A permit is required year-round to run Desolation Canyon. Permits are issued only through advance reservations to individuals 18-years and older. The maximum group size is 25 people. Do not show up at the launch ramp without a permit expecting to launch or to join another group.
Launch reservations will be issued on a first come, first serve basis via telephone or in person. Launches may be reserved up to five months prior to the launch date. For example, June 3 launch may be reserved anytime on or after January 3. You can obtain any available launch within the five month period. If the first call-in date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Federal Holiday, reservations will be taken on the next business day. If an unforeseen absence causes the phone to go unanswered for a day, that date will also be booked on the next business day.
Call our river reservation desk at (435) 636-0975. Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. until noon, Monday through Friday for telephone call in. When calling you you need to talk to an actual person in the Recreation division, reservations will not be made through the voice mail system. In-person reservations may be made during business hours any time after 1 p.m. on the first call-in date. Whether you call or show up in person, you must have the following information available:
- Date of launch
- Size of group
- Name, address, and phone number of trip leader
- Name, address, and phone number of alternate trip leader (this is optional)
- Payment information (i.e., credit card number, expiration date, and billing address)
A launch reservation is not a river permit. A permit will be issued after all fees are paid.
All fees are non-refundable.
Fees are as follows:
- A $20 application fee is due at the time you make the launch reservation. This fee is waived for reservations made less than 30 days before the launch date.
- A permit fee of $25 per person. This fee must be received at least 30 days prior to the launch. Failure to pay the permit fee within 30 days of the launch will result in cancellation of the reservation. For reservations made within 30 days of the launch date, permit fees must be paid at the time of reservation.
- A $10 transaction fee will be charged whenever permit fees are paid after the reservation is made. For example, if you opt not to pay the permit fees at the time the reservation is made, the transaction fee will be collected when the permit fee is paid. Likewise, changes to the permit such as adding to the group size or changing the permit to the alternate trip leader will be subject to the transaction fee.
- The screen cabins are available at the Sand Wash launch site on a reservation only basis. If you are camping at Sand Wash the night before your launch, and want to use a screen cabin, it may be reserved for a fee of $20 night.
Agreeing to pay these fees with the use of a credit card commits you to agreeing to abide by the conditions and stipulations attached to the river trip permit at the time it is issued. As trip leader you are responsible for all matters of compliance with applicable laws, regulations and permit stipulations. Permits may be voided or revoked due to violations of the stipulations.
You need access to a fax machine if picking up a launch within one week of the launch date.
You may hold only one reservation at a time.
Cancelling Your Permit
If you cancel your permit at least 30 days prior to the launch date, we will authorize a credit equal to the amount of the permit fee. The credit may be applied towards payment of permit fees, if you are able to obtain a launch later this season on any one of the three rivers administered by the Price, Monticello, or Moab Field Offices. You must ask for a credit at the time you cancel.
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