Green River Rafting in Utah
The Green is the Colorado's quieter twin, longer, gentler, and considerably emptier. Three sections run within reach of Moab, and none of them are about whitewater. They're about canyon, distance, and the particular silence of a desert river with nobody else on it.
Desolation and Gray Canyons is the big one, 84 miles, Class II to III, four to six days, and a lottery you must enter in December. Labyrinth is flatwater, free to permit, and the best first private multi-day trip in Utah. Stillwater continues from Labyrinth into Canyonlands and ends at the Confluence.
The Three Sections, Compared
| Section | Difficulty | Length | Trip length | Permit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labyrinth Canyon | Flatwater | 45 miles | 2 to 4 days | Free, self-issue |
| Stillwater Canyon | Flatwater | 50 miles | 3 to 5 days | Canyonlands, no lottery |
| Desolation & Gray | Class II to III | 84 miles | 4 to 6 days | Lottery, apply in December |
Which Section Suits You
Your first private multi-day trip
Labyrinth Canyon, comfortably. Flatwater throughout, a free self-issued permit with no lottery and no window, and canyon scenery that holds up against anything in Utah. If you own boats and have never organised your own multi-day trip, start here.
You want wilderness and you plan ahead
Desolation and Gray Canyons, 84 miles, rock art, outlaw history, and playful Class II to III rapids. The catch is the permit: it's a genuine lottery, applications open 1 December and close 31 January, and there is no route in afterwards except cancellations.
You want to keep going past Mineral Bottom
Stillwater Canyon picks up where Labyrinth ends and runs into Canyonlands to the Confluence. Many parties run the two together, but they are separate permits from separate agencies, and you need both.
TimingWhen to Raft the Green
The Green is fed by snowmelt from the Uinta Mountains and peaks in late spring like the Colorado. Because two of the three sections are flatwater, the calculation is different. Wind matters more than flow.
On flatwater in an open canoe, an afternoon headwind can turn a relaxed day into hours of hard work. Most parties launch early and take the middle of the day off. Spring and autumn are generally kinder than midsummer, when heat and afternoon storms both build.
Check current flows at USGS gauge 09315000, Green River at Green River, Utah .
Private TripsPermits on the Green
| Section | Permit |
|---|---|
| Labyrinth | Free self-issue, email to BLM, max 25 people |
| Stillwater | Canyonlands permit, no lottery, no daily cap |
| Desolation & Gray | Lottery, 1 Dec to 31 Jan for May to Sept launches |
Full detail in our river permits guide.
Common QuestionsGreen River Rafting FAQ
Is there whitewater on the Green River in Utah?
Some. Desolation and Gray Canyons runs Class II to III, engaging but forgiving. Labyrinth and Stillwater are flatwater with no rapids at all.
Which Green River section is easiest to get a permit for?
Labyrinth Canyon. The permit is free, self-issued by email, and has no lottery, no cap and no reservation window.
Can I canoe the Green River?
Labyrinth and Stillwater are excellent canoe trips, flatwater throughout. Desolation has Class II to III rapids and is a harder proposition in an open boat.
How do I get out at the end of Stillwater?
Stillwater ends at the Confluence, and below that is Cataract Canyon. Class III to V whitewater your flatwater permit doesn't cover. Arrange your exit before you launch. See our Stillwater permit guide.
Sources
Last reviewed: July 2026. River conditions, access and regulations change. Confirm current details with the managing agency before your trip, and if something here is wrong, tell us.