River Shuttles Near Moab
On a guided trip the shuttle is somebody else's problem. On a private trip it is frequently the hardest logistical piece of the whole thing, and the one people underestimate. Some of these take-outs are hours from the put-in by road, and one of them ends in eleven miles of dirt.
You can run your own shuttle with two vehicles, pay a shuttle service to move your vehicle, or arrange a motorised pickup where the take-out has no road, as at the Confluence. Sort this out before you book anything else, because on some sections it determines whether the trip is possible at all.
Your Three Options
Two vehicles
Drop one at the take-out, drive the other to the put-in. Free, but it costs hours and needs a second driver. On long sections it can eat most of a day.
Shuttle company
You leave keys, they move your vehicle to the take-out while you are on the water. Standard practice on the longer runs and generally worth it.
Motorised collection
Required where the take-out has no road access, most notably flatwater trips ending at the Confluence. Must be arranged in advance.
Operators change, and a stale list would send people to a business that no longer runs. Ask the managing agency for current services, or ask at an outfitter in town. The permit offices deal with this question daily.
What Each Section Needs
| Section | Shuttle situation |
|---|---|
| Moab Daily | Easiest in the region. Put-in and take-out both sit along Highway 128 within a short drive of town. |
| Westwater | Put-in at the Westwater Ranger Station, reached from I-70. Straightforward but not close to Moab. |
| Ruby-Horsethief | Loma, Colorado to Westwater, Utah. Crosses a state line, so allow more time than the map suggests. |
| Labyrinth | Green River State Park to Mineral Bottom. The Mineral Bottom road is a steep switchback descent. |
| Stillwater and Meander | End at the Confluence, which has no road. A motorised pickup is required and must be booked ahead. |
| Desolation and Gray | Sand Wash to Swaseys. Long, remote, and a serious drive. Most parties use a service. |
| San Juan | Sand Island or Mexican Hat to Mexican Hat or Clay Hills. Clay Hills is the difficult one. |
Roads That Catch People Out
The take-out is reached by State Highway 276 to San Juan County Road 278, then eleven miles of dirt. BLM warns the road may become impassable to two-wheel-drive vehicles when wet, and recommends moderate ground clearance. If rain is forecast for your take-out day, that road is what to worry about, not the river.
BLM gives two approaches to the Westwater Ranger Station. The main route is I-70 exit 227, then nine miles south. The alternate from exit 221 passes under the interstate on a section that becomes impassable when wet. After rain, use exit 227.
Mineral Bottom, the Labyrinth take-out, is reached by a steep switchback road. Confirm conditions before committing, particularly with a loaded trailer.
PlanningPlanning Notes
- Arrange the shuttle before the permit, or at least alongside it. On Confluence take-outs the shuttle determines whether the trip works at all.
- Allow far more driving time than the map suggests. These are dirt and mountain roads, often with a trailer.
- Leave keys as instructed and confirm exactly where the vehicle will be left.
- Have a contingency for weather. A wet take-out road can strand a party that had no plan for it.
- Tell someone your itinerary, including the take-out and expected date. Cell service is absent on most of these sections.
River Shuttle FAQ
Do I need a shuttle service?
Not on short sections like the Moab Daily if you have two vehicles. On long or remote runs, and anywhere ending at the Confluence, a service or a boat pickup is effectively required.
How do I get out at the Confluence?
There is no road. You need a pre-arranged motorised pickup. Below the Confluence is Cataract Canyon, which your flatwater permit does not cover.
What vehicle do I need for Clay Hills?
Moderate ground clearance is recommended, and BLM warns the road can be impassable to two-wheel drive when wet.
Where do I find shuttle companies?
Ask the managing agency permit office for the section, or ask an outfitter in town. They deal with this constantly and will know who is currently operating.
Sources
Last reviewed: July 30, 2026. Regulations, operators and conditions change. Confirm current details with the managing agency or operator before your trip, and if something here is wrong, tell us.