Half-day Colorado River raft with the guide at the oars: 7 miles of canyon, splashy Class I-II rapids, riverside BBQ at a private ranch.
HIGHLIGHTS
- A view you don't get from the highway: 7 miles of the Colorado by raft
- Kids 5-plus comfortable; Class I-II rapids most of the season
- Riverside BBQ lunch at a private ranch in the canyon mid-trip
- Oar-assisted paddleboats: guide rows; you paddle when you want
- All gear, the shuttle, and a complimentary souvenir bottle on us
- 11 AM start leaves the morning open and the evening for more Moab
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Moab, Utah
Mid-Day Moab Rafting Adventure with BBQ Lunch
★★★★★ 4.9 OUT OF 7421 REVIEWS
OVERVIEW
Most rafting guests describe this trip as the easiest way to see the Colorado from a seat that isn't a car windshield. Your guide handles the oars on an oar-assisted paddleboat, so you can paddle when you want or drift when you want. The format covers about 7 miles of canyon between Castle Valley and Fisher Towers, with a long midpoint pause at a private riverside ranch for a hot BBQ lunch. Class I-II rapids and a few Class III splashes in spring keep the energy honest without putting younger riders over their head. Kids as young as 5 are comfortable in this format, and grandparents settle in just as easily.
Additional Details
Includes
- Professional river guide
- All rafting gear (life jackets, paddles, safety equipment)
- Riverside BBQ buffet lunch at a private ranch
- Round-trip shuttle from Moab Adventure Center
- Complimentary MAC souvenir water bottle
Not Included
- Gratuities for your guide (10-20% is the customary range)
- Personal items (sun protection, water shoes, swimsuit or quick-dry clothing, daypack)
- Dry bag (small waterproof bags are available at the Moab Adventure Center on request; valuables are best left behind, and car keys can be left securely with our staff)
What to Wear
- Quick-dry shirt (UPF-rated sun hoodie is best for sun protection)
- Quick-dry shorts, or pants for more sun coverage
- Sturdy sandals with heel straps, or shoes that can get wet (no flip-flops)
- A comfortable hat or cap (one you don't mind losing if it ends up in the river)
- Sunglasses with chums or another retention strap
- Rain jacket
- Fleece jacket
- Proper pants
Itinerary
- Check in at the Moab Adventure Center, 225 S Main Street, and meet your guide
- Board the shuttle for the put-in along the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (Highway 128)
- Push off and float through calm water with red rock cliffs rising on both sides
- Riverside lunch: pause at our private riverside ranch (Red Cliffs Lodge area) for a hot BBQ buffet of grilled burgers, chicken, hot dogs, veggie patties, salads, sides, cookies, lemonade, and iced tea (gluten-free and vegetarian available on request at booking)
- Back on the water: ride White's Rapid and a handful of splashy Class I-II waves on the way back, with views of Castle Valley and Fisher Towers
- Return to Moab Adventure Center about 4.5 hours after departure (mid-to-late afternoon)
Why Book This Tour
- A view you don't get from the highway. The Colorado reads nothing like the same canyon from a car window.
- Built for mixed groups. Kids as young as 5, parents, and grandparents share the same raft.
- A guide at the oars. You paddle when you want or just watch the canyon go by.
- A real BBQ lunch. Reviewers call it better than expected: burgers, chicken, sides, and cookies.
- Pairs with Moab. The mid-morning start keeps early morning and evening free.
- All you do is show up. Shuttle, gear, lunch, and life jackets are handled.
Policies
Minimum Trip Capacity
We reserve the right to cancel any departure if we have insufficient reservations. We will do all we can to reschedule or accommodate guests reserved on any departure with insufficient reservations. If your departure is cancelled for this reason, a full refund will be provided.Guest Responsibilities
All guests will be required to follow safety policies and procedures as well as instructions from guides during activities. All guests must meet minimum age requirements at the time of participation. All guests will be required to sign a Participant Assumption of Risks, Acknowledgment of Inherent Risks and Indemnity Agreement prior to participation.Gratuity Information
Your guides will make every effort to see that your trip is enjoyable and successful. Gratuities for guides are greatly appreciated and at your discretion, as a gesture of thanks for their professionalism and service. A general guideline for an average gratuity is 10-20 percent of the total trip cost.Lifejacket Policy
All guests will be required to wear one of our US Coast Guard-approved whitewater life jackets / personal flotation devices (PFD) at all times while on the water. To fit into this life jacket, all guests must meet the following requirements:- At least 5 years old AND at least 50 pounds
- Chest size under 52 inches
Minor Guests
With the exception of organized youth groups having accompanying adult chaperones, all minor guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in order to participate.Pet Policy
Due to the nature of this activity, no pets are allowed. If you are traveling with a pet, please make accommodations in Moab so that your pet is cared for while you are out. We are required to make reasonable accommodations for service animals. However, because we cannot guarantee how the animal will react/trauma the animal may experience while on some of our tours, this often means we cannot accommodate service animals.Dietary Allergies or Food Preferences
If you have any dietary allergies or other food preferences, we cannot promise to accommodate those if you do not have your electronic waivers filled out by 4:00pm the day before your river trip. If you have booked your river trip after 4:00pm for the following day, please reach out to our staff to let them know if you have any dietary allergies or food preferences and we will do our best to accommodate.Acknowledgement of Water Level Conditions
River levels fluctuate throughout the season. Generally, from mid-May to June, higher water levels bring faster currents and larger rapids, making for a more adventurous ride. By mid-July and later, flows are typically lower, resulting in a calmer scenic float. Conditions vary each year, and specific water levels cannot be guaranteed.Cancellation, Payment and Refund Policies
Payment in full is due at the time of reservation. Please notify us if you need to cancel or reschedule.
- Cancel more than 48 hours before departure and receive a full refund
- For cancellations within 48 hours of departure, reservations are non-refundable
- If we need to cancel due to weather or minimum group size, you’ll receive a full refund
Likely to sell out
❤ Top rated ★★★★★ 4.9 (7,421)
Mid-Day Moab Rafting Adventure with BBQ Lunch
A Canyon Spirit Top-Tour Pick
- Free Cancellation
Cancel up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund. No fees.
- Best Price. Guaranteed.
Book direct with Moab Adventure Center for the best pricing.
- Decades of Experience
Loved by hundreds of thousands of guests since 1961.
From $125
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