Green River
The Green River is a popular choice for white water rafting. The river runs from Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area near Vernal, Utah, to Dinosaur National Monument, and then through some of Utah's most rugged and remote landscape...before finally meeting up with the Colorado River at Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah. There are several sections of the Green River that can be rafted, kayaked, or canoed.
Green River sections include:
Green River Daily
Labyrinth and Stillwater Canyons
Desolation Canyon
Lodore
Yampa River
Split Mountain
White water rafting trips on the Green River offer unique geology, landscape important to America's frontier and outlaw history, plus Native American ruins and rock art. A trek down the Green River is about much more than white water rafting; it's about truly experiencing a part of history.
Green River Daily
For beginning rafters, or river runners with only a short amount of time, the Green River Daily offers the perfect solution. The 9-mile stretch through the lower portion of Gray Canyon on the Green River takes from ½ day to 1 day to raft. It can be tackled solo, or there are many guides willing to take groups down the river. The segment includes seven mild rapids, though there may be a few class 3 rapids in high water. The Green River Daily is best run from April through October. Peak time is from late May to early June. The Daily begins at the Nefertiti Rapid, about 20 miles northeast of the town of Green River. more info | green river guides
Labyrinth & Stillwater Canyons
Calm water among some of Utah's most beautiful scenery makes the Labyrinth and Stillwater Canyons section of the Green River popular among canoeists. The 100-mile long stretch of river winds peacefully through redrock canyons until the confluence of the Green River with the Colorado River. Some guides take groups in powerboats along the river, which allows visitors to experience the beauty of the area in less time. Crystal Geyser is found along this stretch of the Green, and with the right timing, can be observed erupting up to 60 feet in the air! The Labyrinth and Stillwater Canyons are best run from April through
October. more info | labyrinth & stillwater canyon guidesDesolation Canyon
This is an excellent trip for families! Desolation Canyon is found in a deep gorge of the Tavaputs Plateau. The Gorge is deeper than the Grand Canyon, and equally remote. Most of the 84-miles of river is calm - rapid classes 1 and 2, though some class 3 can be found among the 60-plus rapids. Desolation Canyon may hold the secrets of many people long since departed. A trip down this section of the Green River reveals abandoned homesteads of hopeful frontier families, and prehistoric Indian petroglyphs. The surrounding white sand beaches beckon visitors to hike and explore beautiful redrock canyons and alcoves. Desolation Canyon is run from April through October; peak times are from late-May through early-June. more info | desolation canyon guides
Lodore
A trip down Lodore Canyon (and Whirlpool and Split Mountain Canyons) is perhaps the most scenic of all Utah river trips. Towering rock formations, wide meadows, waterfalls, and Indian petroglyphs are all found en route, making for breathtaking photographs and even better memories! The canyon runs through Dinosaur National Monument in northeastern Utah. Big horn sheep, mule deer, and river otters are often spotted on this section of river. The 44-mile canyon trip has excellent rapids, including the three best on all the Green River: Disaster Falls, Triplet Falls, and Hell's Half Mile. Some class 4 rapids may be found; most are in the range of class 2 to class 3. Lodore is run from April to October; the rapids are the most powerful in July and August. more info | lodore canyon guides
Yampa River
The Yampa River meets up with the Green River at Echo Park. Though most of the trip isn't actually on the Green River, many guides which run the Green also charter groups on the Yampa. The 71-mile Yampa trips begin in beautiful Dinosaur National Park, and then hold on! Warm Springs rapid, one of the ten greatest drops in the country is found here. Most of the rest of the trip is flat, though swift - though there is several class 3 and 4 whitewater. The Yampa is run from May through July, with the biggest rapids found in May and June. more info | yampa river guides
Split Mountain
A trip down Split Mountain only takes a day (some do it in a ½ day), but this 8-mile trip can be intense! Found in Dinosaur National Monument, the Split Mountain Canyon features a series of class 3 rapids that make the trip challenging and add excitement. Split Mountain is run from April to October, with peak from late May through early June. more info | split mountain river guides
Green River
History
"Rio San Buena Ventura" is the Spanish name for the Green River. Flowing rapidly southward for hundreds of miles before joining the Colorado, the Green River offers several sections suitable for white water rafting trips in Utah.
The Green River rafting season extends from early April through October. The best flows often occur during late May and early June. Besides producing great rapids, this season guarantees river runners will see a spectacular wildflower show—everything from flowering cacti and Indian paintbrush to desert primrose blossoms.
One of the deepest canyons in the southwest, Lodore Canyon, located in the sprawling acreage of Dinosaur National Monument offers many miles of scenic wonderment. Plenty of excitement awaits you with rapids such as Disaster Falls, Hell's Half-Mile and Triplet Falls. With average descents of 13 feet per mile the river tumbles past soaring red rock walls, desert Big Horn Sheep, pristine springs and waterfalls.
John Wesley Powell explored the Green River in 1869. He likened the area, Gates of Lodore, to a "mountain drinking a river." Only a few brave souls tackled the swift and mighty waters called the "seeds-ke-dee" by Native Americans. Now Flaming Gorge Dam backs up the waters of the Green and flows are regulated to make the river accessible to recreational floaters. The summer river season allows for trips of three to four days in length.
Below Lodore, the Desolation and Gray Canyon stretch offers over 60 Class I - Class III rapids. But the rapids are only part of the fascination of a Green River trip. This area of Utah was visited and settled by prospectors, homesteaders, farmers and ranchers and outlaws who left their legacies in the river corridor. Visitors will enjoy seeing such places as the McPherson Ranch where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid often hid out.
Below Desolation and Gray Canyons, the Green meanders through Labyrinth and Stillwater Canyons. The calm waters are a favorite with canoes and touring kayaks who enjoy the scenery, historical relics and Indian ruins.
Information courtesy of Utah Guides & Outfitters Association.
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