Desolation Canyon Rafting on The Green River
Desolation Canyon River Rafting
Green River Utah
Desolation Canyon Trip Highlights
· Unbelievably scenic flight at the start of the trip over Desolation Canyon.
· 60+ fun and friendly Class II – III rapid sections dispersed throughout the trip.
· Towering walls deeper than the Grand Canyon in some stretches.
· Numerous off-river excursions to 19th century homesteads and ancient petroglyph panels.
· Tons of wildlife, including wild mustangs, bear, birds of prey, big horned sheep, and more.
· Big sandy beaches with shady cottonwood trees for camp each day.
· The largest continuous wilderness and research study area in the lower 48.
· A true wilderness trip with one road in and one road out.
Location/Season
Moab, UT
May – September
Adventure Level
Intermediate
Class of Rapids
II – III
Restrictions
Ages 5+
About This Trip
Desolation Canyon is the pinnacle landscape of the Great American West. Ribboning through ever-growing cliffs and ever-crumbling escarpments, this 83-mile section of the Green River is nestled in a wilderness as remote as anyone could ask for. It is a place where wild mustangs still traipse the river banks, fossils hide in the shale, and old outlaw hideouts remain intact.
The Whitewater
Desolation is far from being short on rapids, boasting over 60 Class II sections to splash through either in a raft or kayak. There are also a few Class III rapids, including Steer Ridge, Cow Swim, and Three Fords that tend to be technical and exciting as the waves roll over the boat.
High water season in Desolation is typically from late May to early June. The flows during this stretch are pretty dependent on the contributing tributaries like the Yampa, White, and Duchesne Rivers.
The Sites and Camping
The longer you have to spend in Desolation Canyon, the more time you’ll have to explore its remarkable history and side canyons. The top sites that are right off the river include Rock Creek Ranch and the Flat Canyon petroglyph panel.
Many of the campsites in Deso also offer opportunities to hike to old homesteads and Native American rock art. As for the campsites themselves, this canyon is lined with amazing beaches and big beautiful cottonwoods.
Legacy
Desolation Canyon was recently designated as a Wild and Scenic River in 2019, ensuring its protection for public enjoyment. We thank the river running community and environmental organizations that made this happen after decades of dedicated work.
These trips continue on the legacy of Adventure Bound River Expeditions, combined with the legendary customer service and expertise of Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep tours.
