Westwater Canyon
Westwater Canyon
3.5
About
Nestled deep in sandstone cliffs, this canyon provides an excellent whitewater rafting experience.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
13 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
2
Average
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Terrible
3
janhalt
Dell Rapids, SD16 contributions
We took a guided whitewater rafting trip from near Loma, CO to near Cisco, UT on the Colorado River. On the CO side it was pretty tame. Once we got to Westwater Canyon on the UT side it got pretty wild. Basically there are several short, rough rapids in Westwater Canyon. Don't expect non-stop action because the rapids don't last long and then it is tame again. Choose this section of the river if you want a quick wild trip. Don't choose this trip if you are expecting constant action throughout the day. The scenery was great and the rapids were a blast while they lasted. We took a two day trip, but if you are going for the whitewater I would suggest a one day trip starting from the ranger station on the UT side near the state border.
Written July 12, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ickibod
Salt Lake City, UT128 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
We came here with Adrift Adventures in early July. It's an early start from Moab and a 2 hour drive to get to the river. It can be very "buggy" at the entry point, at the lunch spot and near the end of the raft trip, so bring plenty of bug spray and sunblock. Don't expect to see any white water for the first hour as you need to float to the whitewater. This is fine, though, because you're going to see some absolutely beautiful scenery you couldn't see any other way. Right after a brief lunch, we entered into the whitewater rapids. Numerous level 3 and level 4 Rapids are a lot of fun. It is really important that you have a competent and experienced guide or your raft could get into a lot of trouble here. We had a great time here. Tip your guide well, as they put a lot of hard work in to make it fun and safe for you.
Written August 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CathyScarsdaleNY
Scarsdale, NY169 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
The specifics of getting from Moab to the launch site are clear in the other reviews - about 1 hour 15 minutes on a school bus -- but the ride itself is beautiful as it passes along the river and through the red rock canyons much of the way. We ran the river a 5500 CFS and the major rapids were very exciting and challenging to navigate on our paddle boats. We went with Moab Adventure Center and their guides were excellent and very clearly set expectations about the type of water we'd hit before and after lunch. This is the best whitewater you will get unless you are able to book a multi day trip in cataract canyon. For me, my family and the others on our tour - I think the 10 or so higrapids provided lots of excitement and fun. Go to you tube and check out the videos if you are curious as to what to expect. Just look up westwater canyon or some of the rapids, i.e., skull, sock it to me, etc. Have fun!
Written September 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris D
Chicago, IL7 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
Excellent experience! The water levels were perfect in mid-July and got rapids ranging from 2-4+ in terms of difficulty. Low-risk of boat flipping, but some rapids were extremely exhilarating and required considerable teamwork to make it through them. Family-friendly for those who don't mind getting wet and experiencing some thrill. Fair priced as well.
Written July 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin E
Las Vegas, NV13 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
I searched around for a really good, one-day rafting trip and this one repeatedly came to the top of the list. Even a Moab-local friend of mine said this was the one to do. My gf and I booked with Tag-A-Long Adventures, who did a great job, but the trip itself was disappointing.
We drove 1 1/2 hours on a school bus to get to the launch site. The scenery was beautiful and the guides were informative along the way, but it's still an hour and a half on a bus. As soon as we got off the bus, we were attacked by horseflies, and that continued most of the day. A heads-up about insect repellant would have been greatly appreciated!
The trip on the water lasted about 5 hours. It was almost entirely flat water until we stopped for lunch. Then after lunch, we went through the actual canyon, which was about 45 minutes of pretty good rapids, and then nothing but flat water again. So in 5 hours on the river, we got about 45 minutes of rapids. Then it was back on the bus for an hour and 15 minute ride back to Moab.
So if you want to pay $150-$200 for a 9-hour day with 45 minutes of fun and excitement in the middle of it, then this is the trip for you.
We drove 1 1/2 hours on a school bus to get to the launch site. The scenery was beautiful and the guides were informative along the way, but it's still an hour and a half on a bus. As soon as we got off the bus, we were attacked by horseflies, and that continued most of the day. A heads-up about insect repellant would have been greatly appreciated!
The trip on the water lasted about 5 hours. It was almost entirely flat water until we stopped for lunch. Then after lunch, we went through the actual canyon, which was about 45 minutes of pretty good rapids, and then nothing but flat water again. So in 5 hours on the river, we got about 45 minutes of rapids. Then it was back on the bus for an hour and 15 minute ride back to Moab.
So if you want to pay $150-$200 for a 9-hour day with 45 minutes of fun and excitement in the middle of it, then this is the trip for you.
Written August 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dutchessabroad
Seattle77 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
We floated down the river through the Ruby-Horsethief Canyon and stocked up on supplies at the Westwater Ranger station, then enjoyed white water rafting with our Splore river guides. Splore makes wilderness adventures possible for people of all abilities. In this case the trip was organized especially for people with Friedreich's ataxia.
Written September 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeriJ23
Helena, MT1 contribution
Apr 2013 • Friends
We have gone on many raft trips and this experience was a let down. I spoke with owner of Adrift Adventures and was falsely misled on this white water trip. Poorly run fly by the seat of your pants operation. Pricey!! Cold day with not enough wetsuits for everyone(I had to wear a childs size which had no hip compensation!!) The ride to put in spot took over 2 hours which we were told took about an hour! Rapids were just ok nothing to write home about and a 2 hour paddle at the end of trip....would not book with this business again.
One good thing...the guides were great!
One good thing...the guides were great!
Written April 6, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daisyp7
New York City, NY4 contributions
May 2011
My husband and I spent a week in Moab and did the 1-day Westwater Rafting trip that we booked through Moab Adventure Center. I was a bit nervous since I'm not a huge fan of water and we were going to be out on Class III and IV rapids but the trip was AMAZING! The drive to the Westwater area takes about 1.5 hours so we got to see other parts of Utah. Our guide Amy was friendly, funny, shared her knowledge of the area, and did a great job teaching us what to do. The rapids were exciting and I left wanting to do another trip one day soon. Definitely pack waterproof jacket and pants if you go early in the season since you get soaked with very cold water.
Written May 31, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CLwriter
Santa Rosa, CA171 contributions
The Colorado River was high this year, due to a late spring snowmelt in Utah and Colorado. During the week I chose for a river trip with my daughter, the water flow was at 30,000 cfs. Our guides from Canyonlands Field Institute (Moab, UT) assured us that although the level was high, the trip was still doable. In fact, some of the famous stretches of rapids turned out to be what they call "washed out," which just means that the rocks that often snag rafts were hidden under tons of brown, boiling water. There were still sections with waves and troughs in every direction, giving us an exciting ride as we passengers shifted to the "high side" of the boat, riding up and over the tops of the waves. Well equipped with wet suits, life jackets, and plenty of pre-trip safety instructions, we rode through rapids with names like Skull and Sock It To Me with whoops and hollers of delight.
We camped at the river's edge for one night, which just happened to be Solstice eve. The sandstone walls echoed the rush of the river as we ate delicious meals cooked by the staff members, and participated in some environmentally-conscious camp activities. We felt well-prepared for the rapids, and also learned how to spot unique wildlife, historic artifacts, and geological features whenever the river slowed down and we could look beyond the next set of waves. While this trip could be done in one day, taking two days and staying overnight provided plenty of time to savor the experience. A great introduction to the Colorado River!
We camped at the river's edge for one night, which just happened to be Solstice eve. The sandstone walls echoed the rush of the river as we ate delicious meals cooked by the staff members, and participated in some environmentally-conscious camp activities. We felt well-prepared for the rapids, and also learned how to spot unique wildlife, historic artifacts, and geological features whenever the river slowed down and we could look beyond the next set of waves. While this trip could be done in one day, taking two days and staying overnight provided plenty of time to savor the experience. A great introduction to the Colorado River!
Written June 27, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Larry L
Nashville, TN1 contribution
May 2014 • Solo
Memorial Day 2014 w/Navtec Expeditions: My interest is primarily in whitewater and I'd looked forward to this trip for many years.
At the put-in, I happened to look at the BLM message board and found a notice from the BLM that at water flows greater than 21,000 CFS all but one rapid in Westwater Canyon were "insignificant". The posted water flow for that day was 24,000 CFS. If BLM personnel were aware of this, surely NAVTEC river guides should have known.
NAVTEC website regarding Westwater Canyon: "adventurous whitewater" "Outstanding Class III/IV rapids."
I paid for, and expected, an exciting whitewater trip. This ended up being a very expensive float trip -> One Class 3 rapid, the rest Class I (or less).
NAVTEC should have known this and given us the option of canceling the trip. High water is beyond their control, but misleading their customers is not. They have a great deal of competition in the MOAB area and I'll be dealing with anyone but NAVTEC in the future.
At the put-in, I happened to look at the BLM message board and found a notice from the BLM that at water flows greater than 21,000 CFS all but one rapid in Westwater Canyon were "insignificant". The posted water flow for that day was 24,000 CFS. If BLM personnel were aware of this, surely NAVTEC river guides should have known.
NAVTEC website regarding Westwater Canyon: "adventurous whitewater" "Outstanding Class III/IV rapids."
I paid for, and expected, an exciting whitewater trip. This ended up being a very expensive float trip -> One Class 3 rapid, the rest Class I (or less).
NAVTEC should have known this and given us the option of canceling the trip. High water is beyond their control, but misleading their customers is not. They have a great deal of competition in the MOAB area and I'll be dealing with anyone but NAVTEC in the future.
Written July 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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