Desolation Canyon Rafting Trip

Desolation Canyon is an excellent choice for families with children as young as 5, first-time rafters, and multi-generational groups. For five days, you'll leave behind busy schedules and everyday distractions to share an adventure on the Green River, with exciting but approachable whitewater, sandy beach camps, and time to explore together. It's an opportunity for children, parents, and grandparents to experience the wilderness side by side, with experienced guides leading the trip and helping everyone settle into river life.

Yes. With a minimum age of 5, Desolation Canyon is one of Western River's best options for introducing children to multi-day rafting. Younger guests can enjoy the river from a guide-rowed raft, while eligible guests may have opportunities to paddle inflatable kayaks. Between rapids, there's time for swimming when conditions allow, exploring the canyon, and playing at sandy beach camps.

For many families, the opportunity to share these experiences across generations is what makes Desolation Canyon particularly special. Parents and grandparents can join the adventure alongside the children rather than spending the vacation coordinating separate activities

Desolation Canyon is one of Western River's more approachable multi-day rafting trips, with primarily Class II–III rapids and a minimum age of 5. You don't need previous rafting experience, but you should be comfortable getting in and out of rafts, walking on sandy and uneven terrain, and following guide instructions. Hikes are optional and vary in difficulty.

The trip offers opportunities for different generations and experience levels to enjoy the same adventure together. Guests must weigh at least 50 pounds for proper life jacket fit. If anyone in your group has mobility limitations or questions about physical requirements, please contact us before booking.

Desolation Canyon features more than 60 riffles and rapids, primarily Class II–III. You'll experience an enjoyable mix of whitewater and calmer stretches, with rapids such as Joe Hutch, Wire Fence, Three Fords, and Coal Creek along the way.

The rapids provide genuine excitement without the intensity of the biggest Grand Canyon whitewater. For many families, running the rapids together becomes a favorite part of the adventure and something to talk about around camp that evening. Water levels affect how the rapids feel, and your guides explain what to expect along the way.

Yes. Inflatable kayaks give guests who want a more active experience the opportunity to paddle portions of the Green River under the direction of their guides. Paddling your own boat through moving water can add a wonderful sense of participation and accomplishment to the trip.

For families with different interests and comfort levels, this flexibility is especially appealing. Some guests may enjoy paddling while others prefer relaxing aboard a guide-rowed oar boat. Kayak participation depends on river conditions, guest abilities, and guide decisions.

Mornings begin with breakfast beside the river before packing up camp and continuing downstream. Your day might include running rapids, paddling an inflatable kayak, swimming when conditions allow, or exploring ancient petroglyphs and side canyons. Lunch is served along the river, and each afternoon you'll settle into another sandy beach campsite for dinner and an evening beneath the stars.

There's plenty to experience, but remarkably little for you to organize. With guides handling the river travel and meals, you can spend more time enjoying the adventure and the people you came with. Daily stops and activities vary with river and weather conditions.

You'll spend four nights camping on sandy beaches beside the Green River, with cots, sleeping bags, tents, and camp chairs provided. Your guides prepare the meals and help you settle into camp life.

Evenings offer time to enjoy dinner together, talk about the day's adventures, and watch the stars appear above the canyon. With little distraction from phones and daily routines, these quieter hours give families a chance to simply enjoy being together.

Desolation Canyon is a wilderness camping trip, so there are no flush toilets or permanent bathrooms along the river. Your guides set up a portable toilet system at camp in a designated location away from the main camping area, providing privacy. They'll explain how everything works at the beginning of the trip, so even first-time campers know what to expect. 

During the day, the portable toilet is not set up, but your guides make stops along the river for bathroom breaks. For urination (#1), guests use the river's edge or wade into a calm area of the water, following their guides' instructions. If you need to go #2 during the day, your guides will provide supplies and direct you to a private location where waste can be collected and properly disposed of.

Your guides will explain the procedures at the beginning of the trip, so everyone knows what to expect.

You should plan to be without cell service or internet access during your five days in Desolation Canyon. 

For many guests, this becomes one of the most appreciated parts of the experience. Without the usual messages, screens, and interruptions, there's more time for conversations, exploring together, and enjoying the river.

Before departure, make arrangements for anyone who may need to reach you while you're away. Western River can explain the emergency communication procedures and what your family should know before you leave.

Desolation Canyon is particularly well suited to families with younger children and guests who want a more approachable introduction to multi-day rafting. The trip features primarily Class II–III rapids, guide-rowed oar boats, inflatable kayak options, and a minimum age of 5.

Western River's 6-Day and 7-Day Grand Canyon trips travel 188 miles of the Colorado River aboard motorized J-Rigs, with larger whitewater and a minimum age of 12. Both offer remarkable canyon scenery and nights camping beside the river, but the experiences are quite different. Desolation Canyon is an especially appealing choice when you want to introduce younger generations to rafting and share the experience as a family.

Yes. Select Desolation Canyon departures can be reserved exclusively for your family, friends, or organization, with groups of up to 25 guests, subject to availability and current charter arrangements.

A private departure allows grandparents, parents, children, cousins, or friends to share five days of rafting, exploring, and camping together, with the entire trip reserved for your group. Contact our team to discuss available dates and private-trip arrangements.

Your Desolation Canyon trip begins and ends in Moab, Utah. Most guests drive or fly into a regional airport and rent a vehicle. Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) is approximately 1.5 hours away, Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is about a 4-hour drive, and Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY) is located near Moab with limited flight service.

Plan to arrive in Moab the day before departure. Once your trip begins, Western River arranges the transportation to the river and back, including the scenic flight into Desolation Canyon. See the Meeting in Moab section for complete travel details.

Desolation Canyon is a remote wilderness area with limited road access and no regular cell service. Western River guides are trained in first aid and emergency response procedures and follow established protocols for obtaining outside assistance when necessary.

Because of the canyon's remoteness, evacuation and medical assistance can take time. If you or someone in your group has a medical condition or other concern that could affect participation, please discuss it with our team before booking.

Meals on this trip are a genuine highlight. Guide-prepared breakfasts range from eggs to order and blueberry pancakes to fresh fruit and orange juice. Riverside buffet lunches are spread on beach tables. Multi-course dinners - think New York strip, chicken fajitas, and Dutch oven desserts - are served each evening in camp. Vegetarian options are available, and the team can accommodate common dietary restrictions, including gluten-free. If you have specific dietary needs or allergies, let Western know at booking so the guides can plan accordingly.

Your trip meets at SpringHill Suites by Marriott on North Highway 191 in Moab, Utah. On departure morning, boarding begins at 6:15 AM, and the bus departs at 6:30 AM. Plan to arrive in Moab the day before your trip.

Special room rates may be available for Western River guests, and complimentary parking is provided for trip participants under the current hotel arrangement. See the Meeting in Moab section above for complete details.

Absolutely. Solo travelers are welcome on Desolation Canyon rafting trips. You'll join a group of up to 25 guests, sharing river days, hikes, meals, and evenings around camp.

The daily rhythm of river life makes it easy to get to know fellow travelers. You might find yourself paddling alongside new friends, sharing stories over dinner, or simply enjoying a quiet moment beside the river. It's a wonderful way to experience a remote wilderness without having to organize the expedition yourself.

The season runs May through August. May and June bring higher water levels and more energetic rapids. July and August offer the warmest Green River water and longest days, ideal for swimming, long camp evenings, and dark sky stargazing.  All departures deliver the full experience; the best date is usually the one that fits your schedule and preferred weather.

Yes, it's one of the  highlights of a Desolation Canyon trip. The Green River runs comfortably warm through summer, most guests swim daily, whether from a sandy beach, a calm stretch mid-river, or right off the raft. There's no requirement or pressure, but children especially tend to spend as much time in the water as on the boats. Bring a swimsuit you'll actually use.