Colorado · National Monument trail

Gates of Lodore Trail

in Colorado

The trail starts with a few steps and then is a level walk above the Green River. The trail ends at a view of the entrance to Lodore Canyon. Length: ¾ mile one way / 1.5 mile round trip. Not a loop. Level of Difficulty: Easy.

The trail is gravel and even terrain for most of the hike. Trailhead Location: Located at the Gates of Lodore Campground at the north end of the monument. 137 miles from the Quarry Visitor Center and 101 miles from the Canyon Visitor Center.

Your Safety: Be prepared for desert hiking. Take a hat, sunscreen, and water. Let someone know where you are going, and when to expect you back. Wear comfortable shoes, such as hiking or athletic shoes.

States: Colorado
Trail type: National Monument trail
Centroid nearest city: Salt Lake City, UT · 157 mi · ~5 hr drive
Centroid coords: 40.7232°, -108.8876°

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