Desolation Canyon
Rafting Tours
84 miles of remote canyon wilderness. A scenic flight in from Moab. 60+ rapids, starlit beaches, and guides who know every bend. The Green River's finest expedition.
🔥 2026 Season Is Filling Fast — Check Availability & Lock In Your Dates
The West's Last Great Wilderness River
Desolation Canyon on Utah's Green River is one of the premier multi-day rafting destinations in North America — deeper than the Grand Canyon in places, yet almost entirely unknown to the outside world. A scenic flight from Moab drops you into the heart of 5,000-foot canyon walls, where your guides will lead you through 84 miles of remote, roadless wilderness. Designated Wild and Scenic in 2019, this is untouched canyon country at its absolute finest.
With Class II–III rapids that offer plenty of excitement without overwhelming beginners or families, Desolation Canyon is consistently voted one of America's top rafting trips for all skill levels. Every night you'll camp on wide, sandy river beaches under skies that glow with stars you've never seen from a city.
Choose Your Expedition
All Desolation Canyon trips depart from Moab, Utah with a scenic light-plane flight to the put-in at Sand Wash. Choose the duration that fits your schedule — more days means slower pace, more hiking, more canyon.
The classic Desolation experience. Five days immersed in canyon silence with time to hike to petroglyphs, explore outlaw hideouts, and float at your own pace. Perfect for families, first-timers, and seasoned river runners alike.
- Scenic flight from Moab to put-in (Sand Wash)
- All meals, snacks & non-alcoholic beverages
- Camping gear: tents, sleeping bag, cot, chair
- Whitewater raft or inflatable kayak
- PFD, helmet & all safety equipment
- Return shuttle to Moab or Green River
More miles per day for those who love the river and want maximum time in the rapids. Slightly faster-paced with longer days on the water. Ideal for adventure-seekers with limited time.
Take the oars into your own hands. Our inflatable kayaks (IKs) let you run the rapids yourself with guides alongside. Available as an upgrade on 5-day departures.
Six Reasons Desolation Stands Alone
Scenic Flight Into Wilderness
Your adventure begins before you even hit the water. A light-plane flight from Moab sweeps you over Utah's canyon country and deposits you on a remote mesa above the river — accessible by almost no other means.
Deeper Than the Grand Canyon
In places, Desolation Canyon's walls soar 5,000 feet above the Green River — surpassing the depth of Grand Canyon at its most famous viewpoints. This is big, ancient geology on an overwhelming scale.
60+ Rapids, Zero Crowds
Over 60 Class II–III rapids give you constant river action without the overwhelming intensity of Cataract or Westwater. And because this is designated wilderness, you won't share the canyon with roads or motorboats.
Starlit Beach Camping
Every night on the river means wide sandy beaches beneath cottonwood trees, campfire meals prepared by your guides, and skies so dark you can see the Milky Way reflected in the water.
History, Petroglyphs & Wildlife
Hike to ancient Fremont petroglyphs, ghost homesteads, and the outlaw hideouts of Butch Cassidy. Watch for bighorn sheep, golden eagles, mule deer, and wild mustangs along the canyon walls.
Ideal for Families & All Ages
With calm stretches and friendly rapids, Desolation Canyon is one of the few true multi-day wilderness trips suitable for children ages 5 and up. Regularly rated America's #1 family rafting expedition.
Five Days on the Green River
Every trip is different — water levels, camp locations, and group energy all shape the experience. Here's what a typical 5-day Desolation Canyon rafting trip looks like from Moab.
Pre-Trip Orientation in Moab
Meet your guides and fellow adventurers at the pre-trip briefing in Moab. Collect your dry bags, review river logistics, and get briefed on safety procedures. Get a good night's sleep — tomorrow you fly.
Scenic Flight & River Launch
Board a small plane in Moab for a 45-minute scenic flight over canyon country to the Sand Wash airstrip. Hike down to the river, gear up, and complete your safety orientation. The first day eases you in — calm water for your first 12 miles as the canyon walls begin to rise around you. First camp on a sandy beach.
Into the Heart of Desolation
The canyon deepens as the rapids pick up. Your guides will walk you through each rapid, and you'll run them in oar rafts or inflatable kayaks. Side hikes lead to Fremont petroglyphs and sweeping canyon viewpoints. Hot lunch on the beach, a swim in the river, then float to camp.
Coal Creek, Steer Ridge & Outlaw Country
Day three brings some of the most exciting whitewater — Steer Ridge, Cow Swim, and Three Fords rapids. Between runs, hike to abandoned 19th-century homesteads and outlaw hideouts used by Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch. Wildlife sightings peak as the canyon opens.
Wire Fence, Dinosaur Fossils & Wide Beaches
The canyon walls reach their maximum height on day four. Run Wire Fence rapid, explore ancient dinosaur habitats, and take an afternoon swim in the Green River. The pace slows as you float into one of the most scenic camps of the trip — a broad beach beneath the stars.
The Last Float & Farewell to the Canyon
Float the final miles of Desolation Canyon with the walls gradually opening to the high desert. Take-out near the town of Green River, Utah, where your shuttle returns you to Moab or drops you at your vehicle. Five days, 84 miles, and a memory that won't fade.
Notable Rapids of Desolation Canyon
Desolation Canyon features over 60 named rapids, most rated Class II with several exciting Class III stretches. Below are the rapids you'll remember most:
* Rapid ratings vary with water levels. Peak season (May–June) brings higher flows and more excitement. Late season (July–August) offers lower water, warmer temperatures, and calmer conditions — best for young children.
Everything Is Taken Care Of
Your Desolation Canyon rafting tour from Moab is fully outfitted and all-inclusive. Show up in Moab with your personal gear and we'll handle the rest.
Scenic Flight from Moab
Airport transfer and small-plane flight from Moab to the Sand Wash put-in — a 45-minute aerial tour of canyon country included in your trip price.
All Meals & Beverages
Hearty breakfasts, riverside lunches, and full camp dinners prepared by your guides from departure to return. Dietary restrictions accommodated.
Camping Gear Package
Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping cot, camp chair, and water-resistant dry bag for your personal gear. Nothing to rent, nothing to haul from home.
Rafts & River Equipment
Top-grade whitewater rafts, inflatable kayaks (on request), type V life jackets, helmets, paddles, and all safety gear — inspected before every trip.
Expert Wilderness Guides
All guides are certified in Wilderness First Aid, Swift Water Rescue, and river navigation. They're also historians, naturalists, and campfire storytellers.
Return Shuttle to Moab
At take-out, a vehicle awaits to return your group to Moab, Utah, or drop you at the Green River Airport if you're flying out of the area.
How Desolation Canyon Compares
Wondering which Moab rafting tour is right for you? Here's how Desolation Canyon stacks up against our other popular trips.
| Trip | Duration | Difficulty | Min. Age | Highlights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desolation Canyon ⭐ | 4–5 Days | Class II–III | Age 5+ | Scenic flight, wilderness, 60+ rapids | $1,399 |
| Westwater Canyon | 1 Day | Class III–IV | Age 12+ | Intense whitewater, day trip from Moab | $179 |
| Cataract Canyon | 3–5 Days | Class IV–V | Age 16+ | Big whitewater, Canyonlands, adrenaline | $1,290 |
| Moab Full Day | 1 Day | Class II–III | Age 8+ | Colorado River, scenic, great intro | $159 |
| Moab Half Day | Half Day | Class II | Age 5+ | Quick Colorado River adventure | $79 |
| Moab Daily Float | 2–3 hrs | Class I–II | All Ages | Gentle, family-friendly, canyon scenery | $59 |
What the River Taught Them
Our Desolation Canyon trip was pure magic. The scenic flight alone was worth the price. Five days completely disconnected from the world with the most knowledgeable guides we've ever had. The whole family — kids included — is already planning a return trip.
I've done rafting on three continents. Desolation Canyon is different — it's not just a river, it's a complete wilderness experience. The petroglyphs, the outlaw hideouts, the 5,000-foot walls. You simply can't find this anywhere else. Book it. Do it.
We took our 7-year-old daughter on the 5-day trip and she has already told her entire class about it. Guides were phenomenal with kids — patient, funny, educational. The camping, the meals, the stars at night. Honestly the best vacation we've ever taken as a family.
We chose Desolation Canyon for our honeymoon instead of a beach resort — best decision we ever made. Remote, intimate, extraordinary scenery. The food was surprisingly gourmet. We floated 84 miles and fell even more in love with each other and with Utah.
Did the 4-day trip with a group of college friends. The rapids on day 3 were absolutely wild — we got absolutely soaked at Coal Creek. Camp every night was a party under the stars. Best group trip we've ever done and we've tried everything.
Booked last minute — called on a Tuesday and was on the river by Saturday. Moab Rafting Tours made the logistics seamless. The iKayak option let me run every single rapid myself. An absolute bucket-list trip and it exceeded every expectation I had.
Book Your Desolation Canyon Rafting Tour
2026 trips are filling now. Submit your booking request and a Moab Rafting Tours trip specialist will confirm your dates and availability within 24 hours.
Request Your Trip
Fill out the form below and we'll contact you with available dates and pricing. Flexible cancellation available. No payment required to hold your spot.
Desolation Canyon Answers
Planning a multi-day rafting trip for the first time? Here are the most common questions about Desolation Canyon tours from Moab.
No experience is required. Desolation Canyon's Class II–III rapids are the most beginner- and family-friendly of any multi-day Utah river trip. Your guides will brief you on paddling, safety, and how to navigate each rapid before you run it. First-timers make up a large portion of every trip.
During low water season (July–September), children as young as 5 years old can participate on the 5-day trip. During high water season (May–June), the minimum age increases to 12 years. All guests under 18 must have written parental consent. Contact us if you have young children and we'll match you to the right departure dates.
All Desolation Canyon trips from Moab include the scenic flight from Moab to the river, all meals from day one to take-out, camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, cot, camp chair, dry bag), raft or inflatable kayak, PFD, helmet, all safety equipment, guide fees, shuttle back to Moab, and applicable taxes and fees. Not included: airfare to Moab, personal clothing and gear, gratuity for guides (15–20% is customary), and travel insurance.
Desolation Canyon runs from late May through September. Peak water and the most exciting rapids occur in late May and early June. July and August offer warmer water temperatures and calmer flows — ideal for families with young children. September brings cooler temperatures and lower crowds. Most guests prefer June or July for the best combination of conditions.
Small charter planes (typically 5–9 passengers) depart from Moab's Canyonlands Regional Airport and fly 45 minutes to the Sand Wash airstrip above Desolation Canyon. The flight itself is an extraordinary aerial tour of canyon country. After landing, you'll hike or van approximately 1.5 miles down to the river where the rafts and gear are waiting.
Absolutely — private group charters are available for families, corporate retreats, reunions, and other events. Private charters offer exclusive use of the trip with custom departure dates, personalized itineraries, and dedicated guides. Minimum group sizes apply; contact us for pricing and availability. See also our Group Booking page.
All camping gear and river equipment is provided. You'll need to bring personal clothing, a swimsuit, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), personal medications, a camera, and a small amount of cash for gratuity. See our complete What to Bring guide for a full packing list.
More Moab Rafting Adventures
Not sure if Desolation Canyon is the right fit? Browse our full range of Moab rafting tours — from half-day floats to intense multi-day expeditions.
The Green River Is Calling.
Will You Answer?
84 miles. 5 days. 60 rapids. One scenic flight that changes everything. Reserve your spot on Desolation Canyon before the 2026 season fills.