Colorado · National Monument trail

Ruple Point Trail

in Colorado

For most of its length, Ruple Point Trail crosses a rolling terrain filled with sagebrush and juniper. Near the end of the trail, a short descent rewards hikers with a breathtaking views of Split Mountain Canyon and the Green River 2,500 feet (762 meters) below. Length: 4.1 miles one way / 9.2 mile round trip.

Not a loop. Level of Difficulty: Moderate to difficult. Trail may be difficult to follow in some areas. Trailhead Location: Island Park Overlook on the Harpers Corner Road, 27 miles north of the Canyon Visitor Center.

(Note: while the trail itself lies within Utah, it can only be accessed from the Colorado side of the monument.) Your Safety: Be prepared for desert hiking. Take a hat, sunscreen, and water. Let someone know where you are going, and when to expect you back.

States: Colorado
Trail type: National Monument trail
Centroid nearest city: Salt Lake City, UT · 148 mi · ~4 hr drive
Centroid coords: 40.4858°, -109.0944°

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/ruple-point-trail.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 Ruple Point Trail and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.