Dino Cliffs Trailhead

Best Time to Visit Dino Cliffs

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.

Trail Tips for Dino Cliffs

• The dinosaur tracks are within the first 100 yards of the wash — even a very short visit with limited mobility can reach the primary feature without committing to the full route.
• Carry water even on this short outing; the exposed desert terrain and sandy surfaces make conditions feel more demanding than the distance suggests, particularly in warm weather.
• Red sand infiltrates everything here — bring footwear and clothing you can clean, and expect your vehicle to pick up sand on the approach road.
• Dogs are permitted on leash at this BLM site; this is a good short stop for traveling with pets who need a break, given the accessible terrain on the flat wash section near the tracks.

Getting There

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.

What to Expect on Dino Cliffs Trailhead

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.