Kayaking - San Rafael River, San Raphael Swell 6/1/24

Sample Itinerary:

Carpooling - 7 am (2 3/4 hr drive)

River Exit - 10 am

Shuttle drive to put in - 1030 am

Float river - 11-4pm (4-6 hr)

River Exit - 4pm

Drive Home 

Directions: 

Take out - San Raphael Swinging Bridge, San Rafael River (river left before bridge - lots of parking across the road east)

Put in - End of Fullers Bottom Rd, San Rafael River (river left - there is some parking near the put in and some free dispersed camping if you get there early)

*Shuttle takes about 50 min one way

Cost: $35 pp for kayak rental (from BYU Outdoors for tandem inflatable kayaks - duckies)

Activity: Kayak San Rafael River - 20 mile float with tight turns, muddy water. Best floated in an inflatable kayak due to debri in the river and need to pivot quickly with tight turns. Mostly floating, only several small "rapids". Road Trip Ryan Trip Report.

Bathrooms - pit toilet at take out

Cell Phone Reception - none

Dogs - not recommended

Tips: 

• This river is only floatable for a few weeks in early summer when the cfs 150-500. Monitor water flow rates here. (200-300 cfs took 7 hrs and had shallow areas and had to carry kayak a few feet in sections, 500 cfs took 4 1/2 hr and over is dangerous)

• Can get windy and rained for about 5 min in the afternoons even with no chance of rain

• Shuttle roads are dirt with washboard but don't need 4WD or high clearance

• Fun side trips to pictographs, dinosaur foot prints and the Wedge Overlook at sunset

Gear: thin T-shirt, thin long-sleeve shirt, rain jacket, shorts or hiking pants, swimming suit, running shoes or sandals - NO FLIP FLOPS, 2 L water in water bottle - NO CAMELBAKS, 3-4 snacks plus lunch in gallon ziplock bag, dry bag, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, first aid kit., waterproof phone case

Rentals: $30 for 2 person inflatable kayak (BYU Outdoors); $25 for 2 person inflatable kayak (UVU Adventure Center) - both include PFDs and paddles