Awstruck Under Canyonlands' Starry Skies

Rated 4.9 out of 5 based on 2346 customer reviews

Todd M. - BC, Canada | June 6, 2025

My wife and I just completed our second adventure with Western River Expeditions. The first, a 6-night Grand Canyon expedition, which I took 3 years ago, was epic - the experience of a lifetime. We resolved before that trip was complete that we would do the classic 4-day Cataract Canyon adventure, and that mission now accomplished, we are contemplating more excursions with Western River. Both experiences were absolutely first-rate, with plenty of thrills, laughs, fun, great food, and stunning scenery. The guides were all young, energetic, enthusiastic, helpful, and top notch, every bit as accomplished as the more veteran crew of guides on our Grand Canyon adventure.

Besides the "typical" wish list for a rafting trip adventure, I had an additional agenda item on my plate. As an enthusiastic hobbyist photographer, I deliberately planned our Cataract Canyon trip around a new moon so I could appreciate and photograph the pristine, dark night skies of Canyonlands. I contacted Western River in advance to get an idea of possible campsite locations, and Marcie obliged with a detailed list. I then researched, for each location, optimal times for Milky Way photography, ands arranged with Western River to finagle a few extra pounds in my bag for my camera gear. On two of the three nights, I set my alarm for 1 or 2 am to get up and start shooting. The result was two of the best night sky photos I have managed to capture, my favourite being of the Cove campsite. I so enjoyed just staring up, for hours on end, at the wondrous night skies, a pleasure denied so many in our modern, light-polluted world. Yes, the daytime scenery in Utah and Arizona canyon country is beyond compare, but do not miss the opportunity to soak in the awesome beauty of the dark and pristine night skies. Taking in Canyonlands' scenery by day helps give perspective on one's place in our world, but the night skies give perspective on our place in the universe. Don't forget to seek them out, and savour them!