Full-Day Moab Rafting Adventure with BBQ Lunch

About This Adventure

Seven hours on the Colorado is a different kind of day. The canyon unfolds gradually — each bend revealing new rock formation, new drainage, new evidence of the river's geological patience. Class I-III rapids are distributed across a route that also includes long flat-water stretches between canyon walls, and lunch happens on a sandbar somewhere deep in the corridor that doesn't have an address.

Your guide has spent hundreds of days on this river and it shows — in how they read the current, how they call the rapids, and which bend they know produces the light that photography was invented for. Departs morning; lunch included.

Highlights

Before You Go

What's Included

• Raft & paddle
• Life jacket & helmet
• Wetsuit if needed
• Professional guide
• Riverside BBQ lunch
• Dry bag
• Complimentary Pickup at Red Cliffs Lodge

What to Bring

• Swimwear
• Quick-dry clothes
• Sunscreen
• Extra water
• Secure footwear

Meeting Point

Cancellation Policy

• Free cancellation within 48 hours of booking, if your trip is at least 5 days away.
• More than 7 days before your trip: full refund less a $25 processing fee.
• 3–7 days before your trip: 50% refund.
• Less than 3 days before your trip, or a no-show: no refund.
• If the operator cancels (weather, safety, etc.): full refund or free reschedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this Full-Day Moab Rafting Trip suitable for children and families?+

  Yes. The Full-Day Colorado River trip is designed for families with kids as young as five (minimum 50 lbs). Most rapids are Class I–II, with the possibility of some Class III during high-water years or springtime. The balance of splashy fun and calm sections makes it great for kids, first-timers, and even grandparents.

• Is this real whitewater rafting on the full-day trip or more of a scenic float?+

  This stretch of the Colorado River offers a mix of splashy Class I–II rapids and calm waters, with Class III possible in spring high water. It’s not the intense whitewater of Westwater or Cataract Canyon, but it provides plenty of action for families and first-timers while staying approachable. Guests often say it’s the perfect introduction to rafting.

• How long is the Full-Day Moab Rafting trip, and when will I be back?+

  The trip covers about 14 miles of river and lasts approximately 7 hours, including shuttle time and lunch. Departures are at 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM, and most groups return to Moab by mid-to-late afternoon, leaving time for an evening activity, such as a Sunset Hummer Safari or a Sunset Arches tour during the longer days of summer.

• What’s included with the riverside BBQ lunch?+

  Lunch is a hot buffet served at a private riverside ranch. Choices may include freshly grilled burgers, chicken, hot dogs, or veggie patties, along with salads, sides, cookies, lemonade, and iced tea. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available on request—please notify us when booking so we can prepare accordingly.

• Do I need to paddle the whole time on this trip?+

  No. Trips are conducted in “guide-assist” paddle boats, so your guide does the primary rowing. Guests are welcome to paddle along, and the guide may ask guests to paddle in rapids, but you will likely not be paddling for the entire trip. Two-person inflatable kayaks are sometimes available (depending on water levels and weather) if you’d like more hands-on adventure.

• Will I have chances to swim on the Full-Day Moab Rafting Trip?+

  Yes. On calm stretches, guides often allow guests to jump in with their personal flotation devices (PFDs) and float alongside the raft. This is optional, and guides will inform you when conditions are suitable. Note that water temperatures may be cooler earlier in the spring and less comfortable for swimming.