The 84-mile trip from Sand Wash to Swasey's Rapid through Desolation & Gray Canyons offers outstanding scenery, white water opportunities and a rich geologic and cultural history. During the spring season boaters should be prepared for a wide variety of weather conditions from snow to warm sunny days. Ice blocks the river from December through mid-March.  Permits are required year round.  Campsites are not assigned in advance but are first-come, first-served.  The river way is managed by the Bureau of Land Management through the Price, Utah office.

Flows on the Green River are partially regulated by Flaming Gorge Reservoirs, while there is significant uncontrolled inflow from other tributaries.  Typical peak run-off is in June. The Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation lies on the east side of the river in the Sand Wash to Coal Creek area with permits required for land use