| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
Backpacker Magazine – December 2007
View redrock cliffs and spires as you float through Stillwater Canyon in Utah's Canyonlands National Park.
"America's best float trip." Those four words will be the first out of your mouth at the take-out after a leisurely expedition with a constant backdrop of redrock cliffs and spires. With bighorn sheep scrambling atop mesas, side hikes down narrow tributary canyons to Puebloan art and cliff dwellings, the Green River through Stillwater Canyon in Utah's Canyonlands National Park features some of the most exotic yet accessible scenery in the country. Plus, the Green's easy flatwater allows novice boaters and families to do it sans guides (though they're available if you want). Outfitters provide river gear and transportation, eliminating complex DIY logistics—one less thing to think about as you lounge, beverage in hand, on sandy beach campsites.
Numbers
This section snakes for 52 miles from the put-in at Mineral Bottom to the confluence
with the Colorado River; take out on any beach between the confluence and Spanish
Bottom, four miles downriver. Five to six days leaves time for side hikes, but
you can do it in as little as three. Season Mid-April through May and September
through mid-October are the best times to combine floating, hiking, and swimming.
Summer highs often top 100°F; snow and cold winds can occur in early spring
and late autumn.
Key Gear
A wide-brim hat or ball cap and frequent sunblock rubdowns are mandatory. Pack
a Stream Machine Water Launcher (rei.com)
to blast other boaters; it serves double duty as a bilge.
Water Level
Snowmelt runoff generally peaks in May, making the river swift in spring. Loaded
rafts may average 5 to 6 miles per hour (touring kayaks and canoes are faster).
At lower levels in the summer and fall, rafts may average 2-3 mph, but a greater
area of campable shoreline will be exposed. Paddle in the morning to avoid afternoon
headwinds.
Camping
The park does not reserve or designate campsites along the river, and competition
can be stiff. Snag a campsite by 3 p.m. to get in on the best ones, like Tent
Bottom (mile 13) and an unnamed camp on the east bank at mile 45.
Hydrate
Pack at least a gallon per person per day, more if your cooking plans require
lots of boiling.
Fresh Fruit
Believe it or not, ice blocks will last four to five days in coolers on this
desert float. Fill coolers with perishables not needed until later in the trip,
and tape them shut to preserve the ice. This is a great time to go luxe with
food, drink, and gear, since the weight isn't on your shoulders.
Low Impact
Fire pans and portable toilets are required and available from outfitters. Permits
Required from Canyonlands, but all applicants receive one (the park has no daily
launch limit). They cost $20 for up to 40 people. (nps.gov/cany)
Outfitters
Tag-a-Long Expeditions (tagalong.com) and Tex's Riverways (texsriverways.com)
rent touring kayaks, canoes, and other river gear, plus provide shuttle. Reserve
at least three months in advance. Rent rafts and 2-person touring kayaks from
Canyon Voyages (canyonvoyages.com).

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READERS COMMENTS
Anonymous, you must be talking about a different article/trip. All permit requests for this trip are granted as long as you apply sufficiently in advance. There are no hold-backs for the commercial guys. Almost all of these trips are DIY with the outfitters providing put-in and take-out services as well as canoe and porta potty rentals if needed. On six trips, I have met only one guided party. This is a remote trip and should not be done without at least one person in the party having some experience with canoes/kayaks/rafts/float trips.
The target audience of this magazine, I assume, is people who enjoy doing things on their own, yet this article heavily emphasizes guided trips. Those of us who seek private rafting permits are almost shut out of the best portions of the river by the commercial guides and their lobbyists. The few private permits available are awarded by lottery, with typically less than 1 chance in 20 of getting a permit.
The target audience of this magazine, I assume, is people who enjoy doing things on their own, yet this article heavily emphasizes guided trips. Those of us who seek private rafting permits are almost shut out of the best portions of the river by the commercial guides and their lobbyists. The few private permits available are awarded by lottery, with typically less than 1 chance in 20 of getting a permit.
I have done Ruby Ranch down to Mineral Bottom and seperately from Mineral Bottom to the Confluence. Both were in May and both were simply fantastic experiences - very few others on the river, wonderfully isolated, totally wild, and incredibly beautiful. In both cases, tag-a-long outfitted the two of us into a canoe with everything we needed, including food, and it was perfect. I feel like I am letting a secret out of the bag, but this is arguably the best stillwater canoeing you will do in this country. Amazing.
The target audience of this magazine, I assume, is people who enjoy doing things on their own, yet this article heavily emphasizes guided trips. Those of us who seek private rafting permits are almost shut out of the best portions of the river by the commercial guides and their lobbyists. The few private permits available are awarded by lottery, with typically less than 1 chance in 20 of getting a permit.
I've done this trip 6 times and would like to do it again. Tex's Riverways is/was the best but they have changed hands since my last trip so can't really recommend them now. (don't know what the new crew is like) For a longer trip put in at Ruby Ranch. My brother and I spent 18 days from there to the confluence on one trip. It was an outstanding time! Don't miss Jasper Canyon.
I took this trip in September 2010 and it was fantastic. My wife and I had so much fun meandering down the river and exploring all of the little canyons. We used Tex's and they were great. A definite must.
Did this trip over Easter 3 years ago with my wife and two kids. A great trip, although environmentally the native large plants are gone replaced by the invasive Tamarisk.
Hey Roger P. I'm going with Adventures in Florida too...see you soon. Contact me via..FloridaKayakers-owner@yahoogroups.com
I signed up for a guided paddle this september with Adventures in Florida. I can't wait to see this part of the country.
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