Moab Canyoneering routes are all about fun. The landscape surrounding Moab, Utah holds wonderful surprises for those with a sense of adventure. Beautiful water-carved canyons, inaccessible without technical skills, await your discovery.
Since 2005, our professional, AMGA-certified Single Pitch Instructors have been introducing people to these amazing Moab Canyoneering routes. We back up every rappel on a separate safety system, so these trips are for anyone with a bit of fitness and a sense of adventure. Join Red River Adventures for the best guided Moab tours!
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Canyoneering Tours in Moab, Utah
NOTE!
On Bow and Arrow, Morning Glory and Chamisa canyons, there is NO option to go around the rappels or return to the office. Please be certain that you, your children, and all members of your group will be able to complete the rappels before booking.
Chamisa can be completed by doing a 10′ rappel. The second rappel IS optional. Please call us if you have questions about the commitment required to complete these trips.
Check out video of the trip!
Canyoneering Moab, Utah
Bow and Arrow – Most popular!
This secluded canyoneering and rappelling adventure is just a short drive from Moab! Bow and Arrow is a dazzling and seldom-visited canyon, possessing views of dinosaur tracks, petroglyphs, and the stunning 80-foot Long Bow Arch. It’s a visually diverse outing with four rappels, including a free-hanging rappel of 110 feet (33 meters). Big views of Moab’s famous sandstone fins and the La Sal Mountains make this an excursion you won’t soon forget!
During the trip, our AMGA-certified guides will set the tone for an exciting and educational day, focusing on teamwork and–most importantly–FUN!
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Difficulty – Easy to Moderate
Days – Half-Day
Length – 3 miles (approx.)
Number of Rappels – 4 (up to 110′ / 33m)
Minimum age – 8
Meets – 7:00 AM (May 16 – September 5); varies in Spring and Fall
Morning Glory aka Ephedra’s Grotto – A Moab classic!
This 3-mile adventure is only made possible by doing two of the area’s best rappels and a bit of scrambling. It’s a step up from your typical hike, yet doable by almost anyone with the help of our incredible Moab canyoneering guides. To be clear: you will be greeted by a 90-foot (27-meter) drop into the abyss.
A short hike across petrified sand dunes will get us to the first of our two rappels (90 feet/27 meters), a stunning drop into a classic, water-carved sandstone chamber and the very heart of the Colorado Plateau. From here, we exit this amazing room through a small slot, with a short section of scrambling and a brief walk to our second spectacular free-hanging rappel (120 feet/36 meters). This rappel affords us an up-close and personal look at the 243-foot-long Morning Glory Arch, which is only feet away from our rappel station.
A downhill hike out to the Colorado River along a cool, spring-fed stream gives our canyoneering guides an opportunity to discuss wildlife, plants, geology, local history and more.
Chamisa Canyon aka Entrajo Canyon – Everything a canyon should be!
Current conditions – May 2022: The water in Chamisa Canyon is ankle-deep and the canyon will likely be dry by June.
Tight and technical, this route has potholes, some easy scrambling, rappelling, lots of wading in the spring, and sometimes a short swim thrown in for fun. This trip is a favorite of our guides. Exploring this water-carved sandstone slot canyon is a “cool” thing to do for summer fun.
Morning Glory may have the BIG rappels, but Chamisa’s draw is the “interesting” nature of the hiking and the water! This is a great option for a hot day and a classic example of a water-carved Utah canyon, with twists, turns and slides among the sandstone.
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NOTE: Spring rains and summer monsoon thunderstorms may result in pools of cold water that require wading and/or swimming. Bring a change of clothes! The canyon may be dry in the summer, depending on conditions.
The best canyoneering Moab, Utah has to offer! This route features 3 rappels, a tight “slot,” potholes, some easy scrambling, and views of seldom-seen arches. A hike through this route will leave memories that will last a lifetime.
NOTE FOR SUMMER VISITORS: Prepare for the heat of Moab! Much of this route is in the hot desert sun. Bring 3 liters of water per person, as well as snacks (fruit, trail mix). As of May 2022, the water in Rock of Ages is evaporating and the route will likely be dry by June.
This route is a step up in distance and difficulty from our Morning Glory and Chamisa Canyon routes, but it’s well worth it for those in good physical condition. This is always a thriller and a favorite of our guides.
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Difficulty – Moderate to hard
Days – More than a half-day (about 6 hours)
Length – 5 miles
Number of Rappels – 3 (160′ / 48m, 100′ / 30m, and 50′ / 15m)
Minimum age – 12
Meets – 6:30 AM (May 16 – September 5); varies in Spring and Fall
PLEASE NOTE! The NPS has decided that commercial guide service was no longer needed and will no longer permit commercial companies to operate in the Fiery Furnace. We are sorry!
Difficulty – Easy to Moderate
Days – Half-Day
Length – 2+ miles of Hiking
Number of Rappels – 0
Minimum age – 8
Meets – N/A
Adults | Youth
Moab Canyoneering Photo Gallery
Photos are shot on the listed routes
Reviews
FAQ
TripAdvisor 5 Stars
Why Choose RRA? Red River Adventure's online reviews have consistently been excellent. Since 2003 no other company has received such high praise from guests. Water or land our clients rave about the quality of our guides, the depth of their knowledge, their ability to teach and most importantly, how incredibly fun they are.
Still wondering who to book? We believe our past guest's comments make the decision easy! Back to top
Your Safety is our number #1 concern
Since we started this journey in 2003 we have safely hosted 85,000+ kids and adults and spent over 100,000 days rafting, climbing, canyoneering and skiing in Utah and around the world. RRA guides are at a minimum state licensed, insured and hold first aid and CPR certifications. Many of our river guides hold additional certifications in swift water rescue and whitewater instruction. Many, though not all, of our rock, ice, ski and canyoneering guides are AMGA trained or certified for the terrain they guide.. Back to top
Quality Equipment
When running trips quality equipment is paramount. RRA replaces its equipment on a regular basis. This ensures all the gear required to keep you safe and having fun is in top-notch shape. Back to top
Reputation
RRA has earned the reputation of a professionally ran, top quality guide service. We are a tight knit family run business. Once you adventure with RRA we guarantee you'll be back for more. Back to top
Do I need a reservation
YES! To guarantee space on the trip of your choice, we recommend reservations, especially on holidays and summer weekends. In order to provide the type of trip the we have become known for we do limit the number of people on a launch and we do fill up. In addition a lot goes into the planning of a river trip, including scheduling of guides, drivers, packing lunch for full-day and lunch trips and ensuring that our equipment is always in top-notch condition. Make a reservation as soon as you have a good idea of when you want to raft with us and you'll avoid disappointment. Feel free to call us about reservations at any time @ 1-877-259-4046 or email. Back to top
About Age Limitations
Youth Rate = 15 years and younger!
Adults = 16 years and up!
All participants on river trips are required to wear a Coast Guard approved floatation device (PFD).
For Fisher Towers trips we use an age limit of 5 and kids must weight at least 40 Lbs. On Climbing and Canyoneering trips the limit is 8 years of age. Ask yourself, what kind of previous outdoor experience has the child had? Use your considered judgment on the child's preparedness. On the other end, folks well into their 70's have adventured with us. Back to top
Which Trip to Choose
We are thrilled to have the ability to offer such a wide variety or trips. We also realize that this can create confusion. We are a fantastic resource and look forward to helping you choose the trip that is perfect for you and your group. Please feel free to call or email with any questions you might have, we love to help. Often after a brief conversation with one of our staff the the answers become clear.
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Where do we park/leave our things
There is plenty of secure parking on site at our offices. Valuables can be locked in your vehicles and will be perfectly safe for the duration of your trip. In addition we are more than happy to store anything that you may be extra concerned about in our offices while you are on the river. Back to top
Are there bugs
Thankfully there are usually very few to no bugs on our trips. The we travel through some of the driest terrain on the planet so there is generally no standing water for bugs to breed in. At the same time the current in the main river section is too swift to allow for breeding. This being said sometimes there are gnats or mosquitoes. Back to top
What to Bring
Red River Adventures tries to make your trip with us as easy as possible!
What to bring is clearly outlined on the "what to pack" tab for each of our trips. We provide most, to all, necessary equipment for you to take part in our rock climbing, canyoneering and river trips. This includes all rock climbing and canyoneering equipment, boats and boating equipment, safety equipment, life jackets, guides, food, beverages, camping and kitchen equipment. In addition you are welcome to bring, or we can provide at NO ADDITIONAL COST, camping equipment including tents, sleeping bags and inflatable mattresses. You simply bring your own personal clothing and gear. We will provide trip specific lists to assist you in bringing the right things. Back to top
Where You Will Live and Sleep
A river trip is an outdoor experience and should be fun. There are no improved campgrounds along the river so we set up a portable sanitation facility each evening. It is very similar to an RV toilet except the view is much better and it doesn't flush. We provide hand washing stations and all dishes are done in a 4 step process ensuring complete sanitization. Previous camping experience is NOT required to participate in one of our trips, but you should be prepared and be comfortable with the idea of eating, sleeping, and living in the outdoors. Our guides are there to help and will provide as much or as little assistance as you wish to receive. Back to top
What the Weather is Like
Be prepared for hot (75-110 F degrees) weather during June, July, and August. You can expect cooler temperatures (55-90 F degrees) during April, May, September, and October. August is usually the wettest month (short-lived but intense thunder showers).
April 73|42 May 84|50 June 85|58 July 101|64 Aug 98|63 Sept 89|53
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About Swimming and Fishing
Swimming is as much a part of a great river trip as whitewater and cooking out. Guests are more than welcome to swim on all our river trips. There is no better place to be on a hot summer day than swimming alongside one of our rafts. Catfish and Carp are plentiful in the Colorado and Dolores Rivers. Back to top
What Risks Are Involved
Red River Adventures has an unblemished safety record. We personally screen and train our employees vigorously each year. Each of our guides receives extensive instructions on safety, swift water rescue and first aid training. Our Climbing and Canyoneering guides are highly trained and many are AMGA certified. Our trips take place in rugged, remote "wilderness" settings. You should be in good general health to participate. Non-swimmers can go and are more than welcome. We provide Coast Guard approved life jackets for your safety. Back to top
Full and 1/2 Day Raft Trips: Alcohol or drugs are not to be consumed before or during trips. No refund will be given to those drinking alcohol or using drugs prior to a scheduled trip.
Multi-Day Raft Trips: Alcohol or drugs are not to be consumed before or during time on the river. No refund will be given to those drinking alcohol or using drugs prior to river time. Alcohol may be consumed, in camp, on multi-day trips. Climbing/Canyoneering trips. Alcohol or drugs are not to be consumed before or during trips. Back to top
Charter and Group Rates
Red River Adventures offers a group rate discount of 10% to groups of 10 or more. Additional rates reductions are available for school, club, church, or special-interest groups on some trips. We are happy to, when ever possible, customized trip lengths and itineraries. Please contact us for help in arranging your charter trip or for group rate information. Back to top
What To Pack
Red River Adventures will provide all of the technical equipment required to guide our listed canyoneering routes. Due to insurance and liability regulations, guests are required to use the technical equipment provided by Red River Adventures. In some instances there may be a required gear list; if applicable, this list will be distributed prior to your date of departure.
What you should pack
Small day pack
1-2 liters of water (minimum) per person
Snacks
Shoes, sandals or anything you can hike in and don’t mind getting wet!
NOTE: Shoes or sandals will get wet and should be appropriate to hike 3 miles (Morning Glory) or 5 miles (Rock of Ages)
What we provide
AMGA-certified Single Pitch Instructors
All technical equipment:
Helmet
Harness
Gloves
Free parking
General
Please NOTE!!!! There is a time change from Arizona to Utah. Moab is one hour ahead of Arizona!
There is plenty of secure parking on site. Valuables are safe in your vehicle.
A credit card might be advisable for payment balances, t-shirts, etc.
At the end of all trips, we will return you to your starting location.
Guide gratuities are customary.
Reservations
Option #1 - Most of our Adventures can be booked by clicking the "Book Now" button for the trip you want.
Option #2 - For those trips that do not open a calendar Call 1-435-259-4046
or Email us through our Contact Page
Reservations are HIGHLY recommended! Many dates sell out far in advance!
A refundable payment is due to guarantee reservation.
A deposit of 1/2 the trip total is due at time of reservation.
Balance is due and will be charged 7 days prior to departure.
Cancellation/changes made 7 days prior to departure are FREE!
Cancellation, partial or in full, within 7 days of departure receive NO REFUND.
Large Group (18 or more)
A deposit of 1/2 the trip total is due at time of reservation.
Balance is due and will be charged 14 days prior to departure.
Cancellation/changes made 14 days prior to departure are FREE!
Cancellation, partial or in full, within 14 days of departure receive NO REFUND.
Please Note: RRA recommends you insure your trip!
While we are happy to make changes and allow cancellations within our policy guidelines RRA STRONGLY recommends purchasing travel insurance, no matter the size or length of your trip, to insure against loss in the event of an unforeseen, last minute, change in circumstances.
If you are not protected by your airline, credit card or other third party we recommend Tin Leg
They will ensure your Red River trip, course, or your entire vacation for very reasonable costs.
Cancellations or changes, for any reason including Covid, inside our established cut-offs will not be refunded or rescheduled. Please consider protecting yourself by insuring your trip or course!
International trips
Deposit due at time of reservation; Final payment due 45 days prior!
Cancellation 45 days prior to departure is free!
Cancellations within 45 days of departure receive NO REFUND.
General
RRA reserves the right to cancel any trip due to weather, insufficient bookings or any other circumstances beyond our control at anytime. RRA will make every effort to reschedule the date. Bookings that are unable to be rescheduled or are cancelled by RRA will receive a full refund.
Weather
Weather is part of the dynamic environment in which we operate. We may experience conditions that you do not consider ideal. If we determine that conditions are suitable for the activity you have booked and you instead wish to cancel/discontinue the trip, we will, whenever practical, end the trip at your request with no refund. If conditions are such that RRA deems it unwise to continue, we reserve the right to alter the itinerary, which may include, but may not be limited to, shortening of route or length of trip. We may also change venue or cancel the remainder of your trip. If, at time of cancellation, the trip is less than 1/2 complete, we will charge 50% of trip fee. If the trip is between 1/2 and completed, a full trip fee is charged.
Alcohol
Full and 1/2 Day Raft Trips: Alcohol or drugs are not to be consumed before or during trips. No refund will be given to those drinking alcohol or using drugs prior to a scheduled trip. Climbing/Canyoneering trips. Alcohol or drugs are not to be consumed before or during trips.
What a great experience! We had the best day hiring a guide to take me and my daughter rock climbing and repelling. Going with a private guide was extra special, just the 2 of us got a chance to enjoy our day without being in a large group. We will be back! Thanks Red River for helping us make amazing memories in Moab!
Such a fun adventure repelling from cliffs in the Utah dessert! Our guide Dan was so amazing and kept us safe and kept us calm in a few times of nerve wracking adrenaline moments! We will all have memories to last a lifetime!
Amazing half day climbing in Moab with guide Aaron Livingston. He took us to the Wall Street area and setup a bunch of toprope climbs for my girls (10 & 12) and myself in the 5.7-5.9 range that each had distinct climbing (friction, layback crack, chimney). His route selection was challenging and fun. Aaron has significant personal and guiding climbing experience and knowledge of the Moab area and was rigorous with respect to safety. I would not hesitate to hire Aaron and Red River Adventures again. Can't wait to come back!
Had a great evening experience on Ancient Art in Fisher towers. My guide Aaron was extremely knowledgeable, encouraging and friendly. He was able to coach me through tougher sections of the climb and was patient with me during my first multi pitch trip. He also took pictures and was genuinely interested in making sure I had a fun session. Even though my climbing day had to be delayed due to weather, red river called me immediately to reschedule and worked within my schedule to make it happen. Overall can’t recommend them enough!
We did the Bow and Arrow canyoneering trip yesterday with our family. We were a group of five people from age 9-75 and everyone had an amazing time. Aaron and Sharbo were incredible guides and this was the highlight of our trip.
Fantastic route, great views, and an amazing day ascending rock. This is my second time climbing with Red River Adventures, and there is a consistent level of quality/safety that I appreciate.
Canyoneering on the Bow & Arrow trail was great. Our guide, Brian, shared info about the petroglyphs & plant life during the walk. Brian was very reassuring & positive when we went on the rappels. The rappels were a good mix of heights (ranging from 15 ft to 120ft). Brian made us, as beginners, very comfortable. It was a great family experience and we highly recommend.
I was a little worried my 8 year old would be too scared to complete the rappelling, but our guide was great, talked him through it and we all had a blast. Great memories made! Thanks Red River Adventures!
We thoroughly enjoyed our canyoneering adventure with Brian and Adam! They were knowledgeable and thoughtful and funny! We would highly recommend! Our family included our 12, 13, and 16 year olds and they loved it as well! Thank you!
Our guides Adam and Bryan were a lot of fun and also very safety minded. They did a great job of making sure everyone was comfortable and gave lots of good info along the way. Would definitely recommend Red River for adventuring.
Super awesome canyoneering trip!! We took Bow and Arrow (?) and did 4 rappels! We had Chabro (not sure if that’s how it’s spelled) and Dan and they were both awesome! They were super helpful when there was some more climbing aspects to the trail. They were both super friendly and made us feel safe and secure the whole time. They helped to make the experience that much more awesome. I would highly recommend since it’s just such a cool experience! The scenery was particularly breathtaking and included some of the coolest views in Moab.
We had the best time this morning!! Family of 5 with three kids ages 15 to 8. Guides were amazing and the route was perfect!! Gorgeous views!! Highly recommend!!!
John is a great guide - have been out desert climbing and Wasatch touring with him and both experiences were great. Really took the time to explain things and get the newer members of our group excited and confident about the adventure
My husband and I had an awesome time this weekend in the Wasatch for our AIARE 1 Course! John and Garth were both incredible instructors and I feel grateful to have spent a weekend touring and learning from some of the best. Highly recommend!
Carl saved our week. It hadn’t been properly snowing in Utah for a long long time, and judging from the snow in the resorts we were a bit worried about our backcountry touring trip.
He knew exactly where to go.
Where everything else was all tracked out, and there were even moguls in some backcountry areas. Not where we went.
We skinned up an amazing peak around Big Cottonwood Canyon, through the trees, up a ridge for some of the most beautiful views, and then down into the back bowl where we actually found knee deep soft snow.
Carl was an amazing guide, knew his ways up the mountain, taught us some new techniques along the way, and is just an incredible fun guy to hang out with.
Highly recommended.
John was incredibly knowledgeable and able to teach effectively. He had great resources to point us toward for continued self-learning and was engaging in the field.
My wife and I went with Carl. Incredible backcountry experience!! Powder powder powder.
Really helped us get some back country experience and educate us on a path forward for newbies to be able to split board independently. He is an incredible guide with many years experience and perhaps more importantly a really cool guy.
Spent the day ice climbing with Owner/AMGA Guide Carl who was fantastic! It was my first multi-pitch climb at the Great White Icicle and Carl made it safe, fun and informative. He explained each step as we moved up the ice wall and did everything I could ask of a guide. I would highly recommend Red River and Carl to anyone and look forward to seeing them again!
Had a great day backcountry skiing/snowboarding with our guide John in the Little Cottonwood Canyon area near Salt Lake City, Utah. Snow is a little hard right now, even in the backcountry, but still had a great time and were able to find a few soft spots for good turns. If you are looking for a guide to do a day of backcountry touring in the SLC area, I would definitely recommend Red River Adventures.
Red River adventures provided and excellent learning experience! Our guides, John and Garth, were a wealth of knowledge about the area, and did a fantastic job of communicating lessons to us. I would highly recommend this company (and these guides in particular) to anyone looking to further their education.
I recently took an Avy 1 course taught by John and Chris. The course was phenomenal and I'd highly recommend it. John and Chris were professional and excellent instructors. More than that, they made the lessons come to life by making applications to our local environment and the realities of ski touring (e.g., its more than just avalanche safety to consider). They also just made the whole experience fun and engaging.
One thing to mention- we had a 3:1 ratio of students to instructors due to some COVID cancellations. I'd be willing to bet other companies would have cancelled because of the economics of a group of our size, but Red River went on as planned with 2 lead instructors. I cannot recommend this company enough!
I took my AIARE 1 class through them and it was a great experience. Chris was super informative and responsive in the classroom and a master in the field. The weekend of field work reinforced the learning we had done prior and I feel more confident in my ability to navigate the backcountry.
excellent course and outstanding instructors. Both John and Hannah were on top of their game, were patient and gracious with information sharing, and made us feel confident in the field while building skills. Would highly recommend RRA for AIRE courses, and plan to use their services again in the future. Stay safe out there!
Very pleased and satisfied with my decision to go with Red River Adventures to do my AIARE 1 avalanche course. The guides were super knowledgeable and helpful. Always felt informed and assisted in hands on course learning.
Fun trip along with beautiful scenery. I broke my ankle the day before my rafting trip and was on crutches. Everyone was so helpful and accommodating to me.
I loved my AIRIE Level 1 Course with John and Garth. They were really in tune with the needs of the group and gave us all an experience that challenged us to be curious about the potential dangers in the backcountry. I feel more confident and, frankly, excited to go out and keep learning about the snowpack now that I’ve taken this course.
I took the AIARE 1 online education and fieldwork class through Red River this weekend (3 days). This was done “as a refresher” as I took this previously 8 years ago and I spend about 10 days a year Backcountry Skiing. The instructors (John and Chris) did an excellent job, I learned new skills, exposed some weaknesses and explored some new terrain. Great experience!!!
By far our most favorite experience of the trip was canyoneering with Adam. He was so personable and had a great wealth of knowledge about the area. He kept us entertained and most importantly safe. We will be back for sure!
The guides and company were absolutely wonderful!!!! We came to Moab for a wedding and enjoyed river rafting and canyoneering - the guides were super helpful and knowledgeable. Will definitely use them again!
Nathan and Dan were fantastic. I took my teenage son and his friend on a canyoneering trip, and Nathan and Dan put them at ease during the long repels. They were ready to do it again!
This was the second time we used Red River and they do a great job communicating during booking and pre trip to get you ready. Also, their website is easy to navigate and very accurate.
This outfitter is highly recommended!
Had an amazing trek with my family including 3 boys ages 12-15 with Dan on the Bow and Arrow trail. Felt very safe in his experience and ability. Nice hike up followed by 4 amazing rappels down! Highly recommend!
The hike & rapelling was spectacular! It was an awesome way to experience a day and this beautiful terrain. Kenzie was awesome. She was a great leader and tons of fun!
Had such a good time canyoneering with Red River Adventures! The guides were fun, professional, and had lots of interesting information about the area. Great time for all experience levels.
Had a great half day trip climbing with them. Hunter was a great guide, knew a ton about the area and where we were going to climb. It was a nice relaxed environment but he still made sure safety was on the top of the list. Looking Glass Rock is a bit outside of town so it was super quiet, and the rappel down from the top was amazing.
Great rafting trip! We loved the crew and the trip. Relaxing, fun and Colton, our guide was excellent! He was informative and a ball of fun!! So many fun memories made! Thank you!
We did bow and arrow canyoneering with red river. Adam is a great guide, on the trip you’ll see some dinosaur tracks, petroglyphs, four rappelling (one short, two medium and one long ~120 ft). Adam also introduced a lot of good food options in moab. If you go to quesadilla Mobile, tell Adam from red river sent you, you got 10% off (we tried it today, it’s legit).
Went canyoneering with Dan as our guide. There were 7 people including a young girl and teenage boy. Dan did a great job instructing us on how to repel and made sure we all felt safe. It started with a fairly strenuous 30 minute hike up the mesa and then 4 repels down. Great time. Thanks Dan.
A wonderful first time canyoneering trip!! Our guide Nate was the perfect combination of fun, encouraging, safe, funny and laid back confident.
He helped us get over our fear and nerves and made it seem easy.
Great for first time repelling and canyoneering.
It was a bit intense at times, but in a good way. I'm afraid of heights and it was putting me out of my comfort zone, but that's a good thing.
But you do need a degree of fitness. This should not be your first physical activity if you've been on the couch for the last two years...
A very professional organization and I would do any of their trips in a heartbeat!
