Spanish Bottoms

Spanish Bottoms is the most important camp in Cataract Canyon — a wide, flat sandy terrace on river right, just above the first of the Big Drops at mile 213. Groups camped here are positioned to scout the rapids the following morning: Big Drop 1, Big Drop 2, and the complex that includes Satan's Gut are all within a short walk downstream. The flat is large enough for the biggest commercial groups and small enough that it never loses its sense of remoteness. Above the camp the walls rise into the Maze District of Canyonlands and the Doll House formations — tiered fins of Cedar Mesa Sandstone visible against the sky. The trail from Spanish Bottoms up to the Doll House is one of the finest half-day hikes accessible from any river camp in the Southwest: 1,200 feet of climbing through switchbacks that emerge onto the slickrock plateau above the canyon with views back down to the river corridor. Camp here, scout the drops in the morning, run them at first light. That is the Cataract sequence.

Quick facts

Canyon

Cataract Canyon

Section mile

3.5

River mile

213

Side

River right

Type

Beach Camp

Size

Large

Shade

None

Hikes from this camp

• Doll House / Spanish Bottom Access Hike — Strenuous

Camp notes

Deep, loose sand on the terrace — soft sleeping but challenging kitchen setup in wind. The flat drains well.

No fixed facilities. The large flat provides ample space for kitchen separation from sleeping. Fire pan and portable toilet required by NPS.

The definitive layover camp for Cataract — large groups need it, small groups love it. Not appropriate for families unfamiliar with big-water hazards: the current above the drops is powerful and the consequences of an unplanned swim are severe.

Know before you go

• Permit required
• Fire pan required
• Portable toilet required
• No pets
• Group size limit 25