The 15 Best Colorado River Rafting Trips Worldwide

1.Moab Afternoon Half Day Rafting Trip – Colorado River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 678 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $109 a head Our pick

Spend about four and a half hours rafting near Moab, with roughly two hours on the Colorado River. Mild class I and II rapids, Castle Valley, Fisher Towers, swimming, and guide-led stories make this a relaxed introduction to rafting. Guides such as Tom, Sam, Irving, and Devin add local detail and humor. No prior experience is needed.

“Excellent, experienced guides made both our trips (rafting and jeep tour) fun and informative. Both trips were tailored to our interests and activity level, we’d definitely book again!”

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2.Moab Morning Half Day Rafting Trip – Colorado River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 522 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $109 a head

Start at Mild to Wild’s Moab office at 8:30 am for a safety briefing, gear fitting, and shuttle to the Colorado River. Float through Castle Valley beneath Fisher Towers and the Priest and Nuns, with mild Class II rapids, wildlife, guide stories, and possible swimming. Guides such as Devon, Claudia, Irving, and Ben are praised for their humor and local knowledge.

“Had a great rafting trip. Went for a voluntary swim in the mighty Colorado River. Scratched that off my Bucket list. Our guide was half my weight and she was still able to pull me back into the raft. Very capable guides.”

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3.Colorado River Guided Rafting Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 478 reviews · 4 hours · from $97 a head

Join NAVTEC Expeditions for a four-hour Colorado River trip from Moab. Your guide handles the main rowing while you enjoy Class 1 and 2 rapids, Fisher Towers, Professor Valley, local geology, and chances to swim. The noon departure includes a buffet lunch. Guides such as Jacob, Emma, and Aiden are known for mixing safety tips with good stories.

“We enjoyed the trip very much. The guide made it fun and the scenery was beautiful.”

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4.Whitewater Rafting on the Colorado River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 294 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $134 a head

Paddle Moab takes you from Moab to the Fisher Towers section of the Colorado River in a six-person paddle raft. Expect class II rapids, long calm stretches, towering red-rock walls, a riverside lunch, and guides such as Leonard, Hunter, Santo, and Tiara. The trip lasts about six hours and suits first-time rafters and families.

“Our guide Jeff gave us a lot of information abut the history of Moab at different points through the Colorado River.. Beautiful views. Nice experience.”

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5.Moab Combo: Colorado River Rafting and Canyonlands 4X4 Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 221 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $264 a head

Spend 8 hours with NAVTEC Expeditions, exploring Canyonlands by 4WD in the morning and rafting the Colorado River near Fisher Towers after lunch. Expect rough roads, steep switchbacks, petroglyphs, Class II and III rapids when conditions allow, and guides such as Matt, John, Courtney, and others who add local stories to the ride.

“Enjoyed the back roads at Canonland and the relaxing raft trip. Both guides were friendly and fun. Will want to come back. Xxxxxxx”

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6.Moab Full Day Rafting Trip with Lunch — Colorado River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 205 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $153 a head

Meet at 8:30 a.m. in Moab for a full day on the Colorado River. After a scenic shuttle to Castle Valley, you will float past Fisher Towers, enjoy Class II rapids, swim, play river games, and eat a deli-style lunch on a beach. No rafting experience is needed.

“Ashley was the guide on my raft. She was very friendly and shared lots of interesting information about the sights from the river. I did the full day version of this tour. For the small amount extra, it was very much worth it. Fo yourself a favor, and do the full day with picnic lunch. Drive to/from rafting was coordinated perfectly, and was comfortable.”

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7.Full-Day Colorado River Rafting Tour at Fisher Towers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 190 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $138 a head

Spend about 7.5 hours rafting from Hittle Bottom through the Fisher Towers area and Colorado River scenery. Expect calm water, a few small rapids, swimming opportunities, lunch, drinks, and guides such as Kelly, Liz, Hannah, and Austin. Round-trip transport from Moab is included.

“Rafting the Colorado River is the perfect companion to visits to nearby Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. We booked the afternoon trip and were picked up at the Red Cliffs Lodge where we were staying. Pickup was right on time and everything was well organized at the launch site. Actually, it's more of a transfer point. If you book the morning trip with Adrift, they put in higher up the river and end at where we joined the rafts with ours being guided by Austin who did a great job. The full day option just combines the two sections. The lower section which we were on includes the only class…”

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8.Colorado River Rafting: Half-Day Morning at Fisher Towers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 154 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $107 a head

Float the Colorado River beneath Fisher Towers on a four-hour morning trip from Moab. Your guide rows while you enjoy red-rock cliffs, film locations, wildlife, and small Class 1 and 2 rapids. Guides such as Liam, Spencer, Jacob, and Noah have earned praise for their stories and easygoing style. Pickup from select hotels is included.

“Our guide, Spencer, was fantastic. He got input from all re:comfort levels, and made the trip so enjoyable. He also did a great job of encouraging all kinds of conversation. So we enjoyed the experience as well as the company on the boat!”

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9.Colorado River Rafting: Afternoon Half-Day at Fisher Towers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 152 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $107 a head

Set out from Moab at 11:00 a.m. for a guided float below Fisher Towers. Your guide rows while you take in red-rock cliffs, film locations, wildlife, and stories about geology, archaeology, and river life. Expect Class 1 and 2 rapids, possible swimming, an included lunch, and a 30 to 45-minute shuttle ride each way.

“We enjoyed the beautiful views, and our tour guide Austin was knowledgeable and laid back. We definitely recommend the half day out on the river while you are here.”

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10.Raft the Colorado River through Glenwood Springs – Half Day Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 108 reviews · from $73 a head Cheapest seat

Paddle the Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon on a 3.5-hour trip from Glenwood Springs. Blue Sky Adventures supplies the raft gear, paddle, life jacket, and splash clothing. Guides such as Tonto, Sage, Kat, and Sam add local stories, river skills, and plenty of humor. Expect calm stretches, changing rapids, and grand canyon views.

“Murph was a blast as our “Captain”! Great waves and soaking and laughs! Organized young energetic crew!”

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11.Half-Day Whitewater Rafting Upper Colorado River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $97 a head

Paddle the Upper Colorado River for about 3.5 hours with Colorado Adventure Guides. Expect Class I and II rapids, an occasional Class III at higher water, narrow canyons, pastureland, wildlife, and a riverside hot springs stop when flows allow. Guides including Tanner, Dustin, Boyd, and Joe are known for clear safety briefings and entertaining river commentary.

“Tanner was an excellent guide! We hoped for a few more rapids but he did the best for what we had to work with. Knowledgable, funny, experienced. Would definitely recommend”

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12.Canyonlands 4×4 Drive and Colorado River Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 53 reviews · 9 hours · from $264 a head

Spend nine hours with NAVTEC Expeditions, riding the White Rim and Shafer trails in a 4x4 before a riverside lunch and a guided float through the Fisher Towers section of the Colorado River. Guides such as Greg, Clint, Paul, and Tyler are praised for lively storytelling and careful river handling. Expect class I and II rapids, not a hard-core whitewater run.

“Our guide, Paul, was great, he was very skilled and took good care of us. Hiis crew were very helpful and fun to be around. Lunch was very good and organized. I loved the rapids and enjoyed getting splashed on in the white water and also enjoyed the peace and quiet when that came around. Loved everything about the trip, even The Hungey Buzzard. ( I wasn't nuts about the helmet, but understood the need.) Thank you for the day. ❤️”

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13.Colorado River : Morning Half-Day Colorado River Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 10 reviews · 4 hours · from $114 a head

Start at Hittle Bottom beneath Fisher Towers for a 4.25-hour morning on the Colorado River. Your English-speaking guide explains Castle Valley geology, then leads you through Onion Creek, Professor Creek, and Cloudburst rapids. Expect about 2.5 hours on the water, with calm stretches for swimming or relaxing, snacks, water, and a complimentary flip-top bottle.

“Hannah was a brilliant guide! We had one of the best days of our vacation floating down the Colorado River. Will definitely be back!”

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14.Colorado River Rafting: Afternoon Half-Day at Fisher Towers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 4h 30m · from $112 a head

Spend 4.5 hours on the Colorado River below Fisher Towers, where a guide rows you past 1,400-foot red cliffs, Professor Valley, and movie locations. Expect calm water, Class 1 and 2 rapids, possible Class 3 water, lunch on the beach, and stories about geology and Moab. Natalie and Phil are among the guides.

“The entire experience was excellent! From checking in with Mike , the ride up scenic Hwy 128 and then having an awesome guide/powerhouse rower in Natalie made our day very memorable! This tour was just what we wanted. Natalie had her work cut out for her on this windy day, as the wind raced upriver against her back and the current. Despite the wind, the sun was out as she rowed the 7 of us and also carried on a great conversation highlighting stories of the canyon and the Colorado River. Natalie was so enthusiastic, smiling the whole way and very kind! I'm sure she was tired, but it never…”

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15.Vail CO: Family-Friendly Colorado River White Water Raft

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 3 hours · from $97 a head

Spend a half-day on the Upper Colorado River near Bond, Colorado, with professional guides handling safety, gear, transport, and river skills. Expect Class I-II rapids, possible Class III water at higher flows, calm stretches for swimming and sun, and views of ranches, cliffs, meadows, and wildlife. No experience is needed.

“Laid back atmosphere, guide explained very well what to expect and how he was gonna run it. Pointed out landmarks and explained the surroundings. He was knowledgeable of the landscape and nature we were in. Overall GREAT family experience!!”

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