Confluence/Sand Canyon Access Trail
Trailhead Echo Park Trailhead 5,081 ft Drive there
Hike the Confluence Trail 1.25 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up
30-120 Minutes · no dogs · Spring, Summer, Fall · season The paved Harpers Corner Road, which provides access to the Echo Park Road and Echo Park Campground, is typically impassable in winter, due to snow and ice. The unpaved Echo Park Road, is impassable for all vehicles when wet, regardless of the time of year. Stop in at one of the Visitor Centers to inquire about road conditions before attempting the drive to Echo Park Campground. (Note: The Canyon Visitor Center in Dinosaur, CO is closed in winter).
Start Echo Park Confluence Trail
Distance: 1.25 miles (2.0 km) round trip
Elevation Change: None
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Type of Trail: Out and back
Trailhead: Echo Park Campground, at the end of the Echo Park Road
This short, easy walk ends with views of the confluence of the Green and Yampa Rivers at Echo Park. The trail is located near the loop at the very end of the Echo Park Road.
Hiking brochures are available at the Visitor Centers.
Road Conditions:
The Harpers Corner and Echo Park roads, which lead to Echo Park campground, are typically closed in winter due to snow and ice. The Echo Park Road is rugged, unpaved, and impassable when wet, regardless of the time of year. High-clearance vehicles with at least all-wheel-drive (AWD) are strongly recommended for the Echo Park Road. RVs and trailers are not permitted on the Echo Park Road.
Rules and Regulations
Pets and animals who provide only comfort or emotional support are prohibited on this trail.
Carry out all trash.
Collecting artifacts, fossils, plants, antlers, rocks, or other objects is prohibited.
Do not feed or approach wildlife.
Biking on trails is not permitted in Dinosaur National Monument.
Your Safety
There is no shade on this trail.
Be prepared for desert hiking. Wear a hat and sunscreen. Take water. A minimum of 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water per person is recommended in summer.
Temperatures can exceed 100°F (38°C) in summer. To avoid the heat, hike in the morning or evening. Carry a headlamp if hiking near nightfall.
Let someone know where you are going and when you are due back.
Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes, such as hiking boots or athletic shoes. Open-toed shoes or sandals are not recommended.
Watch for wildlife. This is bear and mountain lion country. Keep small children close.
All natural areas pose risks. Your safety depends on your own good judgement.
Pets Pets and animals who provide only comfort or emotional support are prohibited on this trail. Per the Americans with Disabilities Act, working service dogs may go wherever their handlers go.
Accessibility The trail is an unpaved, relatively flat path along the river. The path is about 1 foot (30 cm) wide. The trail is not wheelchair accessible.