Five to 6-Day Cataract Canyon Details

The Night Before Your Trip:

Meet in Green River, Utah for a pre-trip briefing at 7:00 p.m. Mountain Time. You’ll meet your guides, receive waterproof bags, and get tips on how to pack efficiently. You’ll also have the opportunity to purchase any last-minute items at an onsite store. If you’d like to bring personal beverages (such as specialty sodas, beer, or wine), please drop them off at this time so they can be packed into the coolers for you.

Day 1:

On the morning of your adventure, you’ll gather back at Green River meeting points at the time discussed during the pre-trip meeting. From there, it’s a scenic 90-minute drive to the put-in point, traveling east along the base of the Book Cliffs and south toward Moab. Once on the water, you can choose to paddle an inflatable kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) for a bit of exercise, or simply relax on the raft. We’ll enjoy a riverside lunch on a sandbar, followed by a short hike to explore an exposed petrified wood boneyard. As we float, look up and wave to the visitors at Dead Horse Point State Park. Our first night will be spent camping on a sandbar, where we’ll enjoy a delicious meal and begin adjusting to the rhythms of river life.

(Please note that below is the typical itinerary for a 5-day trip, 6 day trips take place later in the season when the river moves more slowly such that less miles are traveled each day. The take-out timing and location is the same for both trips.)

Day 2:

As the morning sun rises, the canyon walls glow with hues of red and gold. Listen for the melodic call of the canyon wren or take your SUP along the shoreline, keeping an eye out for otters and great blue herons. The Colorado River flows calmly here, offering a peaceful start to the day. Enjoy a swim alongside the rafts or relax in the shade of an umbrella. In the afternoon, we’ll hike to ancient rock structures built by the Fremont Culture over a thousand years ago. Keep an eye on the cliff walls for granaries—prehistoric food storage sites—as we continue downstream.

Day 3:

Today, we’ll arrive at the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers, a sacred site for many Native American cultures, often regarded as the center of the universe. Swim across the line where the two rivers meet and get ready for some excitement—the rapids are just ahead! Just below the confluence, we’ll take in the stunning view of the Doll House, a remote cluster of freestanding sandstone columns located in the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park.

Day 4:

Wake up to the sound of rushing rapids, nature’s perfect white noise. After a hearty breakfast, we’ll go over whitewater safety, secure our PFDs, and prepare for the thrills ahead. We’ll stop to scout some of the largest rapids, building up the excitement before plunging into the Big Drops—Little Niagara and Satan’s Gut! Along the way, we may pause to view historic inscriptions or explore one of the many side canyons. After a day of intense rapids, we’ll camp by the river, celebrating our adrenaline-filled day with a riverside feast.

Day 5:

After navigating a few more exciting rapids, the water calms and the canyon walls grow smooth and majestic. We’ve now entered the Glen Canyon Recreation Area, an ever-changing landscape influenced by fluctuating water levels in Lake Powell Reservoir. As the water levels drop, the Colorado River continues its flow downstream. We’ll finish our journey at the take-out point just past the mouth of the Dirty Devil River. After a two-hour drive, we’ll return to Green River, where we expect to arrive between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.

This is not a tour; it’s an expedition!

Wilderness river trips are inherently unpredictable, and the itinerary may vary. While you may have the chance to experience all of the activities mentioned, other exciting adventures may unfold along the way. Trips are most enjoyable when everyone embraces the spirit of flexibility and “Go With the Flow.” Come prepared with an open mind, a flexible attitude, and a sense of adventure!

Timing is Everything

Cataract Canyon has many faces during the season. The high-water Spring season (April – June), provides whitewater enthusiasts and adventure seekers huge waves and rapids that rival those in the Grand Canyon. At peak flows, this is some of the biggest navigable whitewater flows in North America. Later in the season, from July through October, as the water levels drop, this becomes a more moderate run with less intimidating rapids, suitable for all ages and levels of experience. These summer months still offer a thrilling ride, but at a more leisurely pace.

Price Includes

Outfitters will provide all the camping and river related safety equipment, along with plenty of fresh food, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. However you will need to rent or supply your own tent and sleep gear. Transportation to the put-in point and take-out point from/to your start city is included.

Weather

April and May have cooler temperatures (average high 84°F, low 50°F), which require extra layers, but allow for longer hikes. June through August are the hottest months to raft Utah with temperatures ranging 95-101°F. As the rafting season winds down in September and October you can expect cooler weather, with highs averaging 89°F and lows around 53°F.

The Colorado River

With a character similar to that in the Grand Canyon, the Colorado River within Cataract Canyon alternates between short sections of rapids and long calm stretches. Rapids range from easy (Class I) to a couple of large rapids (Class V). Unlike the Grand Canyon, this section of the Colorado River is not regulated by dams, which means that the nature of the rapids can change depending on the time of the year that you choose to raft. The water is cold (48°F), and can be emerald green or chocolate brown depending on the season and section of the river.

The Boats

The 5- and 6-day Cataract Canyon rafting trips use custom-built 18-foot inflatable rafts, powered by oars. A single guide sits in the middle of each raft, using two 10-foot oars to steer and propel the boat downstream.

When the flow of the Colorado River exceeds 25,000 CFS, the waves become massive. In those conditions, the rafts are turned into triple rigs. This involves attaching three rafts side by side, allowing two guides to work together to navigate the rapids. Passengers sit in strategic positions across the expansive raft.

These trips have a motor-free policy. Whether on the calm sections before the rapids or navigating through the whitewater, relying entirely on the strength and skill of guides, using only oars to navigate.

The one exception to this policy is on Lake Powell, where the Colorado River’s current slows in the lower reaches of Cataract Canyon, turning it into a reservoir. When the water levels in the lake drop, rafts are rowed to the take-out, but if the levels are higher, a small motorized dinghy helps cross the flat water to reach take-out.

Inflatable Kayaks and Paddle Boards

For those interested in stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) or inflatable kayaking, the calm waters upstream of the rapids offer an ideal environment to try paddleboarding. Once we approach the rapids, the paddleboards are safely stored away. On trips with moderate to lower water levels, inflatable kayaks are available for guests who want to embark on a thrilling solo adventure through the first 10 rapids.

Group Size

Trips will have 5 to 7 boats, each typically carrying up to 4 people plus the guide with no more than 20 guests in the group.

Camp Life

Whether you’re an experienced camper or it’s your first time under the stars, our outfitters are specialists in facilitating an enjoyable and relaxing camping experience. Everyone typically participates in setting up and breaking down camp. A clean, private camp toilet is set up first thing upon arrival at camp and it is the last thing to be dismantled the next morning.

Meals

One thing is certain on a Cataract Canyon rafting trip: There will be plenty of food!

There will be plenty of food! A full, hearty breakfast with coffee gets the day going. A riverside picnic sets the scene for lunch where you create your own sandwich. Dinners can be anything from steak to a Mexican feast followed by a hot, Dutch oven dessert.

There are plenty of snacks and beverages offered throughout the day. Alcoholic beverages are not included, but you are welcome to bring your own – please note that purchasing alcohol in Utah takes a little extra planning. With advance notice, all outfitters are able to accommodate for special dietary requirements.

Adventure Specialists

Since 1987, we’ve been connecting travelers to incredible water adventures worldwide. We partner exclusively with outfitters who share our passion for creating exceptional experiences. Our service is free to you—our commission comes from the outfitters, so your trip cost is the same as booking directly. The Westwater Canyon itinerary here is provided by one of our trusted partners, but we also offer options with other top-rated outfitters. Contact us to explore additional schedules and offerings that may better fit your plans.