- Distance
- 46.7 mi
- Drive time
- 3 hr
- Technical rating
- 2 / 10 (up to 3)
- High point
- 7,221 ft
- Stops
- 17
- Concerns
- 0
- Photos
- 52
TRAIL EXPERIENCE
What to expect on the route
Yampa Bench Road is a long, remote backroad across the south side of the Yampa River canyon. The drive starts on Moffat County Road 14 and enters Dinosaur National Monument. It passes pinyon forest, open overlooks, historic sites, petroglyphs, and narrow canyon roads before it reaches Echo Park. The surface includes graded dirt, gravel, rock, sand, mud, and short water crossings. Dry conditions make most of the route straightforward for a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. Rain can make the clay surface impassable. There are no services or reliable mobile signals on the route. Carry recovery equipment, water, food, and enough energy to complete the route and its return or exit plan.
TRAIL AND VEHICLE
Road conditions and vehicle needs
- General difficulty
- Easy — high-clearance 4WD
- Technical rating
- 2 of 10
- Optional challenge
- 3 of 10
- Category
- Overland
- Minimum vehicle
- High Clearance 4WD
- Surface
- Graded Dirt · Gravel · Sand · Rock · Mud · Water Crossing · Mixed
- Route shape
- Point To Point
- Best direction
- Westbound
- High point
- 7,221 ft
- Turnarounds and exits
- This is a point-to-point road. Narrow sections and steep grades make casual turnarounds difficult. Decide the return or exit plan before you enter the remote section.
- Known concerns
- Narrow Shelf Road · Mud · Impassable When Wet
EV PLANNING
Plan the energy for the full route
Start with enough energy for the complete route, a return or exit route, weather delays, and cabin use. Fast charging is not available on Yampa Bench Road or at Echo Park. Use the Backroads Map to check current chargers before departure.
Check chargers and road-distance gapsFAST CHARGING
5 chargers nearest the trailhead
Distances follow driveable roads. They are not straight-line distances.
- 23.1 mi
Maybell, COJule150 kW · 4 ports · 25 min drive - 33.5 mi
MOFFAT COUNTY DINOSAUR PL1ChargePoint200 kW · 1 port · 36 min drive - 33.5 miMOFFAT COUNTY DINOSAUR PL2ChargePoint200 kW · 1 port · 36 min drive
- 49.8 miWREA MAIN ST LVL 3ChargePoint62.5 kW · 1 port · 9 hr 12 min drive
- 54.3 miMAVERIK CRAIG PL1ChargePoint80 kW · 1 port · 1 hr drive
LEVEL 2 CHARGING
Nearby charging for a longer stop
These direct distances help you find possible overnight charging. Confirm parking rules, access hours, plug fit, and availability before you rely on a site.
- 35.9 midirectWREA MAIN ST LVL 2ChargePoint6.5 kW · 2 ports · J1772
- 48.0 midirectMOFFAT COUNTY MC COURTHOUSE 1ChargePoint6.5 kW · 2 ports · J1772
- 50.8 midirectYVEA OWNED YVEA CRAIG 1ChargePoint6.5 kW · 2 ports · J1772
- 56.9 midirectRAINBOW MAN DINOSAUR INNChargePoint6.5 kW · 2 ports · J1772
- 65.3 midirectYVRA EMPLOYEE LOT 2ChargePoint6.5 kW · 2 ports · J1772
STOPS AND CONCERNS
17 places along the route
Trailhead
Mile 0.0
Trailhead · Directional
Leave the paved approach at Moffat County Road 14. Read the posted high-clearance warning before you continue. The road becomes remote quickly.
First Fork — Stay Left
Mile 0.3
Directional
Keep left at the first fork. The right branch is not the Yampa Bench route.
Pinyon Forest Views
Mile 5.4
Point Of Interest · Viewpoint
The road climbs through pinyon and juniper. Openings in the trees give the first long views across the Yampa Bench.
Cattle Guard
Mile 7.4
Directional · Point Of Interest
Cross the cattle guard and continue on the main road. Close any nearby gate that you find closed.
Overlook
Mile 9.3
Point Of Interest · Viewpoint
A short open section gives a wide view across the bench. Stop only where the full vehicle is clear of the travel lane.
Second Fork — Stay Right
Mile 13.8
Directional · Point Of Interest
Keep right at the signed junction. Follow the main Yampa Bench road toward Dinosaur National Monument.
Enter Dinosaur National Monument
Mile 15.8
Directional · Point Of Interest
Enter Dinosaur National Monument. Park rules apply from this point. Check current road conditions before you travel farther west.
Canyon Views
Mile 25.6
Point Of Interest · Viewpoint
The road reaches open canyon viewpoints. Edges are exposed, and the road is narrow in places. Keep moving unless a safe pullout is fully clear.
Bull Canyon Trailhead
Mile 30.6
Trailhead · Directional · Point Of Interest
Pass the Bull Canyon trailhead and remain on the main road. Use the signed parking area only if you plan to stop.
Wagon Wheel Point
Mile 31.4
Directional · Point Of Interest · Viewpoint
Continue past Wagon Wheel Point. The open view shows the scale of the Yampa River corridor below.
Harding Hole Overlook
Mile 32.9
Point Of Interest · Viewpoint
Use the signed overlook for a high view of the Yampa River and the canyon walls. Keep away from unprotected edges.
Mantle Ranch Road
Mile 34.8
Directional
Stay on the signed through-route at Mantle Ranch Road. Do not enter private or restricted ranch access.
Turn Right on Echo Park Road
Mile 42.5
Directional
Turn right on Echo Park Road. The descent is narrow, steep, and winding. Meet oncoming traffic only at a safe wide place.
Chew Ranch
Mile 43.8
Point Of Interest · Historic Site
The historic Chew Ranch is beside the route. Leave buildings and artifacts as you find them, and follow all posted access limits.
Petroglyphs
Mile 45.5
Point Of Interest · Rock Art
Follow the signed short path to the petroglyph viewing area. Do not touch, trace, wet, or climb on the rock art.
Whispering Cave
Mile 46.0
Point Of Interest
Stop near Whispering Cave only where parking is allowed. Walk into the shallow cave carefully and protect the fragile rock surfaces.
Trail End — Echo Park
Mile 46.5
Directional · Point Of Interest · Campsite
The route ends at Echo Park. The developed campground has no electric hookups, no mobile service, and no RV or trailer access. Check the return route before you stop.