Additional Information:  River maps and guide books are available through the mail or by phone from the Canyonlands Natural History Association at 3031 South Hwy 191, Moab, UT  84532 (435)259-6003.

County Sheriff's have search and rescue jurisdiction on public lands and normally take the lead for such operations.  For Desolation Canyon call the Carbon County Sheriff at 435-637-0893 or the Emery County Sheriff  435-381-2404, as appropriate.

 

Should illness or injury occur to a member of your party while on a river trip, the following procedures are recommended.  When the injury or illness is not serious, it is usually best to continue  floating downstream to a point where the person can be evacuated by vehicle. 

In the event of a serious injury, such as when body movement must be constrained or a life is threatened, helicopter evacuation should be considered.  In most cases, the injured party will be billed for this service.  Helicopter evacuation may be initiated by contacting the following offices: 

 

 

          911
          Carbon County (Dispatch)  435-637-0893
          Emery County (Dispatch)  435-381-2404
          St. Mary’s Careflight, Grand Junction, Colorado 800-332-4923
          Air Med, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 1-800-453-0120
          Intermountain Life Flight, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah 
          801-321-1234, 1-800-321-1911

Contact the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation to obtain an accident reporting form.