Utah Cataract Canyon River Rafting Adventure Tour |MT Sobek

Action-Packed Adventure from Moab to Canyonlands

Enjoy action-packed river adventure in under a week! Carving a chasm through Canyonlands National Park, the red-rock wonder of Cataract Canyon begins at the confluence of the mighty Green and Colorado Rivers. Experience Colorado River's splashy thrills on this classic four-day rafting adventure. Journey over 94 miles in the depths of Cataract Canyon through Canyonlands National Park, tackling "the Big Drops" like Satan's Gut and Little Niagara Falls-famed as some of the world's best rapids. Enjoy exhilarating days of stand-up paddle boarding and camping beneath desert skies. Kick off this trip in Moab, Utah's adventure hub, and it with a scenic flight from Lake Powell back over Cataract Canyon, the gateway to the Grand Canyon. See below for a sample itinerary of your day-to-day activities.

Note - Actual itinerary routes vary from departure to departure depending on environmental conditions and group abilities. Please call for more details about each departure.

Float through the scenic red-rock wonderland of Utah's Canyonlands National Park in four days

Raft legendary "Big Drops" on this legendary river adventure that begins in Moab

Try stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and go for a swim where the Green and Colorado Rivers meet

Why take this trip with us?

Reason #01

MT Sobek's been rafting the world's greatest rivers since 1973 and is a trusted river operator with special permits to run the Colorado River.

Reason #02

Our Cataract Canyon operation is based in Moab and our river adventure is led by expert river guides.

Reason #03

We offer a selection of ways to enjoy the Cataract Canyon, including an option to charter!

Meet your guides

Pauly Borichevsky

Pauly has been guiding on rivers across the country for over 18 seasons, he has run over 40,000 miles on the Rivers of Alaska, Arizona, Utah, West Virginia, Idaho, Colorado, and Canada. He is an avid outdoorsman who loves snowboarding, hiking, and biking - almost as much as he loves playing music, as guests can expect him to play his guitar on every trip. When he is not on the river, you can find him at his home in Moab enjoying his friends, listening to and making music, paddle boarding, hiking, mountain biking, talking about Philly sports and enjoying all opportunities to be outside.

Tim Bluhm

Tim Bluhm began his professional musical journey in 1989. He co-founded what would become the now-iconic Mother Hips, a group the San Francisco Chronicle has hailed as "one of the Bay Area's most beloved live outfits" and Rolling Stone called "divinely inspired. Over the ensuing two-and-a-half decades, Bluhm would release ten studio albums with the band as they cemented their status as architects of a new breed of "California soul", sharing bills with everyone from Johnny Cash and Wilco to Lucinda Williams. In 2002, Tim started working as the lead guide for the MT Sobek John Muir Trail program for several seasons. He now hosts backcountry songwriting workshops, sharing his love of song craft and the outdoors with both aspiring and experienced songwriters from across the country.

Activities

Rafting flatwater to IV rapids (depending on season), scenic hikes, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming, and fun games and feasts at camp.

Lodging

Four nights of riverside camps, with tents or sleeping under the stars.

Climate

Dry desert environment with spring/fall temps from 65°-85°F and 55°F at night. Summer temps from 85°-100°F and 65°F at night.

FAQ

What kind of boats and water crafts are with us on the river?

The boats and water craft used will depend on water levels and safety considerations. In high water, we will have a larger motorized raft accompany our standard oar boats. In medium to lower water, we use an oar raft and paddleboats. In low water, we bring inflatable kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for calm sections.

Are there mosquitos on the Colorado River?

The dry desert environment is not good for mosquitos. However, when the water levels drop, there are a moderate amount of mosquitos, so don't forget your repellent just in case.

Is there any special gear that is required for this trip?

Very little. Sun protection, bathing suit and comfortable river shoes are most of what you need, as we provide most of the specialty gear needed (2 dry bags for packing, a well-sized life jacket, and a paddle).

What are the sleeping accommodations like?

Under the desert starry skies, you'll get lost gazing as the roaring river lulls you to sleep. We provide a tent, sleeping bag and thick Paco pad.

How challenging are the rapids on this trip?

The peak runoff when the water levels are at their highest usually happens in June. Water levels reach their lowest during the beginning of May, August and September.

Can you accommodate specific dietary requests?

We are happy to adjust our menus and accommodate any needs that you may have. We freshly prepare everything alongside the river, so we will give guides all dietary requests in advance.

Testimonials

"A prominent reason we have chosen MT Sobek as our favorite adventure travel company has been the excellent travel guides."

Carol & Burt D.
MT Sobek Guests

"The Cataract Canyon rafting trip is an exciting experience for both young and old. We saw amazing natural sandstone structures, were thrilled by challenging white water, learned about ancient petroglyphs, had fun cooling off by floating in the river, and slept under the sparkling canopy of the Milky Way. It was a perfect summer adventure!"

Margaret C.
MT Sobek Guest, Cataract Canyon 5-Day Rafting Adventure