Steer Ridge Rapids is a Class III- rapid on the Green River in Desolation Canyon, Carbon County, Utah, a long stretch of rock piles about 38.5 miles below the Sand Wash launch on a river section graded Class III overall.
The falls
The rapid has several rock piles spread through it, and the line generally runs left of center. It sits at about 4,491 feet in the sandstone canyon country of the Colorado Plateaus.
Getting there
Steer Ridge is reached by boat on the Desolation and Gray Canyons float, which launches at Sand Wash and takes out at Swaseys Boat Ramp. A BLM permit from Recreation.gov is required, with a $6 reservation fee and a $40 recreation fee per person; trips run three to nine days with up to 25 people. From August 24, 2026, road work in Gate Canyon is causing long delays and closures on the road to Sand Wash, with travel recommended via US-40 and Myton for the rest of the season.
When to go
March to November is the boating season; the river freezes in winter. The recommended flow range for the Desolation Canyon run is 2,000 to 50,000 cfs.
On site
River left from Sand Wash to Coal Creek is Ute Tribal land, where landing, camping and hiking are prohibited. A September 2023 trip found new rockfall on river left and scouted from that side, which the ranger recommended and the Ute Tribe allowed for this rapid only; ask the river rangers about scouting before launching. Pets are not allowed on the trip.
Nearby
Wild Horse Rapids is about 1.2 miles away, Log Cabin Rapids about 1.7 miles, Rock Creek Rapids about 2.3 miles and Calf Canyon Rapids about 3.2 miles.
Distances are straight-line.