A quick desert walk to genuine dinosaur tracks in red rock, just outside Washington with minimal crowds and maximum novelty.
Trail data courtesy of OpenStreetMap contributors, Bureau of Land Management and US Geological Survey.
Dino Cliffs isn't a long hike, but it's a weird and wonderful one. You're walking across BLM land near Washington, Utah to see actual dinosaur footprints preserved in stone, then continuing deeper into a red-rock wash with views that feel a lot more remote than the trailhead location suggests. It's the kind of place that makes you stop and think: I'm standing where dinosaurs walked. That alone makes it worth the drive.
The trail itself is straightforward. From the trailhead, you'll head out on dirt across open red-sand terrain. Within about 100 yards, you'll reach the first wash and spot the dinosaur tracks. They're genuinely cool to see, not just a tourist gimmick. If you want more, keep going deeper into the wash. The trail continues for another mile or so, winding through red rock with decent views of the surrounding terrain. The surface is mostly dirt and sand, and there's virtually no elevation gain. This is a leg-stretcher, not a lung-burner.
Here's the practical reality: access to this trailhead has shifted because of recent development in the area. The old easy route is now blocked by private homes and the Solente development. Current best practice is to park at Grapevine Park and hike over from there, or use the new access road near 63 Colima Road in Washington. If you're driving to the trailhead itself, the final dirt road is steep and rough. A high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle helps. Check current conditions before you go, as construction continues to reshape access in this area. Parking is limited and can be tight on weekends.
Bring water, even though the hike is short. The desert here is exposed with minimal shade, and temperatures can spike fast. In summer, start early or plan for late afternoon when it's cooler. The red sand is loose and gets all over everything, so wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty. Dogs are welcome if leashed.
Avoid drinking unfiltered water from the Virgin River or nearby streams due to cyanobacteria concerns. Stick to water you bring from home.
This isn't a destination hike that demands a full day trip. It's a 30-minute diversion if you're passing through Washington, or a quick morning outing before heading to Zion. The novelty of seeing dinosaur footprints in the red rock is real, and the solitude you'll find here contrasts sharply with the crowds at major Zion trails. Bring a camera, expect some red sand in your car, and enjoy something genuinely different.
This is a short, exposed desert route with minimal shade — morning visits are significantly more comfortable than midday in warm months. The desert around Washington at this lower elevation gets hot quickly in summer; early starts before 9 a.m. make the difference between a pleasant stop and an unpleasant one. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons. Winter mornings are mild and this route works year-round without significant hazard. The red sand terrain is loose regardless of season; footwear that you don't mind getting thoroughly covered in fine sand is practical advice for any visit.
Access to the Dino Cliffs trailhead has shifted due to development in the area — the older access route is blocked by private property. Current approach options include parking at Grapevine Park and hiking over, or using the access near 63 Colima Road in Washington. The final dirt road to the trailhead itself is steep and rough; high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles handle it better than standard sedans. Parking is limited at the trailhead. Check current access conditions before visiting, as construction continues to reshape the area. There is no shuttle service or staffed access point for this BLM site.
Dino Cliffs is a short desert route on BLM land near Washington that earns its novelty quickly — within about 100 yards of the trailhead, the first wash delivers preserved dinosaur footprints in red stone. The tracks are genuinely in place, not replicated or staged, and the scale of individual prints is arresting if you stop to study them. Beyond the initial track site, the trail continues for roughly another mile into a red rock wash with views that feel considerably more remote than the urban fringe location suggests. The surface is mostly open sand and dirt with virtually no elevation gain. This is a short outing measured in minutes at the typical pace, not hours — a leg-stretcher with a genuine fossil payoff that pairs well with other Washington area stops.
164 reviews
a year ago
This is a fantastic trail available for all hikers and bicycle riders. I went on a Sunday and it was heavily trafficked, but there’s enough trail spread out that it felt empty still. Frequently, seeing golden doodles on the top of mountains is a common occurrence at Dino cliffs. Be not afraid, they are not actual dinosaurs, but lovable little furrbabies. Parking is close. Bathrooms are clean and very impressive.
a year ago
Access to the trailhead has recently changed with the Solente development. Go slow once you see the entrance, and just after the new gray wall ends is the new road to turn onto with a small trail access sign with a map. 4w drive helpful to get to the trail. Nice easy hike to stretch the legs on the way from Vegas to Bryce.
3 years ago
Enjoyed this hike. Not a lot of people and it’s not a very hard hike. Did a few connecting trails so hiked roughly 10 miles and it was worth it! Loved feeling like I was in the Flintstones once you get to where the elephant arch is.
6 months ago
Lots of construction and that made it tough to find the trail head, we ended up doing a different hike that attached to this trail because to get to the actual starting point we had have our truck.
4 months ago
New Homes cut off the shortcut trail. Only options we found was to go to Grapevine Trailhead parking area and its 1.8 miles hike to the dino prints. If you follow Google maps wide to the oval water tank on the hill, there is a gated area and no parking, so if you are willing to risk it, just go directly to the dino tracks from there, it will save you 2+ hours.
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