About This Trip
If you’re looking to embark on a week-long expedition through the Wild West, our Desolation Canyon rafting 6 day trip is as good as it gets. This trip is meant for those looking to truly experience the grandiosity of the most remote river canyon in the contiguous United States.
Throughout the week, you’ll have time to explore Deso’s significant history and jaw-dropping scenery at a variety of campgrounds and hikes along the river corridor. Ancient petroglyphs, century-old homesteads and fossils wait to be discovered in between beautiful floats down the Green River.
Along the way are long stretches of friendly rapids to run in inflatable kayaks or on the rafts with your guides. And while the name may imply otherwise, Desolation Canyon is brimming with wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for Big Horned sheep, eagles, and wild horses as you splash your way downriver.
Each day ends with a big beautiful beach where we’ll make camp for the night. More days on the river means more time in camp, so play games with the guides, explore the area, fish, swim— whatever you please! This is your time to unwind and reconnect with nature. After tangerine sunsets come the most impressive displays of final frontier, so bring the good camera for snapshots of the Milky Way.
With 84 miles to cover through this astounding stretch of wilderness, we highly suggest opting for a 6-day excursion through Desolation Canyon.
Desolation Canyon 6-day raft trips start at $1799.00.
Desolation Canyon Quick Facts
What’s So Special About Desolation Canyon?
Map
10 Things to know about Desolation Canyon
- Desolation Canyon length: 84 miles
- Desolation Canyon put-in: Sand Wash Boat Launch
- Desolation Canyon take-out: Swasey’s Boat Ramp
- Desolation Canyon rapid class: Class II and III
- Desolation Canyon’s top rapids: Three Fords and Joe Hutch
- Best for Ages: 5+
- Location: Desolation Canyon Wilderness Study Area, eastern Utah
- Notable Scenery: 5,000 foot cliffs, big beaches and cottonwoods, massive spires and hoodoos
- Notable Sites: Flat Canyon Petroglyph Panel, Rock Creek Ranch
- Average CFS Range: 5,000 – 20,000
Booking Options
OAR Rafts
18-33 feet self-bailing rafts (up to 6 guests).
Our rafts range from 18-33 feet depending on water flows during the time of the trip. Periodically we’ll tie the rafts together into a “floatilla,” and motor through calm sections to help us make the miles needed each day.
Inflatable Kayaks are brought along to enjoy at appropriate water levels.
We typically seat between 4-6 guests to each raft.
- Ages 5+
Reviews from our Guests
Posted on Bob Hoffman2025-10-27Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Miles was entertaining and very knowledgeable. He made the trip fun and worthwhile. I would use MILD to Wild nest time in the area.Posted on Burt T2025-10-26Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My wife and I had a Mesa Verde van tour in late October with Miles. He provided outstanding information about the archeology, indigenous peoples, terrain, climate throughout our tour. I also called the phone line and spoke with Tim about hiking opportunities in the Durango area. He listened and gave us effective guidance. This company provides excellent service!Posted on Kim Reynolds2025-10-24Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our full day tour in the Mesa Verde area was breathtaking. Got to see parts of the world that will just blow your mind. We were particularly happy with our tour guide, Jay who really knew the history and geology of the area and gave us insights into history that we had not understood before.Posted on Natalie Norman2025-10-21Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic experience on our Mesa Verde National Park tour! They had to make some last-minute itinerary changes due to park staffing/government shutdown, but we still had a great time! Our tour guide Jay was very knowledgeable and extremely personable. He quickly felt like one of our family as we ventured out to the high desert. He made a point to connect with all of us, but he went out of his way to personally interact with our 2 daughters (10 and 12) and made the experience special for them. They learned so much! He was also very helpful when some of us weren't feeling so great at the high altitude! I would book with this company again in a heartbeat, especially if I could get a tour with Jay!! Thanks for the lifetime memories. What a beautiful area!Posted on Allison Posell2025-10-21Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Miles was amazing, knowledgeable, and made sure that the unexpected weather and flooding in the area did not keep us from having a good experience. Thank you for the great service recovery and adventure!Posted on Casey Mast2025-10-21Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Cat was our tour guide, and we had a great Jeep tour with the Trails and Rails – Jeep Tour & Train Package. We explored in Silverton area by Jeep and saw a ghost/mining town near the head in the Animas River. The views were amazing!Posted on Brenda Stewart2025-10-20Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Miles was an excellent tour guide, knowledgeable with a fun sense of humor. He was flexible and good natured and passed his love of the mountains on to us. The tour was one of the highlights of our entire week. Brenda StewartPosted on 2 Nomads2025-10-19Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am a tour guide. My company hired Jay, with Mild to Wild as our step on guide. Jay was a wealth of information. He was great with my passengers. We all loved him.Posted on jenner finley2025-10-18Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Just got off the Jeep tour with Jay as our guide. What a day and what a guide!! We’ll be riding the train back from Silverton - best combination. Don’t miss out and request Jay to show you waterfalls!Posted on Mike Bazar2025-10-16Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Loved it. Awesome adventure. Definitely mild and WILD!!!
What are you waiting for? Call today (800) 567-6745 OR (970) 247-4789
Payments & Cancellations
Payment Options
- 1/2 down, 1/2 charged 60 days prior to trip.
- 1/3 down with remaining balance charged in thirds by 60 days prior.
- Call for other arrangements!
Free Courtesy Hold
We don’t want you to miss out on this trip so we’ll hold your spots, payment-free, for 24hrs while you make your final arrangements & prepare for payment.
Fees
In addition to the listed trip cost, we collect an additional 9% for River and Land Access Fees (ie. Forest Service, BLM, NPS, City, Private Land Use).
Cancellation Policy
- 60+ days: Receive a refund less $200 per person unrecoverable fees.
- 45+ days: Reschedule for another trip/date, or receive Mild to Wild gift certificate less $200 per person.
- Less than 45 days, unfortunately there will be no refund. Substitutions/name changes are allowed.
- RoamRight Travel Insurance is recommended to help cover unforeseen circumstances, such as cancelled flights, sickness or medical evacuations.
- Guests needing to be evacuated from the canyon will be charged a minimum of $1,000 per person.
Plan Your Trip
FAQ
Camping & Dining
Itinerary
Map & River Log
Packing Guide
Weather & Rapids
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