Green River › Stillwater Canyon
Green RiverStillwater Canyon Rafting
Where Labyrinth ends, Stillwater begins. From Mineral Bottom the Green runs into Canyonlands National Park and down to the Confluence with the Colorado, still without a single rapid, and beneath the deepest walls on the river.
Flatwater, typically three to five days, from Mineral Bottom to the Confluence. Canyonlands permit, with no lottery and no daily cap. Overnights cost $36 plus $25 per person. Frequently combined with Labyrinth, but that means two permits from two agencies. Your exit must be arranged in advance.
At a glance
- River
- Green
- Difficulty
- Flatwater, no rapids
- Length
- 50 miles
- Trip length
- 3 to 5 days
- Run
- Mineral Bottom to the Confluence
- Group limit
- 40 people (private)
- Private permit
- Canyonlands permit, no lottery, no daily cap
- Day use fee
- Free in person at park HQ, $6 online
- Permit office
- Moab · (435) 241-3110
What the Run Is Like
Stillwater is the deeper, quieter continuation of Labyrinth. Once you cross into Canyonlands the walls climb and the sense of enclosure increases considerably. There are excellent side hikes, and the trip rewards parties who build in time to take them rather than pushing miles.
Like Labyrinth, it is flatwater throughout, good for canoes, good for mixed-ability groups, and governed more by wind than by current.
CombiningRunning It With Labyrinth
Many parties run Labyrinth and Stillwater as one continuous trip, launching at Green River State Park and carrying on past Mineral Bottom to the Confluence. It makes for a superb week on flatwater.
Labyrinth is BLM-managed and requires a free self-issue permit. Stillwater is inside Canyonlands and requires a Park Service permit with fees. Running them together means holding both. There is no combined permit.
Planning Your Exit
Your flatwater permit ends at the Confluence. Downstream is Class III to V whitewater needing a different permit and real experience. You cannot simply keep floating.
Exiting at the Confluence takes planning and a boat with a motor. We cover the options, and what to confirm, in the Stillwater & Meander permit guide. Sort it out first, not last.
Private BoatingPermits
Stillwater falls under the Canyonlands river permit, shared with Meander and Cataract. There is no lottery and no daily launch limit, group size is capped at 40, and overnight permits cost $36 plus $25 per person.
Booking windows, day-use options and the full fee schedule are in our Stillwater & Meander permit guide.
Common QuestionsStillwater Canyon FAQ
Are there rapids in Stillwater Canyon?
No. Stillwater is flatwater throughout. The whitewater starts below the Confluence in Cataract Canyon.
Do I need two permits to run Labyrinth and Stillwater together?
Yes. Labyrinth requires a free BLM self-issue permit; Stillwater requires a Canyonlands permit from the Park Service. There is no combined permit.
How do I get out at the Confluence?
Arrange it before you launch. Below the Confluence is Cataract Canyon, which your flatwater permit doesn't cover. Contact the Backcountry Permit Office or a shuttle operator in advance.
Is Stillwater good for canoes?
Yes, flatwater throughout, with wind the main difficulty rather than current.
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.