Castle Valley Rafting: Colorado River full day with lunch

Float past Fisher Towers and red rock monuments instead of paddling hard

You meet at the Moab office, shuttle 45 minutes to Castle Valley, and spend the day floating the Colorado River past Fisher Towers and red rock monuments. Lunch is served beachside, Class II rapids break up the flat water, and guides share the geology and history as you drift. A shuttle brings you back to the office by late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Moab rafting trip on Colorado River

• Meet at Moab office
• Check in and get life jacket
• Shuttle to Castle Valley
• Safety orientation at boat launch
• Float on Colorado River
• View Fisher Towers and monuments
• Enjoy river games and stories
• Stop for lunch on beach
• Navigate Class II rapids
• Shuttle back to Moab office

The experience

The shuttle pulls away from the Moab office and the landscape opens up. Forty-five minutes of driving through Castle Valley, and the monuments start to show themselves: Fisher Towers rising sharp against the sky, Castleton Tower holding its shape, the Priest and Nuns formation standing like they've been there forever. You're not floating yet, but you're already seeing why this section of the Colorado River matters. The guides talk as you drive, dropping names and geology, but mostly you're just watching the red rock walls get closer.

At the boat launch, the safety briefing is quick and practical: how to sit, where to hold on, what happens if the water gets rough. It won't, mostly. This Moab rafting trip is Class II rapids, which means you'll feel the current but you're not fighting for your life. The water stays warm from late spring through early fall, and the guides know when to paddle hard and when to just let the river do the work. Between the rapids, there's a lot of floating. A lot of looking. You'll stop for swims when the mood hits, maybe a splash fight if the group's into it. The guides have stories about the formations sliding past: how long they've been there, what they're made of, why they look the way they do.

Lunch lands on a beach around noon, deli-style sandwiches and the kind of food that tastes better when you've been on the water for hours. The second half of the trip brings more rapid sections, and by then you know whether you want to paddle through them or sit back and let the raft do it. Either way works. The shuttle back to the office is another scenic drive, the same route in reverse but you're seeing it differently now: tired, sun-soaked, already thinking about when you'd do this again.

The whole day runs long enough to feel complete but not so long that you're wrecked by evening. Guides are in-house trained, which means they know this stretch of river the way locals know their neighborhood. Rafts are self-bailing, life jackets are Coast Guard-approved, and the company handles the logistics. You just show up at the office, get fitted, and let them move you through the day.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or office pickup and shuttle to Castle Valley (45 minutes), safety orientation and paddle instruction, a self-bailing raft with paddles and life jacket, Class II rapids and flat-water floating through red rock canyons, beachside deli-style lunch around noon, river games and guide commentary on geology and local history, and a scenic shuttle back to the Moab office by late afternoon.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30Last departure this season: 8 Nov

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (14 to 90 years) · Youth (4 to 13 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours

Is this one for you?Right for travelers staying in Moab who want a full day on the water without arranging transport or gear. The shuttle and lunch are handled, and the Class II rapids keep it active without being intense. Plan for a long day out, which is what lets you float the whole scenic stretch and return relaxed rather than rushed.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (4 to 13 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

How long is the full day trip?

The drive to the launch is 45 minutes, and the river time runs most of the day, with lunch around noon. Plan for a full day out, returning to the office in the late afternoon.

What are the rapids like on the Colorado River near Moab?

Class II rapids: mild enough that you can sit back and enjoy them, or paddle through if you want to be active. Most of the trip is flat water.

Is lunch included?

Yes, a deli-style lunch is served beachside around noon.

Do I need rafting experience?

No. The trip is suitable for all fitness levels, and guides give a safety orientation and paddle instruction at the launch.

What's included in the price?

In-house trained guides, safety gear (raft, paddles, life jacket), lunch, and shuttle to and from the Moab office.

Is the water cold?

The Colorado River stays warm from late spring through early fall, so it's comfortable for swimming and splashing.

Can I bring my own paddle or gear?

All rafts, paddles, and life jackets are provided by the company.

What if I can't swim?

You'll wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket the whole time. The trip is mostly flat water with optional swims, so you can stay in the raft if you prefer.