Cataract Canyon

48miles, 16 fpm, spring and summer

Cataract Canyon is a section of the Colorado River above Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon. It flows through Canyonlands National Park and the trip ends on at Hite Marina on Lake Powell. You can choose to float down the Green River or the Colorado because they meet just above Cataract Canyon in the heart of Canyonlands.

Cataract CanyonThis is simply amazing country. The highlights are hidden waterfalls, archeological sites, magical side hikes, and solitude of the desert. If you have enough time, you might have the opportunity to hike into the Maze. This is a remote region of Canyonlands that visited by only a handful of people every year due to it's inaccessibility.

If you choose to float down the Green River you will likely put in at Mineral Bottom in Canyonlands National Park and spend four or so days floating down the Green before meeting the confluence with the Colorado. This is the more remote and more beautiful option. You may also choose to put-in on the Colorado and spend several days to get yourself to the same spot. Jet boats are allowed to run down the Colorado River which makes this a less popular option.

Either way, you'll end up floating down past Spanish Bottom and into Cataract Canyon where you'll leave the flat water behind. The canyon is littered with legendary Class III rapids. At the higher flows commonly found in the spring months, these rapids rival those in the Grand Canyon and come in quick succession.

Once you're done with the major rapids, you'll end up on Lake Powell. If the reservoir is high you'll want to get a boat tow to Hite Marina.