Whitewater River Expedition

Over 16 days, you’ll navigate 130 miles of swift-moving water, paddle up to Class III rapids, and camp under stars in wilderness that feels genuinely untouched. The Green River cuts through the rugged terrain of Desolation and Gray Canyons—dramatic cliffs rising hundreds of feet, isolated desert landscapes, and hidden side canyons waiting to be explored. 

Photo credit: Lauren Bally

You’ll start at the NOLS River Base in Vernal, Utah, learning the fundamentals: kayak strokes, how to rig and row oar rafts, and what to pack. Once you’re on the water, you’ll progress through eddy turns, ferries, and peel-outs while building the skills to handle kayaks, oar rigs, and paddle rafts in whitewater. Your experienced instructors will teach you to scout rapids, manage risk, and make decisions when conditions change fast.

Photo credit: Scott Eubank

Along the way, you’ll explore unique campsites, study ancient petroglyphs and geological formations in Dinosaur National Monument, and learn how millions of years of erosion carved this landscape. Expect variable weather— sunshine, afternoon storms, cold water, and the deep exhaustion that comes from full days on a river.

Photo credit: Lauren Bally

You’ll leave with the skills to navigate whitewater, the confidence to plan your own backcountry adventures, and a newfound community of like-minded adventurers. 

Photo credit: Scott Eubank