Rafting, Dinosaurs, Outlaws, and Petroglyphs in Dinosaur National Monument, Utah

The Trip

Splash through Class II-III whitewater rapids and then relax in peaceful stretches of Utah's spectacular Green River. Canyon walls tower above us as we float back in geologic time to when dinosaurs dominated this land. Swim, hike, view Native American rock art, spy for bighorn sheep, and enjoy pristine sandy beaches. This trip is suitable for river novices and children ages eight and older.  Watch a video from our 2018 trip.

We will float in 18-foot, oar-powered rafts, each guided by an experienced and licensed river guide. Trip members freely switch boats during the course of the day and throughout the trip. In addition to the oar boats, there will be inflatable kayaks for part-time, shared use.

Each night we make camp at a different site along the river. After everyone helps unload the equipment off the rafts, participants set up their tents and then have time for other activities while the river guides begin dinner preparation.

We will encounter 800-foot canyon walls superbly crafted by Mother Nature of Precambrian Bedrock along with exquisite vermilion rock formations. Many of its exciting whitewater rapids were named by John Wesley Powell, who first discovered the canyon in 1869. Powell’s adventures live on in the whitewater rapids he named: Disaster Falls, Triplet Falls and Hell’s Half Mile. Set aside as an American treasure in 1938 under the National Park System, the Green River through Lodore Canyon is a sanctuary for bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and birds of prey. This trip is a geologist's dream with rock layers from 1.1 billion to 20 million years old; come time-travel with us on the Green River!

Day 1: We will meet in the early afternoon at the Utah Field House Museum of Natural History, Vernal UT. Here, we explore fossils, view dinosaur skeletons, and tour the lab facilities. A mandatory pre-trip meeting will take place after the tour at the museum. Dinner will be on your own. 

Day 2: The morning of our departure, we will meet in Vernal, Utah and take a three-hour scenic van ride to Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge, the launch site in Colorado. Shortly after we begin our float, we enter the dramatic "Gates of Lodore," the portal into the colorful maze of the Green River's Lodore Canyon.

Each day we'll stop for lunch at a secluded beach and spend the night camped along the river. After everyone helps unload the equipment off the rafts, we will each set up our own tents and then have some time for other activities while the river guides begin dinner preparation.

While we will have some group activities, there will be plenty of time for individual exploration and children will find lots of interesting activities. You will have a chance to hike side canyons, build beach castles, look for lizards, scan the canyon walls for eagles and bighorn sheep, view rock art, swim, or simply find a quiet place to absorb the beauty of the canyon and the music of the river.

Days 3-4: We'll experience several exciting rapids, including Harp Falls, Triplet Falls, and the exciting, "Hells Half Mile." We'll pass through Echo Park, where the Yampa (the last undammed tributary of the Colorado) joins the Green River from the east. The river curls right around imposing Steamboat Rock, which rises 1,000 feet above us. This trip is one day longer than most trips, allowing for more extensive hiking throughout the canyon.

Day 5: The final day we'll travel through Whirlpool Canyon, Island Park, and Rainbow Park before entering another massive gorge. The Green's powerful forces cut laterally through Split Mountain's uplifted and colorful core. This day is fillled with rapids before the take-out and the 40-minute ride back to Vernal. We expect to be back to Vernal by 4:00 p.m. The trip closes with a no-host farewell dinner in Vernal.

Getting There

The departure point for our trip is Vernal, Utah. We recommend staying the nights before and after the trip in Vernal. The nearest major airports with commercial service are Salt Lake City, Utah or Grand Junction, Colorado. There are no flights directly to Vernal. If you have a car, you can store your car at the outfitter headquarters. A van will take us to the put-in. Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member.

Accommodations and Food

Meals will be provided once we arrive on the river, as well as snacks. Dinner the first night and breakfast on day 2 are on your own. The final no-host dinner is also on your own. Please indicate any dietary issues on your trip application; most dietary requirements can be accommodated.

Water, juices, coffee, and tea are provided -- sodas and alcoholic beverages are not. You may bring a limited supply of your own preferred beverages in aluminum cans, wine boxes, or plastic bottles. Glass containers are not allowed.

Guide gratuities are not included in the trip price. Tipping these amazing educators and talented chefs is much appreciated.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is for beginner to intermediate rafters. Our day-to-day itinerary is flexible and will depend on river levels, weather conditions, and the inclinations of the group. We will move at a leisurely pace, allowing plenty of time for swimming, hiking, photography, and exploring.

Our first priority will be safety, both on and off the river. Personal flotation devices (life jackets) will be provided and must be worn on the river. A parent, grandparent, or guardian must accompany each child on the trip.

Our side-canyon explorations will range from easy walks to more difficult hikes that require some scrambling. Although these hikes are optional, good physical conditioning is important in any wilderness outing. We strongly recommend that you engage in a program of regular exercise prior to the trip. Also note that participants who wish to spend part of the time in the inflatable kayaks or the paddle raft will need to be in good physical condition.

Trip members are expected to assist in loading and unloading the rafts. Families must be able to take care of their personal needs and attend to their own tent sites, although the staff will be able to work with parents and children who need assistance in getting their camps set up.

Daytime temperatures range from 70-95 degrees, but low humidity makes it quite comfortable. Nighttime lows will be in the 60s and 70s.

Equipment and Clothing

The leader will provide a detailed equipment list to registered participants. Please note that there are some items you should leave behind, including cell phones, stereos, radios, electronic games, and even your watches -- we'll be on "river time" once the trip begins! Tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads will be available for rental at additional cost.

References

Having some basic knowledge of the natural and human history of the area will greatly enhance your experience on this trip. The following books are especially recommended:

• Belknap, Buzz, and Loie B. Evans, Dinosaur River Guide. Strip maps of the Green and Yampa rivers, showing rapids, points of interest, and river lore. Made of waterproof paper to be used while on the river.
• Hansen, Wallace R., Dinosaur's Restless Rivers and Craggy Canyon Walls. A guide to the geology of Dinosaur National Monument. Printed on waterproof paper to be used while on the river.
• Cosco, Jon M., Echo Park: Struggle for Preservation. The complete story of the battle to save Dinosaur and defeat the Echo Park Dam, featuring the leadership role of the Sierra Club.
• Harvey, Mark W. T., A Symbol of Wilderness: Echo Park and the American Conservation Movement. An in-depth account of the battle to save Dinosaur and defeat the Echo Park Dam, and the role this struggle played in the growth of the conservation movement in the post-World War II era.
• Cole, Sally J., Legacy on Stone: Rock Art of the Colorado Plateau and Four Corners Region. Describes the rock art and cultures of prehistoric and modern people of canyon country.
• Powell, John Wesley, The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons. The historic, heroic 1869 descent of the Green and Colorado rivers.
• Abbey, Edward. Desert Solitaire, A Season in the Wilderness. A story about living and learning about the harsh and hostile lands in Utah.

Conservation

The Green River is consistently named as one of America's "Most Endangered Rivers" by national conservation groups. We will take time to consider and discuss the conservation issues facing the Green, northeastern Utah, and the rest of the state's public lands. On our drive to the put-in, we'll see firsthand some of the impacts that federal land management priorities are having on Utah's spectacular landscapes.  

Our trip will take us through or close to several recommended wilderness areas proposed for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System as well as river segments suitable to be added to the National Wild and Scenic River System.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.