How booking policies actually work.
The short answer
Every outfitter sets its own terms, and they differ more than people expect. We do not take bookings, so none of the policies on this page are ours. What follows is how cancellation, weather and refund terms generally work on Moab river trips, and what to check before you pay.
The one rule that holds everywhere: read the terms before you book, not after. Multi day trips and group bookings are almost always stricter than a half day float.
Cancellation terms by trip type.
These are the patterns we see across permitted Moab outfitters. Individual operators vary, sometimes considerably, so treat this as orientation rather than the terms you are agreeing to.
| Trip type | How cancellation usually works |
|---|---|
| Half day floats | The most forgiving. Notice of a few days is often enough for a full refund, and some operators allow same day changes subject to availability |
| Full day trips | Usually a longer notice window, commonly one to two weeks for a full refund, with a partial refund or credit inside that |
| Westwater Canyon | Stricter, because launches are capped by the Bureau of Land Management. A cancelled seat is harder to resell at short notice |
| Multi day expeditions | The strictest by a distance. Deposits are frequently non refundable, and full refund windows can be 30 to 60 days out or longer |
| Group bookings | Stricter than individual reservations at the same operator, because the outfitter is holding boats and guides for you. Reducing numbers is often treated as a partial cancellation |
The logic behind all of this is capacity. An outfitter that holds a seat for you cannot sell it to somebody else, and on a permit capped run they cannot simply add another boat. The tighter the capacity, the tighter the terms.
Weather, flow and who decides.
This is the part people most often misunderstand. Rain almost never cancels a rafting trip, because you are getting wet anyway. What does cancel trips is lightning, flash flood risk, dangerously high water and, occasionally, water too low to run.
The call is the guide's
Weather and flow decisions are made by the outfitter, usually on the morning of the trip, and they are not negotiable. A guide who runs a river they should not is a worse problem than a cancelled day. If they call it off, that is the system working.
If they cancel, you are usually covered
Most operators offer a full refund or a reschedule when they cancel for safety. This is the one situation where terms are generally generous, because the decision was theirs rather than yours. Confirm it is in writing before you book.
If you cancel because of forecast
Different situation entirely, and normal cancellation terms apply. A forecast of rain is not usually grounds for a refund, because the trip will very likely still run. Wait for the outfitter to make the call.
Partial cancellations on multi day trips
Occasionally a multi day trip is shortened or rerouted mid trip because of conditions. How that is compensated varies a lot between operators and is worth asking about specifically before a long expedition.
Flow matters as much as weather on these rivers. Spring runoff can push a run above the level an outfitter is permitted or willing to operate at, and late season low water can make some trips impractical. See the safety guide for how flow changes difficulty.
Refunds, credits and insurance.
Refund or credit
Many outfitters offer a future credit rather than a cash refund inside the cancellation window, and some offer a credit where a refund is not available at all. A credit is worth less than money if you are not coming back, so ask which you are being offered.
Deposits
On multi day trips the deposit is frequently non refundable regardless of notice, because it covers the permit allocation and provisioning the operator has already committed to. Assume it is gone unless you are told otherwise in writing.
Trip insurance
Worth considering on a multi day expedition, where the sums are large and the terms are strict. Less obviously worthwhile on a half day float. Read what the policy actually covers, since many exclude cancellation for weather that does not stop the trip running.
Chargebacks
A last resort, not a first move. Talk to the outfitter first. Disputing a charge for a trip you cancelled under terms you agreed to rarely succeeds and burns the relationship if you ever want to book with them again.
Six things to confirm in writing.
Ask these before you pay rather than after something goes wrong. A reputable operator will answer all six without hesitation.
| What is the full refund deadline? | A specific number of days before departure, not a vague description |
|---|---|
| Is the deposit refundable? | Particularly on multi day trips, where it often is not |
| What happens if you cancel for weather? | Full refund, credit, or reschedule. Get which one in writing |
| Can I change my date? | Rescheduling is often easier than cancelling, and some operators allow one free change |
| What if my group size drops? | Group bookings frequently treat a reduction as a partial cancellation with its own terms |
| Is a waiver required? | Yes, on every commercial trip. Ask to read it in advance rather than at the launch, especially for anyone with a medical consideration |
Keep the confirmation email. If a dispute ever arises, the written terms you were sent at the time of booking are what matter, not what is on the operator's website today.
Our own terms of use.
Short, because we do not sell you anything. MoabRaftingTours.com is an independent comparison guide published by Moabing Media, LLC.
| We are not a party to your booking | Every trip is operated by a third party outfitter. Your contract, payment and cancellation terms are with them, not us |
|---|---|
| Information is a starting point | Prices, age minimums, departure times and river conditions change, sometimes within a season. Always confirm current details with the operator |
| We take no booking fee | You pay the outfitter's own price. How the site is funded is on the disclosure page |
| Rafting carries risk | Nothing on this site is a substitute for the safety briefing, waiver and instructions given by your guide. See the safety guide |
| Corrections welcome | If something here is wrong or out of date, tell us and we will fix it |
| Content | Text and original material on this site are the property of Moabing Media, LLC. Outfitter names and trademarks belong to their owners |
Your privacy and how data is handled are covered separately on the privacy policy.
Policy FAQs.
What happens if it rains on my rafting trip?
The trip almost certainly still runs, because you are getting wet regardless. What does cancel trips is lightning, flash flood risk, dangerously high water and occasionally water too low to run. Those calls are made by the outfitter on the morning and are not negotiable.
Can I get a refund if I cancel?
It depends entirely on the outfitter and how far ahead you cancel. Half day floats tend to be forgiving, often a few days notice for a full refund. Multi day expeditions are the strictest, with non refundable deposits and refund windows of 30 to 60 days or more. Read the terms before you pay.
What if the outfitter cancels my trip?
Most operators offer a full refund or a reschedule when they cancel for safety reasons, since the decision was theirs. This is the one area where terms are generally generous. Confirm which you would be offered, in writing, before you book.
Are deposits refundable?
Often not on multi day trips, because the deposit covers permit allocation and provisioning the operator has already committed to. On day trips it varies. Assume a multi day deposit is non refundable unless you have been told otherwise in writing.
Do I need trip insurance?
Worth considering on a multi day expedition where the sums are large and the terms strict. Less obviously worthwhile on a half day float. Read what the policy actually covers, since many exclude cancellation for weather that does not stop the trip from running.
Do you set any of these policies?
No. We do not take bookings or handle payment, so none of these terms are ours. Everything above describes how outfitter policies generally work on Moab river trips. Your actual terms come from the operator you book with.
Read the terms before you pay.
Every outfitter publishes its own. The booking page links each trip directly to the operator who runs it, where you will find theirs.