Trips › Half day
Guided TripsHalf Day Rafting in Moab
The half day trip is the one most Moab visitors take, and it earns that. Three to four hours on the Colorado just upstream of town, Class II to III rapids, red rock the whole way, and you are back with your afternoon intact.
Roughly three to four hours including shuttle, on the Moab Daily section of the Colorado. Class II to III. Suitable for children from around four or five with most outfitters. Fits neatly either side of a morning in Arches.
What the Trip Looks Like
You meet in town or at the put-in, get fitted with a life jacket, and take a short shuttle up Highway 128 alongside the river. The scenery starts before the boat does.
On the water the rapids are spaced rather than continuous. Between them you drift, swim if the water is warm, and listen to your guide explain the geology and the river history. It is not a trip where you brace for the next horizon line. It is mostly gentle, with punctuation.
Expect three to four hours door to door, of which roughly two to three are on the water depending on flow.
Who It Suits
- Visitors on a tight schedule. A morning trip leaves the whole afternoon free.
- Families with young children. Shorter than a full day, which matters more than parents expect.
- Anyone nervous about whitewater. See first timer trips.
- Groups with mixed enthusiasm. Long enough to feel like something, short enough that nobody is suffering.
It suits you less if you want serious rapids. For that, look at whitewater trips.
Morning or Afternoon
| Departure | Trade-off |
|---|---|
| Morning | Cooler, calmer water, less wind. Leaves the afternoon free. Fills first. |
| Afternoon | Warmer water and air, better for swimming. More afternoon wind, and in midsummer more chance of a thunderstorm. |
What to Bring
- Quick-drying clothes. Cotton stays wet and cold.
- Footwear that will not come off in the water. Sandals with a heel strap, or old trainers.
- A hat with a chin strap, and sunscreen.
- A water bottle. Dehydration ruins more Moab trips than rapids do.
- A dry change waiting in the car.
Leave phones and cameras behind unless they are genuinely waterproof and attached to you.
Outfitters hold the permits, supply the gear and run the shuttle. Read the section in detail first so you know what you are booking: the Moab Daily in detail.
Commercial trips near Moab have a strong safety record and guides are trained in swiftwater rescue, but whitewater is inherently dangerous. Tell your outfitter honestly about swimming ability, medical conditions and the fitness of everyone in your group. That information changes what they recommend.
Half Day Rafting FAQ
How long is a half day rafting trip in Moab?
Roughly three to four hours including the shuttle, with about two to three hours on the water depending on flow.
How difficult is it?
Class II to III on the Moab Daily. Gentle for most of its length with spaced rapids. It runs noticeably bigger during spring runoff.
What is the minimum age?
Most outfitters take children from around four or five. Minimums vary by company and rise during high water, so confirm directly.
Will I get wet?
Yes, and in summer that is the point. In early season you will want the wetsuit the outfitter provides.
Can I do a half day and still visit Arches?
Comfortably. A morning trip has most people back in town by early afternoon.
Last reviewed: July 30, 2026. Trip options, prices and minimum ages are set by individual outfitters and change season to season. Confirm details directly before booking, and if something here is wrong, tell us.