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Trade switchbacks for splash in a single Moab day. This Canyonlands 4x4 and Colorado River rafting combo threads cliff-edge roads, ancient rock art, and fun Class II–III waves into one dialed adventure.
Trade switchbacks for splash in a single Moab day. This Canyonlands 4x4 and Colorado River rafting combo threads cliff-edge roads, ancient rock art, and fun Class II–III waves into one dialed adventure.
Morning light skims the redrock as the 4x4 rolls north out of Moab, tires humming toward the rim of a world split by rivers. The day opens with switchbacks—the Shafer Trail stacking the horizon into tidy ledges, the desert breathing heat and history. Your guide eases low-range gears over ledges and along cliff edges nearly 1,500 feet above the Colorado, where ravens surf thermals and the White Rim cuts a pale bench between mesa and river. Stops stitch the drive together: a panel of Ancestral Puebloan rock art pecked into varnished sandstone; bleached fossils; views that drop clean to the confluence country. It’s Island in the Sky at windshield distance, a moving geology lesson—Permian sand turned to stone, eroded by time and flash flood.
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Operated by NAVTEC Expeditions · Moab, Utah
Morning light skims the redrock as the 4x4 rolls north out of Moab, tires humming toward the rim of a world split by rivers. The day opens with switchbacks—the Shafer Trail stacking the horizon into tidy ledges, the desert breathing heat and history. Your guide eases low-range gears over ledges and along cliff edges nearly 1,500 feet above the Colorado, where ravens surf thermals and the White Rim cuts a pale bench between mesa and river. Stops stitch the drive together: a panel of Ancestral Puebloan rock art pecked into varnished sandstone; bleached fossils; views that drop clean to the confluence country. It’s Island in the Sky at windshield distance, a moving geology lesson—Permian sand turned to stone, eroded by time and flash flood.
By midday, the desert trades dust for current. At a mellow beach near the Fisher Towers stretch, the river waits—brown-green and shouldering along as if impatient. Helmets and Coast Guard–approved PFDs click into place. A safety talk sharpens focus. Then the raft noses into the flow and the Colorado gets talkative. Class II–III rapids push forward in short, friendly bursts that splash the bow and dare you to paddle in sync. Between wave trains, the banks go quiet under cottonwoods, and the fins of Fisher Towers crowd the skyline. Depending on flows, you’ll cover roughly 7–14 river miles, enough time for the river to loosen your grip on the clock.
This combo day blends two Moab signatures—a portion of the historic White Rim/Shafer network by high-clearance vehicle and a guided raft run on the Colorado—into an approachable, all-ages outing. It’s equal parts scenery and movement, with guides layering in stories about uranium prospectors who bulldozed these roads in the 1950s and the Indigenous artists who left their marks long before. Expect heat, exposure, and a little adrenaline; also expect an easy riverside buffet lunch and cold water to refill your bottle.
Practical notes: plan for eight hours, starting around 8 a.m. Quick-dry clothing works for both halves; sturdy closed-toe sandals or water shoes keep feet happy on sandy put-ins. Bring sun armor—hat, UPF shirt, sunscreen—and a water bottle. Minimum rider weight is typically 50 lbs; inflatable kayaks may be available by request when conditions allow. While no prior experience is required, a moderate fitness base helps with paddling and hopping in and out of the raft. The Colorado does the pulling; you provide the rhythm.
This section of the Colorado typically runs Class II–III, offering fun, splashy waves suitable for beginners and families when flows are moderate.
Strong swimming isn’t required, but basic comfort around water helps. You’ll wear a Coast Guard–approved PFD and follow your guide’s instructions.
Minimum weight is usually 50 lbs (23 kg). Age minimum varies with water levels; families with young children should confirm seasonal guidelines when booking.
Professional guides, 4x4 transport for the canyon portion, life jackets and river gear, a riverside buffet lunch, and cold water for refills are included.
Expect rough, narrow roads with exposure on the Shafer switchbacks. Guides are highly experienced; riders with severe vertigo may prefer a seat away from cliff edges.
Yes—use a waterproof case or the provided dry bag on the river. Keep cameras secured during bumpy 4x4 sections and rapids.
NAVTEC Expeditions operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Morning light skims the redrock as the 4x4 rolls north out of Moab, tires humming toward the rim of a world split by rivers. The day opens with switchbacks—the Shafer Trail stacking the horizon into tidy ledges, the desert breathing heat and history. Your guide eases low-range gears over ledges and along cliff edges nearly 1,500 feet above the Colorado, where ravens surf thermals and the White Rim cuts a pale bench between mesa and river. Stops stitch the drive together: a panel of Ancestral Puebloan rock art pecked into varnished sandstone; bleached fossils; views that drop clean to the confluence country. It’s Island in the Sky at windshield distance, a moving geology lesson—Permian sand turned to stone, eroded by time and flash flood.
Morning light skims the redrock as the 4x4 rolls north out of Moab, tires humming toward the rim of a world split by rivers. The day opens with switchbacks—the Shafer Trail stacking the horizon into tidy ledges, the desert breathing heat and history. Your guide eases low-range gears over ledges and along cliff edges nearly 1,500 feet above the Colorado, where ravens surf thermals and the White Rim cuts a pale bench between mesa and river. Stops stitch the drive together: a panel of Ancestral Puebloan rock art pecked into varnished sandstone; bleached fossils; views that drop clean to the confluence country. It’s Island in the Sky at windshield distance, a moving geology lesson—Permian sand turned to stone, eroded by time and flash flood.
By midday, the desert trades dust for current. At a mellow beach near the Fisher Towers stretch, the river waits—brown-green and shouldering along as if impatient. Helmets and Coast Guard–approved PFDs click into place. A safety talk sharpens focus. Then the raft noses into the flow and the Colorado gets talkative. Class II–III rapids push forward in short, friendly bursts that splash the bow and dare you to paddle in sync. Between wave trains, the banks go quiet under cottonwoods, and the fins of Fisher Towers crowd the skyline. Depending on flows, you’ll cover roughly 7–14 river miles, enough time for the river to loosen your grip on the clock.
This combo day blends two Moab signatures—a portion of the historic White Rim/Shafer network by high-clearance vehicle and a guided raft run on the Colorado—into an approachable, all-ages outing. It’s equal parts scenery and movement, with guides layering in stories about uranium prospectors who bulldozed these roads in the 1950s and the Indigenous artists who left their marks long before. Expect heat, exposure, and a little adrenaline; also expect an easy riverside buffet lunch and cold water to refill your bottle.
Practical notes: plan for eight hours, starting around 8 a.m. Quick-dry clothing works for both halves; sturdy closed-toe sandals or water shoes keep feet happy on sandy put-ins. Bring sun armor—hat, UPF shirt, sunscreen—and a water bottle. Minimum rider weight is typically 50 lbs; inflatable kayaks may be available by request when conditions allow. While no prior experience is required, a moderate fitness base helps with paddling and hopping in and out of the raft. The Colorado does the pulling; you provide the rhythm.