River Activities
Southeastern Utah is blessed with an abundance of river recreation opportunities. Visitors may select river environments that range from the wilderness settings of Cataract and Desolation-Gray canyons to the more easily accessible sections of the Colorado and Green Rivers. While the area is known for its whitewater float trips, there are also several scenic calm water segments suitable for canoes and small powerboats.
Although the Colorado River often conjures images of wild, churning rapids and heart-stopping near capsizes, the rivers of the Moab area have a softer side as well. For miles at a time they are simply wide, quiet streams that, on clear days, reflect a mosaic of rock cliffs and sky. Calm water float trips in canoes, kayaks and rafts are available. The river stretches are administered by either the BLM or the National Park Service. Individuals or groups may raft the river on their own or with a professional river outfitter. On any trip, calm or white water, special river rules apply to fires, campsites and sanitation. Permits and fees may be required for private use.
The river areas described on this page are rated according to a six point
international scale. For example, rivers rated as Class I have small, easy
to negotiate waves, Class III areas have difficult rapids that require
maneuvering and Class VI areas are not considered navigable. Rapids vary
greatly by river flow. Some rapids are more difficult to negotiate at high
water while others are more difficult at lower water levels. The ratings
should only be used to make rough comparisons.
GUIDED RIVER TRIPS - Sit back and enjoy the view!
Outfitters take passengers down all of Southeastern Utah's rivers. River Outfitters offer part-day, one-day, and multi-day trips. Most outfitters conduct trips in more than one river area and provide a wide variety of tours. Some outfitters conduct specialty tours such as self-paddle trips, jet boat tours, executive training sessions, women's trips, and kayak instruction. Many outfitters will also provide shuttle and pick-up service. Click here for a complete list of all area outfitters.
River outfitters in southeast Utah operate under permits issued by either the Bureau of Land Management or the National Park Service. River guides carrying passengers for hire are licensed by Utah State Parks. All guides have first-aid and CPR training.
Reservations for river trips with an outfitter should be made as far ahead as possible, especially for multi-day trips. Trip prices vary by factors such as length, services provided, group size, and river segment.
Outfitters generally provide boats, boating equipment, safety equipment such as life jackets and first-aid kits, waterproof bags for storing equipment, watertight boxes for cameras, food, nonalcoholic beverages, ice chests, and return transportation from their office or a prearranged meeting place to the river.
Passengers embarking upon a one day summertime river trip with an outfitter should bring a sun hat, sun screen, lip gloss, sunglasses with a retention strap, a pair of old sport shoes (they will get wet), a T-shirt, quick drying shorts, a lightweight long sleeve cotton shirt, and a wind breaker. For multi- trips, passengers will need in addition to the above items, extra clothing for use around camp (evenings can be cool along the river), rain gear, personal care items, and walking shoes for hikes. Passengers may bring their own sleeping bag, ground cloth, and tent or rent these items from the outfitter. Consult with the outfitter for more specific information about clothing, camping gear, and personal use items because requirements vary by trip and season.
Click on the following icon for a complete list of river guides & outfitters in Moab:
PRIVATE RIVER TRIPS - Navigate your own route to adventure!
Private river trips are organized by individuals on a noncommercial, share cost basis. On private trips, boaters use their own equipment or rent boats and gear and share trip expenses. Government regulations prohibit individuals utilizing private permits from charging for guide services, trip arrangements, or amortization of equipment. For additional information on private trips, contact the appropriate agency office.
The Utah Division of Parks and Recreation has the primary responsibility for boating safety and enforcement on Utah waters under the Utah Boating Act. On Utah rivers every person on board a vessel must wear a personal flotation device (life jacket) of proper size and of an approved type; except on designated flat water areas where they may be loosened or removed. Persons under 12 years of age must wear personal flotation devices at all times while on Utah rivers. Utah law also requires that an extra oar or paddle be on board, as well as a bailing device. All motor powered craft must be registered in Utah or in the boater's home state.
WHITEWATER RIVER TRIPS
Colorado River Daily - Hittle Bottom to Takeout Beach
Agency Office
BLM, Moab Field OfficePrivate Permit Requirement
NoLength
13 miles from Hittle Bottom to Takeout Beach.Float Time
1 or 2 daysNotes: Special regulations apply for overnight use.
Description
The "Daily," located northeast of Moab along Utah highway 128, is also known as the Fisher Towers' section. The Daily is Utah's most popular river trip and is ideal for a short adventure, a group outing, an overnight camping trip, or a first river trip.The Colorado River Daily is a whitewater trip. Six named rapids are located between Hittle Bottom and Takeout Beach. The rapids may range in difficulty up to Class III. The daily can be challenging at high water levels.
Boaters will be able to view striking red rock scenery that includes Fisher Towers, Castle Rock, and the Priest and Nuns. The area has been the setting of a number of western-style movies and many television commercials.
Colorado River - Westwater Canyon
Agency Office
BLM, Moab Field OfficePrivate Permit Requirement
YesLength
17 miles from the Westwater Ranger Station to the Cisco Landing take-outFloat Time
1 or 2 daysDescription
Westwater Canyon is located northeast of Moab and is the first canyon along the Colorado River within Utah. The last section of the Colorado River to be navigated, it is many boaters' first choice for a short challenging adventure. Westwater is a whitewater trip with 11 rapids that may range in difficulty up to Class IV.Visitors to Westwater will view the oldest exposed rock in Utah, the Precambrian "black rock", which forms the walls of a 200 foot deep inner canyon. Sheer walls of rust-colored Wingate sandstone tower above the inner canyon. Historic features within the canyon include the miners cabin and the outlaw cave.
Cataract Canyon
Agency Office
NPS, Canyonlands National ParkPrivate Permit Requirement
YesLength
112 miles from Moab to HiteFloat Time
3 to 7 daysDescription
Cataract Canyon, located in the heart of Canyonlands National Park, is the best known of southeast Utah's river areas. "Cat" trips may be initiated by floating down either the Colorado River from Moab or the Green River from Green River State Park or Mineral Bottom. The Cataract Canyon stretch of the Colorado River extends from the Colorado's confluence with the Green River to Lake Powell at Hite. Shorter trips utilize a jet boat for the upper portion of the trip. Due to fluctuating water levels on Lake Powell, it may be necessary to have a motor or arrange for a pick up boat to move rafts from the end of the river down Lake Powell to Hite. Contact the River District Office at Canyonlands National Park for more information.Cataract Canyon is a wild whitewater trip but the sections above the confluence of the Colorado and Green rivers consist of scenic stretches of calm water. There are 26 rapids within Cataract Canyon with several that may range in difficulty up to Class V.
Visitors may hike to view the rock art and cliff dwellings; left by Indians who once lived in the canyon or just enjoy the massive red rock walls and pinnacles that tower above the river. Cataract Canyon is one of the most isolated and starkly beautiful areas of the 48 contiguous states.
Green River: Desolation-Gray Canyons
Agency Office
BLM, Price River Resource AreaPrivate Permit Requirement
YesLength
75 miles from the Sand Wash Ranger Station launch to the first take out point at Nefertiti Rapid or 84 miles to the second take out point at Swaseys Rapid at the end of Gray Canyon.
Float Time
4 to 7 daysDescription
Desolation-Gray canyons are located along the Green River north of Green River, Utah. Desolation Canyon is the deepest canyon in Utah. At Rock Creek, the river is over 5,000 feet below the canyon rim. The trip through Desolation-Gray canyons is a whitewater trip. Of the 67 rapids, most are Class II, but several may be as difficult as Class IV.Visitors to Desolation-Gray canyons will have the opportunity to view rock art created by Indians of the Fremont culture and the ancestors of the Ute Indians. The area was also used by outlaws such as "Butch Cassidy" and "Flat-Nose George" as a refuge. Desolation-Gray canyons include large cottonwood tree sheltered campsites, a cold water fishery at Rock Creek, and a wide variety of geologic features.
Desolation Canyon has been designated as a National Historic Landmark to preserve the setting of the John Wesley Powell expeditions.
Green River: Lower Gray Canyon - Nefertiti Rapid to Swaseys Rapid
Agency Office
BLM, Price River Resource AreaPrivate Permit Requirement
NoLength
8 miles from the launch point at Nefertiti Rapid to the take out at Swaseys RapidFloat Time
1 or 2 daysDescription
Lower Gray Canyon (the Green River Daily) is located to the north of Green River, Utah, below Desolation-Gray canyons. The Daily is ideal for a short adventure or a first river trip. The area is popular with organized groups. The launch point is a short drive from Interstate 70, making it ideal for those with limited time.The Green River Daily is a whitewater trip. There are seven rapids, some of which may range in difficulty up to Class III.
CALMWATER RIVER TRIPS
This section provides basic information about floating the calm water portions of the Green and Colorado Rivers in southeastern Utah. These river areas are suitable for use with canoes, kayaks and rafts. Please help preserve these beautiful rivers so that everyone will be able to enjoy their primitive character for years to come. The Bureau of Land Management administers the shoreline of Labyrinth Canyon from Ruby Ranch to the northern boundary of Canyonlands National Park and most of the shoreline of the Colorado River below Moab down to the boundary of the park. Canyonlands National Park administers the Colorado River from south of Shafer Canyon to the head of Lake Powell, and the Green River from five miles below Mineral Bottom to the Confluence, where the two rivers meet. River mileage points are measured from the Confluence (Mile 0) upstream on both rivers. Travel on these rivers requires advance planning. The land is primitive and there are no facilities. Temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit are common in June, July, and August. Afternoon thunderstorms are common during July and August.
Colorado River
For the first 62 miles downstream from Moab, the Colorado is a broad, placid river. The Slide, a moderate rapid, is located one and a half miles upriver from the Confluence. Inexperienced canoeists may want to portage the Slide . The section between the Confluence and Spanish Bottom an have dangerous whirlpools and eddies during high water while the rapids of Cataract Canyon which begin four miles below the Confluence can be among the most hazardous in the country. Take-outs at the Confluence are recommended. If you float below the Confluence, use extreme caution; you could end up in Cataract Canyon with out your life jacket.
Green River
From the town of Green River to the Confluence, the Green River flows calmly through Labyrinth and Stillwater Canyons. Sandbars are numerous by late summer. Boaters should be aware of two areas which are especially rocky at low water: MiDard yon (Mile 33.5) and Horse Canyon (mile 14.5).
Float Times
The waters of the Green and Colorado Rivers above the Confluence are slow moving. The river level fluctuates throughout the summer with peak runoff occurring sometime between mid-May and mid June. The speed of the current varies from 7-10 mph during peak runoff to 2-4 mph the rest of the year.
In planning your trip, consider that averages of 20 miles per day in a canoe or 15 miles per day in a raft are common. The following table shows the approximate number of days you should allow for your trip depending on water flow. These times do not allow for much exploration of side canyons, so allow more time if you plan to hike or want a more leisurely trip.
| Green River | Miles | Days |
| Green River, UT, to Ruby Ranch | 23 | 1-2 |
| Ruby Ranch to Mineral Bottom | 45 | 2-3 |
| Mineral Bottom to Spanish Bottom | 56 | 3-4 |
| Colorado River: | Miles | Days |
| Moab Dock to Potash Dock | 15 | 1-2 |
| Potash Dock to Spanish Bottom | 49 | 2-3 |
Once you have traveled past Moab on the Colorado or the town of Green River on the Green, there are few sources of drinking water. The best way to ensure that drinking water is safe is to bring your own A gallon of water per person for each day of your trip is the recommended minimum.
If your original supply of water runs out, river water may be used. Water should be obtained from the center of the main channel of the river and allowed to settle overnight. It must then be treated to kill or remove disease-causing organisms. Approved methods for treating are boiling for several minutes or mechanical filtration plus chemical disinfection.
Trip Logistics
On the Colorado River, trips usually launch from either the Moab Dock (mile 64) or the Potash Dock (mile 47). The take-out sites are at Potash, the Confluence (mile 0) and Spanish Bottom below the Confluence. There is no vehicle access to the Confluence or Spanish Bottom. If you plan to take out at the Confluence or Spanish Bottom, arrangements must be made prior to your trip to have you and your raft or canoe taken back upriver by jet boat. This service is provided by two commercial tour companies: Tag-A-Long Expeditions 435-259-8946, 452 N. Main, Moab, UT 84532, and Tex's Riverways 435-259-5101, 691 N. 500 West, P.O. Box 67, Moab, UT 84532.
On the Green River, trips through Labyrinth Canyon launch from Green River State Park (mile 120) or ruby Ranch (mile 97), located 14 miles south of Interstate 70 from Exit 175. Both charge a fee. If you choose to start from Ruby Ranch you should obtain permission from the ranch operator in advance by calling (435) 650-3193. The take-out for Labyrinth Canyon and launch site for Stillwater Canyon is Mineral Bottom (mile 52). The drive to Mineral Bottom includes about 20 miles of dirt road and a short stretch of switchbacks, which drop approximately 900 vertical feet in a mile and a half. This road may become impassable or just plain terrifying when wet. The only take-outs below Mineral Bottom are the Confluence and Spanish Bottom, which require a jet boat pickup.
Campsites
There are no designated campsites along these river sections. It is strongly recommended that you camp on sandbars to minimize environmental impacts. Set your kitchen, fix pan, and toilet system as close to the river as possible so high water will erase any trace of your use. Extra care in collecting all food scraps and trash in high-water camps is necessary to keep ant and mice populations at a tolerable level.
Sanitation
There is only one toilet on the Green River (at Mineral Bottom) and there are no toilets on the Colorado River. All solid human waste must be carried out of the canyon. You may use a commercially manufactured "porta-potty" or put together your own toilet system. Boaters must use washable, reusable toilets that allow for disposal of solid human body waste through authorized sewage systems.
You'll also need a plastic toilet seat, toilet paper, hand soap and commercially available chemical additives and holding tank deodorants. The use of non-toxic, non-formaldehyde based additives is strongly encouraged to reduce the impacts to sewage treatment facilities. Urinating into the toilet reduces the carrying capacity of your system. Urinating onto wet sand or into the river prevents odor and other problems from developing in popular campsites. After your trip, deposit the waste at an approved dump station or sewer system. Do not dump waste into the toilet at Mineral Bottom.
Emergency Evacuations
If someone in your group becomes seriously injured or too sick to continue the trip, an evacuation may be necessary. Stop all passing trips and tell them of your situation, as there may be someone on the trip with medical training, or the group may encounter park rangers on patrol and relay your request for assistance.
Another way to get help is to signal an airplane from the river. Pilots may call the Moab airport by radio to relay a message to the Sheriff for managing agency. Effective methods of signaling aircraft are with a signal mirror or by placing life jackets or two international orange panels 3 x 10 feet in a large "X" pattern on the beach or sandbar.
Although your best chance of getting help is to stay on the river, you should be aware of roads leading to the river. These roads are remote and infrequently traveled. Labyrinth Canyon has four seldom-used access roads to the east. These are located at Crystal Geyser (mile 115.5), Ruby Ranch (mile 96.5), Tensile Canyon (mile 81), and Spring Canyon (mile 67.5). A primitive road also runs next to the river from Hell Roaring Canyon (mile 55.5) past Mineral Bottom take-out (mile52) to Hardscrabble Bottom (mile 43).
In Stillwater Canyon in addition to the road to Hardscrabble Bottom, a seldom-used road reaches the river from the west at Millard Canyon (mile 34). This road can also be reached by way of a hike from Anderson Bottom (mile 32) . At Queen Anne Bottom (mile 32.5) a short, one-half mile road leads to the White Rim four-wheel-drive road. At any of these roads you may have to wait hours, or even days, for a vehicle to pass. Your chances are best along the White Rim Road east of the river.
Along the Colorado, a seldom-used road leaves the river at Lockhart Canyon (mile 26.5). At Lathrop Canyon (mile 23.5) a four-wheel drive road receives frequent use. The main campground is one-fourth mile from the river.
Below the Confluence two trails lead to four-wheel drive roads from just above the first rapid. Located at river mile 213 (below the confluence, river miles are measured upstream from Lees Ferry) on the east side of the river is the Lower Red Lake Canyon Trail. Four miles from the river plus an elevation gain of 900 feet, the trail meets a four-wheel drive road. Another nine miles of hiking brings you to the Needles District campground. At best this is a six hour hike from the river to the campground with a light pack. The hike could easily take eight hours with a heavy pack.
Directly across the river at mile 213 is the Spanish Bottom or Doll House Trail. The lightly used Doll House primitive campground, accessible only by foot, horseback, or four-wheel drive vehicles, is at the end of this mile-long trail that climbs 1,200 feet.
Do not attempt to hike away from the river for help unless you have adequate water and accurate maps. Be certain you know where you are going and explain your plan and route to others in your group.