Desolation Gray - Green River Permit (recgovnpsdata)

Price, Utah

About

The Desolation Gray - Green River Permit allows visitors to use floating watercraft to navigate the 84 river miles, including camping and hiking along the west side of the river corridor. The Green River enters Desolation Canyon just north of Sand Wash, and canyon walls are a mix of Eocene and Cretaceous deposits. The riparian zone holds willow, cottonwood, and box elder species, providing critical habitat for neo-tropical migrant birds, nesting waterfowl, and wintering deer and elk. Moving away from the riparian zone, the environment transitions to a desert with salt shrubs and bunch grasses. The area is dominated by rock and cliff formations, with Douglas fir trees finding shelter in protected, well-watered alcoves. Over sixty riffles and rapids punctuate the trip, with some causing trouble for the unprepared traveler. Camping is idyllic on clean sandy beaches with cottonwood trees offering shade and a windbreak. The Desolation Canyon National Historic Landmark extends one mile on either side of the river from Nine Mile Creek to Florence Creek, designated in 1969 as part of the centennial celebration of the 1869 exploration of the Green and Colorado Rivers by John Wesley Powell. The area offers a range of activities, including hiking trails, and has a primitive boat ramp at Sand Wash, a contact/information station, staffed ranger station, and toilets. However, trash receptacles and water are not provided. With the remoteness of the area, groups can camp the night before at Sand Wash, and due to frequent mosquito plagues, Sand Wash offers four campsites with screened cabins that can be rented once a permit has been secured.

Amenities

Available Site Types

• Primitive eight-site campground
• Screened cabins

Local Attractions

• Desolation Canyon National Historic Landmark
• Nine Mile Creek
• Florence Creek
• Swaseys Boat Ramp