Dinosaur National Monument (Gates of Lodore)
The Gates of Lodore may be Colorado’s greatest undiscovered scenic gem. Here the Green River, already beautiful all on its own, cuts right into Diamond Mountain, creating a giant red gateway into a sheer, precipitous canyon, all surrounded by gorgeous pinyon-juniper forest. It’s a site worth coming to for the landscape alone, but luckily the birding can also be good. The drive in passes through some riparian habitat, where species like Yellow-breasted Chat and Lazuli Bunting can be found, before coming to a campground and short trail surrounded by pinyon-juniper. Here look for Juniper Titmouse, Pinyon Jay, Black-throated Gray Warbler, and Gray Flycatcher, among others. This is one of the best places in Colorado to see the cliff chipmunk, a species rare in the state.
Restrictions: None
County: Moffat
Directions: From Maybell, travel northwest on CO 318 for 46 miles to CO RD 34N. Turn left on CO 34N, then right on CO 34 to the entrance of the National Monument.
Alternate Directions: From Maybell, travel northwest on CO 318 for 40 miles to Moffat CR 10. Go left for 0.6 miles to CR 34. Go right for 8.5 miles, to the entrance of the National Monument.
Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours: Any
Ownership: National Park Service
Admission or Fees: National Parks fee
Parking: Parking areas
Lodging: Camping
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Good handicap accessible viewpoints, but limited birding
Latitude: 40.72318
Longitude: -108.8875
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
4545 Hwy 40
Dinosaur , CO 81610
Phone:
435 781-7700
Visit the Website for Dinosaur National Monument (Gates of Lodore) »
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2263148