A Green River Adventure

On St. Patrick’s Day, green is the name of the game—it’s on our clothes, our treats, our cards and décor. What if you could amidst a green landscape, too?

It’s possible in Utah’s Green River! While the water may not be quite as green as a blade of grass or your St. Patrick’s Day party hat, it’s still a vibrant adventure through and through. Read on for a closer look at this gem of the American West!

What’s in a name?

No one denies that the Green River is aptly named—but if you ask a handful of people where they think the name comes from, you’re bound to hear a few different answers. Some say it pays homage to a local trapper, others suggest that it references the ample vegetation that speckles the river’s rocky borders—of course, others insist that the simplest explanation is the correct one. The river may not be startlingly green, but it does have a cool emerald tinge in parts that make it stand out from its aquatic counterparts—and at its confluence with the Colorado River, its parent river, you can actually pinpoint the shift in color from greenish to a darker blue!

Entering the Gates of Lodore

The Gates of Lodore may sound like something straight out of The Lord of the Rings, but it’s an actually site you can boat through on the Green River! The impressive entrance to the Canyon of Lodore at Colorado’s Dinosaur National Monument is filled with excitement and anticipation at the beautiful, remote scenery that is to come. You might feel like you’re discovering uncharted territory as you make your way through the calm, quiet space, where cliffs that jut over the river shield you from the hot western sun.

Your chance for adventure

There’s more than one way to enjoy this natural spectacle. The entirety of the Green River and its arid surroundings lend themselves to outdoor adventures: camping trips on the quiet, reflective clearings above the river; hikes around the Gates of Lodore that lead to stunning canyon vistas; or guided whitewater raft trips that provide plenty of opportunities for wildlife sightings. You can take out your own boat and get to know the river from a personal, hands-on perspective, too—the river is actually so popular that you’re asked to apply for a permit lottery system to make your way in!

Are you itching to experience the majesty (and adventure) of the Green River yourself? This spring, hit the water and wind your way around the intriguing waters and soapstone borders—for excursions both tranquil and extreme, this is the place to be.