Colorado River Ranch & Raft
Tuesdays, April - October
Designated Family Dates: June 15, July 6 and August 3
$2297 adult / $2197 youth*
Single Supplement: $243
Deposit $250
Additional Costs:
Prices include an optional $115 per person transportation package for a flight from the take-out back to Moab. This charge can be deleted if you prefer another option.
*based on double occupancy
River Rating  | Minimum Age |
|---|---|
| Class III - V | 7 Yrs (16 during high water) |
- Legend
- Directions
Enter your starting city
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Utah Guest Ranch and Rafting on the Colorado River - Overview
Combining one of the West’s most glorious guest ranches, Red Cliffs Lodge, and rafting Cataract Canyon, a legendary stretch of the Colorado River, this 6-day Ranch & Raft vacation from O.A.R.S. is the ultimate blend of excitement, fun and relaxation.
Spend the first half of the week rafting the rapids of Cataract Canyon, home of Utah’s best whitewater rafting destination with dizzying red rock cliffs and never-ending canyon exploration. The rafting on our Utah adventure vacation concludes with a scenic flight from the take-out back to the comfort of the Red Cliffs Lodge on the banks of the Colorado River. From the luxury of this comfortable Utah guest ranch, spend the next two days hiking, horseback riding or simply kicking back. The guest ranch features Utah’s oldest winery, state-of the-art pool and exercise facilities and easy access to the skyscraping rock wonders of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
Utah Ranch and Raft - Itinerary at a Glance
- Scenic drive from adventure gateway, Moab, Utah to our put-in at Potash
- The first 50 miles of your Cataract Canyon rafting trip, which is motorized, will acquaint your senses with a land of looming sandstone and peaceful rugged beauty first explored by John Wesley Powell in 1869
- Lathrop Ruin and ancient pictographs of solstice calendar
- Float past Pyramid Butte, the mighty Goose Neck, and Dead Horse Point (immortalized in the movie Thelma and Louise)
- Meet the confluence of the Green River where Cataract Canyon begins, hinting at the whitewater to come
- Major rapids begin at Spanish Bottom where it is possible to see a fading 1893 inscription from the steamer, Major Powell
- Challenge Brown Betty, Mile Long, Capsize and the legendary Big Drop Rapids
- Enter Lake Powell at Hite and enjoy scenic flight back to Moab and check into Red Cliffs Lodge on the banks of the Colorado
- Travel to Arches and Canyonlands national parks for a backcountry hiking tour through miles of terrain unseen by most visitors. Observe the area’s more famous landmarks, such as Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock
- Explore the area in true western style with a guided horseback ride to Castle Rock Canyon, between towering 2000-foot cliffs
Note: Trip prices include an optional $115/person transportation package for a flight from the take-out back to Moab that you may delete if you prefer another option. Please contact our office for details.
OARS Canyonlands, Inc. is an authorized concessioner of Canyonlands National Park.
- Testimonials
- Reviews
- Write a Review
“The guides, Lars and Morgan, did a great job. The food was much better than expected and their knowledge of the river and surrounding areas was impressive. Plus, their personalities were a perfect match for my two teenage sons. The scenery was magnificent, both from the perspective of the river and the flight back to Moab at the end.”
Leland Graul ~ Barrington, IL
- Weather
- Packing List
- Trip Planner
- Recommended Reads
| Average Temperatures | ||
| Month | High | Low |
| September | 87° | 42° |
| Water Temperatures | ||
| Seasonal Average: 67° | ||
Current Conditions
What to bring on the Colorado River Ranch & Raft trip
This is a sample list. Please refer to your trip planner for a detailed list for your particular trip. If you do not already own any of the items on the suggested packing list feel free to call our office for suggestions. However, many of the items listed are available for purchase online in the OARStore. Please be mindful of the natural environment when purchasing items for your trip. Whenever possible, consider recyclable containers, rechargeable batteries, natural (non-toxic) sunscreens, lotions, biodegradable soaps, and so on.
Equipment:
- Duffel bag
- Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, ground cloth, sheet and small pillow – (early and late season trips require a synthetic-fill bag rated to 20 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Backpack/Daypack for day hikes. It should be large enough to carry water, lunch and camera, as well as a warm layer of clothing for spring & fall trips (750 – 2000 cu. in)
- Water bottles: 2 heavy-duty and minimum 1-liter capacity each with a carabiner to attach it to the boat. For day hikes, hydration systems like a CamelBak® are great, but you will still want 1 water bottle while in the boat
- Headlamp or flashlight, extra batteries and bulb
- Camera w/extra media cards and batteries
Personal Items:
- Sunglasses (preferably polarized) with securing strap and a spare
- Towel: small, quick-drying and washcloth
- Toiletries including biodegradable soap and shampoo with moisturizer (Nature's Gate is recommended by our guides)
- Sunscreen: waterproof & SPF 30 or higher
- Lip protection: SPF 30 or higher
- Moisturizing lotion or cream: 1 bottle (Skin tends to get REALLY DRY – this is a VERY important item!)
- Insect repellent (with deet)*
- Spare pair of glasses and/or contacts (Blowing sand can cause problems for contact wearers)
- Cash for gratuities and goodies
*During certain months, mosquitoes can be a bothersome problem. Please make sure you bring an adequate supply of insect repellent.
Clothing:
- Long-sleeved shirt: 2-3 lightweight and light color for sun protection (UPF rated shirts are great)
- Long pants: lightweight and light color for sun protection (No jeans while on the river)
- Shade hat or visor with securing strap and a spare
- Bandana
- Rain jacket & pants: waterproof (not water resistant) to protect you from the wind and splash from rapids, as well as rain. A hooded jacket is recommended as well as good secure closures around your head, neck, wrists and ankles to prevent water from seeping in
- Swimsuits: 2 (two piece suits recommended for women). Tankinis are a great option
- Underwear: quick-drying
- Shorts: 2 pair lightweight, and quick-drying
- Hiking shorts: 2 pair (some people prefer different shorts for the river and hiking)
- T-shirts or lightweight quick-drying tops: 3-4
- River sandals: 1 pair to wear in the boat and for short wet hikes (such as Teva)
- Athletic shoes or lightweight hiking boots: 1 pair, comfortable and with good tread
- Hiking socks: 3-4 pair mid-weight
- Synthetic long underwear top & bottom: 1 set light to mid-weight
- Fleece top & bottom: 1 set light to mid-weight
Additional Essentials for spring & fall:
- Extra pair of dry shoes for camp
- Wetsuit booties and/or neoprene socks
- Additional fleece top & bottom
- Warm hat and gloves: synthetic or wool
- Fleece vest
Optional Items:
- Solar shower: small “solo” showers heat up faster and are easier to use
- Bathing towels/wipes: pre-moistened disposable wipes such as Coleman Swash Cloths
- Binoculars: small
- Whisk broom: small (no long handle). To sweep wet sand off of tent and ground cloth
- Paddling gloves
- Splash jacket and pants
- Lightweight cord and clothespins for drying clothes in camp
- Notebook and pen
- Sketchbook, paperback book
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Download our travel planner here:
Ranch-Raft_Trip_Planner.pdf
Trip planner is in PDF format and requires Acrobat Reader.
