North Wash Boat Ramp Construction (Spring 2026)

Construction is now underway at the North Wash boat ramp, the primary takeout for trips through Cataract Canyon on the Colorado River. This project will install a temporary, high-durability ramp to help maintain safe and reliable river access as changing conditions at Lake Powell continue to impact traditional access points. Click this North Wash landing page for ongoing updates. 

Thousands of people raft the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon each year; a 47- mile float trip can take up to 6 days, depending on the type. Currently, after many days on the river, rafters have to carry, winch, and lift boats and equipment uphill over cutbanks because of the deteriorating conditions of the North Wash boat ramp managed by the National Park Service (NPS). The rafting community attempted to coordinate with the NPS for many years to fix the old ramp, with no action by the federal agency. The Division of Outdoor Recreation and PLPCO stepped up to coordinate with the federal agency, stakeholders, and other agencies to secure approval and funding for a new boat ramp. It is anticipated that the new boat ramp will be open for use in 2026.