Desolation Canyon
Green River
The perfect multi-day trip for groups and families with kids. 50+ rapids all fun but not scary, huge sandy beaches and great hiking in a 5000 foot deep canyon.
Desolation Canyon
- Class – III+
- Days – 5 days
- Length – 81 miles
- # of Rapids – 50+
- Minimum age – 8
- Meets – 7am @ 1140 South Main Street, Moab
- Cost – $875 to $1050
- Launch Dates – See Table Below
This canyon of the Green River received its name from John Wesley Powell during his epic descent of the Green and Colorado Rivers in 1869 and 1871, but it is far from “desolate”. Red rock canyon walls and a verdant ribbon of riverside foliage define this incredible canyon cut through the Tavaputs Plateau. Our Desolation Canyon trip operated by Moki Mac is 84 miles in length and includes about 50 riffles and rapids. “Deso” is perfect for children as young as six years of age, and has provided a family vacation venue for many of our guests.
We run this trip in 18-foot rowing rafts, and often bring along smaller inflatable kayaks, for those who would like the same increased level of participation that have made our day rafting trips the “thing to do” in Moab. On a limited number of trips in the early season, we may also bring along one or more of our new wooden dories. Please see Our Boats for craft descriptions.
Meeting Time 7am
Adults $1050|Youth $875
Desolation Canyon Photo Gallery
Introduction Paragraph
Desolation Canyon Client Reviews
Perfection
Carl says; This review has been been edited for explicit content only. A private “boys” trip that helps to prove we can do it all.
Just wanted to say that trip, that river trip, was perfect in all aspects – Even the slow start – which gave us plenty of time to drink the liquor and smoke myself into an iron lung – the food and hospitality always without equal – the rapids the river – to paraphrase Lewis Black “unbeliveable” – the finish… glorious – we should do a salmon – same crowd – more liquor – louder music – a bacchanalia of riparian proportions –
Mike – UT – 5/2009
FAQ
Do I need a reservation
To guarantee space on the trip of your choice, we recommend reservations, especially on holidays and summer weekends. In order to provide the type of trip the we have become known for we do limit the number of people on a launch and we do fill up. In addition a lot goes into the planning of a river trip, including scheduling of guides, drivers, packing lunch for full-day and lunch trips and ensuring that our equipment is always in top-notch condition. Make a reservation as soon as you have a good idea of when you want to raft with us and you'll avoid disappointment. Feel free to call us about reservations at any time @ 1-877-259-4046 or email.
Back to top
About Age Limitations
All participants on river trips are required to wear a Coast Guard approved floatation device (PFD).
For Fisher Towers trips we use a weight limit of 40 Lbs. rather than an age restriction. For High Water Cataract Canyon and Westwater trips, we suggest a minimum age of 12 years. On Climbing and Canyoneering trips the limit is 8 years of age. Ask yourself, what kind of previous outdoor experience has the child had? Use your considered judgment on the child's preparedness. On the other end, folks well into their 70's have adventured with us.
Back to top
Which Trip to Choose
We are thrilled to have the ability to offer such a wide variety or trips. We also realize that this can create confusion. We are a fantastic resource and look forward to helping you choose the trip that is perfect for you and your group. Please feel free to call or email with any questions you might have, we love to help. Often after a brief conversation with one of our staff the the answers become clear.
Back to top
Where do we park/leave our things
There is plenty of secure parking on site at our offices. Valuables can be locked in your vehicles and will be perfectly safe for the duration of your trip. In addition we are more than happy to store anything that you may be extra concerned about in our offices while you are on the river.
Back to top
Are there bugs
Thankfully there are very few to no bugs on our trips. The we travel through some of the driest terrain on the planet so there is generally no standing water for bugs to breed in. At the same time the current in the main river section is too swift to allow for breeding. The exception is the put-in for our Desolation Canyon trip. The mosquitoes can be bad at this location. We have taken this into consideration and have our rafts rigged and ready to go when you arrive so that the amount of time you spend there is very short.
Back to top
What to Bring
Red River Adventures tries to make your trip with us as easy as possible!
We provide all necessary equipment for you to take part in our river trips including all boats and boating equipment, safety equipment, life jackets, guides, food and beverages and kitchen equipment. We DO NOT provide beer or wine but you are welcome to BYOB! In addition you are welcome to bring, or we can provide at NO ADDITIONAL COST, camping equipment including tents, sleeping bags and inflatable mattresses.You simply bring your own personal clothing and gear. We will provide trip specific lists to assist you in bringing the right things.
Back to top
Where You Will Live and Sleep
A river trip is an outdoor experience and should be fun. All of our trips require camping out. There are no improved campgrounds along the river so we set up a portable sanitation facility each evening. It is very similar to an RV toilet except the view is much better and it doesn't flush. We provide hand washing stations and all dishes are done in a 4 step process ensuring complete sanitization. Previous camping experience is NOT required to participate in one of our trips, but you should be prepared and be comfortable with the idea of eating, sleeping, and living in the outdoors. Our guides are there to help and will provide as much or as little assistance as you wish to receive.
Back to top
What the Weather is Like
Be prepared for hot (75-110 F degrees) weather during June, July, and August. You can expect cooler temperatures (55-90 F degrees) during April, May, September, and October. August is usually the wettest month (short-lived but intense thunder showers).
April 73|42 May 84|50 June 85|58 July 101|64 Aug 98|63 Sept 89|53
Back to top
What You Will Eat
Most trips include all meals beginning with lunch on the first day and ending with lunch on the last day.
No hot dogs and hamburgers here. Our menu includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, grilled meats and fish and even hot dutch oven desserts. Guests often remark that the food was remarkable and exceeded even their wildest expectations.
Back to top
About Swimming and Fishing
Swimming is as much a part of a great river trip as whitewater and cooking out. Guests are more than welcome to swim on all our river trips. There is no better place to be on a hot summer day than swimming alongside one of our rafts. Catfish and Carp are plentiful in the Green and Upper Colorado Rivers the kids often enjoy fishing when at camp.
Back to top
What Risks Are Involved
Red River Adventures has an unblemished safety record. We personally screen and train our employees vigorously each year. Each boatman receives extensive instructions on safety, swift water rescue and first aid training. Our Climbing and Canyoneering guides are highly trained and many are AMGA certified. Our trips take place in rugged, remote "wilderness" settings. You should be in good general health to participate. Non-swimmers can go and are more than welcome. We provide Coast Guard approved life jackets for your safety.
Back to top
Beverages
We supply plenty of drinking water, lemonade, breakfast drinks, etc., on each trip. You are welcome to bring your own canned beer, wine, spirits or soft drinks. If you bring wine or liquor, please transfer it into plastic bottles.
Back to top
Charter and Group Rates
Red River Adventures offers a group rate discount of 10% to groups of 10 or more. Additional rates reductions are available for school, club, church, or special-interest groups on some trips. We are happy to, when ever possible, customized trip lengths and itineraries. Please contact us for help in arranging your charter trip or for group rate information.
Back to top
What To Pack
Rates & Dates
We’re already booking reservations for our Fisher Towers river trips in 2012. Pick a date and book yours today!
Desolation Canyon – Green River – 2012 Season Dates
|
| May 1, 15, 22, 29 |
June 5, 12, 19, 26 |
July 3, 8, 17, 24, 31 |
| August 5, 14, 21, 28 |
Sept. 3 |
|
5 Days: Adult – $1050.00 / Child – $875.00
$200.00/person deposit required.
Child = 15 years and under
*All Red River Adventures prices include sleep kits and tents. |
Meet us in Green River or Moab, Utah the evening prior to the trip.
The following morning, the day begins with a scenic aerial flight over Desolation Canyon to the launch site at Sand Wash. At the end of the river trip, we will return you to Green River City around 4:00 pm, Moab by about 5:00 pm.
Book
How to reserve!
Option #1 - Most of our Adventures can be booked ONLINE!
Option #2 - For those trips that can't be booked online (Desolation, Cataract and Westwater) Call 1-877-259-4046 or Email us through our Contact Page
A refundable deposit of 1/3 of trip total is due to guarantee reservation.
Cancellation and final payment policies are outlined below.
Cancellations
Cancellation - Day Trips
Cancellation | A full refund, less $10 booking fee, will be given if cancellation is received prior to Noon the day before your launch. Balance is due day of trip. No fee for changes!
We understand that you will be traveling and that there are often unforeseen events that can change even the best laid vacation plans. Since we run our Fisher Towers trips daily this gives us the ability to let you cancel or change the date, length or number of rafters on your Fisher Towers reservation up to Noon the day before your trip.
Dolores and multi-day Fisher Towers trips
Cancellation | A full refund, less $10 fee, will be given if cancellation is received 7 days prior to launch. Balance is due 7 days prior to launch. Cancellations received less than 7 days before departure forfeit the deposit amount. Changes to the number of participants can be made up until Noon the day before departure. No fee for changes!
Westwater
Cancellation | A full refund, less a $10 fee, will be given if cancellation is received 30 days prior to launch. Balance is due 30 Days prior to trip. Cancellations received less than 30 days before departure forfeit the deposit amount. We will not issue refunds for late arrivals or "no-shows" whether by choice, caused by travel delays, flight cancellations, illness, nor in cases of emergency evacuation. We urge you to consider purchasing trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
Desolation Canyon, Cataract Canyon, Main Salmon.
Cancellation | A full refund, less a $25 per person fee, will be given if cancellations is received more than 90 days prior to trip departure. Balance is due 60 days prior to trip. We will not issue refunds for late arrivals or "no-shows" whether by choice, caused by travel delays, flight cancellations, illness, nor in cases of emergency evacuation. We urge you to consider purchasing trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
No shows/cancellations the day of trip will be charged full fare!
We use the Authorize.net secure payment network.
Facebook
YouTube