| Dinosaur National Monument is located within Echo Park, named by John Wesley Powell in 1869 during his first scientific expedition into the Colorado Plateau. It is here that the Yampa River, the last natural flowing river in the Colorado River System, joins the Green River.This is home and critical habitat for the endangered peregrine falcon, bald eagle, Colorado pikeminnow, and razorback sucker. Indian rock art in Echo Park testifies to the allure these canyons and rivers had for prehistoric people.A lot of people assume that the main experience at Dinosaur National Monument is to see the dinosaur bones at the Dinosaur Quarry. That makes sense given the park's name. Nothing, however, could be farther from the truth. Dinosaur National Monument contains 210,000 acres of some of the most rugged and beautiful mountain and canyon country in the West.White Water Boat Trips are maybe the best way to see the heart of Dinosaur National Monument. Boaters experience the thrill of rapids, beautiful cliffs, bighorn sheep, solitude, and nature, unvarnished and wild.Fishing opportunities are available within the monument. The Green and Yampa rivers contain catfish and northern pike. Anglers need to know how to identify the four endangered native fish that live in these rivers. They are sometimes hooked by fishermen and must be immediately returned to the river unharmed. Jones Hole Creek is clear and cool, a perfect habitat for brown and rainbow trout. Special regulations apply in Jones Hole, such as artificial flies and lures only. All fishermen must have a valid state-fishing license and be familiar with the regulations.Mountain Biking is a sport that is slowly growing in popularity at Dinosaur National Monument. There are no mountain bike trails in the monument. Bikes can travel on the paved and unpaved roads in the monument, but the roads are narrow and there are no road-shoulder bike paths. Mountain bikes are not allowed on any hiking trails or two-track backcountry roads. |
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