The Colorado and Green Rivers have played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Canyonlands, and both offer an interesting way to visit the park. Above their confluence near the heart of Canyonlands, the rivers offer miles and miles of flat water perfect for canoes, sea kayaks and other shallow-water boats. Below the confluence, the combined flow of both rivers spills down Cataract Canyon with remarkable speed and power, creating a fourteen-mile stretch of Class III to V white water.

Private Permits
Permits are required for all overnight private river trips. Permits can be reserved in advance starting the first business day of each calendar year.

Obtaining a River Permit
River permits are issued Monday through Friday from the Reservation Office in Moab, and may be received in advance by mail. When the Reservation Office is closed, the Island in the Sky Visitor Center can also issue river permits.

River permits are first-come, first-served after the first business day in January for each calendar year. There are no daily launch limits in Canyonlands, so there is no need to submit mulitiple requests for the same date. If you submit a request, you will get a permit...for any date you choose.

Reservation requests must be made at least two weeks in advance of a trip.

Requests for river trips are accepted no earlier than the first business day in January for trips during that calendar year.

Reservation office staff are available by phone to answer questions and assist with trip planning Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Mountain Time), at (435) 259-4351.

To get an application and submit it visit this page and follow the instructions for "How to make a reservation".

Guided Trips
Local outfitters offer a variety of guided trips, from half-day excursions to week-long floats. Most river trips involve several nights of camping.

Adrift Adventures of Canyonlands
(800)874-4483, (435)259-8594

Adventure Bound
(800)423-4668, (970)245-5428

Colorado River & Trail Expeditions
(800)253-7328, (801)261-1789

Don Hatch River Expeditions
(800)346-6277, (209)736-4677

Holiday River Expeditions
(800)624-6323, (801)266-2087

Moki Mac River Expeditions
(800)284-7280, (801)268-6667

Sheri Griffith River Expeditions
(800)332-2439, (435)259-8229

Tag-A-Long Expeditions
(800)453-3292, (435)259-8946

Access & Facilities
There are no facilities or services along the rivers in Canyonlands. Entrenched in deep canyons, the rivers are generally hidden from view and possess a primitive, isolated character. In the entire park, only Green River Overlook offers a view of the rivers that visitors can reach with a two-wheel-drive car. All launch ramps and take-out points are located outside the park. Hiking trails lead to the rivers in each district. Well-suited to backpacking trips, each of these trails involves a long descent of 1,000 feet or more over very rough terrain.