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colorado river moab

Colorado River

From mild to wild, Moab has an abundance of river recreation opportunities available to suit any taste.

Introduction

While our area is known for its family oriented whitewater trips on the Fisher Towers section of the Colorado River, there are several wilder single and multi-day trips available in Westwater and Cataract Canyons. Additionally, canoes, kayaks and paddle boards are the perfect way to explore the calm water segments of the Colorado. Individuals or groups may raft the river on their own or with a professional river outfitter.

Guides/Outfitters

Guided River Trips & Equipment Rentals

There is a great selection of river guides and outfitters in Moab. 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.

Mountain Biking

Mountain bike routes accessible from the Colorado Riverway include:

Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (U-128):
  • Kokopelli’s Trail
  • Onion Creek Road
  • Porcupine Rim Trail (bottom)
Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway (U-279):
  • Poison Spider Mesa
  • Long Canyon
  • Potash Trails
  • Poison Spider Bench
Kane Creek Road:
  • Moab Rim
  • Pritchett Canyon
  • Hurrah Pass

Hiking

Hiking Trails

Hiking trails located along the Colorado Riverway include: Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (U-128):
  • Fisher Towers
  • Grandstaff Canyon
  • Amphitheater Loop
  • Sylvester
Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway (U-279):
  • Portal Overlook Trail (which starts at JayCee Park and is also used by mountain bikers)
  • Corona Arch Trail
  • Longbow Arch
  • Poison Spider Bench
Kane Creek Road:
  • Stairmaster Trail – Pparallels the OHV trail up Moab Rim to a view of Moab Valley
  • Hunters Canyon Trail follows a seasonal stream along the bottom of a serpentine canyon bottom

Guides/Outfitters

Guided River Trips & Equipment Rentals

There is a great selection of river guides and outfitters in Moab. 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.

Mountain Biking

Mountain bike routes accessible from the Colorado Riverway include:

Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (U-128):
  • Kokopelli’s Trail
  • Onion Creek Road
  • Porcupine Rim Trail (bottom)
Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway (U-279):
  • Poison Spider Mesa
  • Long Canyon
  • Potash Trails
  • Poison Spider Bench
Kane Creek Road:
  • Moab Rim
  • Pritchett Canyon
  • Hurrah Pass

Hiking

Hiking Trails

Hiking trails located along the Colorado Riverway include: Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (U-128):
  • Fisher Towers
  • Grandstaff Canyon
  • Amphitheater Loop
  • Sylvester
Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway (U-279):
  • Portal Overlook Trail (which starts at JayCee Park and is also used by mountain bikers)
  • Corona Arch Trail
  • Longbow Arch
  • Poison Spider Bench
Kane Creek Road:
  • Stairmaster Trail – Pparallels the OHV trail up Moab Rim to a view of Moab Valley
  • Hunters Canyon Trail follows a seasonal stream along the bottom of a serpentine canyon bottom

Whitewater Trips

Westwater and Cataract Canyons provide thrilling Class IV whitewater rapids for an unforgettable rafting experience. Photo courtesy of Moab Adventure Center

Scenic Rafting

The mild Fisher Towers Section of the Colorado River provides an extremely scenic rafting trip suitable for the entire family.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Stand Up Paddle Boarding is an incredible way to surround yourself, or your entire family, with the splendor of the scenic Colorado River gorge.

Suggested Activities

Half-Day
A morning or afternoon rafting trip on the Fisher Towers section of the Colorado River. This mild rafting trip is suitable for everyone from children (40 lbs) to senior citizens willing to get their feet wet. If you don’t want to get wet, consider a morning or afternoon calm water jetboat tour on the Colorado River. These relaxing trips are perfect for photographers and families with toddlers and senior citizens. A half day paddle boarding trip is great fun for the entire family.
Full Day
A mild full day rafting trip on the Fisher Towers section of the Colorado River is suitable for everyone from children (40 lbs) to senior citizens willing to get their feet wet. For a wilder adventure consider a whitewater trip in Cataract or Westwater Canyons. Those with river navigation skills can rent their own canoe, raft or kayak and do a self guided trip.
Several Days
Camp on the river bank on the Fisher Towers section of the Colorado, or in Westwater or Cataract Canyons. Camp more nights to experience a non-motorized Cataract Canyon river trip, a canoe trip on the Green River, or consider rafting with Moab’s Outfitters on the nearby San Juan River or in Desolation and Gray Canyons on the Green River.

Scenic Drives

Utah’s Colorado Riverway is a scenic wonderland of colorful cliffs, river-carved canyons, lush bottom lands, and massive sandstone spires. Highways 128 and 279 parallel the river for many miles, and are both Utah Scenic Byways. Check out our Scenic Byways Page for turn-by-turn directions to both of these byways.

View of Fisher Towers from Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (U-128)

Canoeing the Colorado along Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway (U-279)

Picnic Facilities

Picnic facilities are available along Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (U-128) at Lion’s Park and Hittle Bottom Boat Ramp (shade shelter next to boat ramp). No permits or fees are required for day use at these sites.

Simple Pleasures

A mother and daughter rafting adventure makes for the experience of a lifetime in Moab!

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