CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
Canyonlands Rafting Trips
★★★★★ 4.9 OUT OF 2841 REVIEWS
Raft 95 miles of the Colorado River from Moab through the heart of Canyonlands National Park, where quiet water and towering red-rock walls eventually give way to the famous whitewater of Cataract Canyon.
Western’s 2-day and 4-day trips cover the same remarkable stretch of river, with experienced guides handling the meals, gear and logistics along the way. Choose the faster 2-day adventure or give yourself four days to settle into river life, explore more along the way and sleep beneath the desert stars.
Raft through Canyonlands National Park, run the legendary Big Drops, and camp beside the Colorado River beneath the stars. Return to Moab on a scenic flight.
- Begins: Moab, Utah
- Best for: Whitewater
- Rapids: 30+ Class III-V
- Ages: 12+ (10+ Jul–Sep)
Raft 95 miles of the Colorado River in two days. Run the legendary Big Drops and sleep beside the river in Canyonlands National Park before a shuttle back to Moab.
- Begins: Moab, Utah
- Best for: Quick Thrills
- Rapids: 30+ Class III-V
- Ages: 12+
| FEATURE | EXPRESS 2-DAY | CLASSIC 4-DAY |
|---|---|---|
| MEETS & RETURNS | Moab Utah | Moab Utah |
| CANYONLANDS SECTION | 95 miles - Colorado River through Canyonlands NP | 95 miles - Colorado River through Canyonlands NP |
| WHITEWATER RAPIDS | 30+ Class III-V rapids including the Big Drop series | 30+ Class III-V rapids including the Big Drop series |
| RAFT TYPE | Motorized Snout-Rig (primary); jetboat-in + paddle/oar at lower water (water-level dependent) | Western J-Rig (high water) + Oar Boat and Paddle Boat (lower water) |
| GROUP SIZE PER RAFT | Up to 12 guests (Snout Rig) | 14-18 per J-Rig/ 4-8 per Oar/Paddle Boat |
| MINIMUM AGE | 12 years old | 10 years old (Jul-Sep) / 12 years old (May-June) |
| SCENIC FLIGHT OVER CANYONLANDS | Not Included (return is by ground transfer) | Included (flight back to Moab) |
| DESERT CAMPING | 1 night | 3 nights |
Canyonlands River Trip Reviews
"Four-day Cataract Canyon trip was amazing!"
★★★★★
Our recent four-day Cataract Canyon rafting trip had everything, Class IV-V rapids, peaceful floats, hikes, stargazing between canyon walls, morning coffee by the river and desert magic. The flight back to Moab over Canyonlands NP was a great way to cap off the trip.
Karen M. - TripAdvisor Review
"Epic adventure in Cataract Canyon!"
★★★★★
My wife and I just completed the 4-day/3-night Cataract Canyon adventure with Western River Expeditions. It went far beyond a 5-star experience. We did the 7-day Grand Canyon trip with Western River three years ago, which was the trip of a lifetime, and those expectations were met or exceeded in every respect.
John V. - TripAdvisor Review
"Cataract Express Trip Beat All Expectations"
★★★★★
I had high expectations across the board, from the beauty of seeing Canyonlands and Cataract Canyon from the water, the thrill of rapids up to class 5, great river guides (Nate and Meg), serene and pristine campsite, sleeping under the stars, great company...and it beat all expectations.
Laurens V. - Google Review
★★★★★
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Why Choose Western River for Canyonlands Rafting?
GUIDED THE WESTERN WAY: FOR YOU
Our guides know Cataract Canyon inside and out, but the “Western Way” goes beyond river skills. Friendly and attentive, they tune into each guest, while handling the rapids, meals, camp and countless details that make the experience extraordinary.
Worry-Free, SURPRISINGLY EASY
From the moment you board the bus at the SpringHill Suites in Moab, the details are handled. Transportation, meals, camping gear and river equipment are all included, and on the Classic 4-Day, a scenic flight over Canyonlands brings you back to Moab.
Built for Guests Who've Never Done This Before
You don't need to be a camper or an experienced rafter. Western's Cataract Canyon trips through Canyonlands are designed to make first-timers comfortable, from your first night under the stars to your first big rapid.
Is Canyonlands Rafting Right for You?
Rafting through Canyonlands National Park takes you down the Colorado River through a landscape of towering canyon walls, remote camps, calm stretches of river, and the whitewater of Cataract Canyon. Western River offers both a 2-Day Express and 4-Day Classic, with a few important differences in age requirements, pace, and time spent on the river. Here’s what to consider before choosing your trip.
Physical Requirements
No previous whitewater experience is required. Guests should be comfortable holding on through rapids and moving around camp on uneven terrain.
Guests may also volunteer for a brief "fireline" each day to help move gear between the boats and camp.
If you have questions about whether the trip is a good fit for a particular physical condition or limitation, contact us before booking.
Minimum Age
4-Day Classic: Minimum age is 12 and up on May and June trips and 10 and up July through September.
2-Day Express: Minimum age is 12 throughout the season.
Swimming Ability
Guests do not need previous rafting experience, but should be comfortable being on and around moving water.
All guests wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets while on the river and should be able to follow guide instructions and propel themselves through the water by moving their arms and legs.
Camping & Physical Comfort
Both Cataract Canyon trips include an overnight river-camping experience. Western River provides the primary camping equipment, including cots, sleeping bags, tents, and camp chairs. Portable restroom facilities are carried with the group and set up at camp.
Expect a real wilderness campsite along the river rather than a developed campground.
Canyonlands National Park: The Rivers District
Canyonlands National Park covers 337,598 acres of canyon country in southeastern Utah, sculpted by millions of years of wind, water, and the slow erosion of the Colorado Plateau. The park is divided into four distinct districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and The Rivers. Most visitors experience the first three from above: standing at mesa-top overlooks, looking down at canyons hundreds of feet below. The fourth district, The Rivers, is different. You don't stand above it. You travel through it.
The Rivers District encompasses the corridors of the Colorado and Green Rivers as they run through the heart of the park. These two rivers carved Canyonlands; every mesa, spire, and canyon wall in the park exists because of what the water did over millions of years. Where the Colorado and Green converge at The Confluence, the combined river enters its most dramatic stretch: Cataract Canyon. This 46-mile corridor of escalating Class III–V whitewater, towering canyon walls, and desert wilderness has no roads in and no roads out. It's the only part of Canyonlands National Park you can only reach by river.
Commercial rafting in Canyonlands requires a permit from the National Park Service. Western River Expeditions holds one of those permits and operates two varieties of guided Cataract Canyon trips through The Rivers district: the Classic 4-Day and the Express 2-Day. Each one puts you on the Colorado River inside the national park, in terrain that no hiking trail, overlook, or scenic drive can reach.
Quick Facts: Canyonlands National Park
- Established: September 12, 1964
- Size: 337,598 acres
- 4 Park Districts: Island in the Sky · The Needles · The Maze · The Rivers
- Rivers: Colorado River and Green River
- The Confluence: Where the Green and Colorado Rivers meet
- Rafting section: Cataract Canyon (The Rivers district)
- Permit required: Yes, NPS commercial guide permit required
- Closest town: Moab, Utah (15 miles from park boundary)
More Time on the Colorado River Than Almost Anyone
Cataract Canyon takes you deep into Canyonlands National Park, where experienced guides and well-run logistics make a real difference. Western River Expeditions has been leading river trips since 1961, and that experience shows in the details: thorough preparation before setting out on the river, thoughtfully managed camps, quality equipment, and meals prepared along the river. The result is a wilderness trip where the complicated parts are handled for you, leaving more room to experience the Colorado River, the canyon, and the people you came with.
Adventure with confidence
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cataract Canyon in Canyonlands National Park?
Yes. Cataract Canyon is on the Colorado River through Canyonlands National Park. The river travels through the park before reaching the whitewater section near the Confluence of the Colorado and Green rivers, approximately 60 miles southwest of Moab.
What is the difference between the 2-day and 4-day trips through Canyonlands?
The 4-Day Classic gives you more time immersed in Canyonlands, with multiple days on the Colorado River and a multi-night camping experience. The 2-Day Express offers a shorter, faster itinerary for travelers with less time. Both trips begin and end in Moab.
How difficult are the rapids in Cataract Canyon?
Cataract Canyon can produce Class III–V whitewater, depending on water conditions. The character and intensity of the rapids change with river flow, so the experience can vary considerably by season and departure.
Do you need a permit to raft Cataract Canyon?
If you are planning to raft Cataract Canyon on your own, you will need a permit. Cataract Canyon runs through Canyonlands National Park; and all commercial rafting operations hold permits issued by the National Park Service.
It's possible to get a private permit for Cataract Canyon, but the application process is competitive and the season fills quickly.
Booking with a licensed commercial outfitter like Western River Expeditions includes the required NPS permits, so no separate application is needed on your end.
When is the best time to raft Cataract Canyon?
Western runs Cataract Canyon trips from May through September. The experience varies significantly by season:
- May-June (high water): Cataract Canyon whitewater runs at its most powerful. Snowmelt swells the Colorado, increasing water volume. Minimum age is 12 for all trips during this part of the season. At higher water levels, Western may use its exclusive J-Rig raft.
- July–September (lower water): Rapids slow slightly and become more technical. Desert heat is at its peak, temps regularly hit 100°F in the canyon, and the river becomes your main cooling strategy. Minimum age drops to 10 for the Classic 4-Day. At this point in the season, Western is generally using paddleboats and oar boats.
Most first-timers and families choose July or August for the combination of manageable conditions and guaranteed warm weather.
Where do Canyonlands rafting trips begin and end?
Both Western River rafting trips through Canyonlands begin and end in Moab, Utah, making it easy to combine the river trip with a larger Moab vacation and even a visit to Arches National Park.
Can you raft Cataract Canyon in one day?
Western River's Cataract Canyon trips are offered as 2-Day and 4-Day experiences. The 2-Day Express is the shortest option and is designed for travelers who want to experience Cataract Canyon with less time available.
Still curious to learn more? Contact us.
Planning Your Canyonlands Rafting Trip
A little planning helps you choose the right departure and know what to expect on the river. Weather, water levels, and camping conditions all change through the rafting season.
Canyonlands Weather
Canyonlands is a high-desert environment, with warmer days as summer progresses and cooler conditions earlier in the season. May and June typically bring milder temperatures and higher river flows, while July through September bring hotter days and changing water levels.
Weather can change quickly in the desert, so come prepared for sun, heat, cooler evenings, and occasional storms. Nights at a riverside camp also bring one of the quieter parts of the trip: dark skies above the canyon and the sound of the river nearby.
Best Time to Raft Through Canyonlands
There isn't one best month for everyone. The Canyonlands rafting season runs from May through September, and water levels can change both the character of the rapids and the minimum age required for some departures.
Earlier-season trips generally offer higher water and a more powerful whitewater experience. As summer progresses, water levels typically drop, temperatures rise, and the rapids take on a different character. If you're traveling with younger children, check the minimum age for your specific departure before choosing a date.
Camping and Meals
The 4-Day Classic includes three nights of camping along the Colorado River, while the 2-Day Express includes one night. Cots, sleeping bags, tents, and camp chairs are provided, so you don't need to bring your own camping equipment.
Guides prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner along the river. If you have dietary needs, let Western River know in advance so the team can explain what can be accommodated.
Experience Canyonlands with your own private group
Reserve a private Cataract Canyon departure for your family, friends, reunion, or special occasion. Western handles the guides, meals, gear, and complex logistics so your group can focus on the experience. Groups up to 12 can charter a 2-Day Express trip, while groups up to 30 can make a 4-Day Cataract trip their own.
Still researching the best Canyonlands rafting trip?
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