Colorado · National Monument trail

Sound of Silence Trail Stop 15

in Colorado

For those feeling fit and adventurous, an optional side trip is available at this spot. Climb the sloping rock stretching to the sky to the west. Step carefully, move slowly, and when you reach the top, you will be rewarded with a 360° panorama.

Alternatively, you can enjoy the view from the shade of the juniper tree beside the trail marker, and contemplate that you are standing at the northern edge of the Colorado Plateau. Encompassing 240,000 square miles, this area is sometimes known as “Red Rock Country” and centers on the Four Corners area where Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico meet. There are 27 National Parks and Monuments, 30 wilderness areas, millions of acres of National Forest and many other protected areas in this high desert region of the plateau.

Dinosaur National Monument is the northernmost of these parks. Each place has a unique contribution to the story of the southwest.

States: Colorado
Trail type: National Monument trail
Centroid nearest city: Salt Lake City, UT · 139 mi · ~4 hr drive
Centroid coords: 40.4426°, -109.2761°

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/sound-of-silence-trail-stop-15.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 Sound of Silence Trail Stop 15 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.