Moab Colorado River Stand Up Paddleboarding: 5-mile Flat Water

Five miles of flat water, red rock walls, and a guide who teaches as you paddle

Stand up paddleboarding on a 5-mile flat section of the Colorado River near Moab, Utah, with a certified professional guide, hotel pickup, and snacks included. The trip follows the southern border of Arches National Park and takes three to four hours. Children from age 10 are welcome, and no paddling experience is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stand Up Paddleboarding on Colorado River

• Meet guides for pickup
• Travel to Colorado River near Moab
• Learn stand up paddleboarding basics
• Paddle 5-mile flatwater section
• Enjoy views of red rocks and Arches National Park

The experience

You get picked up at your hotel and driven a few miles north to the Colorado River. A certified guide meets you there and walks through the basics of stand up paddling before you push off. The route runs five miles of flat water (no rapids, no whitewater), so the focus stays on the paddle itself and the landscape around you. Towering red rocks line both banks, and the trip follows the southern edge of Arches National Park the whole way down.

The paddle takes three to four hours depending on the day and the current. Your guide handles the pacing and points out the geology and ecology of the Moab area as you move downriver. You'll get snacks and water along the way, though you'll need to bring your own water bottle. Because there's no whitewater and the water is calm, this works for anyone: no prior paddling experience needed, and kids from age 10 can come along as long as an adult is with them.

You choose between a morning trip or a mid-day departure when you book. Both include transportation to and from the Paddle Moab shop, so you don't arrange a separate ride to the river. The guide is a live professional who speaks English and knows the area well enough to answer questions about what you're seeing.

What’s included

• Transportation to and from the Paddle Moab shop.
• professional licensed guide.
• snacks and water provided during the paddle.
• instruction in stand up paddling basics before you launch.

Options for this experience

2 options

Mid-Day Flatwater Fun TripGuide in English · 09:30Afternoon Flatwater Fun Trip: a pleasant float along the Colorado River with beautiful scenery and no rapids.

Morning Flatwater Fun TripGuide in English · 09:30Morning Flatwater Fun Trip: a pleasant float along the Colorado River with beautiful scenery and no rapids.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Child (10 to 16 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Paddle Moab

Is this one for you?The flat water and three- to four-hour timeframe work well if you want a calm river experience without the intensity of whitewater paddling. Morning and mid-day departures let you fit it around the rest of your Moab itinerary.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 16 years). Children under 10 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 the Colorado River like on this paddleboarding trip?

The Colorado River section you paddle is flat water with no whitewater or rapids, making it a calm, relaxing float. The route runs five miles and follows the southern border of Arches National Park, with red rock walls on both sides of the river.

Do I need paddleboarding experience to book this trip?

No experience is required. Your certified guide teaches you the basics of stand up paddling before you get on the water, and the flat water makes it easy to learn as you go.

Can my 10-year-old come paddleboarding on the Colorado River?

Yes, children from age 10 are welcome as long as they're accompanied by an adult. The calm water and low-adventure format make it suitable for kids at that age.

How long does the paddleboarding trip take?

The trip takes three to four hours total, including the paddle down the five-mile flat section and time for instruction and snacks along the way.

What's included in the paddleboarding trip?

The trip includes transportation to and from the Paddle Moab shop, a professional licensed guide, snacks, and water. You'll need to bring your own personal water bottle.

When can I go paddleboarding on the Colorado River?

You can choose between a morning trip or a mid-day departure when you book. Both options run on your reserved day and time.