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Green River Labyrinth Canyon Canoe Trip

A flatwater canoe trip of several days down the Green River through Labyrinth Canyon, camping on sandbars, from the town of Green River to the Mineral Bottom take-out at the edge of Canyonlands National Park. Some groups carry on into Canyonlands to the confluence with the Colorado River, which needs an extra park permit and a jet-boat pick-up.

For The Reps · Updated

canoe trip scenery for Green River Labyrinth Canyon near Utah
Photo: Green River, Labyrinth Canyon. On the dividing ridge at Bowknot Bend, looking up (left) and down (right) the river. 6 miles from one point to the other. Photo by Beaman. Old nos. 229, 367, 334. by Elias Olcott Beaman / James Fennemore / John Karl Hillers, Public domain. Via Wikimedia Commons.
Where
Utah, USA
Distance
109 km (68 miles) from Green River State Park, or 72 km (45 miles) from Ruby Ranch, to Mineral Bottom
Time
Roughly 4-7 days from Green River State Park or 3-5 days from Ruby Ranch, based on the Park Service planning figure of 16-32 km (10-20 miles) a day

The route

Labyrinth Canyon of the Green River: Green River State Park (or Ruby Ranch) to Mineral Bottom.

Launch at Green River State Park or Ruby Ranch (both charge a small launch fee; Crystal Geyser is also a listed launch) and take out at Mineral Bottom. The BLM keeps a list of permitted river and land shuttle companies to move boats and vehicles.

When to go

Flows depend on snowmelt and rain. High water usually runs from early May to late June, when campsites are harder to find; lower water comes later in summer, and sandbars for camping are plentiful in late summer and autumn.

Permits and fees

A BLM and State of Utah noncommercial river trip permit is required between Green River State Park and Mineral Bottom (the form is linked from the BLM Moab Field Office page). Groups are limited to 25 people and must carry a washable, reusable toilet system and a metal fire pan. Continuing past Mineral Bottom into Canyonlands also needs a Park Service river permit.

Before you go

  • Book the shuttle before anything else; the Park Service notes that shuttle availability, not permits, is usually what limits trips into Canyonlands.
  • Pack out all rubbish, ash and human waste; gather only river driftwood for fires and keep fires in the fire pan.
  • Carry a life jacket for everyone (children 12 and under must wear one on the water) and spare paddles: one spare for 1-3 canoes or kayaks, two for 4-6.
  • Launch, travel and camp together as one group, and leave archaeological sites and rock surfaces untouched.

What to bring

  • A buoyancy aid, worn rather than stowed
  • A dry bag for your phone and keys
  • Water and snacks
  • Sun cream, a hat and sunglasses
  • A warm layer, even on a hot day
  • Camping, cooking and navigation kit for every night, or check exactly what your operator provides

Getting ready for it

Several days in a row with a loaded pack or boat is a different kind of tired from one long day.

Do at least one full day out with all your kit a few weeks before, and fix anything that rubs, leaks or slows you down.

Staying safe

  • At high water (usually May and June) the river runs faster and campsites are scarce, especially for large groups.
  • The Park Service warns of flash flood danger in the canyons during storms.
  • Check the wind and water forecast before launching.
  • Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.

Route details checked September 30, 2026 against nps.gov, nps.gov, blm.gov, blm.gov and en.wikipedia.org. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.