You are here

National Park Mystery Photo 19 Revealed: The Tiger Wall

Tiger Wall, Dinosaur National Monument, Kurt Repanshek photo

The Tiger Wall is a notable landmark for paddlers heading down the Yampa River through Dinosaur National Monument. NPT file photo.

I hinted pretty strongly in Wednesday's headline for the Mystery Photo, for tigers have stripes as dark as those in the photo. But most national park travelers won't spot this sight, for it takes a river trip to reach it. But for those who paddle the Yampa River through Dinosaur National Monument, the Tiger Wall is well-known.

Throughout the canyons that the Yampa flows are countless examples of "desert varnish," those black streaks of manganese and iron oxide deposits formed by runoff coursing down the white sandstone cliffs. But the Tiger Wall stands out, no doubt in large part due to its location right on the river. It's said that a safe river trip can be guaranteed if those paddling by kiss the wall, which is right around river mile 9, before heading on downstream.

The Yampa River flows along the very northern edge of the Colorado Plateau. Enter this landscape and it can surprise you, as it's located in northeastern Utah and northwestern Colorado and yet boasts a towering, and colorful, landscape more commonly found farther south in Arches, Canyonlands and Grand Canyon national parks.

Since there are no dams on the Yampa, its flow is entirely runoff dependent. For rafters that means trips starting as early as April when there's still snow in the high country -- and sometimes even falling on the river. By early July the water levels generally are too low for rafts, but deep enough for canoes and kayaks. Although, I've heard the bugs can be pretty atrocious in summer.

Add comment

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.