Gates of Lodore Rafting Trips on the Green River

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Entering the Gates of Lodore on its glassy, green water and between the steep, forested red cliffs towering above is like entering an enchanted wonderland.

Bighorn sheep, bears, osprey, eagles, and other wildlife roam the river banks, and history comes to life through rapids and rock art. Deep in the heart of Dinosaur National Monument, Lodore Canyon rafting trips are great for families and first-time river runners.

Gates of Lodore rafting trips carry you over some thrilling rapids, including Disaster Falls and Hells Half Mile, as well as dozens of smaller rapids that are great fun to paddle inflatable kayaks through. Hike to secret waterfalls. swimming holes, and thousand-year-old rock art left behind by some of the canyon’s original inhabitants.

Questions? Karen, Lauren, and the rest of our office staff is ready to help! Give us a call today!

Featured Review

“We took this trip as a family reunion and it totally exceeded our expectations. I was motivated to write a review because the guides were exceptional and I want them to be recognized.

First off, Jacqueline was our team leader and she made the entire group feel safe throughout the trip and was so upbeat and positive. My twin sister and I had our 25th birthday on this trip and she made us feel so special, we even had birthday forks! The next time we book the trip I will undoubtedly request her.

Secondly, Gavin was beyond amazing. He is so kind, intelligent, and knowledgeable about the canyons and history. He brought the river to life with his poetry and stories, the trip wouldn’t have been the same without him. He also took the time to teach us about the constellations and really connected with the group when he played games with us and participated in every activity.

This trip is something myself and my family will never forget.”

We acknowledge the Indigenous inhabitants of Lodore. In an effort to end the erasure of the traditional inhabitants of the land through which we travel, Holiday acknowledges that Lodore Canyon is the homeland of the Eastern Shoshone people and the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) people. We honor and respect these people, and continue to develop our land acknowledgment initiative. Read more here.

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Trip Overview

Type:

Rafting
Location:

Green River - Dinosaur National Monument
Length:

4 Days
Dates:

May–September
Meet at:

Vernal, Utah @ 7:00 p.m. the night before the trip
Difficulty:

Intermediate
Min. Age:

8
Prices:

Adult - $1,395
Youth - $1,255 (18 & under)
Senior - $1,255 (65 & older)
Group - $1,255 (10 or more)
+ $12 campsite fee
Deposit:

400

Highlights

Dramatic cliffs guide you through a geologic time warp
Exciting, technical Class III & IV rapids
Riparian ecosystem provides habitat for a variety of wildlife
Wilderness rafting trip with fully catered amenities
Visit hard-to-see corners of Dinosaur National Monument
Idyllic campsites with sandy beaches and lush foliage
World-class trout fishing
Incredibly dark skies allow for wonderful stargazing

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Gates of Lodore Rafting Trips on the Green River

The Insider’s Guide Things to Do in Vernal, UT FAQs Getting Here Before You Go Packing List

Rates & Dates

Itinerary

The Green River slips through the imposing Gates of Lodore, into the heart of Dinosaur National Monument in northwestern Colorado. 19 miles downstream, the Green meets the Yampa River at Echo Park, then drops into Whirlpool Canyon and across the state line into Utah. It meanders through the idyllic Island Park, and then ducks into Split Mountain Canyon for eight more miles of rapids before washing up at the Split Mountain boat ramp and our take out point.

Sample Itinerary

Night Before

Meet your party at our headquarters in Vernal, Utah, the night before your trip at 7:00 p.m., Mountain Time for a pre-trip orientation meeting. Learn how to pack your waterproof bags, drop off personal drinks, and learn more about what to expect on the river. You can also buy any last minute items from our accessories store at this time (see our packing checklist for a list of items you can find at our store).

Day 1

Watch for raptors and pronghorns on the three-hour drive from Vernal to the put in at Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge. Enter the canyon through the impressive Gates of Lodore and imagine you’re one of John Wesley Powell’s boatmen, entering the great unknown.

Winnie’s and Disaster Falls are the first major rapids to navigate: a great taste of what’s to come. Enjoy soft sand and gorgeous views as you set up camp for the first night while your guides whip up a scrumptious dinner.

Day 2

Awake to your guides pouring you hot coffee and serving you a hot breakfast! The “Gates” mark the beginning of high desert country—the Colorado Plateau—in what is deemed an ecological transition-zone: a landscape teeming with wildlife. While the river miles traveled today may be short, the excitement is high as the canyon narrows and technical rapids emerge: Harp Falls, Triplet Falls, and Hell’s Half Mile. Tonight’s camp is perfect for a game of beach frisbee or horseshoes. Hike at Rippling Brook and discover a secluded waterfall before enjoying another delicious river-front dinner.

Day 3

At the confluence of the Green and Yampa rivers at Echo Park, the canyon widens and the river circles Steamboat Rock. Learn the powerful history behind the proposed dam site at Echo Park. Downstream, the river cuts through the dramatic Mitten Park Fault and enters Whirlpool Canyon. The afternoon may be spent at Jones Hole Creek, a blue-ribbon trout stream with side canyon petroglyphs and a waterfall.

Day 4

Enjoy a peaceful morning in Island and Rainbow parks before entering another massive gorge. The Green River’s powerful forces cut laterally through Split Mountain’s uplifted and colorful core. Run Moonshine, S.O.B., Schoolboy, and Inglesby rapids and slide into the take out at approximately 2:00 p.m. Our expected time of arrival back at our headquarters is about 4:00 p.m.

Please keep in mind that this is a sample itinerary and may not be the exact trip you’ll experience. Lodore Canyon offers countless options and each trip may feature different highlights. This is just one possible itinerary. Keep an open mind, be flexible, go with the flow, and enjoy!

One of the best parts of a river trip is its flexibility. Weather, assigned campsites, river conditions, and countless other variables mean that every trip is different. This sample itinerary illustrates one possible four-day trip through Lodore Canyon.

F.A.Q.

Weather & Water

The Gates of Lodore trip is our coolest in terms of temperature. With tall, steep canyon walls and lush vegetation, shade is plentiful during the heat of the summer. For average year-round temperatures, check out Dinosaur National Monument’s website.

This trip features Class II-III whitewater with rapids evenly dispersed throughout each day. Being a dam-released stretch of river, the water here is cool and clear.

Boat Options

We typically run the Gates of Lodore in oar rafts, but a paddle boat could be used upon request for a group of six or more dedicated paddlers.

We bring inflatable kayaks on this stretch but not stand-up paddle boards.

Meals & Camping

All of the meals on the trip, from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on the final day, are prepared fresh on the river by your guides.

Our campsites on this trip are assigned to us by the park service. Each site on this stretch is scenic, pristine, and spacious, with most sites featuring a sandy beach and lush vegetation.

Trip Rating

This trip is considered to be beginner to intermediate.

Private Charter Trips

Any open dates for our Lodore trips are available to be chartered by your group of 16 or more! Click here to learn more!

Cancellation Policy

To see our full cancellation policy, head to our main FAQs page.

Reviews

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Holiday River Expeditions

Average rating:

353 reviews

Russ J

Aug 25, 2026

by Russ J

It was a great trip, the guides were all wonderful and so accommodating on anything you needed.

Alecia E

Aug 25, 2026

by Alecia E

We had such a great time! Everything was perfect. All the guides are such wonderful people. I especially appreciate them going above and beyond catering to my weird food issues, hah! Beans for breakfast!

Bob and Sally Blair

Aug 17, 2026

by Bob and Sally Blair

We have always done private river trips and I must say this guided trip was incredibly wonderful. Our 5 female guides were so awesome- fun, relaxing, informative, and right on target in every way. Meals were great and they even accommodated our family's quirky diets. Our 10 year old grandson learned to fun kayak and was so proud of his new skills. Can wait for our next guided trip with Holiday. Thank you Namaste.

Nancy G

Aug 13, 2026

by Nancy G