Section 1
Deerlodge to Warm Springs
Open parkland narrows into Yampa Canyon, with assigned camps and named rapids including Teepee and Big Joe.
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Colorado / Utah river guide
Deerlodge Park to Split Mountain · Dinosaur National Monument
A free-flowing, permit-controlled expedition through Yampa Canyon, Echo Park, Whirlpool Canyon, and Split Mountain. Its short snowmelt season and assigned camps make early coordination essential.
River miles
71 miles
Typical trip
4–5 days
Difficulty
Class II–IV
Permit
NPS multiday permit required; lottery and cancellations through Recreation.gov
Section 1
Open parkland narrows into Yampa Canyon, with assigned camps and named rapids including Teepee and Big Joe.
Section 2
The consequential Class IV feature; scout and evaluate the current channel and Maytag hydraulic.
Section 3
The Yampa joins the Green beneath Steamboat Rock before the combined river enters Whirlpool Canyon.
Section 4
The final nine miles contain four named rapids before the mandatory takeout.
Put-in
Deerlodge Park Boat Ramp
Takeout
Split Mountain Boat Ramp
Common season
Snowmelt; high-use season generally mid-May to mid-July
Current conditions
Use the linked official gauge or flow source before departure
Vernal
Full resupply, lodging, rentals, and post-trip services
Dinosaur
Approach fuel and limited services
Jensen
Closest community to Split Mountain
NPS multiday permit required; lottery and cancellations through Recreation.gov
Trip leader, group size, equipment, camping, fire, launch, and access rules may change. Carry the issued permit and the current agency stipulations.
The Yampa is not regulated by a major upstream dam, so timing depends on snowpack and runoff.
Deep canyon walls, side hikes, and the Green–Yampa confluence define the trip.
High-use itineraries depend on the camps printed on the permit.
Checked against the linked managing-agency guidance on August 3, 2026. Conditions, access, permits, and provider availability can change; confirm before departure.
TripForge
Keep crew, boats, meals, gear, permit files, shuttle contacts, and launch checks together.