Bears Ears National Monument · Southeast Utah
San Juan River
Rafting Tours
Float a living museum. The San Juan River winds through Bears Ears National Monument past thousands of years of Ancestral Puebloan history, dramatic canyon geology, and the legendary Goosenecks — one of the most iconic landscapes in the American West.
An Open-Air
Archaeological Museum
The San Juan River flows 360 miles from the mountains of southwestern Colorado through the Four Corners region, carving deep into the Colorado Plateau before joining the Colorado River — now backed up as Lake Powell. The Utah section of the San Juan passes through some of the most historically and archaeologically significant land in North America, running entirely through or adjacent to Bears Ears National Monument.
Unlike the Colorado River's classic whitewater trips, the San Juan is defined less by its rapids — which max out at a gentle Class III — and more by what surrounds you on the banks. Ancient Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, hundred-yard petroglyph panels etched 800 to 2,500 years ago, Moki Steps carved into near-vertical canyon walls, and the otherworldly Goosenecks section where the river twists through seven river miles to cover just two miles of ground.
From Moab, outfitters offer San Juan River tours ranging from a single-day float to a full 7-day, 84-mile canyon expedition. The river is celebrated as one of the most family-friendly multi-day rafting trips in the American West — calm enough for young children, rich enough to captivate every curious adult.
Reserve Your SpotSan Juan River — At a Glance
- Total Canyon Length 84 miles
- Upper Section 27 mi · Sand Island to Mexican Hat
- Lower Section 57 mi · Mexican Hat to Clay Hills
- Rapid Class Class I–III
- Trip Length 1 day to 7 days
- Best Season March – October
- Peak Flow Season May – June
- Min. Age All ages welcome
- Protected Lands Bears Ears National Monument
- Distance from Moab ~80 miles to put-in
San Juan River Expeditions
Upper San Juan
Sand Island to Mexican Hat · 27 Miles
The most accessible introduction to San Juan River rafting. This 27-mile stretch from Sand Island — just outside Bluff, Utah — to Mexican Hat can be run as a single action-packed day or stretched into a relaxed 2–3 night camping trip. Float past the stunning Butler Wash Petroglyph Panel, the 14-room River House Ruin, and ancient Moki Steps carved into canyon walls over 800 years ago. Three Class II rapids — Four-Foot, Eight-Foot, and Ledge — add splash and excitement without intimidating beginners or young paddlers.
Trip Details
- Duration 1 Day or 2–3 Days (overnight options)
- Rapid Class Class II — beginner-friendly
- Distance 27 miles, Sand Island to Mexican Hat
- Highlights Butler Wash Petroglyphs, River House Ruin, Comb Ridge, Moki Steps
- Season March through October
- Min. Age All ages welcome
- Skill Level All levels — ideal for families
- Boat Type Oar raft, paddle raft, inflatable kayak
Starting From
$225 per adult · guided day trip- Licensed professional guide
- All safety gear & equipment
- Shuttle transportation
- BLM river permit included
- Riverside lunch (full-day)
- Camping gear (overnight options)
Lower San Juan
Mexican Hat to Clay Hills · 57 Miles
The deeper, wilder half of the San Juan. Launching from Mexican Hat, the river descends into the famous Goosenecks — one of the most spectacular canyon meanders on Earth, where the river winds through seven river miles to cover just two miles as the crow flies, 1,000 feet below the canyon rim. Side canyon hikes through Slickhorn Gulch reveal natural plunge pools, hanging gardens, fossils, and hidden Ancestral Puebloan ruins. Government Rapid (Class III) is the trip's whitewater highlight. Ends at Clay Hills Crossing near the upper reaches of Lake Powell.
Trip Details
- Duration 4 to 5 Days / 3–4 Nights
- Rapid Class Class I–III (Government Rapid Class III)
- Distance 57 miles, Mexican Hat to Clay Hills
- Highlights Goosenecks, Slickhorn Gulch, Honaker Trail, Grand Gulch
- Season March through October
- Min. Age All ages (check with outfitter)
- Skill Level Beginner to Intermediate
- Boat Type Oar raft, inflatable kayak, stand-up paddleboard
Starting From
$975 per adult · all-inclusive- All meals prepared by guides
- Tent & sleeping gear
- All equipment & dry bags
- Licensed professional guides
- River permit & Navajo land fees
- Round-trip shuttle from Moab area
Full San Juan Canyon
Sand Island to Clay Hills · 84 Miles
The complete San Juan River experience. All 84 miles from Sand Island outside Bluff to Clay Hills Crossing near Lake Powell — combining the petroglyph-rich Upper Canyon with the dramatic lower Goosenecks and side canyon wilderness. Six to seven days of immersive canyon travel through Bears Ears National Monument, camping on wide sandy beaches each night under some of the darkest skies in the United States. The definitive San Juan River journey for those who want it all.
Trip Details
- Duration 6 to 7 Days / 5–6 Nights
- Rapid Class Class I–III throughout
- Distance 84 miles total, Sand Island to Clay Hills
- Highlights All Upper + Lower highlights combined
- Season April through September (peak: May–June)
- Min. Age All ages (check with outfitter)
- Skill Level All levels — fully guided & catered
- Boat Type Oar raft, paddle raft, inflatable kayak
Starting From
$1,450 per adult · all-inclusive- All meals — 6 breakfasts, lunches, dinners
- Full camping kit — tent, sleeping bag, cot
- All equipment & dry bags
- All permits — BLM + Navajo land
- Licensed professional guides
- Round-trip shuttle transportation
The San Juan's
Living History
Butler Wash Petroglyph Panel
Just four miles from the Sand Island put-in, one of the Southwest's finest rock art sites runs along a sweeping sandstone wall. Hundreds of petroglyphs and pictographs — Kokopelli figures, spirals, animals, and human forms — span 800 to 2,500 years in age. Guides bring the stories behind the art to life.
River House Ruin
A 14-room Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwelling from the 13th century, built into the underhang of a massive sandstone overhang above the river. Circular kiva rooms, storage chambers, and intact plaster walls remain — one of the most accessible and well-preserved ruins anywhere along the San Juan corridor.
Moki Steps
Ancient footholds carved directly into near-vertical sandstone cliffs by Ancestral Puebloans over 800 years ago — functioning as ladders to access river banks, lookout points, and cliff dwellings above. Moki Steps appear throughout the canyon and are one of the most tangible connections to the people who called this canyon home.
The Goosenecks
Below Mexican Hat, the San Juan performs one of geology's most dramatic tricks — twisting through a series of entrenched meanders that cover seven river miles to travel just two miles as the crow flies, carving 1,000 feet below the canyon rim. The Goosenecks State Park overlook above is one of Utah's most photographed views. Floating through them from below is something else entirely.
Sand Waves
The San Juan is famous for a phenomenon found on few other rivers: sand waves. Shifting sand deposits on the river floor build into standing waves that migrate upstream until they collapse under their own weight. These create fun, unpredictable turbulence — especially thrilling in an inflatable kayak — and give the San Juan a character unlike any other Utah river.
Darkest Skies in America
Bears Ears National Monument and the surrounding canyon country are some of the last places in the continental United States with truly dark night skies. Natural Bridges National Monument nearby was the first International Dark Sky Park in the world. Multi-day San Juan trips put you under the Milky Way every night, far from any road or artificial light source.
San Juan River
Sections Guide
The San Juan can be run in three configurations — each offering a different balance of length, whitewater, and cultural sights.
Upper Canyon
Sand Island → Mexican Hat
The most popular and accessible section. Crosses the Comb Ridge monocline, passes through the spectacular Upper Narrows gorge, and delivers the finest collection of accessible Ancestral Puebloan sites on the entire river. Three Class II rapids add excitement without the need for whitewater experience. Can be completed as a long day trip or broken into 2–3 days for a relaxed camping pace.
Lower Canyon
Mexican Hat → Clay Hills
The deeper, more remote half. Enter the legendary Goosenecks section, explore Slickhorn Gulch's plunge pools and hanging gardens, hike the Honaker Trail 1,200 feet to canyon rim views of Monument Valley, and run Ross Rapid and Government Rapid (Class III). The canyon walls close in dramatically here — towering Cedar Mesa sandstone on all sides. Ends at Clay Hills Crossing near Lake Powell.
Full Canyon
Sand Island → Clay Hills
The complete San Juan experience — all 84 miles from Bluff to Lake Powell. Combines everything the Upper and Lower sections offer into a 6–7 day expedition that covers five distinct indigenous cultures' territories, 300+ million years of exposed geology, and some of the most isolated desert wilderness in the American Southwest. The definitive river journey for those who want the full story.
More Than Whitewater
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The Best Family Multi-Day River in Utah
Class I–III water, warm summer temperatures, wide sandy beaches, and an endless supply of fascinating cultural sites to explore make the San Juan uniquely suited to families with children of all ages — including very young ones.
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Archaeological Depth Unlike Any Other River
No other commercially guided river trip in America offers the same density of accessible, in-context archaeological sites. Petroglyphs, cliff dwellings, ruins, and ancient trails appear continuously along the entire 84-mile corridor.
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Desert Bighorn & River Wildlife
Desert bighorn sheep roam the canyon walls above, great blue herons patrol the shallows below, and the San Juan is home to several native fish species. Beavers, mule deer, and canyon birds are common sightings on multi-day trips.
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Extraordinary Geology
The river crosses the Comb Ridge monocline — a 50-mile unbroken rock upwarp — and exposes 300+ million years of layered canyon geology. Guides narrate the story written in the walls: Permian sea floors, volcanic intrusions, and the slow carving of the Colorado Plateau.
"This little-known corner of Utah is truly a worthy competitor to the most promoted rivers in America. The petroglyphs, the Goosenecks, the silence — it stays with you long after you've left the water."
— Guest review, San Juan River full canyon expedition
Permits & Planning
The San Juan River requires a BLM permit for all trips. Peak season dates (April 15–July 15) are drawn by lottery through Recreation.gov. Outside this window, permits can be reserved in advance. Some campsites on the left bank fall on Navajo Nation land and require a separate Navajo land permit — your outfitter handles all permitting.
Trips run March through October. May and June offer the best water levels and comfortable temperatures. Summer (July–August) can be very hot — guides recommend early starts and midday shade stops.
Check AvailabilityWhat's Included
All guided San Juan River tours are fully outfitted. Here's what to expect on a multi-day expedition.
Included on All Multi-Day Trips
- Licensed, professionally trained river guide
- All rafts, paddles, and river equipment
- U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket (PFD)
- Waterproof dry bags for personal gear
- All camping gear — tent, sleeping bag, cot, camp chair
- All meals prepared by guides (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- BLM river permit and applicable Navajo land permits
- Round-trip shuttle transportation from meeting point
- Inflatable kayak option on flat water sections
- First-aid certified, swift-water rescue trained guides
Bring From Home
- Personal clothing — quick-dry layers for warm and cool conditions
- Sun hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen
- Secure footwear — sandals with straps or water shoes
- Personal water bottle (guides keep water stocked)
- Camera or phone in a waterproof case
- Any personal medications and a small first aid kit
Full packing checklist →
See our what to bring guide and safety page before your trip. General questions answered on our FAQ, or contact us directly.
San Juan River
Rafting FAQ
More questions? Our full FAQ covers all rivers and trip types. Or contact our team directly.
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The San Juan River put-in at Sand Island is approximately 80 miles from Moab — about a 1.5-hour drive south via US-191 toward Bluff, Utah. Most outfitters provide round-trip shuttle transportation from a Moab meeting point, so you don't need to arrange your own car shuttle.
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Absolutely — the San Juan is widely regarded as one of the best family river trips in the American West. The Upper Canyon's Class II rapids are gentle enough for young children, the water is warm for swimming in summer, and the canyon is full of hikes, ruins, petroglyphs, and wildlife that captivate kids of all ages. Most outfitters welcome children of all ages on the San Juan.
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May and June offer peak flows from spring snowmelt, ideal water levels, and comfortable temperatures. Spring (March–April) and fall (September–October) are also excellent — cooler, less crowded, and with dramatic light on the canyon walls. Summer (July–August) trips are hot but very popular for swimming. The river is technically runnable year-round; winter trips offer solitude and extraordinary clarity. Most guided outfitters run March through October.
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The Goosenecks of the San Juan is one of the world's finest examples of entrenched river meanders — the river loops and curls through seven river miles to cover just two miles of ground, carved 1,000 feet below the canyon rim over millions of years. Only multi-day trips (Lower Canyon or Full Canyon) go through the Goosenecks. Viewing them from above at Goosenecks State Park is incredible, but floating through them from below is a completely different — and unforgettable — experience.
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Yes — a BLM permit is required for all San Juan River trips. For peak season dates (April 15–July 15), permits are allocated by lottery through Recreation.gov, drawn months in advance. Outside the lottery window, permits can be reserved in advance. Additionally, some left-bank campsites are on Navajo Nation land and require a separate Navajo land permit (approximately $10–$12 per person). When you book a guided trip, your outfitter handles all permitting on your behalf.
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Sand waves are a unique feature of the San Juan — shifting sand deposits on the river floor build into standing waves that slowly migrate upstream before collapsing under their own weight. They appear without warning and create fun, bouncy turbulence (especially thrilling in an inflatable kayak) on otherwise calm stretches of water. They're harmless but add a layer of excitement and unpredictability that no other Utah river offers.
Book Your San Juan River
Adventure Today
Permits for peak season San Juan trips go fast. Secure your dates now and let our outfitters handle every detail of your canyon journey.
Group trips welcome · Learn about group rates · View current specials