Moab rafting trips, compared.
The short answer
Most visitors want one of three Moab rafting trips. A half day float beneath Fisher Towers if you have young children or a tight schedule. A full day on the Moab Daily for more river and a lunch stop, or Westwater Canyon if you want real whitewater. A multi day expedition through Cataract Canyon if you have rafted before and want the biggest water in Utah.
Everything else here is a variation on those three. The table below puts all seven side by side so you can see at a glance which ones fit your group.
All Moab rafting trips side by side.
Class ratings, minimum ages and prices are typical ranges across permitted outfitters, and all three move with the season. Each outfitter sets its own rates, so confirm the current details when you book.
| Trip | Class | Length | Min age | Launch point | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fisher Towers half day | II | Half day | About 5 | Hittle Bottom, 22 mi | $79 to $125 |
| Moab Daily | II to III | Full day, 13 mi | About 5 | Hittle Bottom, 22 mi | $130 to $190 |
| Westwater Canyon | III to IV | Full day, 17 mi | 12, often 16 at high water | About 50 mi | $200 to $300 |
| Cataract Canyon | III to V | 1 to 6 days | Varies widely by operator | Potash ramp, 17 mi | $300 to $2,000 |
| Desolation Canyon | II to III | 5 to 6 days | 5 to 7, water dependent | Green River, UT | $1,400 to $1,900 |
| Labyrinth Canyon | I flatwater | 4 to 6 days | About 5 | Green River, UT | $1,100 to $1,600 |
| Gates of Lodore | III to IV | 3 to 4 days | 7, often 12 at high water | NE Utah, about 6 hrs | $1,300 to $1,800 |
Cataract Canyon minimum ages vary more than any other trip on this list: some operators take children as young as seven on low water rowing trips, while others set eighteen on their paddle expeditions. See rafting with children for the full comparison, and what it costs for the price breakdown.
Start with how long you have.
Half Day Trips
2 to 4 hours. The easiest to fit around a national park day, and the trips that welcome the youngest children.
Compare half day tripsFull Day Trips
6 to 8 hours with lunch included. More river, more canyon, and the option of genuine whitewater on Westwater.
Compare full day tripsOvernight and Multi Day
3 to 6 days camping on sandbars. Book these months ahead, because launch permits are capped.
Compare multi day tripsPick the water, not the marketing.
Whitewater class is the most useful number when choosing, and the one most often glossed over. Here is what each range actually feels like from inside the boat.
| Class | What it feels like | Who it suits | Trips |
|---|---|---|---|
| I to II | Moving water with small waves. You get splashed, not thrown around. Conversation continues through the rapids. | First timers, young children, anyone nervous about water | Fisher Towers, Labyrinth |
| II to III | Real rapids with waves over the bow. You paddle on command and hold on. Swims are uncommon and usually short. | Active families, groups wanting genuine excitement | Moab Daily, Desolation |
| III to IV | Powerful hydraulics your guide scouts before running. Being thrown out is a real possibility and you are briefed on what to do. | Fit adults and teens, ideally comfortable swimming in current | Westwater, Gates of Lodore |
| IV to V | Violent, continuous whitewater with consequences. Serious injury is a genuine risk and expedition logistics are demanding. | Experienced rafters only. Not a first river trip. | Cataract Canyon (the Big Drops) |
One thing worth knowing: class ratings move with water level. A run that is comfortable Class III in August can be a serious Class IV during the May snowmelt peak. Ask your outfitter what the river is doing the week you go, or read how to read a flow report first.
Four questions that settle it.
1. How old is the youngest person?
Under 12 points you at Fisher Towers or the Moab Daily, and that is no compromise at all. Both are excellent days. Westwater starts at 12, and Cataract varies by operator. Full detail in rafting with children.
2. How much time do you actually have?
A full day trip takes the whole day once shuttle time is counted. If you also want Arches or Canyonlands that day, book a half day and stop reading here. See half day or full day for the honest comparison.
3. Do you want rapids or scenery?
These pull in opposite directions. The most scenic trips are the calmest, and the biggest whitewater runs through the narrowest, darkest canyons. The Moab Daily splits the difference better than anything else on the list.
4. When are you coming?
May and June bring the snowmelt peak: bigger water, colder temperatures, higher age minimums. August is warm and mellow. September and October are the quietest and, for many people, the best. See best time to raft Moab for the month by month view.
Or start from the water itself.
Each river has its own character, season and permit situation. If you already know you want wilderness rather than whitewater, or the other way round, this is the faster route in.
Choosing a trip, answered.
Which Moab rafting trip is best for first timers?
The Fisher Towers half day for most people: Class II water, half a day, no experience needed, and children from around five. If you want more river time and a riverside lunch, the Moab Daily continues down the same canyon at Class II to III and is still very manageable for a first trip.
How much does a Moab rafting trip cost?
Half day trips generally run $79 to $125 per person and full days $130 to $300, with Westwater Canyon at the upper end. Multi day expeditions range from roughly $300 for a one day motorised Cataract trip up to around $2,000 for a long paddle expedition. Outfitters set their own pricing and it moves with season and group size, so confirm current rates when you book.
How far in advance should I book?
Half day floats have good availability and a week or two is usually fine. Westwater and Cataract are capped by federal launch permits, so those need two to four weeks minimum in peak season, and multi day Cataract expeditions often sell out several months ahead for the high water weeks in late May and June.
Can I raft in Moab with young children?
Yes, on the right trip. Most outfitters take children from around five on the Fisher Towers half day, the Moab Daily and Labyrinth Canyon. Desolation is commonly five to seven depending on flows, Gates of Lodore around seven, and Westwater twelve. Cataract varies a great deal by operator. Minimums often rise during spring high water, so confirm for your specific dates.
Do I need any experience to raft near Moab?
No. Every trip listed here is fully guided, and guides handle navigation. On calm floats you barely paddle. On Class III and above you paddle on command and need to be reasonably fit and comfortable in moving water, but prior rafting experience is not required for anything except Cataract Canyon, where it is strongly recommended.
What is included in a guided rafting trip?
All trips include a licensed guide, the raft and paddles, a US Coast Guard approved life jacket, and transport to and from the river. Helmets are provided and required on whitewater runs. Full day trips include lunch. Multi day trips include all meals, camping equipment and permits. Gratuity and personal gear are not included, and our packing guide covers what to bring.
Narrowed it down?
Tell us your dates, group size and how much whitewater you want, and we will point you at outfitters with availability.