Green River: Gates of Lodore

Flow

• NOAA Green River near Greendale
• USGS Monitoring location Green River Near Greendale, UT - USGS-09234500
• Recommended flow:
• >20000cfs Above Recommended
•  15000-20000cfs High Runnable
•  1900-15000cfs Medium Runnable/Optimal flow range
•  1100-1900cfs Low Runnable
•  <1100cfs Below Recommended
• The Green River is dam controlled through the Flaming Gorge reservoir and tends to be relatively consistent from a low of 800 cfs to a seasonal high of 4,500 cfs. Flows may peak above that in years with heavy snow pack. 
• Flows typically peak in May and subside below raftable levels in late June and July.

Put In

• Gates of Lodore Campground - Dinosaur National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) RM 244. 19 sites, some with shade. Sites have tables and fire pits or grills. During the summer, there is running water and vault toilets, but no showers. 

Take Outs

• Rainbow Park Campground, Jensen UT RM 207.8. Located 28 miles (45 km) from the Quarry Visitor Center in the Utah portion of the monument. It is located on a dirt road that is impassable when wet. The campground sits beside the Green River near the Rainbow Park Boat Ramp at the head of Split Mountain Canyon with 4 campsites, toilets and trash facilities. 
• Split Mountain Campground RM 199.5. The Split Mountain Group Campground is located 5 miles from the dinosaur quarry, where you can see 150 million year old dinosaur bones encased in the rock. 4 group sites with trash, toilets and seasonal potable water. Campsites are reservable on recreation.gov.

On the River

Camping

• For river map and guide, see Guide to the Green River and Yampa Rivers in Dinosaur National Monument, Whitis and Vinson.
• During spring boaters should be prepared for a wide variety of weather conditions. Summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees.  

Notable Rapids and Features

There are numerous Class II to Class IV. Most notable are:

• Upper Disaster Falls (RM 237.1), Class III. Named on the Powell expedition for a disaster that caused them to lose a boat, along with a large amount of their food and scientific instruments. Scout a large eddy RL at the sharp bend above the rapid. A steep boulder-studded drop runs through the slot at river center. A shallow rock garden leads to part 2 about .2 miles down where the current runs past a large boulder RR. Pull RL. 
• Lower Disaster Falls (RM236.5), Class III. A rock garden with a potentially submerged cobble island right of mid-channel. Hug left shore, avoid right channel. 
• Triplet Falls (RM232.5), Class III. the most technical rapid in Lodore Canyon. Scout RL in the eddy above the rapid or walk down from Triplet Camp. From the large pool at Triplet campsite, enter rapid on the tongue, work left through rocks (at low water), turn sharp right at the bottom of the first section where the river bends toward the cliff on RR. Sharp left as you approach the cliff, slide between boulders and pull left into slower water to avoid boulders on RR, enter large eddy at the bottom. 
• Hell's Half Mile (RM 231.8), Class IV. Scout RL above the rapid. Actually about a quarter mile in length. Large boulders clog the entrance of the rapid. Enter left of center then work right to avoid boulders RL. The main tongue runs into a large mid-stream rock, which can be run left or right. Avoid the hole behind the rock. The rest of the rapid is a shallow rock garden best run left of center.
• Yampa River confluence (RM225). The Yampa joins the Green at the end of Lodore Canyon where Echo Park begins. Shout at Steamboat Rock and experience the epic echo. 
• SOB Rapid, (RM 205.3), Class III. Runs hard against the left bank with large waves at high water. At low water this becomes a tricky boulder garden. Best route is RR. 

Logistics

Permits

• Permits are required year round, with a lottery system for launch dates between 5/11 and 9/11. Lottery applications are made here on Recreation.gov beginning 12/1 and ending 1/31, with results issued 2/12. Acceptances must by made by 3/1. On 3/6 all Low Use permits from March 7th 2026 - March 6th 2027, as well as any unclaimed high use permits are available at 8:00 a.m. MT. Each permit applicant can pick 4 potential launch dates.

Guides, Maps and On-Line Resources

• The Gates of Lodore Rafting & Kayaking | Whitewater Guidebook
• Green - 02. Lodore to Echo Park | American Whitewater and Green - 03. Echo Park (CO) to Split Mountain | American Whitewater. 
• Guide to the Green and Yampa Rivers in Dinosaur National Monument, Whitis and Vinson

Car Shuttles

• Gates of Lodore campground and Split Mountain campground are 135 miles apart by road, an approximately 2 hour and 30 minute drive. Various shuttle services are available. 

Water

• According to discussion on Mountain Buzz, Green River water contains agricultural and mining pollutants and significant sediment loads. Plan to carry all water. Filterable water may be available on side springs.

Waste

• Store and pack out human waste in a hard shell container.

Fires

• Per BLM, a permittee must have “A durable, metal fire pan at least 12-inches wide, with at least a 1.5-inch lip around its outer edge and sufficient to contain fire and remains. Fire pans must be carried on all overnight trips and all trips, even if stoves are to be used for cooking. Fire blank under fire pans are recommended to facilitate total ash removal.”

• Suitable Activities: Packrafting
• Seasons: May, June, July
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Class III River
• Length: 44.2 mi
• Elevation Gain: -546 ft
• High Point: 5,354 ft

• Land Manager: Utah BLM
• Parking Permit Required: BLM Permits & Passes
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12