Ranch & Raft - Tavaputs Ranch/Desolation Canyon, Green River
Desolation and Gray Canyons are on the National Register of Historic Places because the famous and infamous were drawn here. John Wesley Powell traveled through the canyons and christened them and soon after Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid found this a great place to escape justice. Today, if you really want to get away, there's no better place than the Green River Wilderness.
The Green River splits the 10,000-foot-high Tavaputs Plateau and forms a gorge deeper than the Grand Canyon. The century-old Tavaputs Ranch overlooks Desolation Canyon of the Green River. After two days of exploring "the mountain" on horseback and enjoying genuine western ranch hospitality, a short flight will take you to the beginning of your river trip. There you will trade jeans for shorts, and say goodbye to the cowboys and hello to the river guides. Now it's their turn to share some favorite places with you.
Despite the name Desolation, the river surroundings offer green cottonwood groves, white sand beaches, and clear-water side streams. Your guide's selection of nightly camps will make good use of these features. Off river, abandoned homesteads mark the end of a frontiersman's dream, and prehistoric Indian petroglyphs the end of a civilization.
With whitewater that builds in intensity each day, Desolation is an ideal place to occasionally swap your seat in the raft for a thirst-quenching ride in an inflatable kayak. This is a magical canyon for families to explore, discover and play together.
Trip Details
Duration
7-8 Days
Location
Tavaputs Plateau, Desolation Canyon-Green River
Season
July - August
Trip Type
Paddle & Oar
Nearest City
Green River or Moab, UT
Physical Condition Required
Fair
Destination(s)
Utah, United States
Rated Classes
I-III
Guest Capacity
4-25
Minimum Age Limit
5 Years
Distance Traveled
84 Miles
Inflatable Kayaks
Available with instruction provided.
Hard Shell Kayaks
No rentals available. Experienced kayakers may bring own boat.
Additional Activities
Ranch activities include horseback riding, 4x4 tours, walking/hiking, games, and relaxing. Rafting activities include swimming, off-river hiking/exploring, volleyball, horseshoes, wildlife viewing, and historic/Native American sites.
Dining
All meals provided starting with lunch the first day through lunch the last day.
About Liquor
BYOB for Evening
Rates
$1,455.00 - $1,720.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
Additional Rate Info
7-Day: $1655, Group Rates: $1575,Youth Groups: $1455 8-Day $1720 Group Rates: $1640, Youth Groups: $1520 $25 per person BLM fee
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Trip Itinerary
SAMPLE ITINERARY: This itinerary illustrates a seven-day trip at Tavaputs Ranch and rafting through Desolation and Gray Canyons.
Day 1: Horseback Riding, Hiking, Wildlife Viewing Fly into Tavaputs Ranch from Green River. Unpack at the ranch house, and enjoy the first of several country style meals prepared at the ranch. After lunch, guests can enjoy horseback riding, walking, or simply relaxing in the mountains. An evening campfire completes the day before retiring.
Day 2: Horseback Riding, Hiking, Wildlife Viewing Tavaputs Ranch is surrounded on all sides by wilderness. This region plays host to an abundance of wildlife including deer, elk, birds of prey, bears, and many other varieties of animals. More horseback riding, 4x4 tours, walking, and exploring give guests the opportunity to view some of this wildlife.
Day 3: Scenic Flight, Rafting, Historical Sites Fly into Sand Wash put-in from Tavaputs Ranch. There is a 30-minute downhill hike from canyon rim to the rafts waiting at river bottom. The trail is well marked but there is some loose footing along the way. Plan ahead to wear appropriate shoes for the hike. Guests who are apprehensive about the hike can be transported by vehicle to the river. View a historical marker at head of Desolation Canyon before entering the canyon. Camp this evening near Gold Hole.
Day 4: Rafting, Inflatable Kayaking, Hiking, Archaeological Sites Hikes to Fremont Indian ruins and petroglyphs interspersed with sections of whitewater. Steer Ridge Rapid is the most memorable. Camp in a cottonwood grove or on a mile-long sandbar.
Day 5: Rafting, Inflatable Kayaking, Hiking, Archaeological & Historic Sites Side canyon hike up Rock Creek, a clear water stream. Extensive petroglyphs, and abandoned Rock Creek and McPherson Ranches, where Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch slept.
Day 6: Rafting, Inflatable Kayaking, Hiking The whitewater has gotten bigger each day. The crescendo: Belknap, Three Fords, and Coal Creek rapids. Leave Desolation and enter Gray Canyon.
Day 7: Rafting, Hiking, Inflatable Kayaking You will run a half dozen more rapids before lunch and then take out near Swasey's beach. Short trip back to Green River and headquarters.
This Package Includes
Full course meals starting with lunch the first day ending with lunch the last day.
Transportation to and from the meeting point (including flights).
Qualified guides.
Necessary equipment like lifejackets, waterproof bags, etc.
Reservation Policy
A deposit is required within five days of making a reservation; balance is due 60 days before your trip begins.
Cancellation Policy
If cancellations are made prior to 90 days before the trip, monies will be refunded less a $50.00 service charge per person. If cancellations are made within 90 days and outside of 45 days of the trip date monies will be refunded less a $100.00 service charge per person. Cancellations made within 45 days of the trip date are non refundable. Prior to 45 days to the trip date, Holiday Expeditions will transfer reservations to another trip in the same year with a $25.00 service charge per person.
COMPLIMENTARY VISITOR GUIDES
Click on any visitor guide below to request a free copy.
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