Moab: Colorado River Rafting & Fisher Towers 14-Mile Day Trip

Fourteen miles of rapids, red rock, and a riverside lunch you won't forget

You get picked up in Moab, driven to the Fisher Towers put-in, and spend the day paddling and drifting 14 miles of the Colorado River through red rock canyons. The guides manage safety and navigation, lunch is served on a beach, and all gear including life jackets and dry bags is provided. Plan for a full day out. You're back in town by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day rafting on Colorado River

• Meet guides at Moab office
• Receive orientation and safety briefing
• Van ride to Fisher Towers put-in site
• Raft 14 miles along Colorado River
• Swim during calm water sections
• Enjoy buffet-style picnic on riverside beach
• Drift between canyon walls and take photos
• Listen to guide's commentary on ecology and history

The experience

So you're thinking about spending a day on the water, but you're not sure if you can actually handle the rapids? Turns out the Colorado River near Moab runs both: splashy sections that get your heart going, and long drifts between canyon walls where you can float, swim, and just breathe. The full-day rafting trip covers 14 miles of the river starting from the Fisher Towers section, which is only a short drive from town but feels like you've left civilization behind entirely. Your guides handle all the logistics: they pick you up from the central Moab office, drive you to the put-in site, and hand you a Coast Guard-approved life jacket and a dry bag for your camera. The landscape does most of the talking: soaring red rock spires, narrow canyon walls, and water that changes color depending on the light.

The rhythm of the day is pretty straightforward. You start with a safety briefing at the office, then head out in a van to where the river begins. Once you're on the water, it's a mix of paddling through whitewater sections and coasting through calmer stretches where you can actually look around and take photos without gripping the raft. Your guide shares information about the ecology and wildlife as you float. The kind of detail that makes you understand why this landscape matters, not just why it looks good. Between rapids, there's time to swim in the deeper pools if you want to cool off, and the guides know which sections are safe for that. Around midday, you pull onto a riverside beach where they set up a buffet-style lunch, so you're eating with the canyon walls as your backdrop.

A few practical things: the trip needs a minimum of four people to run, so if you're booking solo or as a pair, confirm the day before that the group is solid. Kids as young as six can go, as long as they weigh at least 50 pounds. Bring sturdy shoes (flip-flops won't cut it), and quick-dry clothes because you will get wet. A swimsuit or fast-drying shorts, sunscreen, a hat, and a camera (waterproof is ideal) round out the list. If you want to bring an inflatable kayak instead of staying in the raft, you can request that when you book at no extra charge. The whole day is designed for all fitness levels, so you don't need to be an athlete to enjoy it.

What’s included

Van transport from the Moab office to the Fisher Towers put-in site and return, professional guide, Coast Guard-approved life jacket, river bag and camera box, all required rafting equipment, buffet-style lunch, and ice water for refills throughout the day. Inflatable kayaks are available upon request at no charge.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Youth (8 to 15 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

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 due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by NAVTEC Expeditions

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want a full day on the Colorado River without arranging your own transport or gear: the van pickup, guide, and lunch are all handled. The 14-mile float works for ages 6 and up, and the mix of rapids and calm water means you get both excitement and time to take in the red rock landscape.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 15 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the Moab Colorado River rafting trip?

Van transport from the Moab office to the river and back, professional guide, life jacket, dry bag, all rafting equipment, and a buffet-style lunch on a riverside beach. You bring your own water bottle. Ice water for refills is provided.

How long is the 14-mile Colorado River rafting trip?

It's a full-day trip. You meet at the central Moab office, get a safety briefing, then drive to the put-in. The exact duration depends on water conditions and group pace, but plan for most of the day on and around the river.

What should I bring for the Colorado River rafting day?

Sturdy footwear (hiking shoes or water shoes, no flip-flops), quick-dry clothing, a swimsuit or fast-drying shorts, sunscreen, lip balm, a hat, and a camera. A spring or fall rain suit is recommended. Bring a personal water bottle.

What happens if there aren't enough people for the Moab rafting trip?

The trip requires a minimum of 4 people to run. If the group doesn't meet that number by the day before departure, the trip is tentative and may not operate. Confirm with the operator the day prior.

Can I bring an inflatable kayak instead of rafting?

Yes, inflatable kayaks are available at no extra charge. Request this in the special requirements field when you book.

What are the rapids like on the Fisher Towers section?

The trip combines splashy white water sections with longer calm stretches where you can swim, take photos, and float between canyon walls. It's designed to be fun and engaging without requiring prior rafting experience.

Is lunch included in the Moab rafting trip?

Yes, a buffet-style lunch is served during a stop on a riverside beach. You'll eat with the red rock canyons as your backdrop.