3-Day Colorado River Rafting Trip through Westwater Canyon

Itineraries can vary widely from one trip to the next based on group desires, Mother Nature, and courtesy for other groups on the river. The typical itineraries below illustrate a 3-day trip through Westwater Canyon on the Colorado River.

Day 1: Meet at Green River, Utah headquarters at 8:00 am before a 2-hour drive to Loma. First, float leisurely through the desert scenery of Ruby Canyon, and for those interested, inflatable kayaks provide an opportunity to experience the river on your own. Hike up Rattlesnake Canyon to see a variety of desert plants and wildlife, then camp at Black Rocks, where 1,000-year-old black schist – a type of metamorphic rock – provides an unusually rugged and beautiful setting for your campsite.

Day 2: Spend plenty of time peacefully floating on calm waters and more time in the inflatable kayaks before reaching Westwater Ranger Station. This is where the river enters the steep, narrow canyons that give Westwater its nickname: “the Little Grand Canyon”. Small rapids begin to materialize along the otherwise quiet stretches of the Colorado River here. Set up camp at one of the many beaches within Westwater Canyon.

Day 3: Gear up for rapids on the final day of the trip. Raft down Hunter’s, Funnel Falls, Surprise, and Skull Rapid, and glimpse bald eagle, great blue heron, and snowy egret habitats along the way. Finally, take a short drive back to Green River.