Colorado · National Monument trail

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 14

in Colorado

Today, the rugged walls along the Green River are a haunt of the bighorn sheep. These sure footed climbers were probably abundant here in the past based on the number of images of them that appear in the thousand year old rock art of the Fremont People. As the west became more settled with the arrival of Europeans, the bighorn sheep began to die out from a combination of over hunting, disease, and competition from domestic livestock.

The last native bighorn sheep seen in Dinosaur was reported in 1944. In 1952 a new herd of animals from elsewhere in Colorado were transplanted into the area. Their population has increased significantly to the point where bighorn sheep are now a common sight along the river corridors.

Due to their unique padded hooves, bighorn are able to climb the steep, rocky canyon walls with speed and agility, making them well adapted to life in Dinosaur.

States: Colorado
Trail type: National Monument trail
Centroid nearest city: Salt Lake City, UT · 157 mi · ~5 hr drive
Centroid coords: 40.7188°, -108.8906°

About Dinosaur National Monument

National Monument

This trail is inside Dinosaur National Monument, a national monument managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Entrance fee: $25 per vehicle (verify current rate on the park page). An America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all NPS units.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/gates-of-lodore-trail-stop-14.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/dino/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 14 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.