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Utah’s Canyonlands River Recreation – Moab Area Travel Council - 10/21/13 Page 1

information on private trips, contact the River outfitters in southeast operate appropriate agency office. Utah’s Canyonlands under permits issued by either the Bureau River Recreation of Land Management or the National Park UTAH BOATING LAWS AND RULES Service. River guides carrying passengers for hire are licensed by Utah State Parks. The Utah Division of Parks and All guides have first-aid and CPR Recreation has the primary responsibility training. for boating safety and enforcement on Utah waters under the Utah Boating Act. Moab Area Travel Council Reservations and Fees: Reservations for On Utah rivers every person on board a Internet Brochure Series river trips with an outfitter should be vessel must wear a personal flotation Available from: made as far ahead as possible, especially device (life jacket) of proper size and of for multi-day trips. Trip prices vary by an approved type; except on designated discovermoab.com factors such as length, services provided, flat water areas where they may be group size, and river segment. loosened or removed. Persons under 12 years of age must wear personal flotation INTRODUCTION Equipment Provided: Outfitters devices at all times while on Utah rivers. generally provide boats, boating Utah law also requires that an extra oar or Southeastern Utah is blessed with an equipment, safety equipment such as life paddle be on board, as well as a bailing abundance of river recreation jackets and first-aid kits, waterproof bags device. All motor powered craft must be opportunities. Visitors may select river for storing equipment, watertight boxes registered in Utah or in the boater's home environments that range from the for cameras, food, nonalcoholic state. wilderness settings of Cataract and beverages, ice chests, and return Desolation-Gray to the more transportation from their office or a River: easily accessible sections of the Colorado, prearranged meeting place to the river. Daily Section - Hittle Bottom to Green and San Juan rivers. While the Takeout Beach area is known for its whitewater float Recommended Gear and Clothing: trips, there are also several scenic flat- Passengers embarking upon a one day water segments suitable for canoes, jet summertime river trip with an outfitter Agency Office: BLM, Moab Field Office boats, and small powerboats. should bring a sun hat, sun screen, lip Private Permit Requirement: no gloss, sunglasses with a retention strap, a Length: 13 miles from Hittle Bottom to The river areas described in this brochure pair of old sport shoes (they will get wet), Takeout Beach. are rated according to a six point a T-shirt, quick drying shorts, a Float Time: 1 or 2 days international scale. For example, rivers lightweight long sleeve cotton shirt, and a Notes: Special regulations apply for rated as Class I have small, easy to wind breaker. For multiday trips, overnight use. negotiate waves, Class III areas have passengers will need in addition to the difficult rapids that require maneuvering above items, extra clothing for use around The "Daily," located northeast of Moab and Class VI areas are not considered camp (evenings can be cool along the along Utah highway 128, is also known as navigable. Rapids vary greatly by river river), rain gear, personal care items, and the Fisher Towers' section. The Daily is flow. Some rapids are more difficult to walking shoes for hikes. Passengers may Utah's most popular river trip and is ideal negotiate at high water while others are bring their own sleeping bag, ground for a short adventure, a group outing, an more difficult at lower water levels. The cloth, and tent or rent these items from the overnight camping trip, or a first river ratings should only be used to make rough outfitter. Consult with the outfitter for trip. comparisons. more specific information about clothing, camping gear, and personal use items The Daily is a whitewater RIVER TRIPS WITH OUTFITTERS because requirements vary by trip and trip. Six named rapids are located season. between Hittle Bottom and Takeout Outfitters take passengers down all of Beach. The rapids may range in difficulty Southeastern Utah's rivers. River PRIVATE RIVER TRIPS up to Class III. The daily can be Outfitters offer part-day, one-day, and challenging at high water levels. multi-day trips. Most outfitters conduct Private river trips are organized by trips in more than one river area and individuals on a noncommercial, share Boaters will be able to view striking red provide a wide variety of tours. Some cost basis. On private trips, boaters use rock scenery that includes Fisher Towers, outfitters conduct specialty tours such as their own equipment or rent boats and Castle Rock, and the Priest and Nuns. self-paddle trips, jet boat tours, executive gear and share trip expenses. Government The area has been the setting of a number training sessions, women's trips, and regulations prohibit individuals utilizing of western-style movies and many kayak instruction. Many outfitters will private permits from charging for guide television commercials. also provide shuttle and pick-up service. services, trip arrangements, or A complete list of all area outfitters is amortization of equipment. For additional located in our Tour Operator section. Utah’s Canyonlands River Recreation – Moab Area Travel Council - 10/21/13 Page 2

Colorado River: Cataract is a wild whitewater trip Green River: but the sections above the confluence of Lower Gray Canyon - Nefertiti the Colorado and Green rivers consist of Rapid to Swaseys Rapid scenic stretches of flatwater. There are 26 Agency Office: BLM, Moab Field Office rapids within with Private Permit Requirement: yes several that may range in difficulty up to Agency Office: BLM, Price River Length: 17 miles from the Westwater Class V. Resource Area Ranger Station to the Cisco Landing take Private Permit Requirement: no out Visitors may hike to view the rock art and Length: 8 miles from the launch point at Float Time: 1 or 2 days cliff dwellings; left by Indians who once Nefertiti Rapid to the take out at Swaseys

lived in the canyon or just enjoy the Rapid Westwater Canyon is located northeast of massive red rock walls and pinnacles that Float Time: 1 or 2 days Moab and is the first canyon along the tower above the river. Cataract Canyon is Colorado River within Utah. The last one of the most isolated and starkly Lower Gray Canyon (the Green River section of the Colorado River to be beautiful areas of the 48 contiguous states. Daily) is located to the north of Green navigated, it is many boaters' first choice River, Utah, below Desolation-Gray for a short challenging adventure. canyons. The Daily is ideal for a short Westwater is a whitewater trip with 11 Green River: adventure or a first river trip. The area is rapids that may range in difficulty up to Desolation-Gray Canyons popular with organized groups. The Class IV. launch point is a short drive from Interstate 70, making it ideal for those Visitors to Westwater will view the oldest Agency Office: BLM, Price River with limited time. exposed rock in Utah, the Precambrian Resource Area "black rock", which forms the walls of a Private Permit Requirement: yes The Green River Daily is a whitewater 200 foot deep inner canyon. Sheer walls Length: 75 miles from the Sand Wash trip. There are seven rapids, some of of rust-colored tower Ranger Station launch to the first take out which may range in difficulty up to Class above the inner canyon. Historic features point at Nefertiti Rapid or 84 miles to the III. within the canyon include the miners second take out point at Swaseys Rapid at cabin and the outlaw cave. the end of Gray Canyon. Green River: Float Time: 4 to 7 days Labyrinth Canyon/Stillwater Colorado River: Canyon - Green River City to Desolation-Gray canyons are located Cataract Canyon Mineral Bottom or Spanish along the Green River north of Green River, Utah. is the Bottom Agency Office: , Canyonlands deepest canyon in Utah. At Rock Creek, the river is over 5,000 feet below the Agency Office: BLM, San Rafael NPS Private Permit Requirement: yes Resource Area for Labyrinth Canyon and Length: 112 miles from Moab to Hite canyon rim. Canyonlands National Park for Stillwater Float Time: 3 to 7 days Canyon The trip through Desolation-Gray canyons is a whitewater trip. Of the 67 rapids, Private Permit Requirement: yes for Cataract Canyon, located in the heart of Labyrinth Canyon; yes from NPS for Canyonlands National Park, is the best most are Class 11, but several may be as difficult as Class IV. Stillwater Canyon known of southeast Utah's river areas. Length: 68 miles from the launch point at "Cat" trips may be initiated by floating Visitors to Desolation-Gray canyons will Green River State Park in Green River down either the Colorado River from City to the take out at Mineral Bottom or Moab or the Green River from Green have the opportunity to view rock art created by Indians of the 120 miles to the confluence of the Green River State Park or Mineral Bottom. The and Colorado Rivers. Cataract Canyon stretch of the Colorado and the ancestors of the Ute Indians. The area was also used by outlaws such as Float Time: 3 to 8 days River extends from the Colorado's confluence with the Green River to Lake "Butch Cassidy" and "Flat-Nose George" as a refuge. Desolation-Gray canyons Labyrinth and Stillwater canyons are Powell at Hite. Shorter trips utilize a jet located south of the city of Green River. boat for the upper portion of the trip. Due include large cottonwood tree sheltered campsites, a coldwater fishery at Rock Visitors may view several Indian rock art to fluctuating water levels on Lake sites and historic inscriptions left by early Powell, it may be necessary to have a Creek, and a wide variety of geologic features. day river travelers. The hike to the top of motor or arrange for a pick up boat to the neck at Bowknot Bend offers move rafts from the end of the river down Desolation Canyon has been designated as expansive views of the river and its to Hite. Contact the River canyon setting. District Office at Canyonlands National a National Historic Landmark to preserve the setting of the Park for more information. There are no rapids along this portion of expeditions. the Green River making it highly suited for multi-day canoe trips. Visitors Utah’s Canyonlands River Recreation – Moab Area Travel Council - 10/21/13 Page 3 planning to use rafts should allow plenty The upper San Juan is a whitewater trip. Reservoir. Call the river flow information of time because the river flows through Several small rapids may range up to number for conditions (801-539-1311). these canyons at a leisurely pace. Class III. Sandbars can create problems for parties The lower Dolores is a whitewater river. with rafts at flows below 1200 cubic feet San Juan River: The rapids may range in difficulty up to per second (CFS). Lower San Juan - Mexican Hat Class IV. This area has several miles of to Lake Powell steep-walled canyons. Cottonwood tree Ruby Ranch, located 20 miles below shaded river bottoms provide good Green River State Park, is an alternate camping opportunities. access point. A fee is charged for parking Agency Office: BLM, San Juan Resource Area and NPS, National at and launching from the privately owned : area. Mineral Bottom is the last take out Recreation Area Private Permit Requirement: yes, from The Little - Fuller point accessible by road before the rapids Bottom to San Rafael of Cataract Canyon. If you plan to take BLM out at the Confluence or Spanish Bottom, Length: 54 miles from the BLM boat Campground arrangements must be made prior to your ramp at Mexican Hat to the first take out trip to have you and your raft or canoe at Clay Hills Crossing Agency Office: BLM, San Rafael taken back upriver by jet boat. There is Float Time: 3-6 days Resource Area no vehicle access take out once you enter Private Permit Requirement: no Canyonlands National Park. Jet boat The lower San Juan is located to the west Length: 15 miles from Fuller Bottom to service is provided by two commercial of Mexican Hat. Below Mexican Hat, the San Rafael Campground companies: Canyonlands by Night & Day where it cuts through the Raplee Float Time: 1-2 days (800-394-9978), Tag-A-Long Expeditions Anticline, the San Juan River has carved (800-453-3292) and Tex's Riverways the deepest set of entrenched The Little Grand Canyon is located south (435-259-5101). "goosenecks" (meander loops) in North of Price. There are numerous campsites, America. Indian rock art, and nice side canyon Boaters launching from Green River are hikes within the Little Grand Canyon. The requested to register at the BLM visitor The lower San Juan is a whitewater trip. San Rafael is navigable by small rafts, box at Green River State Park. Parties Several rapids may range in difficulty up paddle boats, and canoes for a short launching from Ruby Ranch should to Class 111. Due to low water levels period during the spring if there is register at Mineral Bottom. A brochure boaters can no longer take out at Piute sufficient water. During dry years this on calm water float trips on the Green Farms. section may not be floatable. A minimum River is available from of 250 CFS is required. Call the river discovermoab.com. Visitors are attracted to the lower San flow information number for conditions Juan by the beauty of the serpentine (801-539-1311). goosenecks, excellent hiking San Juan River: opportunities, and the pools at Slickhorn There are no rapids along this portion of Upper San Juan - Sand Island to Canyon. BLM requires a permit for hikes the San Rafael River. There are several Mexican Hat extending more than 3 miles from the sections of rapid water and there may be river into the Grand Gulch Primitive Area. hazards such as logs and fallen trees. Agency Office: BLM, San Juan Resource Area : Private Permit Requirement: yes Gateway Colorado to the RIVER USE ETHICS Length: 26 miles from the Sand Island Colorado River Confluence Campground to the BLM boat ramp at River areas are fragile environments that Mexican Hat degrade without proper care by visitors. Float Time: 1-3 days Agency Office: BLM, Moab Field Office The Bureau of Land Management and the Private Permit Requirement: yes National Park Service have developed The upper San Juan is located to the west Length: 30 miles ftom Gateway to the permit requirements designed to protect the qualities of most of the river areas in of Bluff, Utah. The southern bank of the mouth of the Dolores River Float Time: 2-3 days Southeastern Utah. On trips with river is the northern boundary of the commercial outfitters, river guides will Navajo Indian Reservation. The upper The lower Dolores is located to the east of provide instruction about disposal of San Juan is well known for superb Indian human waste, the disposal of different Moab. This segment starts near Gateway, rock art left by the Anasazi culture. types of trash, and other practices. For Visitors may also hike to view the ruins of Colorado, and ends in Utah where the private river trips, it is the responsibility Anasazi dwellings and the remains of an Dolores River merges with the Colorado of each boater to follow applicable river historic trading post. This section of the River. The lower Dolores is normally protection requirements. In the case of river is also known for its geologic and navigable with small rafts during the less intensively managed river areas, boaters are strongly encouraged to scenic features. spring. During dry years this section may practice the highest standard of river not be navigable. River flows are dependent upon releases from McPhee ethics possible. Utah’s Canyonlands River Recreation – Moab Area Travel Council - 10/21/13 Page 4

ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Moab Area Travel Council John Wesley Powell River History Main & Center Museum & Visitor Center The BLM and NPS provide lists of P. 0. Box 550 885 East Main outfitters authorized to conduct Moab, UT 84532 Green River, UT 84525 commercial river trips. These federal 800-635-6622 435-564-3427 offices are the authoritative sources of www.discovermoab.com information about private permit systems, On the banks of the Green River, this user fees, and the availability of permits. The Moab Area Travel Council in Moab museum features exhibits dedicated to the Additional information about the publishes a brochure that includes a list of history and use of the Green, Colorado requirements of the Utah Boating Act river outfitters based in Grand County. and San Juan rivers. Of special interest may be obtained from Utah Division of The Moab Information Center in Moab are full size replicas of boats like those Parks and Recreation offices. also distributes brochures published by used by Powell and other explorers. Fee outfitters and sells river guidebooks charged for museum. covering the Moab areas. River Flow Information Bureau Of Land Management San Juan County Travel Council www.ut.blm.gov For recorded Utah river flow information 117 South Main call the National Weather Service River Monticello, UT 84535 BLM, Moab Field Office Forecast Center at (801) 539-1311. To 800-574-4386 82 E. Dogwood obtain further information about reservoir www.southeastutah.com Moab, UT 84532 water releases, call the Upper Colorado 435-259-2100 Regional Office of the Bureau of The San Juan County Travel Council Reclamation in Salt Lake City at (801) publishes a Visitors Guide that includes a BLM, Price River and San Rafael 524-5576. list of river outfitters. The council's office Resource Area also distributes brochures published by 125 South 600 West outfitters. Price, UT 84501 435-636-3622 The information in the brochure is Canyonlands Natural History compiled by Utah's Canyonlands Travel Association (CNHA) BLM, San Juan Resource Area Region in cooperation with the Bureau of 3031 S. Hwy. 191 P.O. Box 7 (435 N. Main) Land Management, Moab District; the Moab, UT 84532 Monticello, UT 84535 National Park Service, Canyonlands 800-840-8978 435-587-2144 National Park; and the Utah Division of www.cnha.org Parks and Recreation. National Park Service CNHA sells river guidebooks, maps and www.nps.gov regional publications through the mail and at multi-agency centers in Moab and Canyonlands National Park River Permits Monticello, National Park visitor centers 2282 S. West Resource Blvd and BLM and USFS offices in SE Utah. Moab, UT 84532 Limited publications are also sold at 435-259-4351 Westwater Canyon and Desolation-Gray Moab Information Center Canyons launch sites. For a mail-order Utah Division Of Parks & Main & Center St, Moab catalog, or to place an order, call 1-800- Recreation 840-8978. www.stateparks.utah.gov Moab Visitor Information (800) 635-6622 Utah Guides and Outfitters Utah Division of Parks and Recreation (435) 259-8825 P. 0. Box 21141 Southeast Region Office Salt Lake City, UT 84121 1165 S. Hwy 191 Ste #7 discovermoab.com www.utah-adventures.com Moab, UT 84532 435-259-3750 Utah Guides and Outfitters (UGO) is the industry trade association for Utah river Utah Division of Parks and Recreation outfitters. UGO can provide lists of Dead Horse Point State Park outfitters operating on Utah's rivers. P.O. Box 609 Moab, UT 84532 435-259-2614 Utah’s Canyonlands River Recreation – Moab Area Travel Council - 10/21/13 Page 5