Overview

The Dinosaur Diamond Region is blessed with recreational resources of global significance. Annually, visitors come from all over North America and Europe and Asia to visit the national parks and monuments, national recreation area, national forests, BLM resource areas, and state parks. Much of the land around the Dinosaur Diamond is very remote country and food, phone, gas or other supplies are limited. Be prepared with all the water you will need for the trip plus repair kit, food or any other necessities for extended rides. Another caution is the limited access to cell service, it is best to advise another party of your route and destination and an estimated arrival time.

Just some of the recreation attractions available within the Dinosaur Diamond area include:

Scenic viewing,
photography,
nature study,
hiking,
backpacking & camping,
mountain biking,
fishing,
river rafting,
power boating,
4-wheel driving,
rock crawling
Rock & Ice Climbing

The Moab and Fruita areas are a nationally renowned mountain bike recreation area. Rangely is heading in the same direction. The truth is the secrets of other areas throughout the Dinosaur Diamond just haven't been discovered yet except for local knowledge.

Regional recreation resources also include

• Goblin Valley State Park
• Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
• Edge of the Cedars State Park, Utah
• San Juan National Forest, Colorado
• Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
• Grand Mesa National Forest, Colorado
• Canyonlands National Park, Utah
• Canyon Rim Recreation Area, Utah
• Moab Community Recreation Resources, Utah
• Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
• Arches National Park, Utah
• Colorado National Monument, Colorado
• White River National Forest, Colorado
• Grand Junction Community Recreation Resources, Colorado
• Fruita Community Recreation Resources, Colorado
• Rangely Community Recreation Resources, Colorado
• BLM - Grand Junction Field Office - Outdoor Recreational Opportunities

Hiking & Biking Trails

Biking & Hiking in Rangely is relatively nearby in the sandstone rims and mesas located north of town. With 1.6 million acres of public land in the county the rewards of exploring these areas are great: beautiful vistas, abundant wildlife, evidence of those ancient cultures, and solitude. Around Fruita, McInnis Canyons, the Colorado National Monument, and Glade Park, make Fruita a prime destination for b iking and hiking enthusiasts. Moab offers a huge variety of trails for mountain bikers of any experience level, from beginners looking for a scenic ride through beautiful canyons and mesa tops, to seasoned bikers looking for the ultimate challenge to an assortment of easy and extremely scenic biking trails. Moab is well known for the world famous, and highly technical. Slickrock Bike Trail. This challenging 9.6 mile trail is considered by many to be the ultimate mountain biking experience. Price offers the San Rafael Swell with some wonderful scenic drives and backcountry hiking opportunities for the adventurous. To the west are the forested highlands of the Wasatch Plateau offering some pleasant scenic drives, hiking and mountain biking opportunities in a cool alpine setting. Duchense is located on US-40 on the junction of the Strawberry and Duchesne rivers, this small hamlet is best known as a key jumping off point to the Uinta Mountain Range and the northern end of Nine Mile Canyon offering hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking. Roosevelt

Fishing

White Water Rafting, Floating & Canoeing

The Green River through Lodore Canyon was the first major canyon encountered by Major Powell's historic exploration in 1869. At that time the river was undammed and provided Powell and crew with rapids and hardships that today are only a memory. Lodore Canyon is perhaps the most scenic of all the Utah river canyons. Towering pre-cambrian sandstone and limestone cliffs dominate the first section of Lodore, slowly widening to broad meadows and side canyons offering moderate hikes to waterfalls, indian petroglyphs and pictographs.

The White River, born from snowmelt in the colorado mountains,meanders over 175 miles to its confluence with the Green River in Utah.The White River races along impetuously, sweeping around each bend as if some great rapid awaits below. It then slows and chatters over easy rapids. This is truly a place for people to learn and hone their river running skills: from young to elderly. Exploring the Grand Canyon by river is an experience unlike any other. Discover hidden waterfalls and paradisiacal side canyons - areas of Grand Canyon National Park that are accessible only by river.

Whether you're looking for a smooth sailing 1 day float, or you want to get "Maytag'ed" for a couple days in Westwater Canyon, Fruita claims to be a great place to begin your float. Rangely claims they have the perfect spot for a relaxed family rafting experience. Vernal believes they are the spot to start your white water rafting experience. The truth is that no matter where you start whether it be in Colorado or Utah the dinosaur diamond region offers some of the world's best white water rafting, with trips to match virtually any schedule and appetite for adventure.

White River Map (Pdf File)

Backpacking & Camping

Scenic viewing, Photography & Nature watching

Off-Road and 4 Wheeling

All of the regions that make up the Dinosaur Diamond offer backcountry driving for the whole family, taking you along many of Utah and Colorado's most beautiful roads, which offer not only spectacular scenery but also a glimpse into each State and the West's history. From trips through amazing geological features to old mining towns, all present exceptional opportunities to get off the beaten path and explore the area that never fails to amaze visitors.The Dinosaur Diamond area has hundreds of miles of two-track roads, hiking trails, mountain bike paths, and open land through high-desert plateaus, canyons and mountains. After a day of hiking or biking, take a moment to stargaze under the unpolluted night skies.

Power Boating

Rock Crawling

Moab, Utah is the Mecca of the 4WD world with over 30 trails to choose from, most within a short drive from town. These trails cover some of the most rugged and scenic country you will find anywhere. Forest, desert, steep sculptured canyon walls and rims, rivers, mountains, and famous Moab "slick rock" provide incredible variety and captivating beauty. The trail difficulties range from easy to nearly impossible to satisfy every level of 4WD trail addiction.

Caving, Rock & Ice Climbing

With very little imagination you can envision doing many thingswithin the dinosaur Diamond, such as; rafting, some mountain biking, perhaps off-roading, or a drive through a National Park. But add a little more imagination and a little pluck and your idea of what one is capable of doing and seeing will greatly expand ! Hiring a climbing guide is one of the best and safest ways to develop specific skills, specially with caving and ice climbing. Caving and Climbing opportunities within the Dinosaur Diamond abound. Trying rock climbing for the first time, or just getting to know an area from a different perspective the Dinosaur Diamond has the opportunities available.

Dinosaur Diamond Partnership

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