Westwater Canyon

The first stretch of whitewater after the Colorado River enters Utah, this thrilling segment is a top rafting destination in the Moab area. Guided rafting trips generally depart from Moab, and use non-motorized boats with oars. You can run all of Westwater Canyon in a single day, on trips that typically include round-trip transportation, lunch, and gear. Multi-day trips typically add additional jaunts to nearby canyons and swimming holes, plus overnights in tents on beaches.

• This trip is not suited for families with small children—tour operators generally set a minimum age of 10 or 12.

• Permits are required to access Westwater Canyon.

• Most tour operators provide wetsuits as needed (typically during the colder spring months).

The starting point for rafting Westwater Canyon is Westwater Boat Launch, a roughly 78-mile (126-kilometer) drive from Moab. One-day trips typically end at Cisco Takeout, outside of Cisco, a ghost town that’s 59 miles (95 kilometers) from Moab. Rafting tour operators generally provide round-trip transportation to the river.

In most years, Westwater Canyon can be paddled from spring through fall. Usually, spring and early summer bring the highest water levels, biggest waves, and coldest water—at the beginning of the season it’s downright chilly, and wetsuits may be required. The most popular months to raft Westwater Canyon are July and August, when powerful sunshine keeps boaters warm even as they splash through churning rapids.

The Moab area offers rafting adventures suited to all kinds of families. Children 8 years and older are generally welcomed on trips through the Class II–III rapids on the Fisher Towers section of the Colorado River, which also includes quiet stretches ideal for swimming and playing. Another good option on the Colorado River is a scenic 13-mile (21-kilometer) section called the Moab Daily, where calm water and moderate rapids alternate.