Colorado · National Monument trail

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 8

in Colorado

You might expect to see cacti in this semi desert, but unless they are in bloom, you may have to look closely to find them. Dinosaur National Monument is a “cold” desert, where temperatures can top 100°F in summer, but may plunge well below zero in the winter. Since cacti survive by storing water in their fleshy stems, they are vulnerable to subfreezing temperatures.

Only a few low-growing varieties, likely to be insulated by a blanket of snow during the coldest weather, live here. In spring they show off bright yellow, pink, and red blossoms, but in other seasons watch your step because you might feel one before you see it!

States: Colorado
Trail type: National Monument trail
Centroid nearest city: Salt Lake City, UT · 157 mi · ~5 hr drive
Centroid coords: 40.7216°, -108.8895°

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-8.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 8 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.