Skip to content
Overnight Rafting Trips
Yellow oar raft loaded with gear bags plunging into a big foaming wave, two people aboard.
An oar boat drops into a big wave. On oar trips the guide rows while you hold on.

Utah · Canyonlands National Park

Cataract Canyon rafting trips

Big water in Canyonlands, with 11 Park Service authorized outfitters side by side. No lottery, and no whitewater experience needed on a guided trip.

2 to 7 days / 1 to 6 nights
State
Utah
Trip length
2 days, 1 night to 7 days, 6 nights
Whitewater
Class III to V, per the Park Service
Season
March to November, by outfitter
River miles
About 100 from Potash, per American Whitewater
Permit
Reserved, no lottery
Compare outfittersGuided trip or lottery?

Quick answer

Guided Cataract Canyon rafting trips run 2 to 7 days, most often 4 days and 3 nights, from spring into fall. Many use motor rigs for the calm water, and several fly guests back to Moab. We list 11 Park Service authorized outfitters. There is no lottery. Listed prices start at $564 per person (checked September 2026).

The route

The confluence to Hite

Cataract Canyon starts where the Green River meets the Colorado. The Park Service counts 14 miles of rapids before the river slows into Lake Powell.

  1. Mile 0ConfluenceGreen meets Colorado
  2. Mile 4.2Brown Betty
  3. Mile 13.7 to 14.2Big Drops 1 to 3Class IV, per American Whitewater
  4. Mile 19.8Gypsum Canyon Rapid
  5. Mile 48.6HiteTake out; North Wash is a mile above

River miles from American Whitewater, counted from the confluence. Most trips launch upstream at Potash, near Moab, and cover about 50 calm miles before the confluence. Camps are assigned by the outfitter.

Compare outfitters

Every Cataract Canyon outfitter, side by side

Canyonlands National Park publishes its list of authorized whitewater outfitters. This table covers the ones running Cataract trips, with details from each outfitter's own site, listed alphabetically.

Cataract Canyon rafting outfitters with trip lengths in days and nights, boats, season, minimum age and lowest listed price
OutfitterTrip lengthsBoatsSeasonMin ageFrom, per adultBook
Adrift Adventures2 days, 1 night express (jet boat and raft) to 6 days, 5 nights rowingMotor, oar; inflatable kayak and paddle board on some tripsMarch to October10 (16 in May and June)$5642 day Express with a jet boat leg; 3 day motor trip from $900; year not shown; 4% access fee extra. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Adrift
Colorado River & Trail Expeditions4 days, 3 nights to 7 days, 6 nightsMotor on the 4 and 5 day (3 and 4 night) trips; oar on the 7 dayApril to July12$1,7954 day, 3 night trip; year not shown; scenic flight back. Checked Sep 2026See dates with CRATE
Holiday River Expeditions5 days, 4 nights to 6 days, 5 nightsOarMay to September8 (16 in May and June)$1,6305 day, 4 night trip plus a $2 fee; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Holiday
Mild to Wild Rafting2 days, 1 night to 6 days, 5 nightsMotor; paddle raft option on trips of 4 days, 3 nights or longerMarch to November10 (14 at high water)$9892 day, 1 night trip; year not shown; about 9% fees extra. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Mild to Wild
Mountain Travel Sobek7 days, 6 nights (4 on the river, 2 in hotels)Oar or motorApril, May, September, October18$2,995Multi activity trip; only 2025 dates shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with MT Sobek
NAVTEC Expeditions2 days, 1 night to 5 days, 4 nightsMotor, oarMarch to OctoberNot listed (youth rate 16 and under)$9252 day, 1 night trip on its main page, year not shown; trip pages show 2017 and 2024 rates. Checked Sep 2026See dates with NAVTEC
OARS4 days, 3 nights to 6 days, 5 nightsMotor, oar, paddle; inflatable kayak, paddle board and dory on the 6 dayApril to October9 (12 to 16 at high water)$2,0494 day, 3 night trip, October 2026; $2,199 in 2027; scenic flight included. Checked Sep 2026See dates with OARS
Sheri Griffith River Expeditions2 days, 1 night to 6 days, 5 nightsMotor, oar; paddle July to SeptemberApril to September10 (12 for the 2 day)$1,3992 day, 1 night high water trip, 2026; scenic flight included; about 9% fees extra. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Sheri Griffith
Tour West4 days, 3 nights motor; 5 days, 4 nights rowingMotor, oarMay to early SeptemberNot listed$1,5553 night motor trip, 2026, plus tax; $1,600 in 2027. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Tour West
Western River Expeditions4 days, 3 nightsMotor at high water; oar or paddle laterMay to September12$1,975Labeled 2025; the page also shows $2,050; scenic flight included. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Western River
World Wide River Expeditions4 days, 3 nightsMotor in spring; oar and paddle laterMay to August8 to 16, by water level$1,3504 day, 3 night trip; year not shown; flight back $300 or van $50. Checked Sep 2026See dates with World Wide

"Not listed" means we could not find it on the outfitter's site in September 2026. Where a site gives days only, nights are days minus one. Prices are the lowest adult rate we found and several exclude park access fees. Confirm when booking.

Also on the Park Service list but not shown: Wilderness River Adventures (its Cataract pages no longer load, and its site lists other trips only). Missing an outfitter? Tell us.

The no lottery way in

Guided trip or private permit?

There is no lottery for Cataract Canyon. Private groups can reserve a permit, but the Park Service rates the rapids up to Class V, and American Whitewater calls spring high water expert big water only. A guided trip puts experienced crews on the boats.

No lottery

Book a guided trip

How you get a spot
Pick a date with one of the outfitters above and book it.
Experience needed
None. The guides run the boats, and several outfitters raise minimum ages at high water.
Trip length
2 days, 1 night to 7 days, 6 nights on the trips we checked.
Getting home
Several outfitters include a scenic flight from the take out back to Moab.
Compare Cataract outfitters

Private permit

Reserve a private permit

When to book
April 14 to October 15 trips open December 14. October 16 to April 13 trips open June 15.
Release time
8 am MST on Recreation.gov.
Group size
Up to 40 people, with no daily launch limit.
Fees
$36 reservation fee plus $25 per person.
See the lottery calendar

Sources: Canyonlands river permits, Park Service Cataract Canyon page and American Whitewater.

On the river

What a day on a Cataract Canyon rafting trip looks like

Most trips cover calm water first and rapids later. OARS motors the first 50 miles, then switches to oars and paddles for the whitewater.

  1. Morning

    Breakfast in camp, then the boats are loaded for the day.

  2. Midday

    Flatwater through Canyonlands or rapids in the canyon, with lunch on a beach.

  3. Afternoon

    A side hike or a scout of the next rapid, then on to camp.

  4. Evening

    Camp on a beach below the canyon walls, dinner cooked by the guides.

What outfitters list as included

  • Guides, boats and life jackets
  • Meals on the river
  • Camp gear
  • A scenic flight back to Moab, on many trips

OARS, Sheri Griffith, Western and Colorado River & Trail Expeditions list the flight back as included. World Wide sells it as an add on. Check each outfitter's list.

Worth checking before you book

  • Park and access fees: about 9% at Mild to Wild and Sheri Griffith, 4% at Adrift
  • The flight back, when it is an add on
  • Sleeping bags
  • Guide tips

More on camp life, meals and the toilet in river camping, and on tips in tipping your guides.

When to go

The Cataract Canyon rafting season

The Park Service says high water generally runs from early May to late June, with lower water later in summer. Outfitters run trips from March or April into October, and Mild to Wild into November.

High water means bigger rapids and higher minimum ages: Adrift and Holiday set 16 for May and June. Several outfitters lower their minimum ages from July. See when to go rafting for how seasons compare.

14 miles of rapids in Cataract Canyon, rated Class III to V by the National Park Service.

Who it suits

Which Cataract trip fits you

Whitewater seekers

Go in May or June for high water and the biggest Big Drops. See whitewater camping trips and the whitewater classes guide.

Families

Wait for summer, when Holiday and World Wide take kids from 8 and OARS from 9. See family rafting trips.

Short on time

Adrift, Mild to Wild, NAVTEC and Sheri Griffith run 2 day, 1 night trips. See 2 day rafting trips and motorized rafting trips.

Questions

Cataract Canyon rafting trip questions

How much does a Cataract Canyon rafting trip cost?

On the outfitters' own sites, checked in September 2026, the lowest listed rate is $564 per person for Adrift's 2 day Express, which pairs a jet boat with a raft. Full 4 day, 3 night trips list from $1,350 at World Wide to $2,049 at OARS. Confirm when booking.

How long is a Cataract Canyon rafting trip?

Outfitters run 2 days, 1 night to 7 days, 6 nights, and 4 days, 3 nights is the most common length. The Park Service says trip length varies with river flows and motor use. American Whitewater calls the run from Potash a 100 river mile trip.

Is there a lottery for Cataract Canyon?

No. The Park Service says there is no lottery for river permits in Canyonlands. Private groups reserve permits on Recreation.gov. On a guided trip, the outfitter handles the permit and you book a seat.

How hard is Cataract Canyon?

The Park Service describes a 14 mile stretch of Class III to V whitewater. The Big Drops sit about 14 miles below the confluence. American Whitewater rates them Class IV at the flows it describes and says spring high water is for expert big water boaters only.

What is the minimum age for Cataract Canyon?

It depends on the outfitter and the water. Holiday and World Wide list 8 at lower water, OARS lists 9, and most others list 10 or 12. Several raise the minimum to 14 or 16 in May and June.

When is the best time to raft Cataract Canyon?

It depends on what you want. The Park Service says high water generally runs from early May to late June, when the rapids are biggest and minimum ages are higher. Lower water later in summer suits families.

How do you get back to Moab after the trip?

Most trips end near Hite or North Wash at the top of Lake Powell. OARS, Sheri Griffith, Western and Colorado River & Trail Expeditions include a scenic flight back to Moab. World Wide offers a flight for $300 or a van for $50.

Where do Cataract Canyon trips start?

Most launch at Potash, near Moab, and meet in Moab the night before or that morning. Holiday meets in Green River, Utah. The Park Service also lists Mineral Bottom and the town of Green River as put ins.

Why do so many Cataract trips use motors?

Most trips launch at Potash, about 50 miles above the confluence, and end on Lake Powell. Motor rigs cover that calm water faster. OARS motors the first 50 miles, then switches to oars and paddles. See motorized rafting trips.

Who is allowed to guide Cataract Canyon?

Only outfitters authorized by Canyonlands National Park. Every outfitter in our table is on the Park Service's whitewater list.

Keep planning

Ready to book

Pick your Cataract Canyon outfitter

Compare trip lengths, boats and minimum ages, then check dates directly with the outfitter.

Compare Cataract outfittersMore Utah river trips

Written by a Moab river guide and Wilderness First Responder.Last checked