Colorado · National Monument trail

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 7

in Colorado

If you have traveled from a moister climate, you might not think of this area as forested. The Utah juniper, however, manages to cover much of this arid country. What it lacks in stature, the juniper makes up for in toughness, longevity, the fragrance of its wood, and the beauty of its often gnarled, twisted trunks.

Also, from a more utilitarian viewpoint, junipers have fueled many a campfire since prehistoric times, supported miles of fences and perhaps right now are providing you with a bit of welcome shade. The junipers’ companion in much of the canyon country forests is the pinyon (piñon) pine. Though you might think of pines as growing best on snow-capped mountains, many species, especially the pinyon group are well adapted to lower, drier areas.

All leaves have pores through which plants breathe but in pine needles these are sunk in deep pits. Along with a waxy coating the needles help to reduce the amount of moisture lost through evaporation. Also, in many pines a type of root fungus helps draw water from the soil, since the fine strands of the fungus can penetrate into more nooks and crannies than relatively coarse roots.

States: Colorado
Trail type: National Monument trail
Centroid nearest city: Salt Lake City, UT · 157 mi · ~5 hr drive
Centroid coords: 40.7217°, -108.8892°

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-7.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 7 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.