Moab White Water River Rafting
Moab is located in the southeast corner of Utah and is nestled deep in a valley near the Colorado River. Surrounded by red rock cliffs and rugged desert terrain, Moab is considered to be Utah’s base for all types of outdoor adventures. It borders Arches National Park and is close to both Canyonlands National Park and the Manti-La Sal National Forest. With all of nature waiting for you in Moab, it is impossible not to enjoy the great outdoors. One of Moab’s most popular attractions is white water river rafting. Offering trips down the Green, Dolores, and Colorado rivers, Moab is one of the United States’ most popular white water river rafting destinations.
The Green River is the chief tributary of the Colorado River and flows for 730 miles through Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. The majority of its route is through the Colorado Plateau, and the Green River passes through some of the most spectacular canyons in the United States. Most river rafting trips down the Green River go through the stunning Desolation Canyon. These multi-day trips typically last 4 or 5 days and feature more than 60 exciting and fast-paced Class III rapids. Along the river rafters will see large, sandy beaches, awe-inspiring canyons, and amazing hiking trails. The Green River is great for families with children as young as 8 years old.
The Dolores River is also a tributary of the Colorado River and runs approximately 250 miles through Colorado and Utah. Often overlooked due to its proximity to the Colorado River, the Dolores River offers a uniquely remote experience for rafters. Only 53 miles from Moab lies the Gateway section of the Dolores River which offers exhilarating Class III and IV rapids and even Class V rapids in high run-off years. This river is perfect for 2 or 3 day trips with campsites that are only accessible by boat. You will find yourself in complete harmony with nature as you raft during the day with breaks to hike through some of the amazing canyons you will travel through.
The Colorado River is one of the United States’ most popular rafting rivers, and the section near Moab includes some of the rivers most challenging rapids. One day trips are available through Westwater Canyon. You will travel through 17 miles of 3.5 of them being exciting Class III and IV rapids. The path through the canyon is narrow and the scenery is intensely beautiful. Children under the age of 10 are not permitted through Westwater Canyon. Adventurers looking for a multi-day trip down the Colorado River will want to check out the Cataract Canyon. During the end of May and the beginning of June when snow run-off puts the Colorado River at its highest levels, this section boasts some of the biggest white water in the world. Most trips begin on the Green River, see the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers, and then continue down the Colorado. The trip stretches for 100 miles of white water with a seemingly endless supply of Class III and Class IV rapids. A big spring run-off may result in one or two Class V rapids as well. Multi-day trips lasting 3 or 6 days are available.