Colorado River Rafting through Cataract Canyon 6 Days

Share This Page   Print This Page
6 Days
Cataract Canyon rafting trips feature rafting the Colorado River through the heart of Canyonlands National Park, hiking to Native American ruins, striking red-rock wonderlands and springtime waterfalls.
Departure Dates

Sundays, April - October

Specialty Trip Dates: Photography Trip: April 25, Tamarisk Coalition Benefit Trip: May 16, Dory Trip: June 13 & 20, Solo Travelers Trip: May 9 & August 22, Astronomy Trip: August 8, Colorado and Green Rivers Hiker Special Trip: September 25 (14 Days)

$1564 adult / $1465 youth

Astronomy Trip: $1564 (see below for details)
Photography Trip:
$1814 (see below for details)
Special Dory Departure:
$2135
Hiker Special:
$3437 (14 Days)

Deposit: $250

Additional Costs:
Prices include an optional $115/person transportation package for a flight from the take-out back to Moab. This charge can be deleted if you prefer another option.

Sleep Kit/Tent $40/included


River Rating Minimum Age
Class III - IV7 Yrs (16 during high water)
You may also be interested in...

Astronomy Trips

Join us for a star-crazed exploration of the desert night sky.

  • 6-Day Astronomy Trip: August 8

Call 800-346-6277 for more information

Photography Trips

Join one of our professional photographers for a photographic exploration of Cataract Canyon

  • 6-Day Photography Trip: April 25

View more information on Photography trips >>

utah.oc

Loading...
  • Legend
  • Directions

Enter your starting city


 
Mouseover icons on map for description. Click on GREEN icons for photos, video and more. Click and drag map to navigate or use navigation tools in upper left of map window.
Destination River Meeting Parking Rapid Point of Interest Camp Put-in Take-out
Basic Content
Enhanced Content

Colorado River Rafting in Cataract Canyon

Rafting in Utah on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon has it all: breathtaking scenery, easy floating and wild, Class III whitewater. Add to that rollicking Utah hiking expeditions by foot in Utah’s dramatic canyon country among multi-million-year-old rock formations and you have a white water rafting adventure suitable for the whole gang. Explore Canyonlands National Park created in the wake of the John Wesley Powell expedition of 1869 and get a taste of the wild wet waters of the Colorado River from the deck of your O.A.R.S. paddle raft.

Have you no fear? Then crank your adventure up a notch with a trip down Cataract Canyon in late spring. Snowmelt from the Rockies yields big runoff and massive Class IV-V rapids and some of the country’s most exciting whitewater. Go for it!

Colorado River Rafting in Cataract Canyon - Itinerary at a Glance

  • Our Cataract Canyon rafting trip begins with a scenic drive from Moab to Potash
  • Enter Meander Canyon and watch for petroglyphs
  • Float leisurely into Canyonlands National Park
  • Spectacular side canyons, prehistoric ruins, seasonal waterfalls and incredible vistas
  • Lathrop Ruin and ancient pictographs of solstice calendar
  • Explore Indian Creek’s fascinating Native American ruins
  • 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
  • Enter the Maze District and hike 1,200 feet up to the Doll House where you can view the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park from a unique vantage point
  • Challenge Brown Betty, Mile Long, Capsize and the legendary Big Drop Rapids
  • Enter Lake Powell at Hite and enjoy scenic flight back to Moab

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.

O.A.R.S. Canyonlands, Inc. is an authorized concessioner of Canyonlands National Park.

  • Testimonials
  • Reviews
  • Write a Review

“Everything was so well planned out. The staff was first rate, fun, competent, knowledgeable, great oarspeople and guides and inspiring. The food was excellent.I don't see how you could [improve]. It was just about perfect. When my 16 year old daughter who loves cities and European vacations and just tolerates outdoor trips said it was the favorite trip she has ever taken I think that says it all.”
Alex Pearson ~ Merion Station, PA

“A group of strangers bonded on the river for six days….The time went by too fast. Please slow it down. This trip rates with the two that I took through the Grand Canyon on the dories when Martin Litton owned them. What more can I say.”
Philip Fradkin ~Point Reyes Station, CA

“The knowledge, expertise and professionalism of our guide made our trip perfect; it exceeded our highest hopes. The food was also exceptional. At times, it seemed as if he was practicing sorcery -- we could not believe the meals that appeared before us in the wilderness.”
Mary Sue Fisher ~ Maplewood, NJ

“The entire trip was wonderful and I feel a majority of the success of the trip was due to the guides that we had; they were great. Their knowledge and guidance were extraordinary. They made everyone feel secure and comfortable. They were both fun and entertaining while doing their job with the utmost service and guidance. I felt like I was on a trip with friends I had known for quite a while. I doubt I would have felt the same way about the trip if I had had different guides. I can not say enough about both of them, I think they should be nominated (and win) for raft guides of the year!!!!!
Marie Tarpey ~ Bronx, NY

“The river guides were friendly, fun, and entertaining. Group dynamics helped to make this trip enjoyable. The hikes were great. Meals were outstanding.”
Julie Valentino ~ Benicia, CA

“I enjoyed the group interactions, the scenery, weather and river. I hoped that the trip would enable me to relax and unwind and it certainly delivered. Most of all I appreciated the efforts that our three guides/ baggage lady put in to making the trip a great experience for everyone.”
Jacquetta Goy ~ London, England

“I enjoyed the whole experience; the guides were informative and pleasant. The weather and scenery were great. The hikes were a good break from motoring and a way to get in touch with nature. The food was good and well prepared!”
Drew Fruhwirth ~ San Diego, CA

“Everything was great! The awesome scenery. The delicious food. The knowledgeable, friendly, accommodating, caring, dedicated, skillful, fun-loving guides. They were beyond compare My fellow passengers. Author Philip Fradkin reading from John Wesley Powell's journals at night as the moon rose over the canyon walls. The blue sky. The echo of the thunder at night. All the stars. Learning, seeing, relaxing, gazing up at God's magnificent creation...it was all unforgettable. It was one of the best weeks of my life. Six days wasn't long enough! I wanted to keep going down the Colorado all the way to Mexico.”
Mary Jane Skala ~ Chagrin Falls, OH

“I thought the landscape was breathtaking, and very well described in your brochure. From the description, I had a sense of the pace, and the type of the scenery, and I thought you captured it very well. The guides were amazing- very competent at all of their jobs- from boatmen/women to naturalist guides to cooks to entertainment leaders. I felt both safe and comfortable, and their enthusiasm for the out of doors was contagious. I am not an outdoors type person as a rule, and I felt they were very patient with us all- laid back without being uninvolved. Kudos to all of them.”
Gwendolyn Parker ~ Norwalk, CT

Download Trip Preperation Checklist
O.A.R.S. StoreTevaSmith OpticsRoyal RobbinsPatagonia

Weather in the Moab area


Average Temperatures
Month High Low
April 73° 42°
May 84° 50°
June 95° 58°
July 100° 64°
August 98° 63°
September 90° 53°
Water Temperatures
Seasonal Average: 68°

Current Conditions

Download Trip Preperation Checklist
O.A.R.S. StoreTevaSmith OpticsRoyal RobbinsPatagonia

What to bring on the Colorado River Rafting through Cataract Canyon 6 Days 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

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Download Trip Preperation Checklist
O.A.R.S. StoreTevaSmith OpticsRoyal RobbinsPatagonia

Download our travel planner here:

Colorado_River_through_Cataract_Canyon_Trip Planner.pdf


Trip planner is in PDF format and requires Acrobat Reader.

General Moab Information