Green River Float-In Campsites

Take a step back in time and traverse the same scenic wonders that explorers such as John Wesley Powell and William Ashley once explored. The Green River provides spectacular fishing and river-running opportunities, as well as unique geology, outlaw history and Native American rock art. The Green River Float-In Campsites contain 17 sites for river goers to camp along the mighty Green River; some can be reached on foot, but most only by boat. Section A runs from Flaming Gorge Dam to the Little Hole boat launch, seven miles through a narrow, breathtaking canyon. The towering red canyon cliffs, ponderosa pine, glassy clear water, abundant trout and class I and II rapids make this stretch world famous, and the Little Hole National Recreation Trail allows foot access to all seven miles. Section B, from Little Hole to Browns Park, is a little more remote, but that means fewer people; limited access here allows healthy brown trout populations to thrive, and the 17 river camps in this section can be reached only by hiking or floating in. Section C is the longest, meandering through the high desert valley of Browns Park to the Colorado state line with wide open features and a lot of flat water. It is considered the best place to catch a football size trout on a dry fly, but it is also said to be the most challenging for fishing. The river offers excellent fishing for rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. All of the river camps are equipped with a picnic table, campfire ring with benches, tent pads and a blind for a portable toilet. No potable water is available, and vault toilets can be found near Cottonwood Camp and Red Creek Camp. Float-in distances run from 8.2 miles below the Spillway launch at Stonefly to 12.2 miles at Treetop, or 1 to 5 miles from the Little Hole launch. Stonefly, Sand, Bootleg, Cats Paw, Cottonwood and Trails End can be reached on foot; Grasshopper, Jackson Creek, Cicada, Big Pine, Pugmire Pocket, Red Creek and Treetop can be reached only by water. The campsites are nestled alongside the beautiful Green River in an area typical of a high desert environment. These sites are surrounded by shady juniper, cottonwood and ponderosa pine trees, and during the summer various species of wildflowers dot the landscape. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is known not only for its beautiful red cliffs but also for its world-class fishing, boating, hiking, camping, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and scuba diving. The Bureau of Reclamation offers guided tours of the Flaming Gorge Dam's working hydroelectric plant and the dam itself, and the adjacent visitor center contains area history exhibits. In Browns Park, the Bureau of Land Management maintains the historic John Jarvie Ranch, where John ran a general store, trading post, post office and river ferry; since Browns Park was a hiding place for outlaws, he became acquainted with many colorful members of its history, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid of the Wild Bunch, outlaws Matt Warner and Isom Dart, and Ann Bassett, Queen of the Rustlers. In the nearby town of Dutch John, several businesses offer raft rentals, guided fishing, shuttle service, general stores, lodging, bait and gas.