(435) 259-2002

Overview

This is the Colorado River trip families pick when they want the splashes without the all-day commitment. The morning departure puts your group on the water by 8 AM, returns you to Moab by early afternoon, and leaves the rest of the day open for an Arches tour, a Hummer safari, or just a quiet poolside lunch. Children as young as five can ride along (50-pound minimum) in oar-assisted rafts where the guide does the rowing, so even first-time paddlers and grandparents fit the boat. Class I-II rapids carry the boat between calm stretches; spring snowmelt can produce a Class III splash. Shuttle, gear, and a refillable souvenir water bottle are included. Come ready to play; the canyon and the current handle the rest.

Highlights

  • Oar-assisted rfts: your guide rows, you ride or paddle if you want
  • 7 miles of Colorado River, Class I-II splashes, calm in between
  • Spring high water can produce a Class III splash for older kids
  • Shuttle, gear, and water bottle handled; just show up by 7:45
  • Done by early afternoon: pair with an Arches tour or Hummer safari


Location

Moab, Utah

Includes

  • Professional river guide
  • All rafting gear: life jackets, paddles, and safety equipment
  • Round-trip shuttle from Moab Adventure Center to the Hittle Bottom launch site
  • 7-mile guided float on the upper Colorado River below Fisher Towers
  • Snacks and a complimentary souvenir water bottle

Not Included

  • Gratuities for your guide (10-20% is the customary range)
  • Personal items: sun protection, swimsuit, quick-dry clothing, water shoes, daypack
  • Dry bag (small waterproof bags are available for purchase at the Moab Adventure Center)
  • Lunch (this is the half-day morning trip; the Mid-Day and Full-Day trips include the riverside BBQ)

What to Bring

  • Sunscreen and lip balm
  • Any personal medications you take during the day
  • Camera or phone in a waterproof case (electronics on the raft will get splashed)
  • A small waterproof dry bag if you want phones, cameras, or an extra layer close at hand (available for purchase at the Moab Adventure Center)

What to Wear

  • Quick-dry shirt (UPF-rated 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
Cooler-weather days, check the forecast before your tour and add:
  • Rain jacket
  • Fleece jacket
  • Pants

Itinerary

  • Check in at the Moab Adventure Center, 225 S Main Street.
  • Board the river shuttle and ride upriver to the Hittle Bottom launch (about 40 minutes along Highway 128)
  • Launch at Hittle Bottom: push off into the calm upper Colorado below the red spires of Fisher Towers
  • Castle Valley float: 7 miles of mostly Class I-II water with red rock walls and movie-famous scenery on both sides
  • Onion Creek, Professor Creek, and Cloudburst Rapid: the splashy beats most kids remember (Class I-II most of the season; bumped to Class III on spring high water)
  • Optional swim stop on a calm stretch when the guide gives the green light (PFD stays on)
  • Shuttle back to the Moab Adventure Center; group is back in town by early afternoon (about 4 hours 15 minutes total)

Why Book This Tour

  • Built for mixed-ability groups. Kids from age 5, grandparents in their 70s, and first-time paddlers all ride the same raft.
  • Logistics handled. Shuttle, life jackets, paddles, snacks, and a souvenir water bottle are included.
  • Oar-assisted rafts. Your guide does the rowing; you can paddle when you want or just enjoy the ride.
  • Splashes without the commitment. Class I-II most of the season; spring snowmelt bumps the action to Class III for older kids.
  • A guide who knows the canyon. Castle Valley geology, movie history, and where to find the calm spots for a quick swim.
  • Open afternoon. Done by early afternoon, so you can stack an Arches tour, a Hummer safari, or a poolside reset on the same day.