Changes At Dinosaur National Monument Plus Dead Horse Point Yurts

Leg fossil at Dinosaur National Monument - Dave Webb

Dinosaur National Monument is one of the great places in the world to see and learn about dinosaur fossils. The monument also offers incredible scenery, great adventure and fascinating ancient Native American rock art.

The Monument has announced changes in its open hours and services. The Deseret News has this report. Below are excerpts.

Through September, the Quarry Visitor Center will be open daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the Quarry Exhibit Hall will be open daily, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Beginning Oct. 1, the Quarry Visitor Center and Exhibit Hall will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Also, staff will continue to offer daily ranger-guided hikes on the Fossil Discovery Trail at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. through Sunday.

On the Colorado side of the monument, the Canyon Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 18, when it will close for the season.

Campgrounds will also begin closing for the season or going into winter operations. Water service at the Echo Park Campground will be turned off Sept. 23. Campers may still use the campground but must bring their own water. When water is not available, camping fees will not be charged.

Read the article for details.

Yurts Now Offered At Dead Horse Point State Park

Camping has long been popular at scenic Dead Horse Point State Park. Now, beginning Oct. 1, visitors will have the option or staying in a yurt. Brett Prettyman describes them in this article from the Salt Lake Tribune. Here are excerpts.

Three of the large, round structures will open for rental at the park Oct. 1. Each can sleep up to six people with a queen-size bunk bed and a full-size futon. Air conditioners and a furnace mean the yurts will be open throughout the year.

"Two of the yurts look into across the La Sal Mountains and into the Colorado River canyon," said Dead Horse Point State Park manager Megan Blackwelder. "An hour before sunset you can see the canyon turn bright orange. It will be particularly beautiful every day at sunrise and sunset. Ninety percent of our visitors come from out of state and a lot of them are not campers. We wanted to offer a different experience and give people another way to spend the night in the park."