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Gates of Lodore

Maybell, CO

Gates of Lodore

A spectacular canyon section of the Green River within Dinosaur National Monument, offering splashy rapids, vertical canyon walls, and well-established camps. Suitable for rafts and kayaks during dam-controlled releases.

Snapshot

Important information for this section of river

Class
II – IV
Permit
Required
Access
Boat Launch

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Water Level

FAQ: What's the current water level for Gates of Lodore?

2,180 CFS

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FAQ: What's the ideal range for this section of river?

1,100 – 20,000 CFS

Rapids

Community-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.

No rapids logged yet for this river.

Boat Launches

Community-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.

No boat launches logged yet for this river.

Camps

Community-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.

No camps logged yet for this river.

Outfitters

Community-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.

No outfitters logged yet for this river.

Permit Details

All Low Use permits from March 7th 2026 - March 6th 2027, as well as any unclaimed high use permits. Available at 8:00 a.m. MT on March 6.

Common Questions

What paddlers most often want to know about Gates of Lodore.

Do I need a permit to run the Gates of Lodore on the Green River?

Yes — a permit from Recreation.gov is required for all private trips through Gates of Lodore in Dinosaur National Monument. Low-use dates and unclaimed high-use dates become available at 8:00 AM MT on March 6 each year.

What class of rapids does Gates of Lodore have?

Gates of Lodore runs Class II–IV, with the most significant rapids being Disaster Falls, Triplet Falls, and Hell's Half Mile. The vertical canyon walls of the Lodore Canyon create a dramatic setting for these substantial drops.

How long is the Gates of Lodore river trip in Dinosaur National Monument?

The Gates of Lodore trip covers 44 miles of the Green River, from the Gates of Lodore boat ramp at the Lodore Ranger Station (northwest of Maybell, Colorado, off Highway 318) to the Split Mountain boat ramp in Utah. Most groups take 4–6 days.

What are the most famous rapids in the Gates of Lodore?

The most significant rapids in the Gates of Lodore are Hell's Half Mile (Class IV), Triplet Falls (Class III–IV), and Disaster Falls (Class III). These drops are the defining features of this spectacular canyon run.

What makes Gates of Lodore unique compared to other Green River trips?

Gates of Lodore is set within the sheer quartzite walls of Lodore Canyon in Dinosaur National Monument — one of the most visually dramatic river canyons in the West. The combination of serious whitewater, vertical canyon walls, and outstanding wilderness camps makes it a standout permit trip.

Weather Forecast

What's the daily forecast at the put-in for Gates of Lodore?

Mon
Oct 19
65°
1%
5 mph S
Sunny
Tue
Oct 20
66°
6%
5 mph S
Mostly Sunny
Wed
Oct 21
67°
9%
8 mph SSE
Mostly Sunny
Thu
Oct 22
62°
65%
8 mph S
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Fri
Oct 23
54°
64%
15 mph SW
Rain Showers Likely
Sat
Oct 24
52°
8%
5 mph WNW
Mostly Sunny
Sun
Oct 25
57°
5%
8 mph SSW
Mostly Sunny