Boaters who will be floating Desolation Canyon in the next couple of months should be aware that the main access to Sand Wash from the north has been temporarily re-routed because of road construction.
The usual route leaves U.S. Hwy 40 about 1 mile west of the town of Myton. This road is closed near that turnoff. A bridge about a mile from the turnoff has been torn down to allow crews to widen the road. The construction is expected to take at least two months.
Road crews have designated a detour that begins about 1 mile east of the normal turnoff. The route begins just west of the Ute Petroleum convenience store. It is well marked and adds about six miles to the trip. The detour rejoins the usual road just south of the old bridge near a Flying J fueling facility. BLM rangers recently erected a sign indicating the direction to Sand Wash. Road signs sometimes have a brief lifespan, so boaters should turn left, toward Pariette Road, at the T-junction where the detour route rejoins the main road.
If you need more information, contact the BLM Price Field Office Recreation desk at (435) 636-0975.
The following information is for private / self-guided trips in Desolation Canyon. If you need a guide, contact an Outfitter.
A permit is required year-round to run Desolation Canyon and must be issued through advance reservations. You may hold only one reservation at a time. The maximum group size is 25 people. Please be considerate of other boaters and cancel your permit timely if necessary.
