If you are interested in a canoe trip offering skill levels from beginner to advanced, depending upon flow levels, this is the river you should try!
The White River can be a relaxing run on one of Utah's best canoe, camping and kayaking rivers. Groves of cottonwood trees make pleasant places to camp along the way.
Permits are not needed for private boaters, but please be responsible and keep a clean camp and follow proper river etiquette. The Ute Tribe requires three types of permits if floating through or parking on tribal lands. Permits are available at their office in Fort Duchesne, Utah. Call (435) 722-5511 (Monday - Thursday; 8 am - 4:30 pm) or you can take out without fees at the BLM takeout located at the Enron gas well site 0285A, which is approximately three miles upstream from the Mountain Fuel Bridge.
Recreation Sites
There are no developed facilities. While there are no official launch sites on the White River, there are several launch points making tthe river trip from 24 miles short to 80 miles long. Launching points begin in Colorado just below Kenny Reservoir and continue downstream to the most popular launch site just west of the Bonanza Bridge off Utah State Highway 45. This launch site is on Uintah County property. There are also no BLM provided facilities for launch sites in Utah. The shuttle between the Bonanza Bridge and the Enron location is only 20 miles on graded dirt roads. Caution should be used while traveling the roads because of the sharp corners, abrupt rises, wash cuts, and vehicle traffic.
Geology
White River gets its name from clays in the tertiary lake sediments. Born from snowmelt in mountain headwaters above Trapper Lake in western Colorado, the White River flows due west in a serpentine search for its confluence with the Green River. Near the Utah-Colorado border, the river course turns into a spectacular canyon. Near the highway, the river swings in looping meanders inherited from a time before canyon cutting began, when it would lazily cross a nearly flat surface. For 100 miles between the town of Rangely, Colorado, and the confluence with the Green River, the White River cuts a rugged scenic trough into the high desert plains of the Uintah Basin.
Wildlife
You may see a variety of songbirds, raptors, bats, lizard, bobcats, mule deer and coyotes along the river. You may even be fortunate to see mountain lions, bighorn sheep and black bear along your way. Ducks and geese nest along the river, so be sure and stay clear so goslings are not separated from their family.
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