Utah · Green River
Desolation Canyon rafting trips
84 miles of the Green River, 66 of them in a wilderness study area, with kids welcome from age 5 at several outfitters. Every BLM permitted outfitter, side by side.
4 to 7 days / 3 to 6 nightsQuick answer
Guided Desolation Canyon rafting trips on the Green River run 4 days, 3 nights to 7 days, 6 nights, from spring into September. Most start with a scenic flight to Sand Wash. Several outfitters take kids from 5. We list 11 BLM permitted outfitters, and booking one skips the lottery. Listed prices start at $995 per person (checked September 2026).
The route
Sand Wash to Swasey's
The rapids build as you go: every rapid American Whitewater rates Class III sits in the lower half of the run.
- Mile 0Sand WashLaunch
- Mile 25Jack CreekClass II
- Mile 54Joe HutchClass III+
- Mile 64Three FordsClass III
- Mile 80Swasey'sTake out, near Green River
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
Rapid miles and classes from American Whitewater, counted here from Sand Wash. American Whitewater's figures put the take out at mile 80; the BLM gives 84. Shown for a 5 day, 4 night trip. Camps are set by the outfitter.
Compare outfitters
Every Desolation Canyon outfitter, side by side
The BLM publishes its Desolation Canyon outfitter list. This table covers the outfitters on it that run public trips, with details from each outfitter's own site, listed alphabetically.
| Outfitter | Trip lengths | Boats | Season | Min age | From, per adult | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrift Adventures | 4 days, 3 nights to 6 days, 5 nights (hiking trip) | Oar, with inflatable kayak or paddle options | Late April to early August | Not listed (child rate 8 to 17) | $1,2454 day, 3 night trip, 2026, plus a $50 river fee. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Adrift |
| Apakoa Rivers | 6 days, 5 nights; 8 day, 7 night music trip | Oar, inflatable kayak, paddle board | May to July | 5 | Price not shown on the page we checked; scenic flight included. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Apakoa |
| ARTA | 6 days, 5 nights | Oar, inflatable kayak | June to August | 6 | $1,8996 day, 5 night trip; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with ARTA |
| Colorado River & Trail Expeditions | 5 days, 4 nights | Oar, inflatable kayak | May to August | 8 (and 50 pounds) | $9955 day, 4 night trip; year not shown; plus $315 flight and $40 BLM fee. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with CRATE |
| Holiday River Expeditions | 5 days, 4 nights to 6 days, 5 nights | Oar, inflatable kayak, paddle board | May to August | 5 | $1,7705 day, 4 night trip, 2027; scenic flight from Green River. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Holiday |
| Mild to Wild Rafting | 4 days, 3 nights to 6 days, 5 nights | Oar, inflatable kayak | April to September | 5 (and 50 pounds) | $1,4994 day, 3 night trip, 2026. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Mild to Wild |
| National Ability Center | 6 days, 5 nights | Motor, paddle; adaptive equipment | Not listed | 8 | $1,200Adaptive program; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with National Ability Ctr. |
| OARS | 5 days, 4 nights to 6 days, 5 nights | Oar, inflatable kayak, paddle board | May to September | 7 | $1,9995 day, 4 night trip, 2027; flight from Moab. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with OARS |
| Sheri Griffith River Expeditions | 5 days, 4 nights to 7 days, 6 nights | Oar, inflatable kayak | Mid May to late September | 5 (and 50 pounds) | $1,6995 day, 4 night trip, 2026; $1,849 in 2027; flight from Moab. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Sheri Griffith |
| Western River Expeditions | 5 days, 4 nights | Oar, inflatable kayak | June to mid August | 5 | $2,5602026 rates page; its trip page still shows $2,125 for 2025. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Western River |
| World Wide River Expeditions | Not listed | Oar, optional inflatable kayak | Not listed | Not listed | Trip details not shown on the page we checked. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with World Wide |
"Not listed" means we could not find it on the outfitter's site in September 2026. Where a site gives days only, nights are days minus one. Prices are the lowest adult rate we found, and most leave out the BLM fee of $40 per person. Confirm when booking.
The BLM lists Adrift Adventures as American Wilderness Expeditions. Also on the BLM list but not shown: Desolation Canyon Outfitters (its site is Holiday's) and Deer Hill Expeditions (teen programs only). Missing an outfitter? Tell us.
The no lottery way in
Guided trip or private permit?
Private launches from May 1 to September 30 go through a BLM lottery, with six permits a day from May 15 to August 14 and two a day the rest of the year. A guided trip skips the lottery.
No lottery
Book a guided trip
- How you get a spot
- Pick a date with one of the outfitters above and book it.
- Who goes this way
- About 1,500 people floated with outfitters in 2018, against 4,500 private boaters, according to the BLM.
- Trip length
- 4 days, 3 nights to 7 days, 6 nights on the trips we checked.
- Getting there
- Most outfitters fly you to Sand Wash, so there is no long drive to the put in.
Private permit
Enter the Desolation lottery
- When to apply
- December 1 to January 31.
- Results
- Emailed February 15.
- Leftovers
- Unawarded and cancelled dates open March 15 at 8 am MST.
- Limits
- Up to 25 people, 3 to 9 days; $6 reservation fee plus $40 per person.
Sources: BLM Desolation and Gray Canyons permit page, the BLM information sheet and stipulations, and the BLM 2020 business plan.
On the river
What a day on a Desolation Canyon rafting trip looks like
With 84 miles over 5 or 6 days, the pace leaves time to hike and explore. Outfitters point to petroglyphs, Fremont granaries and old homesteads along the way.
- Morning
Breakfast in camp, then everything packs back onto the boats.
- Midday
Riffles and rapids, with lunch on a beach.
- Afternoon
A side hike to rock art or a homestead, then on to camp.
- Evening
Camp on the river, dinner cooked by the guides, the night in the canyon.
What outfitters list as included
- Guides, boats and life jackets
- Meals on the river
- Camp gear
- The flight to Sand Wash, on many trips
Holiday, OARS, Sheri Griffith, Western and Apakoa include the flight in; Colorado River & Trail Expeditions lists it at $315 extra. Check each outfitter's list.
Worth checking before you book
- The BLM fee of $40 per person, which most prices leave out
- The flight, when it is an add on
- Travel to Green River or Moab
- Guide tips
More on camp life, meals and the toilet in river camping, and on tips in tipping your guides.
When to go
The Desolation Canyon rafting season
The BLM lottery covers launches from May 1 to September 30. Outfitters run from April or May into September; Mild to Wild starts in April.
The BLM says flows typically peak around 20,000 cfs in late May or early June, then drop below 3,000 cfs. See when to go rafting for how seasons compare.
Who it suits
Which Desolation trip fits you
Families
Five outfitters list a minimum age of 5, and the BLM calls none of the rapids particularly difficult. See family rafting trips.
First timers
A 5 day, 4 night trip with a flight in is an easy way to try a longer river trip. See your first overnight rafting trip and river camping.
Hikers and history fans
Adrift runs a 6 day, 5 night hiking trip, and several outfitters stop at rock art and homesteads. See week long rafting trips.
Questions
Desolation Canyon rafting trip questions
How much does a Desolation Canyon rafting trip cost?
On the outfitters' own sites, checked in September 2026, the lowest listed rate is $995 per person for a 5 day, 4 night trip with Colorado River & Trail Expeditions, before a $315 flight and the $40 BLM fee. Most other trips list from $1,245 to $1,999. Confirm when booking.
How long is a Desolation Canyon rafting trip?
Outfitters run 4 days, 3 nights to 7 days, 6 nights, and a few run longer specialty trips. The BLM puts the float at 84 miles from Sand Wash to Swasey's and says private groups average 6 to 7 days.
Is Desolation Canyon good for families?
Several outfitters take kids from 5: Holiday, Western, Sheri Griffith, Mild to Wild and Apakoa. The BLM says none of the rapids are particularly difficult, though a dozen or so can cause trouble for the unprepared.
Do I need a permit to raft Desolation Canyon?
Not on a guided trip. Private trips need a BLM permit year round, and launches from May 1 to September 30 go through a lottery that takes applications December 1 to January 31. Outfitters hold their own permits, so you book a seat directly.
How do you get to Sand Wash?
Most outfitters fly guests to the put in. Holiday flies from Green River, and OARS, Sheri Griffith, Western and Adrift fly from Moab. Colorado River & Trail Expeditions lists the flight at $315 extra.
How hard are the rapids?
The BLM counts over sixty riffles and rapids, some as challenging as Class III or IV. American Whitewater rates the run Class II to III, with Joe Hutch Class III+ and Wire Fence and Three Fords Class III.
What is the minimum age?
Five at Holiday, Western, Sheri Griffith, Mild to Wild and Apakoa, with a 50 pound minimum at some. ARTA lists 6, OARS 7, and Colorado River & Trail Expeditions and the National Ability Center 8.
When is the best time to raft Desolation Canyon?
The BLM says flows typically peak around 20,000 cfs in late May or early June and drop below 3,000 cfs later in the season. Outfitters run from April or May into September.
Can I camp anywhere in the canyon?
The east bank from Sand Wash to Coal Creek is Ute Tribal land. BLM sources disagree on whether camping there is allowed with a tribal permit, so private groups should check with the BLM and the Ute Tribe before launching. On a guided trip, the outfitter picks the camps.
Is there an adaptive trip?
Yes. The National Ability Center runs a 6 day, 5 night adaptive Desolation trip with motor and paddle boats and adaptive equipment.
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Ready to book
Pick your Desolation Canyon outfitter
Compare trip lengths, boats and minimum ages, then check dates directly with the outfitter.