Dinosaur National Monument · Colorado, Utah

Plug Hat Trail

0.3 mi of trail, end to end · Hike the Plug Hat Trail: 0.25 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · 10 ft of descent · 6,999 ft–7,009 ft · bituminous surface · hiking

Views

7,009 ft 7,007 ft · 0.3 mi high 7,009 ft

Along the way Plug Hat Butte Overlook

Trailhead Plug Hat Trailhead 7,012 ft Drive there

Hike the Plug Hat Trail 0.25 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

15-45 Minutes · dogs allowed · Spring, Summer, Fall · season The Harpers Corner Road leading to this trail may be seasonally impassible due to snow and ice.

Start Harpers Corner Road

A bench beside a paved path provides views of the canyons surrounding Plug Hat Trail.
This paved trail offers accessible views of Dinosaur's rugged landscape. Photo: NPS / Molly Swindle

Distance: 0.25 miles (0.4 km) round trip

Elevation Change: None

Level of Difficulty: Easy, paved and flat with benches for resting.

Type of Trail: Loop

Trailhead: Plug Hat pull-out along Harper's Corner Road, about 5 miles (8 km) north of the Canyon Visitor Center.

Located on top of a butte, the Plug Hat Trail offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The trail is paved and winds through a forest of pinyon pine and Utah juniper trees. Signs along the way provide information about the local community of plants and animals. Benches are available at scenic areas. Although the trail is wheelchair accessible, some assistance may be needed. A wheelchair accessible picnic area is located across the road from the trailhead. Leashed pets are allowed on this trail.

Hiking brochures are available at the Visitor Centers.

Rules and Regulations

Leashed pets are allowed on this trail. Leashes must be no longer than 6 feet (2 meters) in length. Handlers must clean up and pack out pet waste.

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 some 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 judgment.

Accessibility This trail is paved and accessible to wheelchairs, although some assistance may be required. The paved path is about 3 feet (1 m) wide. There are some gentle bumps and cracks in the pavement. The trail is relatively flat the entire way. Benches are located at scenic viewpoints.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 35 trails in Dinosaur National MonumentFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.