- Trips Every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday
- Other Dates Available. Charter Trips Available.
- *Highwater dates, please call our office for more information.
Trips
Westwater Canyon
1 Day: Westwater Canyon Rafting
Dates & Rates
2024 Dates
2025 Trip Rates
Adult………………..$240
Youth:………………$240
What This Rate Includes
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- Full Day on the River
- Paddleboats, and Oarboats
- Quality Guides: Highly Experienced, Professional, & Licensed
- Great Lunch: Local Meats, Cheeses & Veggies
- Iced Coolers on boats
- Lemonade, Iced Water, and Gatorade
More Information
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- Full Payment due at Reservation
- Trip Cancellation Insurance
- Minimum Age: 10 years old
What Is Not Included in Trip Fares
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- Guide Gratuities by no means required but always appreciated by our guides. We recommend 15-20% of the cost of the river portion of the trip.
- Transportation to Moab Utah.
- Lodging and meals prior to or following your expedition (except where noted.) Click to see list of quality places to stay in Moab Utah.
- Government user fees and taxes (about 10% of trip cost.)
Itinerary
Day 1 - Westwater Canyon Rafting: Starting on the Colorado River
This proposed Wild and Scenic River is totally isolated from modern civilization: a canyon of serene solitude surrounded by red sandstone spires. National Geographic joined us in Westwater Canyon to photograph and write of the dramatic scenery and its unique wildlife habitat. The river cascades through the ever-deepening sandstone monuments and into the narrow Black Granite Gorge. Here the river meets opposition from the canyon walls, creating the fast and furious rapids that give Westwater its reputation: Funnel Falls, Last Chance, the Steps, and, of course, the infamous Skull Rapid.
This trip is designed for adventure seekers and canyon lovers, for those looking for great rapids on a remote and regulated river. The small number of people allowed in this canyon each day is strictly controlled. That means you will encounter almost no one else on the river during your trip. We use oarboats here, but paddleboats are available for the experienced by advance request. An oarboat is an 18 foot inflatable raft maneuvered by a guide with a set of oars secured in the middle of the raft. A paddleboat is a 16 foot inflatable raft manned by passengers and their paddles, with the guide navigating from the back of the raft.
There will be chance to swim and enjoy the river as you float out of Westwater Canyon. The ride back to Moab will be filled with stories of the hole in ‘Sock-It-To-Me’ and the beautiful sunset the night before. The van returns you to Moab around 5-5:30 PM (MDT)**.
7:00 AM–Meet at Sheri Griffith Expeditions Office
7:15-7:20 AM–Depart for Westwater Canyon. There is a two hour drive from Moab to the Westwater Ranger Station, where we will start our river journey.
9:15-9:30–We will arrive at the Westwater Ranger Station, where we will put on and size the PFDs (Personal Floatation Devices). We will have a brief safety discussion and then board the boats and start our journey.
Mid-day–We will stop for a “Build Your Own” Sandwich Buffet lunch at one of the beaches along the river. After lunch, the guides will re-check the PFDs, and one guide will go over important safety details that will help keep everyone safe as we traverse the whitewater.
3:00 PM**–Arrive at the Cisco boat ramp. The guides begin to secure and load the rafts onto the trailers.
3:30 PM**–Depart Cisco as we return to Moab. The drive from Cisco to Moab takes approximately one and a half hours.
5:00 PM**–Arrive at the Sheri Griffith Expeditions office in Moab.
**The take-out and return times are approximate. Water Conditions, weather and other factors may lead to a later or earlier return time.
WHAT IS INCLUDED: 1) FULL DAY on the river, 2) RAFT and all rafting equipment, 3) BUFFET LUNCH, 4) EXPERIENCED, LICENSED GUIDES with Emergency Medical Response and CPR certification as well as river rescue training, 5) ICED COOLERS for additional beverages that you bring. We supply lemonade and water. Please bring a water bottle. 6) TRANSPORTATION to the river and back, from our river complex in Moab, Utah.
PLEASE MEET us dressed for the river: in swimsuit, shorts, T-shirt, shoes that can get wet, hat or visor, sunglasses, etc. Please bring a water bottle. Bring a sweatshirt or sweater, rain gear, sunscreen, a change of dry clothes and any additional beverages that you want. (We’ll provide iced coolers for your aluminum cans and plastic bottles.) Any items that need to be kept dry, like a camera, film, prescriptions and such will be put in a watertight bag or box at the launch site. ADVANCE RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.
Maps
Maps of Westwater Canyon Rafting
Westwater Canyon lies between Grand Junction, Colorado and Moab, Utah on the Colorado River. This canyon has become one of the most popular whitewater destinations in the American West.
National Geographic called it “the best short whitewater trip in the west.” Westwater Canyon has a colorful history of miners, outlaws, cowboys, engineers, and river enthusiasts. Westwater’s unique geology creates awe inspiring vistas and exciting whitewater.
Westwater Canyon Information
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- River: The Colorado River
- Rapid Rating: Class III-IV(Depending on Water Levels)
- Put in: Loma or Westwater Ranger Station
- Take-out location: Cisco
- River Miles: 17 or 31
- Number of rapids 16
- First to run Westwater Canyon: Bert Loper and Ellsworth Kolb in 1916
Resources
Required Forms
Please print, sign and return the required forms (for each person in your party) to our office by email, fax or mail at least 45 days prior to your trip.
Trip Document in PDF's
Helpful Links
Canyonlands National Park: Canyonlands National Park preserves a colorful landscape of sedimentary sandstones eroded into countless canyons, mesas and buttes by the Colorado River and its tributaries.
Arches National Park: Arches National Park preserves over two thousand natural sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch, in addition to a variety of unique geological resources and formations.
Moab Travel Council: A great resource on Moab area trails, hotels, and other great things to do in Moab.
River rafting is a lot of fun, but like most outdoor adventure activities, there are also potential hazards. Click here for more information about possible hazards you might experience while whitewater rafting in our beautiful canyons.
Questions About the Trip
Cancellation Policy and Trip Insurance:
Sheri Griffith Expeditions has a NO REFUND policy. Since you have reserved space for which we have a limited number of seats, our non-refundable policy applies in every instance. There are no exceptions for any reason, so we highly recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance to protect your vacation investment. For more information about Travel Insurance, click here.
How to book a trip
There are several easy ways to make a reservation. Easiest is to click on the “book online” button on your trip or at the top of the screen. You can always give us a call at 800-332-2439.
Deposits and Reservations
For 1 day trips full payment is required at time of booking. For multiday trips a non-refundable $300/person deposit is required at the time of reservation. The balance is due 45 days prior to departure. After making your reservation you will receive a reservation packet that will include a packing list, helpful travel hints, travel insurance information, a beverage request form, and a guest registration form. Please fill out the guest registration form and send or fax back quickly. If you find you are unable to participate in the trip that you booked, but would like to transfer your trip to the following year, there will be a charge of $300 per participant if the change is made at least 3 weeks prior to your departure date.
Non-Performance
We make every effort to follow through on our plans. However, we reserve the right to make changes in the itinerary or possibly cancel a trip if necessary including but not limited to weather conditions, water fluctuations, insufficient reservations, changes in international relations, or other factors beyond our control. If cancellation is necessary, your money will be refunded. Our financial liability shall be limited to the amount actually paid and shall not be extended to cover any other costs incurred by the trip member.
Tipping:
Guests often ask whether gratuities are appropriate, and in what amount. If you feel your guides have provided a very special trip for you, a gratuity may be left with the trip leader and will be shared among the crew. Entirely discretionary, anything between 15% and 20% of the trip cost is a general tipping guideline. If you plan to tip, remember to bring a personal check or cash—ATM’s are hard to find in the backcountry! PLEASE, do not make out checks to Sheri Griffith Expeditions. If you are writing check please make it out to the Trip Leader. NOTE: we cannot take credit card gratuities.
Hiking and Physical Requirements:
If you are of an adventurous spirit and in reasonably good health, you should have no problem enjoying any of our trips. It’s not necessary to be an athlete to participate in a river expedition. However, It is several hours to the nearest medical center. If you take medication you should bring a good supply and inform your guide of all medication that you are taking. When you meet your guide, you should discretely explain any medical conditions you may have or be concerned about including allergies to bee stings, etc. Each guide carries a first aid kit and will need to know if specific medicines should be stored. It’s also helpful to know about other health issues when planning activities for the day. Pregnant women and anyone with heart trouble should have their physician’s approval before taking a river trip.
Safety, and Assumption of Risk
We maintain an excellent safety record, since 1971. However, all outdoor experiences involve risk and we all must recognize that accidents or illnesses may occur. We cannot guarantee your safety. We place final responsibility for your safety firmly on your shoulders where it belongs. You have to pay attention to what you are doing. Mother Nature controls the water level, the weather and the elements, so there is a risk involved in rafting and camping. Before your trip departs, you will be asked to sign an Assumption of Risk and Release Form. We assume no responsibility for injury to trip members, their personal belongings or, for time and expense incurred. We strongly recommend Travel Insurance, which covers vacation losses and accidents and provides a refund if you have to cancel your trip.
Parking, luggage and valuables:
We have a gated parking lot at our office for your vehicles while you are on the river. We also have a safe room for luggage and valuables while you are on the river.
Location:
Colorado River, UT
Highlights:
Best 1 Day Near Moab, 1.7 Billion Old Rock, Colorado River Rapids, Wildly Fun Rapids, Paddleboat Action
Rate:
$240 (Does not include taxes & government user fees)
Trip Length:
1 Full Day
Host City:
Moab, Utah
Min. Age:
10 Years Old
Rapids:
III-IV (Depending on Water Levels)
2024 Dates:
Trips Every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday | Other Dates Available. Charter Trips Available. | *Highwater dates, please call our office for more information.
Boats:
Paddleboat, Oarboats
