Canyonlands 4x4 and Colorado River Rafting: The Best Moab Day Combo
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Comfortable sitting in a vehicle for several hours, paddling through Class II–III waves, and climbing in/out of a raft on sandy banks.
Overview
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.
Canyonlands 4x4 and Colorado River Rafting: The Best Moab Day Combo
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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.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Dress to dry fast, not stay wet
Skip cotton. Wear quick-dry layers that work for both dusty 4x4 roads and splashy river miles.
Hydrate early and often
Bring a reusable bottle—guides provide cold water for refills throughout the day.
Secure your shade
A brimmed hat with a strap and secure sunglasses make the river stretch far more comfortable.
Expect heights on Shafer
The road has airy exposure and tight switchbacks; let your guide know if you prefer an inside seat.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Desert bighorn sheep
- Great blue heron
History
The White Rim and Shafer roads trace routes carved for uranium and oil exploration in the 1950s, while nearby petroglyph panels reflect millennia of Indigenous presence.
Conservation
Stay off cryptobiotic soil crusts, never touch rock art, and pack out everything. Use refillable bottles and follow guide instructions to minimize riverbank impact.
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Adventure Hotspots in Moab
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Closed-toe river shoes or sandals with heel strap
Protects feet on rocky/sandy shorelines and stays secure in moving water.
Quick-dry long-sleeve sun shirt (UPF)
Shields skin from intense canyon sun while keeping you cool and comfortable.
summer specific
Lightweight windbreaker or rain shell
Spring and fall breezes can chill wet layers between rapids and during lunch.
spring specific
Waterproof phone case or small dry pouch
Keeps your phone and small items safe from spray and sand on the raft.