River recreation in Labyrinth Canyon is jointly managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Utah State Division of Lands and Forestry. These agencies have adopted one set of regulations for river recreation and have joint enforcement responsibility. The Price BLM Office is the official public contact point for Labyrinth Canyon information and permits.
Permits are required for all boating trips in Labyrinth Canyon.
Download a permit now. (Print form, take both copies to put in, leave one copy at put in take other copy down the river with you.) Permits are available free of charge from any of the following: BLM in Price or Moab, Canyonlands National Park Headquarters, Green River State Park, John Wesley Powell River History Museum, Moab Information Center and the Moab Office of Utah Division of Lands and Forestry. The following private companies are also authorized permit outlets. In Moab, Canyon Voyages Tag-A-Long Tours and Tex's River Expeditions. In Green River, Holiday River Expeditions, Moki Mac River Expeditions and Ruby Ranch. The approved permit must be in the trip leaders possession while in Labyrinth Canyon and all permit stipulations must be followed.
A trip through Labyrinth Canyon on the lower Green River can be enjoyed almost any time of the year, except in winter when there is ice on the river. It is an easy, flat-water stretch suitable for canoes, kayaks, and rafts of all types. The heaviest use is between Easter and Labor Day. This portion of the river is also used by motorized craft. The Annual Friendship Cruise, a motorboat event takes place on Memorial Day Weekend. Be aware that during low water, motor boats are limited to a narrow channel, which you are sharing with them.
The river level fluctuates throughout the summer. Peak runoff from mountain snow melt generally occurs from the end of May to mid-June. Then the water flow gradually decreases to its low point in the fall and winter. July and August are the hottest months, and afternoon thunderstorms are common during this period. A minimum of three to four days should be allowed for the 68 river miles from Green River to Mineral Bottom. More time will be required to explore the many sites along the way.
The area is remote and services are non-existent. Your group must be self-contained and self- reliant to deal with emergency situations. Cellular phone service is not available within the canyons. Plan to carry all your drinking water. The Green River is very silty and quickly plugs up a water filter.. At some water levels, the river is too salty for drinking, even if you are successful in filtering it.
Much of the land between the city of Green River and Ruby Ranch, 23 miles downstream, is privately owned. Below that point, most of the land is state or federally managed. There are only a few restrictions on camping. Proper back country etiquette--cleanliness, hauling out of all waste, and respect for property rights--will help maintain this situation. Utah State boating and fishing regulations apply.
The most common put-in point for the trip is at Green River State Park. The usual take-out is at Mineral Bottom, where a ranger is on duty most of the time from mid-March through October. Access to Mineral Bottom is via State Highway 313 north of Moab. The turnoff to Mineral Bottom is marked by a small sign, prior to Dead Horse Point State Park-Canyonlands National Park junction. The 17 miles of dirt road to the take-out are usually in good condition, but can be very slick and even impassible when wet. This road is best suited to vehicles with high ground clearance.
Travel beyond Mineral Bottom is possible, but more planning is required. Fifty-two additional miles of flat water in Stillwater Canyon wind through Canyonlands National Park to the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers. The National Park Service requires that you obtain a back country permit when boating in the park. Contact them at Canyonlands National Park, 2282 South Resource Road, Moab, Utah 84532, (435) 259-4351. Down stream of Spanish Bottom are the white water rapids of Cataract Canyon, access is strictly controlled by the National Park Service.
There is no vehicle access take-outs below Mineral Bottom. You must be transported via jet boat from the confluence back up the Colorado River to Moab. Contact either of the following: Moab/Green River Visitor's Center at (801) 259-8825 / 1-(800)-635-MOAB or the Green River Visitor Center at (801) 564-3526 for names of businesses which can provide vehicle shuttles or pick up. Some outfitters also rent boats and other equipment.
Canyonlands River Guide by Bill and Buzz Belknap, covers the Colorado River from above Westwater Canyon through Cataract Canyon to Lake Powell and the Green River from Green River, Utah to its confluence with the Colorado River This book is available from the Canyonlands Natural History Association at (800) 840-8978 or at the Moab Multi-agency Visitor Information Center at Main and Center in Moab, UT 84532. You may also want to ask for a complete catalog of the books and maps available.
The following provides additional information, all of it germane to having a successful trip. Pay particular attention to the Special Rules for Labyrinth Canyon and the Utah State Boating Act information. There is also information on emergency evacuation, toilet systems and some tips for low impact camping. By following these guidelines, you will have a safe and pleasant trip. You will also be leaving the canyon in good condition for those that follow. If we can be of further assistance, do not hesitate to contact this office at (435) 636-3622.
>