Utah / Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation / Uintah County

Desolation Gray Canyons Screen Cabins

Open — Currently open year-round for reservations. Screen cabins are limited to one per launching group. No water or trash services available; bring all supplies.

About

The Desolation Gray Canyons Screen Cabins are located at Sand Wash Ranger Station, a remote primitive boat ramp and campground where the Green River splits the 10,000-foot Tavaputs Plateau. This BLM-managed site serves as the primary launch point for river trips through Desolation and Gray Canyons, an 84-mile journey ending at Swaseys Rapid. Sand Wash offers four screened cabins (each 12 feet by 16 feet) with screen walls, roof, door, small table, and bench inside. These cabins are limited to one per launching group and provide essential protection from the frequent mosquito plagues that occur during summer months. The eight-site primitive campground also includes a staffed ranger station, contact station, vault toilets, and a natural boat ramp. Cottonwood trees provide some shade in this otherwise sparse desert landscape of sagebrush, greasewood, and cliffs. This remote destination prepares river runners for a self-supported trip where solitude, rugged beauty, and numerous historic and archaeological sites await. Weather ranges from 100-degree days with no wind to rain, snow, and sudden windstorms. River runners must be completely self-sufficient as no water or trash service is provided. Access requires traveling graded gravel roads from either Myton or Duchesne with limited cell phone coverage.

Directions

From Vernal: Head 40 miles southwest to Myton. Just west of Myton, turn south off US 40 on the first paved road and follow signs to Sand Wash Boat Ramp. Roads are graded gravel; good tires and spare required. Limited cell coverage. From Duchesne: Head 17 miles east towards Myton, turn south off US 40 onto Sand Wash Road and follow signs.

Nearby Campgrounds