Cataract Canyon Whitewater Rafting
Canyonlands National Park Thrills
4 or 6 Days
Class III—IV
Moab, UT
From $2,049
Journey down the Colorado River through the breathtaking red rock canyons of Canyonlands National Park, where expert guides bring the canyon’s history to life as you explore ancient Native American cultural sites and hike among multi-million-year-old rock layers. You’ll experience Cataract Canyon’s world-class rapids, including the infamous Big Drops, which deliver some of the most thrilling whitewater in North America.
Trip Highlights
- Explore a 100-mile stretch of the Colorado River and run Cataract Canyon rapids
- Hike remote trails and explore hidden side canyons in Canyonlands National Park
- Fly over the majestic river and maze-like park on a scenic return flight to Moab
O.A.R.S. Canyonlands, Inc. is an authorized concessioner of Canyonlands National Park
Operated by OARS
MT Sobek and OARS share bonds that stretch back to the earliest days of adventure travel—1969. We’ve always admired what they do on the water and we’re proud to showcase this expertly guided river journey through Cataract Canyon.
Why Travel with OARS
Brand: Founded in 1969 by river-running pioneer George Wendt and still led by his sons today, OARS brings over five decades of hands on river knowledge to every trip.
Trips: Colorado River floating, Canyonlands National Park hiking, and one of America’s legendary stretches of big-water whitewater—all in a single trip.
Guides: Cataract Canyon demands expert river judgment. OARS’ experienced guides skillfully navigate the Colorado River while sharing the geology, archaeology, and human stories of this spectacular desert landscape.
Trip Gallery
Route Map
Itinerary
Day 0: Meet Your Guides in Moab
Arrive in Moab and meet your guides and fellow travelers this evening for an orientation. Ask questions, get to know your group, and prepare to leave the roads behind and begin a 100-mile passage through some of Utah's most remote canyon country, from the quiet bends of Meander Canyon to the thundering rapids of Cataract Canyon.
Day 1: Explore Meander Canyon
Make the short drive from Moab to the Potash boat ramp, meet the crew, review safety procedures, and launch onto the Colorado River. Meander Canyon lives up to its name as the river winds peacefully beneath towering cliffs and broad desert benches. Motor assistance may be used during calm stretches, particularly with low flows or headwinds. At other times, drift with the current or try an inflatable kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Step ashore for a short walk to discover pieces of petrified wood dating back 250 million years. In the afternoon, pull onto a sandy beach beneath the cliffs. Set up camp, cool off in the river, and relax as the guides prepare dinner. Watch sunset turn the sandstone gold and red before darkness reveals a brilliant desert sky.
Note: On the four-day express version of this trip Days 1-2 are mostly motorized to shorten the itinerary.
Days 2: Float through Canyonlands National Park
Wake to coffee beside the Colorado as sunrise transforms the cliffs above camp. After breakfast, reload the boats and continue through the tranquil heart of Meander Canyon. Around each bend, another immense wall, side canyon, or sandstone formation comes into view. Enjoy the dramatic canyon scenery or take advantage of calmer water to paddle independently. Perhaps you’ll explore Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites or enjoy a hike in the desert. As stars fill the dark skies above Canyonlands, enjoy one more peaceful night before the Colorado gathers speed and the journey takes a much wilder turn.
Days 3–4: Run Cataract Canyon Rapids
Continue downstream to the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers. If conditions allow, tackle the challenging hike to the sandstone spires of the Doll House in the Maze District of Canyonlands. This hike is typically done only in spring and fall, during milder conditions.
The peaceful current of the previous days gives way to a succession of powerful rapids in Cataract Canyon. Brown Betty starts the action, followed by a wild ride over the Mile-Long series, and finally the enormous waves of the Big Drops. Then, run several newly-formed "returning rapids" that have only appeared recently due to the retreat of Lake Powell. Between rapids, catch your breath beneath towering cliffs and appreciate the immense forces that carved this landscape. Each evening, pull into camp with plenty to celebrate. Trade stories over appetizers, toast the day's adventure, and gather for a riverside dinner together as evening settles over the Colorado.
Day 5: Discover Glen Canyon
Continue downstream to Lower Cataract Canyon in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. This corridor once lay beneath the waters of Lake Powell, but declining reservoir levels have exposed beaches, side canyons, rapids, and ecosystems that had been submerged for decades. The landscape here is literally changing from year to year. Explore side canyons such as Bowdie, Clearwater, or Dark Canyon and see how flowing water, sediment, plants, and wildlife are reclaiming landscapes once covered by the reservoir. Set up your final river camp and celebrate your days of quiet floating, canyon hikes, enormous whitewater, and nights beneath the desert stars.
Day 6: Fly Over Canyonlands & Depart Moab
Break camp and return to the Colorado where towering cliffs rise as much as 2,000 feet above the river, and a few final rapids may provide one last burst of excitement before the current begins to mellow. You may encounter ever-evolving mud rapids, formed by Lake Powell erosion. Reach the take-out point at Hite where your final adventure begins. Transfer to the nearby airstrip and board a small aircraft for a spectacular flight back to Moab. From above, look down over the labyrinth of Canyonlands and trace portions of the Colorado River you've just traveled.
Dates & Pricing
September 8 – 12, 2026
5 Days / 4 Nights
$2,699
Jammin' in Cataract - Adults Only
September 21 – 26, 2027
6 Days / 5 Nights
$2,299
Standard Departure
October 5 – 8, 2026
4 Days / 3 Nights
$2,049
Standard Departure
October 9 – 14, 2026
6 Days / 5 Nights
$2,299
Stars & Guitars
OARS operates this trip and will respond to your inquiry directly. Their privacy policy applies on oars.com
Inclusions
Included
✓ Skilled professional guide service
✓ All meals from lunch on day 1 through lunch on the last day
✓ Expedition equipment, including highest-quality rafts, 2-person shared tent, personal flotation device (PFD), helmet, waterproof bags, camp chair, as well as eating utensils and plates
✓ All transportation from day 1 through the last day, including scenic flight back to Moab
Not Included
❌ Transportation to and from Moab
❌ Pre- and post-trip accommodations and meals
❌ Sleep kit: sleeping bag, pillow & a deluxe 3-inch thick air-filled sleeping pad (available for rent)
❌ Insurance of any kind, including a travel protection plan
❌ Alcoholic beverages
❌ Gratuities
Know Before You Book
Daily plans may vary depending on weather, river conditions, interests, and other circumstances. Flexibility is key for enjoying your time on the river.
What to Expect
Activities: Relaxed floating plus an intense day of Class III-IV whitewater with optional hiking, inflatable kayaking, and SUP opportunities.
Lodging: Camp on the shores of the Colorado River in two-person tents. Guests set up their tent while guides manage the kitchen and meals.
Climate: Average daytime highs range from the low 70s in April to around 100°F in July, while nights can be considerably cooler.
Guides: Passionate and knowledgeable, OARS river guides have earned the reputation of being some of the most experienced, professional, and customer-focused crews on the water, and the proof is the overwhelming number of positive reviews they receive after almost every single trip.
Trip Details
Boats & Watercraft
Expect to rotate between various craft on your OARS adventure. The fleet for each departure is selected with water levels, group size, and other factors based on OARS’ extensive expertise. On this trip you may get to experience an oar boat, paddle raft (requires 11 or more trip guests), inflatable kayak, SUP, dory and/or snout.
Weather in Cataract Canyon
| Day (°F) | Night (°F) | Water (°F) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 73 | 42 | 57 |
| May | 83 | 51 | 60 |
| June | 95 | 56 | 72 |
| July | 101 | 66 | 81 |
| August | 96 | 64 | 75 |
| September | 87 | 52 | 67 |
| October | 74 | 40 | 62 |
Water Conditions on the Colorado River
Flow through Cataract Canyon is controlled by mountain snowmelt rather than a single reservoir, meaning heavy snow in higher elevations can result in spring runoff that brings the water levels higher. These conditions are most often seen mid-May and mid-June, but of course fluctuate by year, happening at any time between early May and July. While thrilling, these peak flow conditions require a higher degree of fitness. Unsurprisingly, snowmelt is icy, and you’ll need rain gear and warm synthetic clothing to manage the cold. Later season departures are better bets for more moderate whitewater fun.
Class III-IV rapids are typical for this section of the Colorado River. However, during peak flows, Class V whitewater is possible, offering some of the biggest navigable whitewater in the US. These trips are best suited to experienced rafters, who will relish the challenge of Big Drops at their wildest. Those looking for the more typical Class III-IV will have fun running the same rapids as water levels drop, generally July through October.
Evolution of the river can be observed in lower Cataract Canyon, where Lake Powell’s fluctuating water levels have begun to reveal rapids hidden deep under water and sediment. Amid the stunning Cedar Mesa and Honaker Trail, the often-limited camps are situated on sediment that was once at the bottom of Lake Powell. This last stretch of river is constantly changing and will define how much motorized assistance is needed.
Camp & Meals
Each afternoon, camp is set after you pull ashore. You'll form a bucket brigade to unload the boats, then collect your dry bags and pitch your tent. Meanwhile your guides transform the beach into a comfortable riverside camp, complete with a kitchen, communal seating area, camp chairs, and a private portable toilet located away from the main camp.
A delicious dinner is prepared by your guides while you savor appetizers with your fellow travelers and share a drink, if you wish.
Wake up with a coffee and fresh fruit, pack your gear before breakfast, then break camp and load up the boats to push off for another day of adventure.
FAQs
OARS’ Cataract Canyon trip features some of the Colorado River’s most legendary whitewater on a multi-day rafting journey through the heart of Canyonlands National Park. The adventure begins with quieter miles through Meander Canyon, where there’s time for side hikes, inflatable kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, ancient cultural sites, and camping beneath some of the most spectacular night skies in the country. After the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers, the character changes dramatically as the trip enters Cataract Canyon and tackles famous Class III–IV rapids such as the Big Drops, with Class V conditions possible during peak spring runoff.
Another unusual aspect of the trip is the changing landscape below the major rapids. As Lake Powell has receded, stretches of the Colorado River, side canyons, beaches, and rapids that have been submerged for decades are now reemerging, giving people a chance to see the river actively reshaping the canyon. Another advantage of this trip is flexibility—OARS offers a 4-day express trip and a more leisurely 6-day itinerary, and the journey concludes with a scenic flight from Hite back to Moab, over the canyon country you spent days traveling through.
The best time to raft Cataract Canyon depends on the kind of whitewater experience you want. May through June typically ushers in the highest flows, as snowmelt from the Rocky Mountain raises the level of the Colorado River and can produce powerful Class IV and even Class V rapids during peak runoff. This is Cataract Canyon at its most intense and is best for fit, adventurous guests. July through October tends to have lower water and more moderate Class III–IV whitewater, making these departures a better choice for families and first-time rafters. September and October offer cooler daytime temperatures than midsummer, when temperatures in the canyon can approach or exceed 100°F, and lower flows.
The typical group size for this trip is between 6 and 25 guests, creating an experience that feels personal, relaxed, and thoughtfully paced. Small group travel allows us to share moments that make a journey truly memorable.
The minimum age for OARS' Cataract Canyon rafting trip is 9 years old, but it increases to 12 to 16 years old during high-water periods (April to early July), depending on river conditions. Because flows can vary considerably from year to year, families traveling in late spring or early summer should confirm the age requirement for their specific departure.
Cataract Canyon's challenge comes from active days in a remote desert environment, moderate hikes, wilderness camping, and a concentrated stretch of powerful whitewater. At normal summer and fall flows, most travelers in good physical condition can enjoy the trip without prior rafting experience. During spring runoff, however, the river can produce Class V rapids, cold water, major waves, and a greater possibility of swimming or a raft flip.
It is possible the itinerary can change. OARS runs the Cataract trip on a relaxed and flexible schedule, so the published itinerary is a sample rather than a fixed day-by-day plan. The group, weather, other river trips, campsite availability, and river conditions can influence where you camp, which side hikes are possible, and how each day unfolds. All departures cover the same river mileage, but the longer 4- and 5-day trips provide more time for hiking and exploring along the way.