Gates of Lodore Trail – Dinosaur National Monument

The Gates of Lodore Trail is located in what’s probably the most remote part of the Dinosaur National Monument in the state of Colorado. Here, you can enjoy plenty of peace and fantastic scenery right next to the idyllic Green River. If you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a few rafting boats.

The trail starts at the car park, which is also part of the primitive Gates of Lodore Campground. There's also a dock where boats can enter or leave the water. You’ll walk through a typical desert landscape with a slight ascent over rocks and a firm sandy path alongside the Green River. Bear in mind that there's no shade along the way.

The highlight of the hike is the view at the entrance to Lodore Canyon. Here, it's worth taking a long break on a sunny rock from where you can watch passing boats. The same path takes you back to the starting point.