Rafting Utah's Gates of Lodore - Alumni

Join NOLS on a river adventure this summer and bring your family along. This trip is designed for anyone 12 and over to spend time adventuring through sandstone canyons, swimming in cold water, and camping on sandy beaches while floating through a true piece of American history.

The river holds a unique place in the history of river conservation and the Echo Park Dam controversy in Dinosaur National Monument. It was also the first canyon encountered by the Powell expedition when they packed down the river in 1869. Luckily for us, this area has been protected since 1915, enabling the space to be enjoyed by groups like ours while also protecting it.

We will paddle 45 miles in oar rigs and paddle rafts as we blast down exciting whitewater and float serenely through the flat, quiet stretches of this amazing river canyon. This high desert canyon is typically warm and sunny in the summer, so our days on the river might be hot and require plenty of splashing and swimming.

Lodore Canyon is home to an abundance of wildlife, including four endangered fish species. Reintroduced to the monument in the early 1950s, bighorn sheep sightings are a common occurrence.

This trip is appropriate for paddlers of all levels and a great way to introduce family and friends to the NOLS experience. You will learn the ins and outs of river travel, from how to “read whitewater” to cooking in a river kitchen. Since gear will be carried in rafts there is room for a few more amenities, including lots of fresh vegetables!

Overall Difficulty*:

 

*Great for kids as young as 12.