Camping at Dinosaur National Park in Utah

Summer time is the best time to go camping and hiking. There isn't a whole lot better than getting a few friends together and taking a tent and some food and camping out at your favorite park or National Monument. There are places all over to do this, but one of the most beautiful and secluded is Dinosaur National Park in Jensen, Utah. With some of the most breathtaking scenery and the best hiking anywhere, it will be a sure fire way to spend a few amazing nights with some close friends.

Located right off Route 40 in the badlands of Utah, a long hour drive down a thirteen-mile dirt road deposits you in the heart of Dinosaur National Park. With only 10-15 campsites available, it's a good bet that you might be out of luck, but check out their website for reservations. As you drop into the camping site, you are greeted by 100-foot high red-rock cliffs that reflect the sun and illuminate the whole valley. The campsites are located in a half moon and usually run around $10-15 a night.

After setting up camp, take a quick hike down tot the Green River for a little dip. The Green River stretches for hundreds of miles, and in the heart of Dinosaur National Park there are plenty of pools and streams to refresh yourself in. Check out the Dinosaur website for details on how to take a whitewater rafting trip. If you are a new hiker and need a little guidance, there are a number of guides available to show you around. Check out Western Outfit Guides, Rocky Meadows Adventures, or Rosebud Llamas Utah for some experts that really know there way around the park. Bike tours, and aerial tours in helicopters and planes are also available for a decent price.

The campsite is home to the local Ranger's office, so if you do come across some trouble that he will be sure to help. There is running water, as well as outhouses, so you won't be roughing to hard, but be sure to bring plenty of trash bags as it is a carry-in, carry-out park. A nice little perk to each campsite are the fire pits, complete with grill top. Bring some meat in a cooler and fire up some BBQ ribs or burgers and you will be sure to make some friends easily.

There is a great visitor's center that greets you before as you get to the park's entrance. It is filled with history, artifacts, and tidbits and pretty much everything else you need to know about Dinosaur National Park. It even has a gift shop where you can buy t-shirts and other mementos. If you end up staying a while, you are probably going to get sick of prepackaged food. Make sure you hit up the Dinosaur Café, a few miles down the road complete with the best breakfast you will ever have.

Dinosaur has it all. Solitude, sights, and expert hiking. Check them out for your next camping trip, or head over to their website for more info. It's located at http://www.utah.com/nationalsites/dinosaur.htm.