THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Join historian Andrew Gulliford for a unique 4-day San Juan River experience, exploring ancient ruins and wild landscapes from Sand Island to Mexican Hat. Disconnect, explore, and savor every moment of this remarkable journey.
Join historian Andrew Gulliford for a unique 4-day San Juan River experience, exploring ancient ruins and wild landscapes from Sand Island to Mexican Hat. Disconnect, explore, and savor every moment of this remarkable journey.
Book with Wild Expeditions
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Wild Expeditions · Bluff, Utah
moderate.
4 days.
Participants should have a moderate fitness level, comfortable with all-day outdoor activity including paddling and short hikes.
No prior experience is necessary; guides provide instruction and assistance to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
Yes, cowboy-style meals are prepared daily, designed to offer a hearty and authentic outdoor dining experience.
Bring personal items like a sleeping bag and toiletries; tents and camping gear are typically provided by Wild Expeditions.
This adventure is best suited for teenagers and adults due to the physical demands and nature of the trip.
Guides carry communication devices and first aid kits; they are trained to manage emergencies promptly and efficiently.
You may spot bighorn sheep, river otters, various bird species, and desert lizards along the route.
The San Juan River corridor features numerous ancestral Puebloan ruins, reflecting thousands of years of human history in the region.
Wild Expeditions promotes Leave No Trace principles to preserve the fragile desert ecosystem and protect archaeological sites along the river.
Wild Expeditions is an adventure outfitter based in Bluff, Utah, offering guided trips across the San Juan River, Bears Ears National Monument, and surrounding canyon country. The company provides half-day and multiday experiences including stand-up paddleboard and kayak expeditions on the San Juan River, private Bears Ears hiking tours with 4x4 transport, Valley of the Gods sunset drives, and UTV excursions to River House Ruin. Additional offerings include canyoneering in Fry Canyon, an introductory Bears Ears tour, a 3-day trail running retreat, vehicle shuttles between Mexican Hat and Clay Hills, and a four-day river journey from Sand Island to Mexican Hat led by PhD historian Andrew Gulliford. Many trips combine paddling, short hikes, archaeological site visits, and scenic 4x4 or Hummer rides to remote cliff dwellings and rock art. Trips list professional guidance, provided gear, and tailored itineraries for private tours; multiday journeys include backcountry-style meals and historic interpretation. Wild Expeditions operates from Bluff, Utah, with access to the San Juan River corridor, Comb Ridge, Cedar Mesa, Fry Canyon, and Valley of the Gods. The operation emphasizes access to sites not reachable by standard vehicles, including UTV routes and Moki Dugway drives. Visitors can choose single-day options such as half-day SUP and kayak floats or more immersive options like the Sand Island to Mexican Hat river expedition. Trip durations range from 3-hour excursions to multi-day river journeys, with private itineraries and shuttle logistics available directly.
Book with Wild Expeditions