Desolation Canyon Trip Planning Guide | Green River Rafting Map & Permit Info
Private Boater’s Guide
Desolation Canyon Trip Planning Guide
Everything you need to plan a private river trip on the Green River through Desolation and Gray Canyons, Utah
01 What Is Desolation Canyon?
One of America’s great wilderness river trips, deeper than the Grand Canyon in places, and one of the most accessible multi-day runs in the West.
Desolation Canyon is an 85-mile stretch of the Green River cutting through the Tavaputs Plateau in eastern Utah, from Sand Wash to Swasey’s Boat Ramp. The river drops 517 feet over this distance, carving a canyon that reaches nearly 5,000 feet from river to rim at its deepest point.
The canyon was named by John Wesley Powell during his 1869 expedition. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1969, and the surrounding Wilderness Study Area is one of the largest in the lower 48 states.
The trip runs through both Desolation Canyon (Sand Wash to Three Fords, roughly 59 miles) and Gray Canyon (Three Fords to Green River, 36 miles). Over 60 rapids and riffles punctuate the run, mostly Class I-II with a handful of Class III rapids concentrated in the lower half.
The canyon is home to Fremont petroglyphs dating back 800-1,400 years, abandoned homesteads from the outlaw era including a Butch Cassidy hideout at Rock Creek Ranch, and some of the best beach camping in the canyon country.
Mileage Note
Belknap’s Desolation River Guide measures river miles upriver from Mile 0 at the town of Green River. This page uses "trip miles" from Sand Wash (the put-in) for planning, with Belknap miles in parentheses for cross-reference.
02 Permits & the Lottery System
Permits are required year-round. High season dates go through a competitive lottery.
Desolation and Gray Canyons are managed by the BLM Price Field Office (435-636-3600). A permit is required for all river travel between Sand Wash and Nefertiti Rapid, year-round. During peak season (May 1 through September 30), launches are limited to six groups per day via lottery on Recreation.gov.
Key Permit Dates
Lottery application: December 1 through January 31, one entry per person.
Results: Mid-February via email.
Confirm by: March 14, or your date goes back into the pool.
Cancellations: Starting March 15 on Recreation.gov, first come first served.
Off-season (Oct-Apr): First come first served starting December 1.
Cost: $6 reservation fee plus $40 per person. Full payment due two weeks before launch.
Group size: Maximum 25 people. Trip length: 3-9 days.
03 When to Go: Flows & Seasons
Flows can vary from 700 CFS to over 50,000 CFS. Every water level creates a different trip.
The Green River through Desolation is influenced by Flaming Gorge Dam releases (stabilized flows) plus unregulated inflows from the Yampa River. The Yampa’s spring runoff drives high water, typically mid-May to mid-June.
Flow Ranges
700-3,000 CFS: Navigable but slow. Wide beaches. 7+ days.
3,000-5,000 CFS: Mellow pace. Fun Class II splashes. 6-7 days.
5,000-10,000 CFS: The sweet spot. Good current, engaging Class III rapids. 5-6 days.
10,000-20,000 CFS: Bigger water, pushy rapids. Strong rowing skills needed. 4-5 days.
20,000-50,000+ CFS: Serious whitewater. Experienced boaters only.
Check flows: USGS gauges at Green River UT and Ouray UT. Forecasts at cbrfc.noaa.gov.
Heat: Summer temps exceed 100F. Bring 1+ gallon of water per person per day. Rock Creek (trip mile 43) is the best clear water source.
04 Getting There & Logistics
Sand Wash is remote. No services after Wellington or Myton.
Put-in: Sand Wash (BM 97). 3-hour drive from Vernal via US-40, mostly dirt road. Primitive ramp, ranger station, 8 campsites (4 with screened cabins). No water, no trash service.
Take-out: Swasey’s (BM 12). Paved ramp, parking, toilets. 12 miles above Green River town. Quick exit required.
Shuttle: Sand Wash to Swasey’s via wrinkle road/Nine Mile Canyon: 4-5 hours. Air shuttle available from Moab/Price.
Ranger Check-in Required
Check in with the BLM ranger before launching. Orientation covers conditions, fire restrictions, Ute land boundaries, and aquatic invasive species certification (required by Utah law).
05 Mile-by-Mile: Key Features, Rapids & Campsites
85 miles from Sand Wash to Swasey’s. Trip miles from put-in; Belknap miles (BM) for guide cross-reference.
| Trip Mile | Feature | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0BM 97 | Sand Wash | Put-in. Ranger station, cabins, airstrip above. El. 4,617'. |
| 3BM 94 | Nine Mile Creek | Mouth of Nine Mile Canyon. 100,000+ petroglyphs along 45 miles. |
| 8BM 89 | Tabyago Riffle CL I | First riffle on the trip. |
| 12BM 85 | Sumner’s Amphitheater HIKE | River right. Named by Powell, July 7, 1869. |
| 17BM 80 | Rock House Canyon PETROGLYPHS | Fremont petroglyph panel. |
| 22BM 75 | Jack Creek Rapid CL II | Popular camps at Upper/Lower Jack Creek. |
| 25BM 72.5 | Lighthouse Rock | Massive spire. Photographed by Powell expedition, 1871. |
| 28BM 69 | Firewater Rapid CL II | Named for Prohibition-era moonshiner Ben Morris. |
| 31BM 66 | Cedar Ridge Rapid CL II | Multiple camps. Good hiking. |
| 34BM 63 | Flat Canyon PETROGLYPHS | Excellent Fremont panel + 4-mile roundtrip hike to sandstone arch. |
| 37BM 60 | Dripping Springs | Campsite. Fretwater Falls rapid below. |
| 40BM 57 | Steer Ridge Rapid CL III | First big rapid. Scout river right. |
| 43BM 54 | Rock Creek WATER | Best clear water source. 3-mile roundtrip hike to petroglyphs. |
| 44BM 53 | Rock Creek Ranch MUST STOP | Butch Cassidy hideout. Seamont brothers homestead. Private property. |
| 48BM 49 | Three Canyon | Best campsite on the river. Great layover day spot. |
| 50BM 47 | Chandler Falls CL II | Denis Julien inscription from the 1830s. |
| 57BM 40 | Cow Swim CL III | One of canyon’s biggest rapids. Altered by August 2008 debris flow. Scout recommended. |
| 60BM 37 | Wire Fence Rapid CL II-III | Three sections. Altered by 1986 debris flow. |
| 61BM 36 | Three Fords Rapid CL III | Longest rapid on the trip. Scout from right. Gray Canyon begins below. |
| 65BM 32 | Range Creek ARCHAEOLOGY | 500+ Fremont sites documented. |
| 69BM 28 | Mushroom Rock PETROGLYPHS | Half-mile roundtrip hike. Fremont petroglyphs under protective cap. |
| 71BM 26 | Coal Creek Rapid CL II+ | After Coal Creek, camping allowed on both sides. |
| 74BM 23 | School Section Canyon | Great last-night camp. Deep twisting side canyon. |
| 76BM 21 | Nefertiti Rock | End of permit zone. |
| 85BM 12 | Swasey’s Boat Ramp | Take-out. Paved ramp, parking, toilets. El. 4,100'. |
Get the Complete Mile-by-Mile Map
Belknap’s Desolation River Guide covers every rapid, campsite, side hike, and point of interest on waterproof pages with detailed USGS topo maps.
Shop the Desolation River Guide →06 Sample Itinerary: 6-Day Trip at 5,000 CFS
Comfortable pace with time for hikes, petroglyphs, and a layover day.
Day 1
Sand Wash to Jack Creek
Miles 0-22 · 22 miles
Launch after ranger check-in. Sumner’s Amphitheater (mi 12). Rock House petroglyphs (mi 17). Camp at Jack Creek (mi 22).
Day 2
Jack Creek to Flat Canyon
Miles 22-34 · 12 miles
Lighthouse Rock (mi 25). Firewater and Cedar Ridge rapids. Flat Canyon petroglyphs (mi 34).
Day 3
Steer Ridge, Rock Creek Ranch
Miles 34-48 · 14 miles
Steer Ridge rapid (mi 40, scout). Rock Creek (mi 43). Rock Creek Ranch (mi 44). Camp at Three Canyon (mi 48).
Day 4
Cow Swim, Wire Fence, Three Fords
Miles 48-65 · 17 miles
Three Class III rapids. Enter Gray Canyon. Camp at Range Creek (mi 65).
Day 5
Gray Canyon to School Section
Miles 65-74 · 9 miles
Mushroom Rock petroglyphs (mi 69). Coal Creek Rapid (mi 71). Camp at School Section (mi 74).
Day 6
Nefertiti to Swasey’s
Miles 74-85 · 11 miles
Nefertiti Rock (mi 76). Float lower Gray Canyon. Quick exit at Swasey’s ramp.
07 Ute Tribal Land: What You Need to Know
Critical Rule
The east side of the river (river left) from Ouray to Coal Creek is within the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation. As of September 2018, all activities on Ute Tribal lands are strictly prohibited.
After Coal Creek Rapid (trip mile 71), camping is allowed on both sides.
Contact Ute Tribe Fish and Wildlife: 435-722-5511.
08 Gear, Water & Safety
Water: 1+ gallon per person per day. No water at Sand Wash. Rock Creek (mi 43) is the one reliable clear source.
Sun/Heat: Temps exceed 100F. Wide-brim hats, long sleeves, shade structures on rafts.
Bears: Black bear encounters are common. Bear-proof your food and trash.
BLM Required Gear
Fire pan (driftwood only). Portable toilet. PFDs for children 12 and under. Dishwater strainers. All trash packed out. No pets. Aquatic invasive species certification.
09 Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is rafting Desolation Canyon?
Class I-III at typical flows (5,000 CFS). The Class III rapids are in the lower half and can be scouted.
How long does the Desolation Canyon trip take?
5-7 days for 85 miles at typical summer flows. BLM allows 3-9 days.
When is the best time to raft Desolation Canyon?
Late May through mid-June for best flow and weather. September-October for fall colors and fewer people.
How do I get a permit for Desolation Canyon?
Lottery on Recreation.gov, December 1-January 31 for May-September dates. $6 reservation + $40/person.
Is Desolation Canyon good for families?
Yes. One of the best family river trips in the West at normal flows. Whitewater builds gradually.
What is the biggest rapid in Desolation Canyon?
Cow Swim (trip mile 57) was dramatically enhanced by a 2008 debris flow. Three Fords (mile 61) is the longest. Both Class III.
How deep is Desolation Canyon?
Nearly 5,000 feet from river to rim at its deepest, deeper than Grand Canyon at Bright Angel Trail.
The Guide Every Deso Boater Needs
Belknap’s Desolation and Gray Canyons River Guide -- waterproof, mile-by-mile maps in read-as-you-run format. Trusted by boaters for over 50 years.
Get Belknap’s Desolation River Guide →Published by Westwater Books, Evergreen, Colorado.