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Trips

Cataract Canyon

The Cataract Canyon Experience

2 Day: Cataract Canyon by Motorized J-Rig

Cataract Canyon through Canyonlands National Park is a journey into a spectacular, remote wilderness.  This quality multi-faceted adventure is the ideal balance of serenity, fascination, and exhilaration – it will elevate your life.  Between mid-May and mid-June, Cataract Canyon has some of the biggest and most challenging whitewater in the United States.  This is a thrill seeker’s dream, with stunningly powerful rapids. For those seeking “moderate” excitement, trips in late summer feature rapids that are big fun rolling waves.

 

Spend your days rafting through the pristine Colorado River canyons; as early evening draws near, pull up to a private beach that we will quickly transform into our river hotel.

 

This trip is all about the Whitewater.  We only offer this trip during the high-water season, when the rapids in Cataract Canyon are at their peak.

Dates & Rates

2026 Dates

May 22, 29

June 5, 12, 19, 26

July 3

2026 Trip Rates

Adult/Youth……………….$1,399

 

Includes scenic Canyonlands flight!*

*Other options available. Please call our office for more information.

What This Rate Includes
More Information
    • Trip Deposit: 20% deposit required upon reservation. Full balance due 45 days prior to departure.
    • Trip Cancellation Insurance
    • Minimum Age: 12 years old
What Is Not Included in Trip Fares
    • Guide Gratuities by no means required but always appreciated by our guides. We recommend 10-20% 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 9% of trip cost.)

Itinerary

Day 1 - Cataract Canyon Rafting: Getting to the Rapids

This morning you will be transported from the Sheri Griffith Expeditions office to the Potash Boat Ramp on the Colorado River. You may catch a glimpse of petroglyphs on the cliff walls, dinosaur tracks on some of the roadside boulders or fossils in the rocks surrounding the boat ramp.

 

We settle into the Jetboat and speed downstream through the heart of Canyonlands National Park. We will also pass Tex’s Grotto, where a Grand Piano is set up for concerts during the Moab Music Festival, and Dead Horse Point, where the movies Mission Impossible 2 and Thelma and Louise were filmed. We will pass Lockhart Canyon, where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid used to hide their stolen cattle until they could move them to market. We will also see ancestral dwellings at Lathrup Canyon.

 

You will meet the rafts when we reach the Confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers. We now enter the true heart of Canyonlands National Park as we near the Confluence. If it has rained recently, the mixing of the rivers will be defined in brilliant swirls of red and green. Enjoy a delicious lunch riverside on one of the may beautiful beaches. The canyon walls are a beautiful, deep red which contrasts beautifully with the pristine blue sky that will be your ceiling for the night.

 

We will pull off the river to camp for the night. After setting up your tent, you can sit back and relax or hike the canyons while the guides set up chairs and the kitchen. Swimming is also an option. Dinner is prepared for you by your river guides. Meals are wonderful combinations that fit well into the atmosphere of your canyon dining room. Vegetarian options are available with advance notice.

 

Note: Meals are served from a set daily menu, but you are welcome to request, in advance, special dishes or tell us if there are particular things you would prefer not to have.

Day 2 - Cataract Canyon Rafting: Whitewater Day and Final Day

Wake to the smells of fresh coffee and a delicious breakfast cooking in the morning. After you eat, we will assist you in taking down your tent and in preparing for the day’s journey. Breakfast offerings will vary throughout your rafting expedition. Hot coffee, tea and chocolate are always available, as are juices and fresh fruit.

 

This morning’s fare is complimented by the sound of rushing water and the anticipation of a great day of running the famous rapids of Cataract Canyon. We will load everything back onto the boats and prepare ourselves for the exciting day at hand.

 

This morning we will experience the first of the Cataract Canyon rapids, numbers 1 through 10. Everyone will be thoroughly soaked as we take a break at midday for lunch and to catch our breath.

 

Stop for Lunch and for some “Land Time”. While the guides prepare lunch, you are welcome to explore the canyon a bit or watch as others run the big rapids you have just been through. Once we have finished with lunch, we get back on the boats and head into the big whitewater. This afternoon we will navigate through more intimidating rapids, including Big Drop 3, Satan’s Gut and Little Niagara.

 

We’ll climb back aboard the boats and follow the Colorado River as it pushes its way into the calm waters of Lake Powell. Here we’ll be in the deepest part of the canyon, surrounded by nearly 2,000 foot cliffs. We’ll see the Dirty Devil River and Piano Leg Arch.

 

As you take this scenic flight, watch for the Henry Mountains, the White Rim, the Abajo Mountains, the La Sal Mountains and nearly the entire Colorado Plateau. You will be met at the Moab airport and transferred back to Moab and the Sheri Griffith Expeditions office where your journey ends.

Maps

Maps of Cataract Canyon Rafting

The Cataract Canyon trip starts outside of Moab in Southeastern Utah. The rapids in Cataract Canyon are formed from the meeting of the Green River and the Colorado River in the heart of Canyonlands National Park.The end location is 4 hours from Moab at Hite Marina on Lake Powell.

Cataract Canyon Information
    • River: The Colorado River
    • Rapid Rating: Class III-V (depending on Water Levels)
    • Put in: Potash Boat Ramp
    • Take-out location: Hite, on Lake Powell
    • River Miles: 96
    • Number of rapids: 31
    • First to run Cataract Canyon: John Wesley Powell

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 Risk Forms
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.

Sheri Griffith Expeditions is an Authorized Concessioner of Canyonlands National Park.

 

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.

Area Information

Frequently Asked Questions

If I need to cancel my trip, is there a way to get my money back?

Sheri Griffith Expeditions maintains a no‑refund policy. Because each trip has a limited number of seats, your reservation holds space that cannot easily be filled by another guest. For this reason, all payments are non‑refundable, and this applies in every circumstance.

 

To protect your travel investment, we strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance. Travel Insurance Select provides detailed information about coverage options, and we encourage you to review their plans before your trip. For more information about travel insurance, click here.

 

If you are unable to participate in your scheduled trip but would like to transfer your reservation to the following year, you may do so for a $300 per‑participant transfer fee, provided the change is made at least three weeks prior to your departure date.

How do I book a trip?

Booking your adventure is simple. The quickest way is to click the “book online” button on your trip page or at the top of our website. If you prefer personal assistance, our team is always happy to help, just give us a call at 800‑332‑2439.

How much money do I have to put down to secure my seat? What is the payment policy?

For 1‑day trips, full payment is required at the time of booking.
For multiday trips, a non‑refundable 20% deposit is due when you make your reservation, with the remaining balance due 45 days before departure.

 

After your reservation is confirmed, you’ll receive a reservation packet that includes your packing list, travel tips, travel insurance information, a beverage request form, and a guest registration form. Please complete the guest registration form and return it promptly so we can prepare for your trip.

Is it possible for my trip to be changed or canceled?

We make every effort to operate each trip as planned. However, we reserve the right to adjust the itinerary or cancel a trip if necessary due to circumstances beyond our control, including weather conditions, water levels, insufficient reservations, changes in international relations, or other unforeseen factors.

 

If a cancellation becomes necessary, all payments you have made will be refunded. Our financial liability is limited to the amount you have paid to Sheri Griffith Expeditions and does not extend to additional expenses incurred by trip participants.

Do I have to go to the River Trip Orientation? When and where will it be held?

On the evening before your trip, we meet at our office (2231 South Highway 191) at 5 pm (MDT) in Moab for a brief pre‑trip orientation. During this meeting, you’ll learn what to expect on your adventure, receive your dry bags, complete the required Assumption of Risk forms, and have an opportunity to ask any final questions.

 

If you are unable to attend the orientation, please let us know in advance so we can make alternate arrangements.

What do we drink on our trip? What beverages are allowed on the river?

If you’d like to bring personal beverages, such as soda, beer, wine, or other favorites, you’re welcome to bring them on the morning of departure. We’ll store them in our iced coolers for you.

 

During the trip, we provide a selection of beverages including sodas, water, lemonade and Gatorade mixes, as well as tea, juice, and coffee each morning.

Should I tip my guides?

Guests often ask about gratuities and what amount is appropriate. If you feel your guides have provided an exceptional experience, you are welcome to leave a gratuity with the Trip Leader, who will distribute it among the crew. While completely optional, a general guideline is 15%–20% of the trip cost.

 

If you plan to tip, please bring cash, a personal check, or ask your Trip Leader for Venmo information—ATMs are hard to find in the backcountry! Checks should be made out directly to the Trip Leader, not to Sheri Griffith Expeditions.

 

Please note: We are unable to accept credit card gratuities while on the river. If you would like to tip using a credit card, please call our office to complete your transaction.

What physical condition do I need to be in for this trip?

If you’re in reasonably good health and have an adventurous spirit, you should have no trouble enjoying our trips. You don’t need to be an athlete to participate in a river expedition, but please be aware that we are several hours from the nearest medical facility while on the river.

 

If you take medication, please bring an adequate supply and inform your guide about what you’re taking. When you meet your guide, discreetly share any medical conditions or concerns, including allergies such as bee stings.

 

Each guide carries a first‑aid kit and may need to know if certain medications require special storage. Understanding any health considerations also helps us plan daily activities appropriately.

 

Pregnant guests and anyone with heart conditions should obtain their physician’s approval before joining a river trip.

What risks am I facing when I go on my trip?

Sheri Griffith Expeditions has maintained an excellent safety record since 1971. However, participation in any outdoor adventure involves inherent risks, and guests should understand that accidents or illnesses may occur. While our guides are trained professionals and we take all reasonable precautions, we cannot guarantee your safety. Each participant is responsible for exercising sound judgment and remaining attentive during all activities.

 

Environmental conditions, including water levels, weather, and other natural elements, are determined by forces beyond our control and contribute to the risks associated with rafting and camping. Prior to departure, all guests will be required to sign an Assumption of Risk and Release Form acknowledging these conditions. Sheri Griffith Expeditions assumes no responsibility for injuries, loss of personal belongings, or additional time or expenses incurred by trip members.

 

We strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance, which can help protect your travel investment, provide coverage for unexpected medical situations, and offer reimbursement should you need to cancel your trip.

I’m unsure of what to do with my vehicle, and I don’t want to lose my keys and other valuables on the river, what can I do?

You are welcome to leave your vehicle parked at our office during your trip. We have a gated parking, as well as a safe room for luggage and valuables while you are on the river.

 

FAQs

"We were in Eric's boat and found him to be courteous and knowledgeable, always on the lookout for points of interest, and he got us through the rapids in a way that was fun and exciting but safe too. We really enjoyed our time with him; he's an asset to your company. The meals were outstanding, all the guides very polite and accommodating to all, knowledge of area history, geology and water use issues was very interesting, great job on keeping everyone safe."

David and Kathy Fine, El Cahone CA

Location: Colorado River, UT
Highlights: Whitewater, Time Sensitive Trip, Canyonlands National Park, Motorized Jig, 2,000ft. Redrock Walls, Scenic Return Flight
Adults and Youth: $1,399 (Includes scenic flight. Does not include taxes & government user fees)
Trip Length: 2 Days / 1 Night
Host City: Moab, Utah
Min. Age: 12 Years Old
Rapids: III–V (Depending on Water Levels)
2026 Dates: May 22, 29 | Jun 5, 12, 19, 26 | July 3
Boats: Motorized Jrigs