Gates of Lodore Rafting, Colorado

Dinosaur National Monument

The Gates of Lodore, deep within Dinosaur National Monument, is recognized as one of North America's most beautiful river canyons. Through Lodore thunder the life-giving waters of the Green River, which are partially responsible for the unique preservation of the dinosaur fossils in this region.

An archeological treasure chest, Lodore also offers a wealth of beauty, history, and recreation. Rippling red and brown sandstone contrasts with the deep green trees and grasses that grow along the river and up the canyon walls, feeding local bighorn sheep. Ancient fossils co-exist with prehistoric American petroglyphs on the riverbanks and in the cliffs. Then there is the river itself& first navigated by Major John Wesley Powell on his famous descent that lead him through the Grand Canyon, the Green has long been a legendary whitewater run. Big-wave rapids are exciting for experienced boaters, but not so formidable as to discourage first-time rafters. In fact, this is a river that welcomes people of all ages and experience levels.

Why the Gates of Lodore?
This section of the Green River offers thrilling Class III rapids, interspersed with calm sections that inspire swimming, watching for wildlife, and gazing at the canyon scenery. Despite these slower stretches, the whitewater is consistent on the Green& you'll challenge major rapids each day, plus lots of smaller waves and riffles. The Green is ideal for first-time rafters and children as young as 7, but not short on excitement for more seasoned boaters.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Sample Itinerary

We pride ourselves in running a relaxed and always flexible schedule. Every trip is different depending upon the group, other trips on the water and sometimes the weather. The following is a sample of what your trip might be like.

The Day Before Your Trip:
We'll meet at 7:00 pm at the Hatch/ O.A.R.S. warehouse in Vernal, Utah, for a pre-trip meeting. This is an opportunity to meet your fellow travelers and guides and ask any last-minute questions. Your guides will give you a thorough trip orientation, and pass out your waterproof river bags so that you can pack your belongings that evening.

Day 1
We begin our trip with a scenic drive from Vernal to our put-in at the Gates of Lodore, where your boats and the rest of your O.A.R.S. crew meet you. After a thorough safety talk, our journey begins. Passing through the spectacular "Gates," we enter the high desert region where the striking scenery of the Canyon of Lodore immediately grabs our attention.

The whitewater element of our trip starts off with a bang as we challenge some of the river's most exciting rapids: Upper and Lower Disaster Falls. Here, Major Powell lost one of his boats and innumerable provisions during his 1869 journey & hence the rapids' ominous name.

A short hike up Winnie's Grotto introduces us to the beautiful oases tucked away in Lodore's side canyons. Tumbling creeks, waterfalls, and brilliant green vegetation adorn these colorful, rocky chasms; today's hike into Winnie's Grotto also exhibits narrow, towering walls that were explored by Major Powell himself.

Our first day generally sets the pace for our week on the river. Typically, we spend a few hours on the water in the morning, sometimes stopping for a great hike, a visit to a waterfall or petroglyphs, or a refreshing swim.

At lunchtime we pull over to a sandy beach and enjoy a delicious picnic. After feasting and relaxing on the beach (or perhaps a game of Frisbee or horseshoes), we get back in our boats and watch the desert panoramas slowly develop in-between bursts of thrilling whitewater. Be sure to try your hand at the paddle raft and inflatable kayak!

Mid- to late-afternoon, we stop and make camp. You grab your bags and set up your tent while we take care of the kitchen and “living room” & camp chairs and possibly the night's campfire (if permitted). This is the perfect time for you to lounge on the beach with that book you've wanted to finish forever. Before long you'll be savoring pleasing hors d'oeuvres and the beverage of your choice& delicious as these refreshments are, they always taste better after a day on the river! Nap, take an exploratory hike, or just sit back and laugh with friends and family as we prepare dinner.

After another satisfying feast, the evening is yours to spend however you wish. Maybe music, stories or jokes will bring us together tonight; maybe the popping of the fire, the whisper of the river and the clarity of the big, star-filled sky will encourage silent reflection on the amazing wilderness that is, for now, our home.

Day 2
Your day begins with the morning light turning the canyon walls the colors of sunrise. Fresh coffee and tea are waiting for you when you get up; grab a cup, sit back and take in the glory of the awakening river. Soon breakfast is served & omelets made to order, blueberry pancakes, sizzling breakfast meat, fresh fruit, toast, and juice are among the treats you'll indulge in each morning. Once you've eaten your fill, you pack up your things as the guides break down camp, and then our new day's adventure begins.

Today is another excellent whitewater day, with plenty of big thrills delivered by rapids like Harp Falls, Triplet Falls, and Hells Half Mile. Several smaller waves and riffles keep the paddlers among us busy, yet there are enough calm sections to allow us time to sit back and soak in the remote splendor of Lodore & its soaring red rock cliffs sprinkled with deep green junipers and pinon pines.

One of the best hikes of the trip awaits us at Rippling Brook. Our path along this clear creek leads through a spectacular side canyon to a pure, spring-fed waterfall & the perfect place for a cooling dip.

Day 3
Today we pass the confluence with the Yampa River, winding around gigantic Steamboat Rock and into Echo Park. Here we may stop to visit some intriguing Fremont petroglyphs near the side of the river, or perhaps we will hike to Whispering Cave, passing magnificent sandstone formations along the way.

Back on the river, we are now traveling through some of the oldest exposed rock in the world. As we descend further into the canyon, we have the rare opportunity of seeing the river cut down through the various layers that comprise the surrounding cliffs, each layer representing a different stage of the earth's development. Hundreds of millions of years of geological formation are encased in the walls around us.

Reaching Whirlpool Canyon, we might take the longest hike of our trip, following beautiful Jones Hole Creek to amazingly well preserved panels of prehistoric pictographs and petroglyphs.

Tonight, much like the past two evenings, we make camp on a big, sandy beach that likely allows access to a great hiking trail. If our guides don't arrange a hike, you may want to enjoy a self-guided walk, or perhaps you'd rather just relax and wait for dinner & always a trip highlight, as the day's adventures stir up a hearty appetite. Perhaps this evening you'll enjoy grilled salmon with orange zest, wild rice, and a fresh green salad. Or maybe a lean, juicy steak with mushrooms and mixed vegetables will be the main attraction as we watch the twilight turn to dusk above the canyon walls. A savory dessert usually follows dinner & maybe peach cobbler, strawberry shortcake, or something rich and chocolaty. After our meal the group dynamic of our trip is at its best as we gather around the campfire for nighttime conversation and laughter.

Day 4
After a bit of flat water, we pick up speed as we enter Split Mountain Canyon and the river's gradient becomes considerably steeper. Four or five major rapids deliver plenty of whitewater excitement during our last day on the river. Reaching our take-out point at Split Mountain, we take a short ride back to Vernal, returning to the Hatch/ O.A.R.S. warehouse between 4 and 6 in the evening.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Reservations and Deposits
An $250/person non-refundable deposit is required at the time of reservation. The balance is due 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellations and Refunds
If you find it necessary to cancel your trip, please notify us as soon as possible. The cancellation fee after you’ve made your deposit can range up to the entire trip cost, based upon the number of days prior to your trip that we receive your cancellation notice. We regret we cannot make exceptions for personal emergencies. For this reason, we strongly urge you to investigate trip insurance (see Insurance).

Cancellations 60 days or more prior to the trip earn a full refund less a $100/person fee. Cancellations 59 days or less prior to your trip are not refundable.

If you transfer from one trip to another, there is a $50/person charge up until 60 days before the trip. Transfers made after this time will be treated as cancellations.


Medical
Under most circumstances, if you are of an adventurous spirit and in reasonably good health, you should have no problem enjoying an O.A.R.S. trip. People with medical conditions, including pregnancy, should have a physician’s approval before taking an adventure travel trip.

Insurance
Although every effort is made to insure a safe trip for all, we strongly recommend that you protect yourself, your belongings, and your vacation through the purchase of a short-term traveler’s policy. A trip cancellation policy covers your non-refundable payments in most cases, should you have to cancel your trip at the last minute due to illness or injury. Trip participants should realize that in the event of illness or injury on a river trip, evacuation can be prolonged, difficult and expensive. Personal belongings and cameras are carried entirely at the owner’s risk, and O.A.R.S. accepts no responsibility for lost, damaged, delayed or stolen property

Acknowledgement of Risk
Everyone is required to sign a standard Acknowledgement of Risk before the trip, acknowledging awareness that some risks are associated with the trip. Safety is of the utmost concern on our trips. However, due to the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will sign this form and return it to our office before the trip begins. Anyone who refuses to sign the form will not be allowed to participate, and consistent with O.A.R.S. cancellation policy, there will be no refund of the trip fees at that time.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

May 26, 31; June 14, 23, 27; July 4, 10, 15, 24, 31; August 5, 9, 13, 14, 19, 21 23; September 1, 6, 10 (Solo Traveler's Trip)

9 Day Yampa/Lodore Geology Trip with a professional geologist: May 21

Yampa/Lodore Geology trip: $1953

Deposit $250

Additional Costs:
$5 National Park Service entrance fee, optional $84 per person transportation package (Vernal to launch point and return to Vernal)
Sleep Kit/Tent $40/$30

Prices subject to National Park Service Approval

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