Desolation Gray - Green River Permit
The Green River enters Desolation Canyon just north of Sand Wash as it exits the Uinta Basin. Canyon walls are stream and lake deposits of the Eocene age then transition into the Cretaceous delta and sea deposits of Gray Canyon.
Along the river, the riparian zone holds willow, cottonwood, box elder and other woody riparian species and provides critical habitat to neo-tropical migrant birds, nesting waterfowl, and wintering deer and elk. Moving away from the cool shade of the riparian zone, one immediately enters a desert environment dominated by salt shrubs and bunch grasses. There is a small sagebrush zone that gives way to pinyon and juniper slopes. The view is always dominated by rock and cliff. Douglas fir finds a home in protected, well-watered alcoves.
Over sixty riffles and rapids punctuate the trip. None are particularly difficult - a dozen or so can cause some trouble for the unprepared traveler. Camping tends to be idyllic on a clean sandy beach in front of a grove of cottonwood trees which offer shade and a windbreak. More than 60 side canyons descend from the plateau to meet the Green River. Every side canyon holds a surprise a few contain a cold, clear stream pouring into the Green River.
Between Sand Wash and Nefertiti Rapid, users set their own itinerary. There are a number of hiking trails in the canyon.
The Desolation Canyon National Historic Landmark (NHL) extends one mile on either side of the river from Nine Mile Creek to Florence Creek. The NHL was designated by the Secretary of the Interior in 1969 as part of the centennial celebration of the 1869 exploration of the Green and Colorado Rivers by John Wesley Powell.
There is a primitive boat ramp at Sand Wash, a primitive eight-site campground, a contact/information station, staffed ranger station and toilets. Trash receptacles and water are not provided. With the remoteness of the area groups can camp the night before at Sand Wash. Due to frequent mosquito plagues, Sand Wash offers four campsites with screened cabins. Cabins can be rented once a permit has been secured. This contrasts with the more developed Swaseys Boat Ramp where there is a large concrete boat ramp along with improved parking, toilets and trash removal services.
Spring launches see rising water, warm days that may have wind and chances of rain or snow. Summer will bring warm to hot days, steady water and fun in the sun. Fall trips mean shorter days, beautiful fall colors, and possible rain. In winter months it is a good idea to check weather and river conditions as the river does freeze over during the winter months, usually December to March and will cause the river to be unfloatable.
For more inforation please visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/passes-and-permits/lotteries/utah/desolationgray
Permit & Season Information
This permit allows a visitor to use floating watercraft to navigate the 84 river miles including camping and hiking along the west side of the river corridor.
A permit is required throughout the season, which spans February 1 through November 30. During the winter months the river freezes over and/or ice dams form in shallow braided chanels, typically leaving the river corridor impassible from December thru February.
As of September 2018, all activities on Ute Tribal Lands are strictly prohibited. Activities prohibited include, but are not limited to: landing water craft, visitation of cultural and historic sites, camping and hiking. The Ute Tribal Lands are on River left (ie the east side of the river) from Sandwash to Coal Creek. Please contact the Ute Tribe Fish & Wildlife Dept. at (435) 722-5511 if you have questions.
Need to Know
- Payment for one person is required at booking. Number of participants, watercraft & exit date are editable until permit is printed.
- The trip leader will need to carry a physical copy of the permit & must provide a photo ID at permit inspection. The permit is not transferable, however you can add an alternative trip leader.
- Permittee must allow rangers to complete permit checks to determine if adherence to permit stipulations has been met
- At the launch, a permittee must have:
- A group of 25 people or fewer & no more than the number pre-paid for on the permit,
- A first aid kit with adequate materials for size of group and sufficient for treating serious injuries,
- A repair kit(s) with adequate materials to repair the types of boats used on the trip,
- Air pump(s) adequate to inflate boats after repairs,
- A washable, leak-proof, reusable toilet system that allows for the carry- out and disposal of solid human body waste in a responsible and lawful manner. The system must be adequate for the size of the group and length of the trip. Leaving solid human body waste on public lands or dumping it into vault toilets or trash receptacles at BLM facilities is prohibited
- A durable, metal fire pan at least 12-inches wide, with at least a 1.5-inch lip around its outer edge, sufficient to contain fire and remains. Fire pans must be carried on ALL trips, even during firebans. Fire blankets under fire pans are recommended to facilitate total ash removal
- A properly-sized Type I, III or V PFD (approved on the label for paddling, whitewater, kayaking) for each member of the party.
- At the launch, each raft or dory must have:
- A extra oar, paddle or motor capable of maneuvering the vessel,
- A bail bucket or bilge pump (does not apply to self-baling boats, kayaks, and inflatable kayaks)
- Parties using low capacity vessels (kayaks, inflatable kayaks, or canoes) must carry 1 spare paddle for every 3 low capacity vessels.
- Each boat 16-feet or longer must have a type IV throw able device or a commercially made rescue rope with at least 40 feet of line, and a whistle or horn
- The permittee must ensure that all trip participants:
- Carry all charcoal, fire ash, garbage, (dishwater strainers recommended), and solid human bodily waste out of the river area
- Adhere to the Utah Boating Act (Title 73, Chapter 18), wearing of life jackets where required, children ages 12 and under must wear PFD's at all times when boating on the river, and all persons must wear a PFD from Jack Creek Rapid to the take out
- Do not engage in commercial use as defined by 43 CFR 2932.5:
- Make a salary, profit, or increase ones financial standing as a result of the trip, charge participants a fee that is not sharing of trip costs, or collect money or compensation in excess of actual expenses for the trip
- List any trip sponsor or affiliated organization (e.g., scout group, school, etc.), associated with the trip on the permit application.
- Keep side-canyon streams and springs free of soap and other contaminants.
- Do not remove, damage or destroy archaeological, historical, or cause unnecessary or undue damage to the natural and cultural resources of the public lands.
- Do not camp or build fires on Public Land within 1/2 mile of mouth of Rock Creek.
- Make campfires only in fire pans and limit the use of gathered wood for campfires to driftwood found along river banks and beaches.
- Do not engage in upstream motorized travel, or engage in downstream motorized travel at other than a slow, wakeless speed and display registration of motor boats at all times.
- Launch, travel (stay within visual contact), and camp together as a group. No boats may be sent ahead to secure campsites. Groups launching separately may not camp together if such action would result in more than 25 persons occupying a campsite.
- Boat tags must remain attached to boats for the entire trip.
- Pets are prohibited.
- Minimum trip length, 3 calendar days. Maximum trip length, 9 calendar days.
Trip planning video: Desolation Gray Canyons River Permit (16:24)
Fee Policy
There is a one-time $6 reservation fee and recreation fee of $40 per person. The reservation fee and recreation fee for one person must be paid at the time that the launch is reserved. Any launch cancelled more than 30 days before the launch will receive a full refund of any recreation fees paid. Cancelling a trip less than 30 days in advance will not receive any refunds. Payment for all passengers must be completed and the permit printed in the two weeks preceding the launch date. Failure to do so will cause the reservation to be cancelled the day of the trip.
Please be mindful of cancelling reservations so you do not keep another boater off the river.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations more than 30 days in advance may be made by returning to the reservation in your account on Recreation.gov and selecting the cancel option. Refunds will be returned to the credit card originally used to pay the fees. The $6 reservation fee will not be refunded.
Cancellations made within 30 days of the scheduled launch date will not receive refunds.
If you (as the permit holder) find that you cannot make the trip and people in your group still want to go, then you can modify the permit and add an alternative trip leader. However, the permit will still need to be finalized and printed from the original permit holders recreation.gov account.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
125 South 600 West Price UT 84501
Phone Number
435-636-3600
