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Canyonlands National ParkDory on the Colorado River
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Canyonlands National Park
Flat Water Trips
 
photo: Fall colors and canoe on the Green River
NPS Photo by Neal Herbert
Fall colors and canoe on the Green River
 

Flat water trips may float down either the Colorado or Green rivers as far as the Confluence or Spanish Bottom. A permit is required for all overnight flat water trips in Canyonlands. Unless groups have their own motors or a lot of time to paddle upstream, take out is via jet boat shuttle back to Moab. This service is available from two licensed operators:

Tex's Riverways: (877) 662-2839 or (435) 259-5101
Tag-A-Long Expeditions: (435) 259-8946

People interested in flat water permits should make their upstream travel arrangements before contacting the park. Permits are plentiful - it's more likely that shuttle availablility will be a limiting factor for your trip. The National Park Service does not operate a shuttle service.

Labyrinth Canyon
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages the riverways upstream of the park boundary, which include most launch locations. Permits are required for boating the Green River between Green River State Park and Mineral Bottom (Labyrinth Canyon). There is no charge for Labyrinth permits. If a reservation form is submitted for boating the Green River within Canyonlands and your launch location is in the Labyrinth section of the river, the required interagency permit will be included. For more information and new regulations, visit the Labyrinth Canyon Interagency Permit Web site. Green River State Park and Ruby Ranch both charge a small fee for launches. Call Ruby Ranch at (435) 650-3193, or Green River State Park at (435) 564-3633 for more information. Permits are not required for overnight use or launches on BLM land along the Colorado River.

Distances
Groups can plan on covering 15 to 20 miles per day during high water, 10 to 15 miles per day during low water, depending on the amount of time spent hiking or how much you paddle.

Camping
There are no designated campsites along the rivers in Canyonlands. During periods of high water, camps can be difficult to find, especially for large groups. During late summer and fall, sandbars are usually plentiful and make ideal camps.

Application Form
Application Form
Download PDF form for backcountry and group campsite reservations.
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This Fragile Desert
This Fragile Desert
Watch a short video and learn to help preserve the park while you're here.
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Need a River Guide?
Need a River Guide?
Our bookstore contains guidebooks to all the rivers in southeast Utah.
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Collared Lizard  

Did You Know?
Lizards, including the colorful collared lizard, are one of the most frequently seen animals in Canyonlands. When not chasing flies or basking in the sun, they are often seen doing what appears to be push-ups. Scientists believe this and other behaviors signal dominance and facilitate courtship.

Last Updated: March 26, 2008 at 12:39 EST