What could be more exciting and invigorating than leisurely floating along a stunningly beautiful, yet placid stretch of river, spotting, then hearing the growing roar of upcoming whitewater ahead, suddenly plunging into the first huge hole, back up on the tongue of the rapid, straining arms, back and shoulders paddling against the churning hydraulics, riding out the seemingly endless cascading swells, finally heading for the back eddy to turn and marvel what you and your fellow river runners just went through!

p. Monique Beeley

River running in Utah.  What a rush!  The names conjure up adventure, excitement and unexcelled fun for first-timers and old river rats alike.  The Green, Desolation Canyon, Gates of Lodore, Split Mountain, Hell’s Half Mile, Disaster Falls. Remote Labyrinth Canyon. The fast-flowing San Juan and its many spectacular hikes to petroglyph panels and cliff dwellings of the ancients.  The undammed and free-flowing Yampa, Big Joe and Tepee, leading to Warm Springs, with its huge drop.  The beautiful Dolores with its short season, long, long stretch of water and something for everyone. And the great and mighty Colorado.  Westwater.  The Wall of Shame.  Skull Rapids.  Sock-It-To-Me.  Cataract Canyon with Hell-To-Pay and Satan’s Gut.  Downriver (and, we admit, in Arizona), ah, the Grand Canyon, with access thru Kanab, Utah and Page, Arizona.  The Grand has challenging falls and rapids way, way too numerous to list.  Hermit, Crystal, Lava, Sockdalager to name but a few of the best!

Utah boasts many excellent river outfitters and multi-sport guide services.  Click on the Guides and Outfitters section of this site to view the membership of Utah Guides and Outfitters, known as UGO (or, you-go).  They feature the best boats, equipment, camping gear and highly trained guides to make your river adventure memorable, comfortable and safe.  After a day jam-packed with unbelievable thrills, the guides pride themselves on their culinary skills.  Gourmet cuisine accompanied by fine wine on a sandy, shady riverbank beach, surrounded by some of Utah’s most scenic landscapes, waiting for another ho-hum sunset soon to be followed by a gazillion stars.  This beats livin’.  Leave the cell phone at the put-in!