DINOSAURS AND DESERTS LOOP

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

GREAT SALT 80 WYOMING 80 LAKE Rocky Salt Lake Flaming Gorge Mountain City National Dutch John Dinosaur National Steamboat National Recreation Area Monument Springs Park 80 191 Hot Estes 25 Vernal 40 Sulphur Park 15 Craig Springs

Provo 40 34 40 Lyons Kremmling Boulder COLORADO 6 191 131 Glenwood Wolcott Denver Springs Price 70 15 Vail Frisco Grand Carbondale UTAH Fruita 91 Arches Junction Aspen 191 Leadville Castle National 70 133 Dale Park Palisade 24 Salina 70 Colorado 15 Green 50 Paonia River National 92 70 Monument Black Canyon Canyonlands Delta of the Gunnison National Moab National Park Park Montrose

SALT LAKE CITY TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK AND BACK

ome of the least-crowded and most Then drive to Steamboat Springs, an authentic beautiful red-rock canyons, rivers and modern ski town known for its summer activities, recreational opportunities await on this cowboy culture and vibrant downtown. From Sfantastic road trip. Start in Salt Lake City and head there, it’s a gorgeous drive to Rocky Mountain southeast toward Vernal, Utah, Flaming Gorge National Park. Take the southern route home to National Recreation Area and Dinosaur National visit three more spectacular national park sites: Monument. Farther west is Craig, Colo., in Moffat Colorado National Monument and Arches and County where two-thirds of the monument sits Canyonlands national parks in Moab, Utah. and where wild horses and herds of elk beckon.

PHOTOS: Canyonlands National Park, Utah. (Depositphotos)

MyColoradoParks.com . 53

CO-2020_RoadTrips_DinosDeserts_06.indd 53 12/5/19 1:55 PM DINOS & DESERTS SALT LAKE CITY TO DUTCH JOHN, UTAH 238 miles, 3 hours and 32 minutes HIDDEN GEM

Explore Dinosaur National Monument and more in Vernal, Utah. By Tori Peglar

ooking to avoid the crowds and see one of the country’s most spectacular national monuments? panels , most dating from 1 AD to 1300. To explore the Vernal area by ATV, head to L Owned by Jean McConkie McKenzie, the Dinosaurland KOA, 930 North Vernal Ave., Head to Vernal, Utah, to see Dinosaur National Monument. You can explore this 500-acre property may have more ancient to rent an ATV and explore trails that cater to special place by foot, but don’t miss the drawings on a one-mile-stretch than all levels and leave from the property. Or take opportunity to experience the monument by anywhere else in Utah, says Lesha Coltharp, your mountain bike to McCoy Flats, Dry water. You can raft the gorgeous Green River Uintah County travel and tourism director. Fork Flume Trail, which is 10 miles from the McConkie Ranch, or Red Fleet State Park. on a day or multi-day trip that cuts through “It’s an authentic experience,” says Coltharp, Red Fleet also has a rolling 1.5-mile hiking the monument, passing gorgeous striated noting it’s a $5 per car suggested donation to trail to 200-million-year-old dinosaur tracks. sandstone walls and lush coves. visit the ranch. “It’s Jean’s homestead and if Go early in the morning or late afternoon she’s home, she’ll show you the pottery she’s On foot, you’ll see ancient Native American since the tracks become difficult to see when collected. She just wants people to experience rock art of animal-like figures, abstract the sun is directly above you. The park also the area’s history.” designs and human-like figures whose rents kayaks, canoes and paddleboards to meaning is still a mystery. You’ll also find You’ll see the Three Kings, a set of intricate explore Red Fleet Reservoir. unmistakable dinosaur bones — more than drawings that tower above you on the cliff’s Stop by the Utah Field House of National 1,500 — in the monument’s sandstone walls. walls. You’ll also catch a glimpse of an History State Park Museum, 496 East Main ancient artist’s sense of humor when you spot Beyond the park, head to the McConkie St., for more area information or visit a drawing of a frightened hunter being Ranch just a 15-minute drive from Vernal to Dinoland.com. see hundreds of Fremont Indian rock art chased by a deer.

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

A number of wakeless about waves from experience without going river floating. Rent a raft For great scenery, visit paddling trails near the motorized boats. on a commercial trip and float seven miles Red Canyon Overlook, the dam and near Sheep downstream.” downstream to Little Hole area's most Creek Overlook enable you “It’s really spectacular,” takeout where a Instagrammed spot. to explore canyons that says Ryan Kelly, Flaming Below the Flaming Gorge pre-arranged shuttle can rise anywhere between Gorge marketing director. Dam runs a mellow pick you up. Or rent a Learn more at 100 and 1,000 feet. You “It’s a great way to get stretch of the Green River houseboat to explore the FlamingGorgeCountry. won’t even have to worry that deep canyon that's great for family 91-mile-long reservoir. com.

PHOTO: Petroglyphs at McConkie Ranch (Courtesy Uintah County Travel & Tourism)

54 . Colorado Edition 2020

CO-2020_RoadTrips_DinosDeserts_06.indd 54 12/5/19 1:55 PM WHY WESTY WESTMINSTER | COLORADO

Shop, dine and unwind with us here in Westminster. With nearly 4,000 businesses

EXPERIENCE THE THEY CAME HERE FOR A REASON.

TheThe 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 AND BEYOND! to experience everything the area has to offer.

DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT

PARTIALS_COJ_2020.indd 55 12/5/19 2:52 PM DINOS & DESERTS VERNAL, UTAH, TO CRAIG, COLO., AND THEN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLO. Variable miles and hours

WESTERN COLORADO

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.

EXPLORE EXPLORE VISIT DEER- STOP AT DINOSAUR DOWNTOWN LODGE PARK SANDWASH NATIONAL WHY GO: Stroll WHY GO: See BASIN 1 MONUMENT 2Steamboat's historic downtown, 3hundreds of elk year-round at this 4 WHY GO: See one of the which is full of great restaurants, area on the monument's eastern WHY GO: Two-thirds of this country's last remaining herds of art galleries and shops. edge. There are restrooms and free-roaming wild mustangs. striking national monument is in eight camping sites. Colorado's Moffat County, making TIP: Walk the flat Yampa River TIP: Sand Wash Basin is 45 miles the area a must-see. Core Trail, a block from Lincoln TIP: To get there, go west from west of Craig, Colo. Drive west Avenue, or rent bikes to cover Craig on Hwy. 40 to mile marker 44. on Hwy. 40 past Maybell. Turn TIP: Head to Quarry Exhibit Hall to more distance. Take the Deerlodge Park Road see 1,500 dinosaur fossils on a cliff north on Hwy. 318 and drive north for 12 miles, following the about 15 miles. Turn right on wall and touch fossils from 149 paved road to the campground. million years ago. County Road 75.

SOAK IN HOT SPRINGS WHY GO: Steamboat RAFT THE 6is home to two different hot RIVERS STROLL TO FISH springs experiences. WHY GO: Raft the CREEK FALLS TIP: For family fun, head to 7Yampa, Green and Little Snake WHY GO: Walk just a

Old Town Hot Springs where rivers, the state's healthiest 8quarter mile on a gravel, ADA- BROWSE F.M. waterslides, a lap pool and more riparian environments. accessible trail to reach this await. For a beautiful LIGHT & SONS TIP: Jump on a raft breathtaking 280-foot waterfall. setting, head to with Good Vibes WHY GO: This iconic Strawberry Park TIP: From Lincoln Avenue (Hwy. Rafting or call 5store in Steamboat Springs, Hot Springs. 40), go north on 3rd Street and take Red Coyote Colo., has been providing Kids are only a right on Fish Creek Falls Road. Shuttle for locals and tourists with items allowed Drive four miles to the trailhead. shuttles. celebrating the town's cowboy during It's $5/vehicle for day use. heritage since Nov. 9, 1905. daytime TIP: Get a selfie next to Lightning, since nights the fiberglass quarterhorse that are has stood on the sidewalk outside clothing- Learn more at the Moffat County Tourism the store since 1949. optional. Association, 250 Victory Way in Craig, Colo., or at Parking is VisitMoffatCounty.com. Learn more about limited. Steamboat Springs, Colo., at SteamboatChamber.com.

PHOTOS: Dinosaur National Monument (Courtesy of Moffat County), Cowboy hat (Depositphotos), PHOTOS: Dinosaur National Monument (Courtesy of Moffat County), Cowboy hat (Depositphotos), Strawberry Park Hot Srpings (by Noah Wetzel / Courtesy of Steamboat Springs Chamber Commerce).

56 . Colorado Edition 2020

CO-2020_RoadTrips_DinosDeserts_06.indd 56 12/5/19 1:55 PM 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.

TLE M PUT A LIT ORE WOW VACATION

Visit STEAMBOATSUMMER.COM

PARTIALS_COJ_2020.indd 57 12/5/19 2:53 PM YMCA_COJ_2019.indd 1 12/3/19 4:33 PM BEST OF COLORADO LYONSLOCATION TO ESTES 1, XX. PARK, TO LOCATION COLO. 2, XX. 21 XXXmiles, miles, 30 minutes XX hours and XX minutes

FUN FOR ALL

Choose between the YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Center on the park’s east side or Snow Mountain Ranch on the west side for great activities and lodging options.

GET ACTIVE FLY THROUGH THE AIR GO TO THE WHY GO: The WHY GO: At Snow Mountain Ranch, CRAFT Boone Family tube down a long white slide. Guests STUDIO Mountain Center staying at the ranch can reserve their 1 2 3 WHY GO: Whether you are a at the Estes Park location time slot one week in advance online. Visiting for houses all adventure activities, the day? Reserve your spot the day of in the Pinterest fanatic who is constantly including an indoor climbing Programs Building. Call the morning of your visit creating or have not picked up a wall and bouldering wall. to check on open times at 970-887-2152, ext. paintbrush since high school art 4135. class, you’ll lose track of time TIP: At Snow Mountain making leather, jewelry and wood Ranch, hike the 2-mile FOR KIDS: At Snow Mountain Ranch, younger pieces, painting ceramics and making round-trip Waterfall Trail, kids can swing on a mini-zipline unassisted at sand designs at the craft studio. which after undergoing Spruce Saddle Adventure Zone. Kids ages 8 and construction, is wider than up should head to Forest Zip Line where you climb TIP: Crafts always take longer than before and enables you to a 35-foot ladder to ride a 600-foot-long zip line. you think, so avoid going at the end of reach the top of the waterfall. the day just before the studio closes.

SADDLE UP STAY AWHILE WHY GO: From the Estes WHY GO: Both Park location, you can go YMCA locations 4 on a trail ride right into 5 have lodges and cabins for Rocky Mountain National Park. overnight stays.

TIP: Don’t want to ride? Take a wagon TIP: Spend the night and get a Stay ride at the Estes Park location. Pass wristband, giving you free access to most activities.

Learn more at YMCARockies.org and SnowMountainRanch.org

PHOTOS: Girl (Courtesy YMCA of The Rockies), pencils (Depositphotos)

Colorado Edition 2020

CO-2020_RoadTrips_BestofCO_07.indd 64 12/5/19 1:57 PM DINOS & DESERTS ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, COLO., TO ARCHES NATIONAL PARK, UTAH 366 miles, 5 hours and 40 minutes

FOUR ROAD- 3 ROADSIDE STOPS TRIP TIPS

1. CHECK YOUR BATTERY See the best in Arches National Park. Before your road trip, check your battery’s charge. Heat By Tori Peglar saps its strength, so make sure you have a full charge, especially driving through Arches National Park. PARK AVENUE DOUBLE ARCH DELICATE ARCH 2. INFLATE YOUR TIRES After stopping at Arches National See this rare sight where two You've likely seen photos of this Avoid a tire blowout or wasting Park visitor center, you’ll drive giant arches share the same dramatic, 65-foot-tall rock arch gas mileage by inflating each up steep switchbacks on a paved foundation. The taller of the two already — now check out the real tire to your car’s recommended park road. At the top, the Park arches is the tallest in the park at thing. Short option: Park at the tire pressure. That number is Avenue and Courthouse Towers 112 feet high. To see this unique Delicate Arch Viewpoint and take usually located in your car’s owner’s manual or on a sticker area is the first you’ll reach. Park sight, take your first right after the short trail to a long-distance inside your passenger door. Avenue Trail is the most popular Balanced Rock to the Windows look. Longer option: Hike the hike in the park because of its area of the park. It has the highest 3-mile (round-trip) trail from 3. EXAMINE YOUR TREADS ease and scenery. However, many concentration of natural arches Wolfe Ranch to see it up-close. Stick a penny in a tire tread visitors stop at the Park Avenue in the world. Park in the Double Either way, get here really early in with Lincoln's head upside Viewpoint, snap a few pictures, Arch Parking Area and walk the the morning or during the down. If you can see his whole and return to their cars without easy short .5 mile, round-trip evening to beat the heat and the head, you need new tires. The really exploring this amazing trail hiking trail. It leaves directly crowds. Parking can be really shallower the tread, the less responsive your tires are to along a dry wash bed between from the parking lot and is difficult if you arrive when wet, snowy or icy conditions. enormous towering walls of red relatively flat and gravel- everyone else does. sandstone. The trail is about 1 surfaced. 4. HAVE A SPARE mile long. Pack a spare and make sure it's properly inflated and has solid tread depth.

PHOTO: Park Avenue, Double Arch (Depositphotos), Delicate (iStock) These scenic stops and road-trip advice are sponsored by Nokian Tyres. Get more road-trip tips and information at NokianTires.com.

CO-2020_RoadTrips_DinosDeserts_06.indd 59 12/5/19 1:55 PM NOKIAN TYRES_GCJ_2020.indd 1 11/27/19 7:43 AM