Bogley

Tucker · Joined: 17 Dec 2005 Posts: 116 Location: Toronto, Ohio

I'll be out that way in early July and some in my group are interested in a rafting day trip. If you only had one day what trip would you do? We will be staying near Springdale/Zion but will drive wherever for the raft trip. (I figured it would be Moab area but I know nothing of Utah rafting. )The only rating I have done on the Colorado was a day trip near Fruita, CO. Calm water and pretty boring.

Iceaxe · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 7758 Location: Local Bordello

The Daily in Moab is probably your best bet in July. It's a nice fun streach of river.

If you are going to go Pro I recommend

Moab Rafting
http://www.moab-rafting.com/

I've used them before and they are small and personal. They will pretty much customize your trip to anything you want, from you do no work and just enjoy the show to you do all the work and they take care of the rafts and lunch (which is my preferred method).

I've done the daily as a privateer before but for the cost I now prefer to just hire someone to handle the rafts and let us do the paddling.

YMMV

Alex · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 2469 Location: SLC, UT

One day eh? Well you have a few choices here. Yes, Moab is pretty much the only place to do some serious rafting. For a one day trip there are several choices:

1. Green River, Neffertitti to Swasey rapid stretch. Class 2 rapids. No permit required, can be doable in a canoe. A fun stretch of the river for a paddle raft. Two car shuttle is required.

2. Colorado River, Moab Daily. Very easy stretch of river, a few nice class 2, possibly class 3 rapids. Very pretty, easy and fun. No permit required, doable in a canoe, kayak, IKs or a raft.

3. WestWater canyon. Class 4 rapids, a lot more technical, permit is required (can be obtained 2 months in advance) http://www.blm.gov/utah/moab/ww-info.html Rafting experience is required to run this stretch. Very very fun and can be easily done in one day.

Every one of these require a two car shuttle. Like Ice said, if you are limited on time and don't know the area, it's best to hire someone with gear and experience to help you. If you are hiring someone, go for WestWater, very fun rafting, especially if a professional guide is running it.