Josie Morris Bassett’s property
View from Josie Morris Bassett’s property
View from Josie Morris Bassett’s property
View from Josie Morris Bassett’s property
More about Josie and her bad assness and outlawing ways here.
6. See Ancient Art? Graffiti? Both? Neither?
Pteroglyphs on the Road to See Josie Morris Bassett’s Cabin
Pteroglyphs on a trail we encountered while driving to see Josie Morris Bassett’s Cabin.
7. See Dinosaurs!
David en route to the Dinosaur Quarry
Dinosaur bone inside the Dinosaur Quarry exhibit
Dinosaur Quarry Visitor’s Center
8. Stop at Crazy Adorable Coffee Shops on the Way There
Wild Goose Coffee, Hayden, Colorado. (It closed at 2 pm. We arrived at 2:15 pm. It was heartbreaking but charming nonetheless. We will be more timely next time!)
9. And When You Wake Up and It Looks Like a Virtual Guarantee it will Rain All Day….Drive to Steamboat Springs and Go Bowling
Snow Bowl, Steamboat Springs, Colorado (Sunday night is $1 night!)
David showing Steamboat how it is Done.
10. And get the reminder that Colorado is truly a four season state somewhere – seemingly every day of the year.
Rabbit Ears Pass
A few extra tips if you go:
- Learn about the lady legends of the area
- Get detailed trail maps
- Find campgrounds and make camping reservations
- Get all the insider info on exploring Dinosaur National Monument
- Float down the river on a raft
- Spend some days camping and others in a hotel
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