Deerlodge Park Campground

Overview Deerlodge Park Campground is located 51 miles (85 km) east of the Canyon Visitor Center and 80 miles (129 km) from the Quarry Visitor Center. The campground sits on the Yampa River by the boat ramp at the head of Yampa Canyon. Deerlodge Park Campground is open year-round, but winter access can be very difficult due to snow. When the Yampa River exceeds an 18,000 cfs flow rate, the campground will flood. This is typically during the late spring runoff. Before you camp at Deerlodge Park, check the USGS current Yampa River flow rates and the NOAA Yampa river predicted flow rates   

The campground has seven shady walk-in sites suitable for tents. The sites have tables and fire pits. There is drinking water and vault toilets available seasonally, but no showers.  

This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you can pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app . Download the free Recreation.gov mobile app on Android or iOS prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.   

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, 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 Deerlodge Campground has seven shady walk-in sites suitable for tents. The campground has vault toilets and drinking water spigots available seasonally, but no showers. All campsites have picnic tables and campfire rings. 

Natural Features Deerlodge Park campground is in a large flat open area underneath large cottonwood trees along the Yampa River

Charges & Cancellations This is a Scan & Pay campground. There are no refunds, changes, cancellations, or other fee changes allowed with Scan and Pay payments. San & Pay is similar to putting payment into a fee tube at the campground that cannot be retrieved.

To reach Deerlodge Park Campground, drive west from Craig, Colorado 59 miles (95 km) or east of Dinosaur, Colorado 51 miles (95 km) on Highway 40. At the Dinosaur National Monument sign turn north on to Deerlodge Road (or labeled Dinosaur Park Service Rd on some maps) and drive 17 miles.