Eagle Outdoor Sports, Inc.

Green River - Lodore Canyon  

Yampa River

Green River - Lodore Canyon

Approximately forty five miles downstream from Flaming Gorge Dam, the Green River enters a deep canyon gorge known as Lodore Canyon.    In 1869, and again in 1871, Major John Wesley Powell floated the Green River exploring and mapping the various canyons.  Lodore Canyon was given its name by a member of the first Powell expedition.  Besides naming the various canyons, names were also given to many of the most notable rapids along the Green River.  Rapids like Disaster Falls, Triplet Falls, and Hells Half Mile received their names from the Powell expedition as they challenged these explorers.   Major Powell also explored and mapped many of the side canyons on his expeditions.

The Green River today is somewhat different than what Major Powell found.  With Flaming Gorge Dam, the flows are regulated.  Prior to the dam, the spring runoff flows were much larger than the typical spring runoff of today.  Yet, with regulated flows, the river runs more consistent throughout the summer.  One of the things that hasn't changed is the spectacular scenery that Major Powell's explorers observed and mapped.

The Green River in Dinosaur National Monument actually travels through three different canyons on its forty-four mile journey through the monument.  The first canyon is Lodore Canyon.  Then shortly after the Yampa River joins the Green River at the impressive Steamboat Rock, the river enters Whirlpool Canyon.  Flowing out of Whirlpool Canyon,  the river opens into an area known as Island Park.  After the meander through Island Park, the Green River's flow quickens as it enters the spectacular Split Mountain Canyon.  Our takeout is at the mouth of Split Mountain Canyon just a short distance from the Dinosaur Quarry.

Our Green River Lodore Canyon trips travel all forty four miles of this section of the Green River.  You'll experience spectacular canyon scenery as we travel down the Green River through its various canyon gorges.  The deep canyon provides a home for the wildlife where we often see bighorn sheep, deer, and other wildlife.  Many ducks, geese, raptors, and other birds make the canyons of Dinosaur their home.  You'll experience the excitement and challenge of several Class III (Advanced Intermediate) rapids, including Upper and Lower Disaster Falls, Triplet, and Hells Half Mile.  The Green River through Lodore Canyon drops an average of 15.2 feet per mile.  In Whirlpool Canyon it averages 10.9 feet per mile of decent.   Greasy Pliers rapid is one of the most exciting, as well as unusually named, rapids in Whirlpool Canyon.  Split Mountain Canyon averages 19.3 feet per mile of drop and offers the challenge of Moonshine, SOB,  Schoolboy, and Inglesby  rapids.  Split Mountain Canyon offers an exciting conclusion to your visit of the Green River.

For those that would like to adventure beyond the river we include several hikes on our trips including hikes to scenic overlooks, waterfalls, a cave, historic Fremont Indian rock art, and the opportunity to view wildlife.

Our campsites are all next to the river where you'll fall asleep and awake to the sounds of the river.

We offer three and four day Green River - Lodore Canyon trips.

Yampa River

The Yampa River is the only major tributary of the Colorado River that remains free flowing.  In the spring and early summer, the Yampa flows run high as the high country snow pack melts.  Because of natural runoff, the Yampa River is only runable through part of May and June.  On a average water year there is still good rafting into early July.  Throughout its short rafting season, the Yampa River offers a unique adventure that is shared by few and will leave memories for a long time.

Our Yampa River trips begin at Deer Lodge Park.  Shortly after launching, the river narrows as it enters through the cut in the Weber Sandstone beginning the Yampa Canyon.  For over forty four miles the Yampa River winds its way through the sandstone canyon carved out over millions of years.

You'll experience the excitement and challenge of several Class III (Advanced Intermediate) rapids, including Tepee, Little Joe, Five Springs, Big Joe, and the newest rapid on the river, Warm Springs rapid.  After Warm Springs rapid you'll be surprised as we enter Surprise rapid, named unofficially by one of our own river guides.  Besides the rapids, the Yampa offers the spectacular Grand Overhang and Tiger Wall rock ledges.  The Yampa River drops an average of 11.6 feet per mile.

Four miles downstream from Warm Springs rapid, the Yampa River joins the Green River at Steamboat Rock, officially ending.  However, our trip still has many miles of wonderful canyons and scenery yet to experience.   Joining the Green River, we now enter Whirlpool Canyon.  This is the site of the Echo Park dam that was halted back in the mid 1950's thanks to the efforts of the early river runners and others that did not want to see the treasures of the Green River and the Yampa River buried under hundreds of feet of water.  We'll point out the site and share the historic aspect of this stopped dam.  Whirlpool Canyon, named for its many whirlpools, is spectacular.  Flowing out of Whirlpool Canyon,  the river opens into an area known as Island Park.  After the meander through Island Park, the Green River's flow quickens as it enters the spectacular Split Mountain Canyon.  This canyon averages 19.3 feet per mile of drop and offers the challenge of Moonshine, SOB, Schoolboy, and Inglesby rapids.  Our takeout is at the mouth of Split Mountain Canyon just a short distance from the Dinosaur Quarry

Overall, this trip covers seventy two miles between the Yampa River and the Green River. 

The Yampa Canyon provides a home for the wildlife where we often see bighorn sheep, deer, and other wildlife.  Many ducks, geese, and other birds make this canyon their home.

For those that would like to adventure beyond the river we include several hikes on our trips. This includes hikes to Signature Cave, Mantle Cave, Whispering Cave, the Ely Creek waterfall, and historic Fremont Indian rock art.  Our camp sites are all next to the river.  You'll fall asleep and awake to the sounds of the river.    

We offer four and five day Yampa River trips.

All pictures and content copyright 2004 Eagle Outdoor Sports, Inc.