Cataract Canyon

Duration:

9 minutes, 34 seconds

Get ready for your backcountry whitewater trip to Cataract Canyon. Helpful tips and advice provided in this video will help you plan your trip and Leave No Trace while out in these pristine areas.

 

Cataract Canyon contains 14 miles of rapids ranging in difficulty up to Class V. It is a particularly hazardous and isolated section of the Colorado River and is subject to extreme water level fluctuations.

You must have a river permit for all trips through Cataract Canyon. People interested in boating through Cataract Canyon should also read about the flatwater as these sections cannot be bypassed.

 

Low water level complicating Cataract Canyon takeouts

North Wash take-out conditions have continued to deteriorate. Trailers cannot be backed down the take-out slope. All gear and boats will need to be carried up the slope. Use of this take-out could result in damage to equipment or injury to people. Check the take-out calendar before your launch. As boaters approach the lake, coordinate your take out times to reduce congestion or plan to continue down lake.

Bullfrog North Launch Ramp (approximately 50 miles down lake from North Wash) is currently available for take-out to small vessels with the help of boilerplate extensions. The left lane will become operable to large vessels, including houseboats, at 3529 ft. Check Glen Canyon National Recreation Area for updates on specific ramps and the current lake level. Plan for additional hours (or days) to motor down lake depending on high or low water conditions.

 

Plan and Prepare for your Trip

Boating Information Guide

 

Launch/Takeout Options

Most Cataract Canyon trips put in at Potash, Moab, Green River, or Mineral Bottom. Past Cataract Canyon, boaters usually take out at Lake Powell from the North Wash (aka Dirty Devil) Take Out. This take-out is primitive and unimproved. Boaters should be aware of lake conditions as they will affect the final day(s) of your trip.

While hiking trails lead to the rivers from each of the districts, these trails are too long and rugged to be seriously considered for shuttles, even for inflatables and other lightweight boats.

Mussel Advisory

Due to the presence of invasive mussels in Lake Powell, Utah and Arizona laws require boaters to clean, drain, and dry their vessels after takeout. All boaters on Lake Powell must comply with Glen Canyon's mussel regulations.

Distances and Flows

Check float times for distances and suggested number of days to complete a Cataract Canyon trip.

These trips vary in length based on river flows and motor use. River flows are dependent upon snowmelt and rainfall. The character of the rivers changes dramatically depending on the season. High water generally stretches from early May to late June, while low water may occur later in summer. Both conditions can present challenges to boaters. Recorded river flows are available from the US Geological Survey or by calling 801-539-1311. Snowmelt peak flow forecasts are available from the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center.

Camping

Below are 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. River users must register for camps below the Confluence.

 

List of Cataract Canyon Campsites

Campsites are located from the Danger Sign to North Wash. Mileage based on Belknap River Guidebook. 

Water Level Key:
H = High Water Camps (below 60,000 cfs)
S = Small Low Water Camp
L = Large Low Water Camp

All Campsites

Mile Marker	Camp	Water Level
213.5 R	Upper Spanish Bottom
213.2 R	Middle Spanish Bottom	H
212.9 R	Lower Spanish Bottom	H
212.7 L	Lower Red Lake
212.4 L	Above Brown Betty	H/S
212.1 R	Brown Betty
210.5 R	Rapid 5
210.2 R	Lower Rapid 5
208.7 L	Upper X/Y Canyon L	H
208.6 L	Middle X/Y Canyon L	H
208.4 L	Lower X/Y Canyon L
208.5 R	Upper X/Y Canyon R
208.4 R	Middle X/Y Canyon R
208.3 R	Lower X/Y Canyon R
207.1 R	Rapid 11.  Fish Camp
206.8 L	Rapid 12
205.3 R	Egnar	H
204.9 R	Range Canyon	H/S
204.4 L	Rapid 15.  Capsize	S
203.4 L	Rapid 19.  Below	S
202.8 L	Big Drop Beach !	H/L
202.2 R	Kolb.  Betwn BD 2 & 3
201.6 R	Rapid 25.  Below	S
201.3 L	Rapid 26. Below	S
201.0 L	Ten Cent 10¢
200.6 L	Lower Ten Cent
198.5 R	Waterhole Canyon	L
197.6 R	Fiddleneck  Upper Rapid 30	L
196.5	Upper Rapid 31	S
196.3 L	Gypsum. Lower Rapid 32	L
194.1 L	Sandbar above Easter Pasture	L
191.8 R	Near Clearwater	L
191.5 R	Below Clearwater (low water)	L
189.4 R	Slab Camp	S
188.3R	Motel 6	S
187.7 L	Penguin  (Best Western)	L
186.1 R	Cove Canyon	L
184.0 L	Rockfall Canyon	S
182.6 L	Dark Canyon	S
179.5 L	Carl’s House  High Silt	L
177.5	Sheep (not easy access)	S
169.0 R	North Wash Take Out