What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Harpers Corner Trail
The Harpers Corner Trail is a non-challenging out-and-back route located near the Dinosaur National Monument. The trail is pretty remote and rarely gets busy, but those who do traverse it get to see some spectacular views of the surrounding canyons and scenery. The trail, which is open year-round, takes only around an hour to trek. While most visitors are hikers, some people use the area for trail running as well.
Length: 2.3 miles
Intensity: Easy
Mitten Park Trail
Another scenic trail near the National Monument is the Mitten Park Trail, an out-and-back route across a diverse landscape. The trail takes hikers through rocky areas, dense trees, and along a gentle river. If you're hoping for some peace and quiet in nature, the Mitten Park Trail is an excellent choice. During your visit, there's a good chance you'll spot some interesting birds or other wildlife.
Length: 2.8 miles
Intensity: Easy
Hog Canyon and Box Canyon Trails
The Hog Canyon and Box Canyon Trails offer a short, pleasant hike through a quiet, peaceful area with pretty scenery. The most unique feature of the out-and-back trail is the historic homestead and farm, which was the home of Josie Morris until 1964. The hike takes under an hour to complete and offers plenty of shady areas.
Length: 1.7 miles
Intensity: Easy
Fishing & Boating
Fishing enthusiasts who visit the Irish Canyon ACEC are in for a treat. The Green River flows only a short distance west of the BLM site, and it's known for its excellent fly-fishing. It's also considered to be one of the best tailwater fisheries in all of North America. Anglers who visit the fishery will likely come away with brown, rainbow, cutthroat, and cut-bow hybrid trout. Many visitors also utilize the river to enjoy a day of rafting through the nearby Dinosaur National Monument.
Climbing
If you travel southwest to the Dinosaur National Monument area, you can choose from a variety of climbing opportunities. There are many sandstone rock formations spread throughout the area, and they're available to anyone who wants to take them on. There are also quite a few remote peaks in the area that skilled climbers can attempt to summit. A few of the most popular climbs in the area are Outlaw Peak, Split Mountain, and Diamond Mountain.
Wildlife Viewing
The best nearby area for wildlife observation is the Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge to the west. The park is home to a large number of mammal and avian species, and anyone who hikes or camps in the area will have good odds of spotting a few of them. The most common mammals you'll come across are bighorn sheep, pronghorn, deer, and elk. In the wetter riparian parts of the region, you may spot a moose or river otter. Up in the skies, all visitors should be on the lookout for peregrine falcons, golden eagles, bald eagles, and nearly 200 other species of birds.
Picnicking
The small on-site campground at the Irish Canyon ACEC not only features picnic tables, but it's also equipped with fire pits and a pit toilet. If you prefer to venture away from the campground for your picnic, one excellent option is to head east to Vermillion Creek and hunker down beside the calm water.