Atlas › San Rafael Swell - Central Swell
Three Fingers Canyon
verified
ACA 3B
High flood risk
Castle Dale, UT
A two-rappel Central Swell descent with swims through persistent potholes, often combined with Uneva Canyon for a longer day.
AKA Upper Three Fingers Canyon. Pothole levels make the trip; check recent reports on Candition.com before assuming wet or dry. Wetsuit choice depends entirely on water temperature, which can be brutal in shaded sections well into June. Uneva is the standard companion and shares a parking area.
Logistics
| Manager | BLM Price Field Office, San Rafael Swell |
|---|---|
| Permit | No permit required. Dispersed BLM land. Contact BLM Price Field Office (435-636-3600) for current conditions. |
| Time | 4-6 hr |
| Technical | Rated 3B III (v3a2 III). Two rappels, maximum about 50 ft. Wading and swimming sections through deep potholes; wetsuits recommended when the canyon holds water. Often paired with Uneva Canyon as a longer day. |
| Season | Late spring through early fall |
| Flood risk | High. Central Swell drainage with persistent potholes; the slot holds water from previous storms for weeks. |
| Vehicle access | High clearance recommended on the approach off I-70. |
| Crowd | Low to moderate. A regular Central Swell objective; the Uneva pairing extends it to a full day. |
| Coordinates | 38.846, -110.5135 |