As a long time river guide, my career has been filled with many opportunities to explore some of our country’s most unusual, breath taking and challenging outdoor spaces. Combatting COVID fatigue and looking forward, guests commonly ask, ‘Where’s the next place we should go?’ One of my favorite recommendations is Moab, Utah, which I discovered years ago and still continues to be the backdrop of many preferred adventures.
Guests commonly ask, ‘Where’s the next place we should go?’
Here, in this article we talk about the top spots for river rafting for whitewater rafting seekers! Read on!
Overview
1. Moab, Utah
I still remember that first hiking trip my dad and I planned, some twenty years ago, when we picked Moab not really knowing how large and beautifully diverse this region is. We had two National Parks to choose from on the same trip, Canyonlands National Park & Arches National Park. We both quickly fell in love with the awe inspiring vistas, topography and desert sub-culture you commonly see in Moab. Moab, UT is centrally located between some of the most iconic National Parks, National Monuments and public lands in the USA.
The famous ‘Mighty 5’ cradle this desert hot spot which comfortably attracts millions of outdoor enthusiasts a year. Everything from hiking, backpacking, rafting, jet boats, horseback riding and the famous rock crawling Jeep Tours—a little something for everyone! As remote as it is, Moab has become easier to get to. Summer months bring direct flights to Moab Airport on major carriers from Denver, CO. With that, a scenic four hour drive from Salt Lake City, and a manageable ten hour drive from Los Angeles, Moab is an easy must see!
2. Hidden Gem of the Colorado Plateau
One of the hidden gems in the Colorado Plateau is the Colorado River which cuts through two world-class National Parks and the desert oasis town of Moab. Our river trip begins in Moab, rafts through Cataract Canyon and finishes with a scenic flight back to Moab. Author Edward Abbey affectionately described Cataract Canyon as “the most weird, wonderful, magical place on earth.”
MT Sobek runs a variety of rafting trips on the Colorado River, which affords guests the intimate opportunity to explore the desert from the river’s edge. Remote access to some of the most iconic backcountry hikes—such as The Dolls House in the Maze District of Canyonlands—leaves one feeling like the only visitor. Watching the sun rise in the river corridor with a warm cup of coffee and sand in your toes is far more inviting than the crowds at Dead Horse Point or Canyonland’s Island in the Sky. This stretch of canyon is covered in human history, native rock art and is a geologist’s haven for rock lovers. It’s an outdoor enthusiast’s classic adventure.
3. Canyonlands National Park
One of the most breathtaking parts of rafting through Cataract Canyon is the night sky. In 2015, The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) granted Canyonlands National Park a Gold-Tier International Dark Sky Park status. This is an honor reserved for the darkest of dark skies with extraordinary starscapes. You are bound to get no sleep on this trip gazing at the night sky! Millions of visitors flock to this part of the country for the National Park Dark Sky Programs, yet never get to sleep under this memorable blanket of stars.
Want to adventure with MT Sobek?
MT Sobek’s 5 day rafting trip will give you plenty of time to experience the hikes, night sky, rock art, desert botany and its famous whitewater. This is a great intro to a classic desert whitewater trip. All meals, snacks, river gear and camp gear provided. For action packed whitewater, come join us in May & June. If you’re looking for river action and time on trails, the 7-day Cataract Canyon multi-adventure trip balances the splashy thrills of the rapids with plenty of scenic hikes covering territory only reached from the river. Visit during the fall on September 12 or September 26, or get a summer trip for faster rapids.
Please reach out with more questions—we are always happy to assist!
Our team of experts at MT Sobek are looking forward to welcoming you to your next rafting adventure. With expert guides, top-notch equipment, and unparalled river rafting trips, we offer the best of what’s next in whitewater rafting. Book your adventure today and conquer the rapids of Cataract Canyon!
Ask an Expert
We want you to have the best adventure, so don’t hesitate to call our expert team of adventure specialists at 800-974-0300 to learn more. Or click the button to use our online contact form.
Mara Drazina
Director of Program Management for Rivers
MaraDrazina@mtsobek.com ⋅ 510 484-1228
Growing up in the Bay Area fostered a love for the outdoors. With 30 years as a commercial whitewater rafting guide, my adventures have taken me to rivers all throughout the West. Our protected wilderness areas make travel within the US some of the most interesting and life changing trips. My favorite part of Guiding is the opportunity to help facilitate a guest’s experience which ultimately causes them to fall in love with the river and its canyons. Whether its 6 days on the Middle Fork or 16 days in the Grand Canyon, getting to share that experience is a special way to connect and encourage people to become stewards of our parks. I look forward to bringing my years of experience in the backcountry to the front country with our many adventures in the wild.
Feature image by Laura Hughes. Unless otherwise noted, all other photos are by Mara Drazina.