Average rating Family Rafting Trips in Utah

These five-day family rafting trips in Desolation and Gray Canyon, Utah are a must-do! Tackle the rapids, admire the rock art and visit Butch Cassidy's hide out during the day and camp under the stars at night.

The Green River stretches for 730 miles from its starting point in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming and down into Utah. The river flows through the Desolation and Gray canyons which are the only river canyons to be registered as historic landmarks. Red rock canyons are scooped deep out of the landscape, rock spires twist upwards like stalagmites, and natural arches provide perfect frames for blue skies and a seemingly never-ending desert landscape. Then there’s the native American rock art that was scratched and etched into rock surfaces 800 years ago. It’s all rather awe-inspiring, and makes the perfect backdrop to a holiday on the river.

With the kids in tow, it’s doubtless the real crowd-pleaser on this tour will be the whitewater rapids that you’ll tackle. Places like Snap Canyon, Chandler Falls and Belknap Falls will have kids and adults alike screaming with delight. And then there are calmer moments like the swimming at Rock Creek – where there’s a natural swimming hole to splash about in. You’ll also get to see places where Butch Cassidy hid out, and learn about the human and natural history of this area.

It’s lucky children who get to go on one of these family rating trips! Not only are they great bonding experiences (as you’ll be spending five solid days together), but they’ll also be a steep learning curve too – especially if you’re new to rafting and camping. Kids need to be five years and over and should be happy spending time in and around water, and adults need to be up for getting soaking wet in whitewater rapids. If you’re the sort of mum who shrieks if you break a nail, or you’re a dad and your role model is Homer Simpson, this might not be the one for you.

Getting there

The trip begins at Canyonlands Field Airport, which is in Moab. The nearest major airport is Salt Lake City – about 236 miles away.

Price includes

Price is for an adult, children aged 5-16 get a reduced rate. Price includes taxes and all rafting and safety equipment including lifejackets and dry bags, tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads, professionally trained and licensed guides, portable toilet and necessities, all meals from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day, shuttle to launch site, iced water, Gatorade and lemonade on boat, soda, coffee, tea and hot chocolate in camp.

Comfort level

Down to earth (hostels, camping, huts)

Experience required

A reasonable level of fitness and interest is all that is needed