CATARACT CANYON FOUR
NIGHT OAR TRIP
A Cataract Canyon rafting trip with Tour West is an unforgettable journey through the heart of Canyonlands National Park, where the Green and Colorado Rivers meet before carving their way through stunning red rock canyons.
This adventure combines breathtaking scenery, fascinating geology, and thrilling whitewater. Guests experience calm stretches perfect for soaking in the beauty and history of the region, followed by some of the most exciting rapids in the Southwest—especially during high water. Between exhilarating river days, you’ll enjoy hearty meals, comfortable campsites, and stories about the area’s natural and cultural history.
It’s an ideal trip for those seeking both adventure and awe in one of the most iconic river corridors in the American West
Trip Itinerary
Day One: Meeting location will depend on end of trip travel:
- Vehicle Shuttled to Hite: Your trip will meet at 8:30 am at the Best Western Canyonlands Inn located at 16 S. Main Street. It is important to be on time for this shuttle.If you have any delays, please contact our office 1-800-453-9107. Outside the main entrance your shuttle driver will meet you and take you to the put-in on the river. You may stop at the airport to pick up those that are flying back to Moab at the end of your trip.
- Charter flight from Hite to Moab at the end of your trip: Your trip will meet at 9:00 am at the Moab airport, located 20 minutes North of Moab. Please let our office know prior to your trip if you need this option so we can make sure the shuttle company is prepared to pick you up at the airport. Get there 20 minutes early so you can park and pay. $5 per night.
Days 1-4 On the River
- Arrive at Potash boat ramp. Meet your guides.
- Your guides will answer questions and give an orientation that will include safety precautions and procedures.
- Guides will load your gear onto the boat and you will begin a leisure float through the beautiful sandstone canyons.
- Short Hikes to Indian Ruins, Scenic overlooks
- Forty-Nine miles downstream you will come to the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers which marks beginning of Cataract Canyon.
- Enjoy some of the most exciting whitewater in the West.
- Each night is spent camping along the river and sleeping under the stars.
Day 5: Float on Lake Powell Arrive at Hite
- You will arrive near Hite 11:00 a.m.
- Transportation back to Moab is arranged per your request prior to the trip.
If you choose to fly back to Moab, you will be shuttled to an airstrip where a Redtail Aviation plane will arrive and fly you back to Moab. Please note: the FAA requires anyone 18 years and older to present photo ID for this flight. You should be back in Moab by 12:00 p.m. 25 pounds of gear per person max.
If you choose to have your car shuttled to Hite it will be waiting for you upon arrival. Please make sure you bring 2 sets of keys and make all arrangements prior to your river trip. Arrange this at least 8 weeks prior to shuttle.
Typical Day
- Wake up to coffee call, breakfast, and camp breakdown
- Rafting with side hikes, lunch, splashes and laughs
- Arrive at camp around 4-5 PM; help with “fire line” to unload gear (optional with physical limitations)
- Evening camp setup demo (cots, tents, bathroom system) on the first night
- Freshly prepared dinner under the canyon sky
Rafting & Camping with Tour West
Whether you have been rafting and camping for years or this is your first experience, Tour West makes it easy. All you need to do is bring your personal items in a soft-sided duffle bag and we will provide the rest.
We supply:
- Transportation from Moab to the river
- Boats, Life Jackets, camping gear (cot, sleeping bag, pad, tent, waterproof bags)
- Meals from lunch Day 1 to breakfast Day 5
- Camping toilet facilities
- Beverages – unlimited water & Gatorade. Coffee, tea & hot chocolate in the morning.
- First Aid Kit
Inflatable Kayaks
(Salmon River trips, 4 night Cataract Canyon trips)
A more intimate way to experience the river.
Want to get a little closer to the river? Our inflatable kayaks offer an intimate and adventurous way to experience the Salmon and Colorado Rivers. These stable, self-bailing kayaks put you right at water level, giving you a different perspective from our row boats.
With your own paddle in hand, you can explore the river at your own pace while following the lead of your experienced guide. You’ll feel the current beneath you, work your way through the smaller rapids, and get a front-row view of the canyon walls, beaches, and scenery along the way. They’re a fun option for guests who want a little more independence and a more hands-on connection with the river.
We can bring inflatable kayaks on our Salmon River trips and 4-Night Cataract Canyon trips, depending on river conditions and trip logistics. They are a great complement to our larger boats, giving you the chance to change things up during your trip and experience the river from a completely different perspective.
Smaller boat. Closer to the water. A whole new way to experience the river.
We are not able to bring these on our Grand Canyon motorized trips.
18′ Row Boats
Slow down. Look around. Enjoy the river.
Our 18-foot self-bailing row boats offer a quieter, more intimate way to experience the river. Each boat is rowed by an experienced Tour West guide, with typically two to three guests seated in front of the guide and two to three behind. With the guide doing the rowing, your job is simple: sit back, take in the scenery, and enjoy the ride.
These boats carry the gear for the day, while giving guests plenty of room to settle in and enjoy the ever-changing landscape around them. You’ll hear the sound of the river, watch the canyon walls drift by, and have time to talk, take photographs, or simply be present in the moment. When you reach the rapids, your guide takes the oars and maneuvers the boat through the whitewater, giving you a front-row view of the river.
Row boats are used on our 12-Night Grand Canyon trips, 4-Night Cataract Canyon trips, and all of our Salmon River trips. They are a wonderful choice for travelers who want to experience the river at a more relaxed pace while still getting plenty of whitewater along the way.
Sometimes the best way to experience the river is to slow down and let your guide do the rowing.
Cataract Canyon Four Night Motor Trip
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
July 6, 13, 20, 27
August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Dates and Rates Coming Soon!
Cataract Canyon River Ratings
CLASS IV: Long, continuous rapids with precise maneuvering required.
