Short answer: You can book a guided rafting trip through Lodore Canyon with Dinosaur River Expeditions, running 3-day and 4-day trips on the Green River through Dinosaur National Monument. Guided trips need no private river permit, so you skip the lottery entirely. Trips run June through September, and booking your 2027 date now locks in 2026 pricing.
Key Takeaways
- Lodore Canyon rafting trips with a licensed outfitter require no private permit, unlike the noncommercial lottery through Dinosaur National Monument.
- Two trip lengths run this stretch: a 3-day Gates of Lodore trip and a 4-day trip that continues to Split Mountain.
- The canyon holds three named rapids: Disaster Falls, Triplet Falls, and Hell’s Half Mile, all Class III-IV.
- The 4-day trip passes Echo Park, where the Yampa River joins the Green beneath Steamboat Rock.
- Booking a 2027 departure now locks in 2026 rates before prices go up.
Where Can I Book a Guided Rafting Trip Through Lodore Canyon?
Dinosaur River Expeditions runs guided rafting trips through Lodore Canyon on the Green River, launching from the Gates of Lodore put-in in Colorado’s Browns Park. We’re a family-owned outfitter based in Vernal, Utah, and we’ve run this stretch of the Green for decades. You don’t need to win a permit lottery to raft it. You just need to book a seat.
Lodore Canyon is the section of the Green River where it enters Dinosaur National Monument and carves through red sandstone walls named for John Wesley Powell’s 1869 expedition. It’s technical, scenic, and one of the most requested multi-day trips in the Mountain West. Below, we break down your two trip options, what the rapids are actually like, and why going guided is the fastest way onto the water.
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Book your 2027 Lodore Canyon trip now and pay 2026 rates. Both the 3-day and 4-day trips lock in current pricing before it goes up. |
Do You Need a Permit to Raft the Gates of Lodore?
Not if you go with an outfitter. Boating within Dinosaur National Monument is by permit only, and noncommercial (private) boaters apply through a single National Park Service lottery covering both the Green and Yampa Rivers. Applications run December 1 through January 31 at Recreation.gov, with results posted by March 1. It’s a genuine lottery, and the Yampa side alone drew more than 11,000 applicants for roughly 300 high-use permits in 2023, an approximate 2% success rate.
Licensed outfitters like Dinosaur River Expeditions hold NPS concession permits that let us launch guests through the canyon without anyone in the group needing their own permit. That’s the single biggest reason people choose a guided Lodore Canyon rafting trip over waiting on the lottery.
3-Day vs. 4-Day Gates of Lodore Trips: Which Should You Book?
Both trips put in at the Gates of Lodore. The difference is how far downstream you go and whether your trip includes the Yampa confluence at Echo Park.
| Trip | Duration | Route | Best For |
| 3-Day Gates of Lodore | 3 days | Gates of Lodore to Echo Park area | First-time multi-day rafters, shorter time off work |
| 4-Day Gates of Lodore | 4 days | Gates of Lodore to Split Mountain, via Echo Park | Travelers who want the full 44-mile canyon and the Yampa confluence |
The 4-day trip is the more complete Lodore Canyon experience. It’s a 44-mile run that includes Whirlpool Canyon and Split Mountain Canyon after the main rapids, and it’s the trip that floats past Steamboat Rock at Echo Park, where the free-flowing Yampa River meets the dam-regulated Green.
Note: the 2026 season for the 3-day trip has concluded, and 2027 dates and pricing have not been set yet. Call us at 1.800.345.7238 for updates, or book the 4-day 2027 trip below to lock in a spot now.
What Rapids Will You Run in Lodore Canyon?
Lodore Canyon holds three of the most storied rapids in Western rafting, all named by the Powell expedition in 1869 after they wrecked a boat here. They run Class III-IV depending on water levels.
- Disaster Falls: The rapid that claimed Powell’s boat No Name and much of the expedition’s food and gear.
- Triplet Falls: A three-part rapid with technical moves guides scout carefully at higher flows.
- Hell’s Half Mile: Named for the brutal portage Powell’s crew faced after their wreck. It’s the canyon’s biggest whitewater.
Between the named rapids are dozens of smaller wave trains that are a blast to paddle in an inflatable kayak if you want a more active role on the water.
When Can You Raft Lodore Canyon?
The Green River through Lodore Canyon is fed by dam-controlled releases from Flaming Gorge Reservoir upstream, so it runs reliably from June into September, without the sharp spring runoff spikes that limit some Western rivers to a short early-summer window. That gives our 2027 season 19 scheduled departures between June 8 and September 7.
What’s Included on a Lodore Canyon Rafting Trip?
Every Gates of Lodore trip with Dinosaur River Expeditions includes professional guides, all rafting and camping gear, and fresh Dutch-oven meals cooked on the river each day. Guides lead side hikes to spots like Rippling Brook waterfall and ancient petroglyphs, and you’ll camp on sandy beaches beneath the canyon walls.
2027 Departure Dates and 2026 Pricing
| Rate | 4-Day Trip Price |
| Adult (16-64) | $1,279 |
| Youth (6-15) | $1,139 |
| Senior / Military (65+) | $1,199 |
2026 rate, locked in for 2027 departures. Prices exclude taxes, guide gratuity, sleeping kit rental, NPS entrance fee, and online booking fee. See our full rates and dates for the 3-day option and current deposit amount.
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Ready to Book Your Lodore Canyon Trip? |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lodore Canyon the same as the Gates of Lodore?
Yes. Lodore Canyon and the Gates of Lodore refer to the same 44-mile stretch of the Green River inside Dinosaur National Monument, named after Southey’s poem “The Cataract of Lodore” by early explorers.
How hard are the rapids in Lodore Canyon?
The named rapids, Disaster Falls, Triplet Falls, and Hell’s Half Mile, run Class III-IV. That’s genuine whitewater, but our guides scout every rapid before running it and adjust the line to water levels and group experience.
What’s the minimum age for a Lodore Canyon rafting trip?
Our Gates of Lodore trips have a minimum age of 6, though that can vary depending on current Green River water levels. Call us at 1.800.345.7238 if you have questions about a specific age or group.
Can I raft Lodore Canyon without a permit?
Yes, as long as you book with a licensed outfitter. Only private, noncommercial boaters need to enter the NPS lottery. Guests on a guided trip travel under our concession permit.
Questions? Call 1.800.345.7238 or read more in our Gates of Lodore rafting guide.
