Gates Of Lodore ~ Dinosaur National Monument

Flickr album link: Gates Of Lodore

The Gates Of Lodore is where the river rafting adventures begin in the north end of Dinosaur National Monument. This destination is where the Green River runs through Lodore Canyon, which is quite a magnificent landmark to see. The landscape in this area shifts from a lazy river flowing through a grassy sagebrush valley to a seemingly impenetrable wall of towering mountains, but there is a narrow gap that allows small craft boaters to pass through. From the Gates Of Lodore it is over 100 miles of floating on the river to Jensen, Utah, where the visitor center is located. All along the way there will be majestic views that few others will ever see and there are several campgrounds to be found along this lengthy section of the Green River.

Kayaking and river rafting float trips through Dinosaur National Monument is what the Gates Of Lodore is all about, so be sure to pack the appropriate gear. This site is a staging area for organized float trips and this is where the local watercraft rental companies fulfill customer requests. There is a large beach launching area and there are plenty of picnic tables under shade trees. There is also a campground next to the water, which is the best option for river rafters that want to get an early start. Basic facilities, chargrills and drinking water are available onsite. The closest places to stock up on food and fuel is a few hours away, so it is best to top off everything prior to arrival. There is no cel phone service anywhere in this desolate region and this can complicate group outings, so communicating before hitting the road is best too. All in all, the Gate Of Lodore definitely is a great place to escape from the modern world and enjoy an easy going float trip down the Green River!
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