River Rafting in Moab, Utah with Kids

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Moab may be a mecca for mountain bikers but it is also a magnet for river rafters. And the rapids aren't the only attraction! Here, the Colorado and Green rivers cut an arresting path through sandstone forming dramatic canyons red, gold and black. Towering spires, broad sand beaches and vertical walls round out the scenery. But that’s not all! This rugged and remote corner of Utah harbors tales of times gone by. Rock Art, more than 700 years old, adorns boulders and stone. Native American Indian ruins tell of a life long ago. Hideouts, such as Outlaw Cave, speak to Butch Cassidy and the Wild West. Abandoned homesteads impart the harsh reality of frontier life. In Moab, rafting with kids is as much an adventure as just plain fun.

River Rafting in Moab, Utah with Kids Photo Gallery

Tamarisk

Tamarisk Photo Gallery

Tamarisk, also spelled tamarix and often referred to as Salt Cedar, is one of the biggest threats to the environment along the Colorado River. These flowering trees, introduced to the United States as ornamental plants, may be beautiful but they can drink up to 200 gallons of water each day. What's more, tamarisk deposits salt on the surface soil making it difficult for other trees and plants to survive. To make matters worse, these trees are hardy and reproduce quickly. They are the first to grow back after a fire, they survive when the river floods and a single tree can create 2.5 million seeds a year!