Cataract Canyon: The Best Alternative to a Grand Canyon Rafting Vacation

Think there's nothing quite like Grand Canyon? Think again.

Utah's Cataract Canyon, deep within Canyonlands National Park is near enough in scale, appearance and proximity to the Grand Canyon that it works the same kind of magic you can find in the Grand herself. That's right, Cataract Canyon, just one canyon upstream on the Colorado River in the Canyonlands of Utah is hands down the best alternative to a Grand Canyon rafting vacation.

Trade in the days you'd spend on the river in the Grand Canyon for a few days of adventure activities like rappelling, canyoneering, biking, hiking, and 4x4ing the twisted landscape surrounding Moab, Utah - the undisputed adventure capital of the West. It's a worthy trade, it's just an entirely different kind of vacation experience - added onto 4 days in Cataract Canyon.

Ready to explore Cataract Canyon and learn more about Moab, Utah?

Learn More Now

Comparing Grand Canyon to Utah's Canyon Country

Get a visual demonstration of the similarities (and the beneficial differences) between a Grand Canyon rafting expedition and the two biggest canyons in Utah comparable in size, scale and scenery.

Rapids on the Colorado »

In the Grand Canyon you may have heard of the notorious Lava Falls, or Crystal Rapid... Cataract Canyon's rapids are equal in scale, volume and intensity at normal water flows - they only get bigger with more water volume - and there aren't any dams upstream of Cataract Canyon on the Colorado River, so it's true that North America's largest whitewater rapids are found in Cataract Canyon! Ever heard of "The Big Drops"? Cataract Canyon is always an epic whitewater adventure whether on a J-Rig, Oar-Rig, or Paddle Raft.

Canyon Sisters »

Think of Cataract Canyon and the Grand Canyon as sisters, nearly identical in looks. Cataract Canyon is the younger of the two, made of an entirely different (younger) epoch of red rock sandstones. As sisters, the two canyons have distinct personalities, but share many common traits.

Moab, Utah - Truly Unique »

Moab, Utah is not Las Vegas! There can be quite a jolt after finishing a Grand Canyon rafting trip and arriving back in Las Vegas. In Moab a stroll down Main Street is charming, not alarming!

Top-end hotels, home-grown restaurants and an astounding assortment of day-trip adventures can extend your adventure vacation for days! Did we mention that Arches National Park is just 5 minutes away?

Call us at 866-904-1163 to get help planning your things to do in Moab.

Things to Do in Moab

‹›×