Desolation Gray Canyons Screen Cabins
The Green River splits the 10,000 foot high Tavaputs Plateau to form the rugged canyons of Desolation Gray Canyons. Access to the canyons is the Sand Wash Ranger Station, a remote primative boat ramp and campground. While the canyons and river can be remote, rugged and beautiful during the hot summer months, Sand Wash can be overrun by mosquitos. Weather can run the gamet from hot 100 degree days with no wind, to wind, rain, or snow. Screen cabins are provided to allow the boater an escape from the bugs and weather.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 4 |
Site guide
4 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaman | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 8 | Yes | Yes | Basic |
| Sumner | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 8 | Yes | Yes | Basic |
| Bradley | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 8 | Yes | Yes | Basic |
| Howland Brothers | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 8 | Yes | Yes | Basic |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:01 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites Beaman, Sumner, Bradley, Howland Brothers are listed accessible |
There is a primitive boat ramp at Sand Wash, a primitive eight-site campground, a contact/information station, staffed ranger station and vault toilets. This remote site does not provide trash receptacles or water. Due to the remoteness of the area, many groups camp the night here before their launch on the river. Due to frequent mosquito plagues, Sand Wash offers four campsites with screened cabins. Cabins are 12 feet by 16 feet, screen on all four sides with a door and roof. There is a small table and bench inside. Cabins are limited to one (1) per river party. Please allow others the ability to escape the bugs.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Vernal, Utah: Head some 40 miles southwest to the town of Myton. Just west of Myton, turn south off US 40 on the first paved road and follow the signs to Sand Wash Boat Ramp. Boaters must slow down and begin to enjoy the trip. Roads are graded gravel, good tires and spare tires are a must. Cell phone coverage is limited if help is needed.
| Nearest town | Price, Utah |
| Coordinates | 39.8336° N, 109.9417° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireSlough Canyon
32 mi from the campground · 4,774 acres · 80% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 46.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 50.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Launch point for the Green River through Desolation and Gray Canyons, 84 river miles before taking out at Swaseys Rapid. Nine Mile Canyon is within driving distance and is rich with rock art and historic sites.
- 12.4 miDaddy Canyon Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Great Hunt Panel Site, TheSite · Price · 10.9 mi
Natural features
The Sand Wash boat ramp lies at the end of Sand Wash where a dirt road leads to a natural boat ramp for launching on the Green River. Cottonwood trees, cliffs, sage brush, and greasewood dot the area. Cottonwood trees do provide some shade.
Recreation
Sand Wash is a destination for those that have a permit to float the Desolation and Gray Canyons of the Green River. Remote and primative, the area prepares the river runners for a relaxed river trip where solitude and nature abound. Historic and archaeogical sites are numerous on the river. River runners must be prepared to be self supported on the river.
Guidebooks for Utah
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Desolation Gray Canyons Screen Cabins?
Sites at Desolation Gray Canyons Screen Cabins are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Desolation Gray Canyons Screen Cabins?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:01 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Desolation Gray Canyons Screen Cabins have?
4 sites, including 4 cabins.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Desolation Gray Canyons Screen Cabins?
Desolation Gray Canyons Screen Cabins is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Desolation Gray Canyons Screen Cabins?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Desolation Gray Canyons Screen Cabins?
Sites Beaman, Sumner, Bradley, and Howland Brothers are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Desolation Gray Canyons Screen Cabins?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Desolation Gray Canyons Screen Cabins?
Sand Wash is a destination for those that have a permit to float the Desolation and Gray Canyons of the Green River. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Desolation Gray Canyons Screen Cabins?
Price, Utah. Launch point for the Green River through Desolation and Gray Canyons, 84 river miles before taking out at Swaseys Rapid.
Source: Getting there
What if Desolation Gray Canyons Screen Cabins is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Pelican Lake Campground (27.4 mi, first-come), Paradise Park Campground (44.1 mi, first-come), and Avintaquin Campground (44.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby