Green River Daily
Nefertiti to Swaseys: eight miles of Class II–III near Green River, Utah, no permit, back in town by dinner.
The Green River Daily is the bottom of the Desolation–Gray run without the five days above it: eight miles from the Nefertiti ramp to Swaseys Boat Ramp through the gray shale walls of lower Gray Canyon, with Nefertiti, Butler, Stone Cabin, Short Canyon, and Swaseys rapids in quick succession.
Class II–III, no permit for the day, and a short shuttle on paved and gravel road out of Green River, Utah. Three to five hours on the water; spring runoff makes the rapids bigger and more continuous, and by late summer the run is a hot, easy sampler. Rafts, inflatable kayaks, and canoes with a whitewater-capable crew. It is the local run, the outfitters' day trip, and the way to see how Gray finishes before you commit to Sand Wash.
Nefertiti to Swaseys Day Run
A popular day run through the lower end of Gray Canyon on the Green River — approximately 8 miles from the Nefertiti put-in to Swaseys Boat Ramp. The section includes several Class II–III rapids in a compact, scenic canyon with good road access on both ends. No permit required. The run is a favorite for local paddlers, commercial outfitters running day trips, and groups looking for a whitewater sampler near the town of Green River, UT. At higher flows (spring runoff), the rapids become more powerful and continuous.
- Distance
- 8 miles
The journey
What the water is doing
Bands keyed to Green at Ouray + White at Watson + Duchesne at Randlett + Price at Woodside, summed
Runnable but slow and technical in places. More rock exposure.
Best conditions for most groups — good wave trains, defined lines, manageable consequence.
Experienced crews in strong craft. Powerful hydraulics and faster travel. Eddy access requires planning.
Flow knowledge is owned by the Gray Canyon section record — full flow spectrum and history there.
Permit
No permit required.
Access
- Put-in
- Nefertiti Boat Ramp
- Take-out
- Swaseys Boat Ramp
Featured rapids
- Nefertiti Rapid
- Butler Rapid
- Stone Cabin Rapid
- Short Canyon Rapid
- Swasey's Rapid