Desolation & Gray Canyons (Sand Wash to Swaseys Beach)
Green River • WY, CO, UT
Length
84.0 mi
Difficulty
Class II-III
Shuttle
130 mi / 180 min
🪪 Permit required
— BLM Price Field Office
— Apply ↗
Dates between May 1 & September 30 are lottery-controlled — summer high-use (May 15 – Aug 14) allows six launches/day; spring & fall low-use allow two/day. The river typically freezes over and is impassable in winter.
The classic Tavaputs Plateau multi-day — 84 miles of Class II-III
through two connected canyons. Desolation's 60 mi of moderate
whitewater include Steer Ridge, Cow Swim, and Joe Hutch Canyon;
Gray Canyon adds Coal Creek and Rattlesnake. Typically 5-7 days
with BLM-permit camps. Permit via recreation.gov lottery.
✓ Real river route loaded
🏕 Campsites (9)
🌊 Rapids (10)
Rock House
Class II+
• Mile 7.0
Jack Creek
Class II+
• Mile 24.0
Steer Ridge
Class III
• Mile 38.0
Cow Swim
Class III
• Mile 42.0
Joe Hutch Canyon
Class III
• Mile 50.0
Three Fords
Class III
• Mile 56.0
Wire Fence
Class III
• Mile 58.0
Coal Creek
Class III
• Mile 72.0
Rattlesnake
Class III
• Mile 78.0
Last Chance
Class II+
• Mile 82.0