Dinosaur National Monument (Yampa Bench Road)
Billed as a 4×4 only road, much of this remote and spectacularly gorgeous byway can be passable in a passenger vehicle with care. If there is any doubt, though, ask at the visitor’s center in Dinosaur. The road passes through a variety of pinyon-juniper, montane shrubland, and semi-desert shrubland, with birds like Green-tailed Towhee, Plumebous Vireo, Virginia’s Warbler, and Canyon Wren. Dusky Grouse is possible along the higher portions of the road, and Golden Eagle can be found with some regularity. Scattered viewpoints on the Yampa River Canyon are truly spectacular, and unlike other areas in the park you often have them completely to yourself.
Restrictions: At times a 4x4 only road
County: Moffat
Directions:
Alternate Directions: From just east of the town of Dinosaur along US-40 near the Utah border, head north on Harper's Corner Road. The road is in Colorado for 21.5 miles from US-40, then crosses into Utah for 4 miles where the Echo Park Road takes off to the east. Follow this for just over 7 miles to Moffat CR 14N, on the right. This is the start of the Yampa Bench Road, which travels for 45 miles or so back to US-40 at Elk Springs.
Dates of Access: Closed during the winter months
Hours: Any
Ownership: National Park Service
Admission or Fees: National Parks fee
Parking: Gravel parking areas and roadside
Lodging: None
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: None
Latitude: 40.45858
Longitude: -108.84884