Deerlodge Park Campground campground
Jensen, Utah

Deerlodge Park Campground

Mostly first-come
8 campsites
Open in maps

8

Total Campsites

Campground

Reservable Sites

Mostly first-come

Accessible

ADA-compliant sites

Organization

Managing agency

Overview

About 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, 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 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. 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.

  • 8 total campsites listed.
  • Primarily first-come camping based on current listing data.
  • Most common site type: unknown (8).
  • Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
Deerlodge Park Campground photo 2
Deerlodge Park Campground photo 3

Our Take

What makes Deerlodge Park Campground special

Deep in the eastern reaches of Dinosaur National Monument, Deerlodge Park Campground occupies a broad, grassy bench along the Yampa River, 51 miles east of the Canyon Visitor Center near Jensen, Utah. This is one of the most remote campgrounds in the National Park system, and that remoteness is precisely the point. Eight sites are spread across an open meadow fringed by cottonwoods, with canyon walls rising in the distance and the Yampa sliding past in no particular hurry. Deerlodge Park serves as the primary put-in for rafting trips through the Yampa Canyon, one of the last free-flowing rivers in the Colorado River system. Even if you are not running the river, the campground makes an outstanding base for exploring the area on foot or simply soaking in a landscape that has changed remarkably little over the centuries. The best time to visit is late spring through early fall, with May and June being particularly rewarding when the Yampa runs full from snowmelt. Summer heat can be intense, so plan accordingly. The road in is long and unpaved, so check conditions with the monument before making the drive. Given the isolation, you will often find sites available, but bringing everything you need is non-negotiable. No services exist nearby. For those who crave genuine backcountry solitude with a riverside address, Deerlodge Park is hard to beat.

Campsite Inventory

8 sites to choose from

Unknown

8total sites

0

Reservable

0

Accessible

Amenities & Details

Everything you need to know

Bed Type

N/A

Campfire Allowed

Yes

Site capacity

N/A

Check-in time

1:00 PM

Check-out time

12:00 PM

Condition Rating

N/A

Driveway Grade

Slight

Driveway surface

Gravel

Electricity Hookup

N/A

Location Rating

N/A

Max guests

8

Minimum guests

Yes

Pets allowed

Yes

Proximity to Water

Riverfront

Shade

Yes

Shower/Bath Type

N/A

Site Access

N/A

Site Rating

N/A

Reservations & Contact

Plan your stay

Mostly first-come

Phone

435-781-7700

Email

dino_information@nps.gov

Getting There

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.

FAQ

Common questions

Everything you need to know before your trip to Deerlodge Park Campground.

How do reservations work for Deerlodge Park Campground?

Reservation availability for Deerlodge Park Campground can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.

What campsite types are available at Deerlodge Park Campground?

Deerlodge Park Campground currently lists Unknown (8).

Where is Deerlodge Park Campground located?

Deerlodge Park Campground is in Utah near Jensen. Coordinates: 40.4464, -108.5126.

Keep Exploring

Discover more campgrounds

More campgrounds in Utah