The Big Picture - Cataract Canyon one day trip

River rafting trips on the Colorado River from Moab to Lake Powell are a 100 miles of the famed Colorado River disposing 25 named class III-V white water rapids. A special designed raft makes this river expedition possible. New technology allows this powerful raft to cover flat water with the speed of a motorboat (about 20 miles per hour) but run the rapids with the surity of a raft. With this versatility, interesting sites seen on longer river rafting trips are seen. After the last of the whitewater rapids, we cross Lake Powell comparatively quick as the high tech motorized raft commands the water. One hundred miles in one day isn’t for everybody, but you’ll know if it has your name on it. An ultimate adventure on it's own or to be architected to be the finale of a hiking trip by Maze 4x4 or self guided canoe trip or rendezvous to houseboat. Houseboat rentals are at Bull Frog or Hall's Crossing Marinas on Lake Powell.

Cataract Canyon river rafting trips in some instances may be substituted with the one day Westwater whitewater rafting trip. Tag-A-Long staff will explain.


The details for Colorado River rafting Moab to Lake Powell

Day 1 – Lunch
The Colorado River rafting trip begins at the Tag-A-Long office in Moab Utah at 7:00 a.m. for a 7:30 a.m. departure. A short drive, a brief overview of matters, we launch! Start the day on flat water enjoying the red rock cliffs and trying to spot eagles, hawks, bighorn sheep and mule deer. We point out locations of interest like petrified wood, ancient ruins, geologic wonders and historical sites from 1920 oil prospecting days. At noon, a stop for lunch at a delightful spot along the river allows the guides show off their culinary skills.

Before hitting the big rapids in Canyonlands National Park, a whitewater orientation is presented to let you know what to expect about rafting in Cataract Canyon. Then off you go! Encounter the steepest descent of the Colorado River and hit some of its most well-known and respected rapids like Satan’s Gut, Little Niagara and the famous Big Drops. The trip ends with a relaxing cruise across Lake Powell, a stunning wonderland too. You must choose in advance a return option from Lake Powell to Moab or onwards to your next destination.

The choices are to board a scenic air flight back to Moab. The flight takes you up the Colorado River above the rapids just rafted in Cataract Canyon and over Canyonlands National Park before landing at the Canyonlands Airfield outside of Moab. We highly recommend this memorable scenic flight. For Lake Powell houseboat renters, plan to park at the Hite strip the day before departure, to fly to Moab to begin, that way your vehicle is awaiting you at the end of this one day white water raft trip. Moab staff meet our rafting trips at the airfield, then transport visitors to town. Stay with a local Moab lodging partner and receive a complimentary hotel pick up.

Consider adding an inflatable kayak or crewing a paddle boat (months other than May and June). Expect to add 2 additional hours to your trip to permit this experience.


Return options

1. Return to Moab by land. The ride from Hite Marina to Moab takes about four hours through the high desert country of southeastern Utah. Arrival in Moab will be about 9:00 p.m. The cost is $73.54.

2. We strongly recommend a scenic charter flight. The flight is about 30 minutes making arrival back in Moab about 6 p.m. This once-in-a-lifetime flight is only $105.00.

3. Tag-A-Long will shuttle guest vehicles to Hite Marina on Lake Powell so it will be waiting for you when you arrive at the marina early in the afternoon. The cost of this service is $231.77 per vehicle.

Lake Powell Ferry information for Bull Frog and Hall's Crossing on Lake Powell.