DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT A 2,500-foot gash known as the COLORADO Yampa River Canyon winds through sky-scraping cliffs that were virtually unexplored until 1928. Those first explorers paddled the river and shared their stories. Their tales caught the notice of preservationists, ultimately leading Franklin D. Roosevelt to name the river corridor a national monument. The publicity also enticed thrill-seekers to ride down the river solely for recreation. This was the beginning of Colorado’s whitewater rafting industry. Today, you can still raft down the Class III–IV Yampa waters, as well as the Green River (also within the monument), with several outfitters. There are also hiking and biking trails, and backcoun-try camping, fishing and horseback riding are allowed within the monument near the town of Dinosaur. Read more about our public lands on page 162. PHOTOGRAPHER: ERIC WUNROW 34 / COLORADO.COM
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2017: Page 34
