Cataract Canyon Rafting Trip Highlights
Cataract Canyon is a slice of desert paradise where all things become colossal. In a crimson crevice 2,000 feet in the Earth, rare artifacts, dramatically sculpted sandstone, and rip roaring rapids wait to be discovered throughout the 96 mile journey. This is merely the start of what’s waiting in the extraordinary reaches of Canyonlands National Park.
- Utah’s biggest whitewater run by career river guides.
- Pristine Native American archaeological sites.
- The jaw dropping Green River confluence.
- Hikes to the canyon rim with 360° views of the Colorado River and Canyonlands.
- Rare views of Dead Horse State Park and the Dolls House.
- Camping in a Dark Sky Park— the best stargazing you could ever ask for.
- Big sandy beaches where you’ll camp each night.
- Delicious and freshly prepared meals by your river guides.
- A true, backcountry experience in Canyonlands National Park.
Cataract Canyon Rafting – Big Rapids on the Colorado River Near Moab, UT
More About This Trip
The Whitewater
Between the glossy flat water sections that bookend Cataract Canyon, there are 29 world class rapids in a single 15-mile stretch. Most are larger than your usual Class III and IVs, with a few Class V during the high water season in spring.
From May through June, Cataract Canyon boasts the biggest whitewater in the West. This isn’t to say the rapids aren’t as powerful later in the season, they just become much more technical as massive boulders emerge from the bedrock.
The Sites & Camping
Depending on the length of your trip, you’ll have opportunities to hike to overlooks, explore ancient ruins and fields of glittering petrified wood, lounge in gorgeous grottos, and rendezvous up side canyons. The longer the trip, the more time you’ll have to explore these hidden treasures.
Each day, camp is made on silky beaches with unbelievable views, both of the canyon and the cosmos. There, you’ll enjoy a comfortable camp set up (kitchen, common area, bathroom, etc.) along with 3-course dinners and filling breakfasts. Lunch each day is usually on the boat or near a site we’ll explore.
*All Cataract Canyon trips are motored to make the 96-mile journey from the Potash put-in to the North Wash take-out at Lake Powell.
The landscape of Cataract Canyon was so inspiring to Mild to Wild’s founders, Alex and Molly Mickel, they married there in 1996! Our Cataract Canyon trips continue on the legacy of Adventure Bound River Expeditions, combined with the legendary customer service and expertise of Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep tours.
Trip Options
Colorado River
A 2-day trip can expect long days on the water with limited time to stop. Call our office to book.
- Youth: $999
- Adult: $999
Colorado River
A 3-day trip offers a good amount of time in a place you’ll never forget!
- Youth: $999
- Adult: $1199
Colorado River
A 4-day trip offers more time to relax, rejuvenate, and refresh in one of the US’s most stunning canyons.
- Youth: $1149
- Adult: $1429
Colorado River
A 5-day trip offers more time each day to explore side hikes, find fossils and petroglyphs, and relax!
- Youth: $1299
- Adult: $1599
Colorado River
A 6-day trip offers the most time each day to explore side hikes, find fossils and petroglyphs, and relax!
- Youth: $1449
- Adult: $1749
We offer private trips! Click below to learn more about this option.
Rates & Dates
Our Client Reviews from Google
Kim Furry2024-10-27 Miles gave my team a fantastic tour! Lois Weddle2024-10-27 Jay was a fun and educated guide to Mesa Verde! Thank you Alissa Troike2024-10-26 It was great. Miles was incredible. Highly recommend!!! Tom Evans2024-10-25 Great trip to the old mining operations north of Silverton. Very enjoyable. Vicky Guggino2024-10-19 Miles was our guide for both the 1/2 day Jeep Tour out of Silverton and the Mesa Verde Discovery Tour. He did a great job driving, and the history he told us about was amazing. He also gave great dinner suggestions after both tours! Terrye Gorman2024-10-17 It was super. Our tour guide Miles was awesome. Sarah Mcanally2024-10-15 The staff was friendly and went above and beyond to help meet our dates and needs. Their Jeeps were in great condition and took us to see parts of the untouched countryside that I have never seen before. We will certainly use them again on our next trip to Durango. Jane Turpen2024-10-12 We took a jeep trip up into the mountains to enjoy the fall scenery. The colors were beautiful, our guide,Jay, was excellent, and our group of six was great! We even saw them on our train trip back to Durango. There were some health issues for one traveler and a fear of heights for another. Jay was just terrific in handling both! He was caring but didn’t make a big issue of either. Just took the time to make sure everyone was doing okay and made it a good experience for all. It was a terrific day! Margot Wacks2024-10-12 We booked the guided Mesa Verde trip for our family of four. Our guide was Lee, he was INCREDIBLE!!! A wealth of knowledge, kind, considerate, engaging, and wonderful with our two small children (7 and 10) who at times have endless questions. He really made the history come alive for all of us and definitely made the trip a fun historical adventure! He was just wonderful to work with and made the entire experience one we will never forget. This was our first experience with a guided tour and we will definitely do this again. Not having to worry about driving, navigating the park traffic, getting lost, or not making it to the our scheduled palace tour on time was a huge relief. Everything was planned for us, including lunch. We just had to show up and enjoy!
What are you waiting for? Call today (800) 567-6745 OR (970) 247-4789
Payments & Cancellations
Payment Options
- 1/2 down, 1/2 charged 30 days prior to trip.
- 1/3 down with remaining balance charged in thirds.
- Call for other arrangements!
Free Courtesy Hold
We don’t want you to miss out on this trip so we’ll hold your spots, payment-free, for 24hrs while you make your final arrangements & prepare for payment.
Fees
In addition to the listed trip cost, we collect an additional 9% for River and Land Access Fees (ie. Forest Service, BLM, City, Private Land Use).
Cancellation Policy
- 60+ days: Receive a refund less $200 per person unrecoverable fees.
- 45+ days: Reschedule for another trip/date, or receive Mild to Wild gift certificate less $200 per person.
- Less than 45 days, unfortunately there will be no refund. Substitutions/name changes are allowed.
- RoamRight Travel Insurance is recommended to help cover unforeseen circumstances, such as cancelled flights, sickness or medical evacuations.
- Guests needing to be evacuated from the canyon will be charged a minimum of $1,000 per person.
Gallery
Plan Your Trip
FAQ
Camping & Dining
Itinerary
Map & River Log
Packing Guide
Weather & Rapids
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Mild to Wild Rafting is proud to be an authorized concessioner of Canyonlands National Park.