Colorado River Rafting on the Green River Gates of Lodore

With 40 years of rafting experience in Dinosaur National Monument on the Green River and Yampa Rivers Dinosaur River Expeditions is a leader in Colorado and Utah white water rafting adventures. 

Also known as the Gates of Lodore, this stretch is 44 miles of the finest white water rafting in Colorado. Looking for the best rafting trip it is time for your Utah river rafting adventure to begin.

A couple of lazy miles allow you to settle into the flow and rhythm of the river. Once into Lodore Canyon, you’ll have a blast rafting through the exciting Colorado whitewater of the Green River. Some of the western United States’ best rapids, such as Disaster Falls and Hell’s Half Mile, will thrill to no end. The Green River in Dinosaur National Monument is also sanctuary to some of Colorado’s most spectacular wildlife. Along the voyage, you’ll have the opportunity to see Big Horn sheep, Mule Deer, and a vast array of other wildlife that call the Green River home.

The Green River is also extremely significant historically. Early explorer John Wesley Powell first documented the river in 1869 — he and his crew braved the class III and IV white water rapids in wooden boats. Our modern river rafting equipment is far superior to those early wooden boats — it will make your river trip comfortable, exciting, and safe. Book your unforgettable Green River rafting trip today with Dinosaur River Expeditions, it’s a memory that you will truly cherish.

Here is a sample itinerary giving you a glimpse at what to expect on this incredible rafting experience.

DAY BEFORE DEPARTURE

Meet at our Vernal office- 2279 North Vernal Ave, at 5:00 PM for pre-trip orientation. At this time, your guides will provide you with dry bags, last minute packing suggestions, answer any questions you may have, and help with the final details of the trip before departure. We've found this orientation to be very helpful in making each trip a successful experience. If you cannot make the meeting please let us know in advance so we can prepare before your arrival.

DAY 1 TRIP DEPARTURE

Meet at the location provided in pre-trip the evening at 7:00 AM to depart for the river approximately 8:00 AM. Depending on your trip, it will be a one-hour to two-and-a-half-hour bus ride. At the river, your guides will be prepared to load the final pieces of equipment and start your vacation. Your day will encompass whitewater, hikes, and a delicious river-side lunch. When you arrive at your first camp, the guides will make it a comfortable outdoor experience while you explore.

DAY 2 & 3 ON THE RIVER

Start the morning with hot coffee, a wonderful breakfast, and a beautiful sunrise. This will be followed by taking down camp and packing for a day of adventure — with hikes, whitewater, lunch, and a lot of fun. You'll end the day with a relaxing camp-time experience. Take the time to try some fishing, exploring, playing a game, or just leaving all your cares behind.

DAY 4 FINAL DAY OF THE TRIP

Last day on the river; a peaceful morning float through Rainbow Park and Island Park followed by an afternoon filled with exciting whitewater through Split Mountain Canyon. This section of river has some of the Green River's most exciting rapids. A lunch stop on a wonderful sandy beach puts you a few river miles away from the take out, where you will take a 30-minute shuttle ride back to Vernal, Utah, returning to our office approximately 3:00-4:00 PM.