Colorado · National Monument trail

Harpers Corner Trail Stop 16

in Colorado

People can also alter the land. While our changes are usually not on the same scale as natural forces, they often occur much more rapidly. In the 1950s, controversy arose over a proposal to build a dam for water storage and power generation in Dinosaur National Monument directly below this point at the head of Whirlpool Canyon.

Many people protested that the Green and Yampa Canyons deserved to remain in their natural state. Ultimately, the protests were heeded and a dam was instead built at Flaming Gorge, 70 miles (113 Kilometers) upstream on the Green River from here. Even though the dam was located outside the monument, it still affects this area.

Stream side plants, some considered invasive, are no longer scoured out by spring floods and are spreading. Native fish, adapted to muddy water have retreated to the Yampa River because most of the Green River’s sediment now settles behind the dam. Four of these fish are now Federally listed as Endangered Species.

States: Colorado
Trail type: National Monument trail
Centroid nearest city: Salt Lake City, UT · 152 mi · ~4 hr drive
Centroid coords: 40.5345°, -109.0079°

About Dinosaur National Monument

National Monument

This trail is inside Dinosaur National Monument, a national monument managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Entrance fee: $25 per vehicle (verify current rate on the park page). An America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all NPS units.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/harpers-corner-trail-stop-16.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/dino/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked Harpers Corner Trail Stop 16 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.