The Price River begins in the upper reaches of the Wasatch Plateau, a mountainous region that serves as the geological extension of the better-known Wasatch Range located east of the Salt Lake Valley. Sitting at almost 8,000’ in elevation, the 100-year-old Scofield Reservoir is fed by seasonal streams like Mud and Fish Creek. Below the Scofield Dam, the Price officially begins its 140-mile course from the mountains into the high desert of the Colorado Plateau toward its confluence with the Green River.
Upon launching at the footbridge below the base of Scofield Dam, the Price River meanders gently and slowly for the first few miles. Unlike many of Utah’s sediment-laden waterways, the Upper Price is clear and pristine. Anglers will rejoice at the sight of abundant trout species and colossal tiger muskies. The river also has an alpine canyon feel, as Engelmann spruce and Douglas fir become more common as the canyon closes in about two miles downstream from Scofield Dam.
A pair of powerlines essentially mark the canyon entrance, and paddlers should prepare themselves for potential encounters with river-wide wood and a faster float from here to US Highway 6. Here, the gradient steepens and the first few riffles emerge as the Price continues on an east/northeasterly course through the mountainscape. While the scenery is exceptional during this initial descent, a railroad track follows the path of the river and occasionally crosses it along historic trestles built at the beginning of the twentieth century.
About 4.5 miles below Scofield Dam at a right bend, the river approaches another train trestle that crosses from right to left. Just above this trestle is a gravel road that comes in on the right that serves as the only road access point between Scofield Dam and US-6 (Lower Fish Creek Road). Scout below this bridge for wood and to see the line for entering a fun drop before going under the trestle. A small eddy exists after the bridge on river right to regroup before continuing down the canyon.
Below this trestle, the river plunges quickly and steadily through a narrow and brushy gorge. More class II rapids are encountered the next several miles. Strainer potential is high through here, so paddlers should be prepared to take evasive maneuvers to avoid wood. While the alpine scenery continues on the right, river left begins to take on a more desert-like feel, with sandstone ledges and sagebrush throughout.
About 7 miles below the dam, the canyon narrows again and enters a large cottonwood grove. Near the entrance to the cottonwoods around a blind right turn in the river, is a massive, river-wide strainer (*as of July 2025*). Be vigilant approaching this potentially lethal hazard, as there are no eddies immediately above it. A ¼ mile above this turn is a section of relatively calm water and an eddy on river left. Portaging this strainer along the train tracks here is strongly recommended. Just below the large strainer is another submerged log that looked runnable at 180 cfs, although paddlers should still take caution.
Roughly a ¼ mile below these obstructions is another train trestle with pin potential along the right bridge abutment (some vertical logs and other debris are jammed against it). The current pushes fairly hard into the right side here and there is a small drop under the trestle. An eddy exists on the right immediately below the bridge. However, paddlers should still remain alert to quickly move from left to right around a tricky ledge in the next bend. The river continues swiftly with a few drops and some rocks to avoid for the next mile or so before the canyon opens.
Before exiting the canyon, another almost river-wide log guards the entrance to the last train trestle. This log is much more visible than the one at the start of the cottonwood grove and the best portage is along the right across the train tracks above the bridge. A sneak under the far left side may be possible at the right level and potentially on the far right as well. The final major hazard before continuing down to the US-6 highway overpass is a small barbed wire fence located about a 0.5 mile past the bridge.
Below the fence, the Price slows down and makes its way under the US-6 overpass and train tracks again. A potential take-out exists river right under the overpass shortly after the train tracks cross the river (about 11.5 miles from Scofield Dam). The river continues peacefully for another 3 plus miles to the take-out off Emma Park Road (Kyune), which marks the beginning of Price Canyon and more challenging whitewater.
Overall, the Upper Price is a stunningly beautiful run with an outstanding balance of scenery, splashy rapids and a remote character. However, due to the significant wood avoidance and difficult access, this run (particularly the lower portion) is not for beginners. Ideal craft to explore this unique Utah waterway would be small IK’s and packrafts, and optimal water levels are between 120-300 cfs.
For additional information, please see:
Nichols, Gary C. (2002). *River Runners’ Guide to Utah and Adjacent Areas (Updated)*, University of Utah Press.