salt lake city to rocky mountain national park and back … · dinosaurs and deserts loop salt lake...

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PROOF

Some of the least-crowded and most beautiful red-rock canyons, rivers and recreational opportunities await on this fantastic road trip. Start in Salt Lake City and head southeast toward Vernal,

Utah, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and Dinosaur National Monument. Farther west is Craig, Colo., where two-thirds of the monument sits and where wild horses and herds of elk beck-on. Then drive to Steamboat Springs, an authen-tic modern ski town known for its summer activi-ties, cowboy culture and vibrant downtown. From there, it's a gorgeous drive to Rocky Mountain National Park. Take the southern route home to visit three more spectacular national park sites: Colorado National Monument and Arches and Canyonlands national parks in Moab, Utah.

Explore some of the country's most amazing red-rock landscapes and soaring granite peaks on this 1,140-mile tour.

D I N O S AU R S A N D D E S E R T S

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S A LT L A K E C I T Y T O R O C K Y M O U N TA I N N AT I O N A L P A R K A N D B A C K

COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT

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66 COLORADO EDITION 2019

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SALT LAKE CITY TO DUTCH JOHN, UTAH

238 miles, 3 hours and 32 minutes

H I D D E N G E MExplore Dinosaur National Monument and more in Vernal, Utah.

Desert Oasis

Cool down in the heat of summer by renting a stand-up paddleboard at the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area in Utah.

You won’t even have to worry about waves from motorized boats. A number of wakeless paddling trails near the dam and near Sheep Creek Overlook enable you to explore canyons that rise anywhere between 100 and 1,000 feet.

“It’s really spectacular,” says Ryan Kelly, Flaming Gorge marketing director. “It’s a great way to get that deep canyon experience without going on a commercial trip downstream.”

Below the Flaming Gorge Dam runs a mellow stretch of the Green River that's great for family river floating. Rent a raft and float seven miles downstream to Little Hole takeout where a pre-arranged shuttle can pick you up. Or rent a houseboat to explore the 91-mile-long reservoir.

For great scenery, visit Red Canyon Overlook, the area's most Instagramm ed spot.

Learn more at fl aminggorgecountry.com.

Looking to avoid crowds and see one of the country's most spectacular national monuments?

Head to Vernal, Utah, to ex-plore Dinosaur National Monu-

ment. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the John Wesley Powell expedition to ex-plore the Colorado and Green rivers, the latter of which flows through the monument. You'll see ancient Native American rock art of ani-mal-like figures, abstract designs and human-like figures whose meaning is still a mystery. You'll also find unmistakable dinosaur bones embedded in the monument's sandstone walls.

The area's extensive dinosaur fossils have locals bragging their town was established 150,000,000 years ago. See some of the an-cient residents at Utah Field House of Natu-ral History State Park Museum. A giant Di-plodocus stretching 90 feet from tail to tip will greet you at the door. Inside, learn about the area's dinosaurs and how to tell fossils apart from pebbles. Step into the Fossil Lab to dis-

cover scientists working with dinosaur bones. And don’t miss the Dinosaur Garden where 17 full-sized replicas of prehistoric animals loiter.

A highlight is Red Fleet State Park 13 miles north of Vernal on Hwy. 191 where you can walk on a rolling, 1.5-mile trail to 200-million-year-old dinosaur tracks. Go early in the morn-ing or late afternoon as the tracks are diffi-cult to see when the sun is directly above you. There’s camping here, and the park rents kay-aks, canoes and paddleboards to explore the Red Fleet Reservoir.

Head to Betty’s Cafe, 416 W. Main St., for a reasonably-priced breakfast. For craft beer and a gastro pub menu, dine at Vernal Brewing Co. Beers are named after area attractions like Lit-tle Hole Lager [a Green River boat takeout] and Allosaurus Amber.

Stop by the Utah Field House of National History State Park Museum, 496 East Main St., for more area information or visit dino-land.com.

RED FLEET STATE PARK


The dinosaurs may have been prehistoric but they knew what they were

doing. They found a scenic oasis of adventure and stayed so long it

is their final resting place. See what they saw and go beyond the bones

to experience everything the area has to offer.

The dinosaurs may have been prehistoric but they knew what they were

THEY CAME HERE FOR A REASON.

DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT

EXPERIENCE THE

A N D B E Y O N D !


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S T O P A N D S TAY

Looking for a place to stay near Dinosaur National Monument? Choose between two reliable chain ho-tels on the west and east side of the monument.

In Vernal, Utah, spend the night at Holiday Inn Express. There’s an indoor pool and whirlpool if you

want to take a dip and free on-site laundry facilities to wash the red-desert sand off your clothes. Plus, with free Wi-Fi and

a friendly staff that give you area tips, you have a great base to plan your next day

in the area. Farther east on the other side of

Dinosaur National Monument, you’ll find the Candlewood Suites in

Craig, Colo. If you arrive hungry, the hotel staffers have prepared a great list of local restaurants

with tips on what each offers. They also have a list of what

to do. Along with free Wi-Fi, you can do your own laundry here for free, making packing up a lot cleaner.

Learn more at marshotelmanage-ment.com/our-properties/hotels/.


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VERNAL, UTAH, TO CRAIG, COLO. AND THEN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLO. Variable miles and hours

EXPLORE DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT

WHY GO: Two-thirds of this striking national monument are in Colorado's Moffat County, making the area a must-see. TIP: Head to the Quarry Exhibit Hall where you can see 1,500 dinosaur fossils on a cliff wall and touch fossils from 149 million years ago.

2. RAFT THE GREEN OR YAMPA RIVERSWHY GO: The confl u-

ence of the Green and Yampa rivers is in the monument amid gorgeous canyons. TIP: Jump on a raft with OARS or Adventure Bound Expeditions to cool down and have an amazing adventure.

3. VISIT DEER-LODGE PARK WHY GO: See hundreds of elk

year-round at this area on the monument's eastern edge. There are restrooms and eight camping sites that accomodate trailers. TIP: To get there, go west from Craig on Hwy. 40 to mile marker 44. Take the Deerlodge Park Road north for 12 miles, following the

paved road to the campground.

4. STOP AT SANDWASH BASINWHY GO: See one of

the country's last remaining herds of free-roaming wild mustangs in Moffat County. TIP: Sand Wash Basin is located 45 miles west of Craig, Colo. Drive west on Hwy. 40 past the town of Maybell. Turn north on Hwy. 318 and drive approximately 15 miles. Turn right on County Road 75 to enter the basin.

5. BROWSE F.M. LIGHT & SONSWHY GO: This iconic store in

Steamboat Springs, Colo., has been providing locals and tour-ists with items celebrating the town's cowboy heritage since Nov. 9, 1905. TIP: Get a photo next to Light-ning, the fiberglass quarterhorse that has stood on the sidewalk outside the store since 1949. Named after the family name, it was designated a historical as-set by city council in 1995.

6. STROLL TO FISH CREEK FALLSWHY GO: Walk just

a quarter mile on a gravel, ADA-

accessible trail to reach this breathtaking 280-foot waterfall. TIP: From Lincoln Avenue (Hwy. 40), go north on 3rd Street and take a right on Fish Creek Falls Road. Drive four miles to the trail-head. It's $5/vehicle for day use.

7. SOAK IN HOT SPRINGSWHY GO: Steamboat is home to two differ-

ent hot springs experiences. TIP: For family fun, head to Old Town Hot Springs in downtown where waterslides, a lap pool and more await. For a rustic experience in a beautiful setting, head out of town to Strawberry Park Hot Springs. Kids are only allowed during daytime since

nights are clothing-optional. Parking is limited.

8. EXPLORE DOWNTOWNWHY GO: Spend an afternoon perusing

Steamboat's historic downtown, which is full of great restaurants, art galleries and shops. TIP: Take a break from shopping and walk or rent bikes to explore the fl at Yampa River Core Trail, a block from Lincoln Avenue.

Learn more at the Moffat County Tourism Association, 250 Victory Way in Craig, Colo or at visitmof-fatcounty.com. Learn more about Steamboat Springs, Colo., at steamboatchamber.com.

DOWNTOWN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT

W E S T E R N C O L O R A D O From wild horses near Craig, Colo., to one of Colorado's most authentic modern cowboy towns,

Steamboat Springs, don't miss these top eight sights on the way to Rocky Mountain National Park.

1.



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Visit S TEAMBOAT SUMMER.COM

PUT A LITTLE MORE WOW

VA C AT I O N

Up here in Steamboat, you’ll find all the natural beauty and sunshine-filled activities that Colorado is famous

for. So get up here and ride a bike, ride a horse, or ride a mountain coaster. Hike, fish, golf, shop, dine and

just take in the incredible scenery in the town that’s a little bit more of what makes Colorado, Colorado.


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1. ARCHES NATIONAL PARKSee the iconic Delicate Arch up-close on a 3-mile roundtrip hike. At 64 feet high and 45 feet wide, it's Arches National Park’s largest freestanding arch. Along the way, you’ll pass the Wolfe Ranch cabin and Native American petroglyphs. Arrive early to get a parking spot and to avoid heat and crowds. It's a popular hike in the park.

2. ZIP LINE ADVENTUREGet your adrenaline fix at Raven’s Rim Zip Line Adventures. Your day starts when you climb aboard an off-road, four-wheel-drive vehicle to drive to the high desert of Moab. There are six zip lines and a suspension bridge to test just

how brave you are. The office is at 998 N. Main St.; ravensrim.com.

3. RAFT THE COLORADO RIVERSee the red-rock canyons from a different point of view on a half-day rafting trip on the Daily section of the Colorado River. Gentle rapids make this outing fun for everyone. Kids must be 40 pounds or heavier to go on area river trips. 4. COURTHOUSE WASHYou don’t need to go to a museum to see ancient Native American art. Easily accessible from town, the Courthouse Wash art panel is 19 feet high and 52 feet long. Vandals defaced these drawings in 1980, but archaeologists

restored the panels only to discover older drawings behind the white shields held by figures. To see them head north on Hwy. 191 and cross the Colorado River Bridge. Drive .5 miles to the parking area.

5. NEGRO BILL CANYON TRAILFor a beautiful hike along a year-round stream, do this 4-mile roundtrip hike to Morning Glory Natural Bridge. Spanning 243 feet, the natural bridge is the nation’s sixth-longest. Avoid the poison ivy near the bridge. This hike is easily accessible from Moab and outside both national parks. Take Hwy. 191 out of Moab and turn right onto Hwy. 128. Drive for three miles. The trailhead will be on your right.

Learn more about the greatest things to do in Moab at the Moab Area Travel Council's website, discovermoab.com.

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK TO MOAB, UTAH

366 miles, 5 hours and 54 minutes

M O A B ' S T O P F I V EWith so many things to do in Moab, choose among our favorite five things to do with family.


MOAB_COJ_2019.indd 1 11/14/18 2:41 PM

salt lake city to rocky mountain national park and back … · dinosaurs and deserts loop salt lake...

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