|
|
|
 |
| River Rafting in Moab, Utah with Kids |
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
| Plan |
| Getting started |
| The Green and Colorado rivers vary from mild to wild and Moab rafting trips come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you paddle for a half-day or more than a week, hire rafting equipment or partake in an organized river trip be sure that the rafting adventure you select is commensurate with the age and interest of the kids. Take note, the minimum age and type of craft - jet boats, paddleboats or inflatable kayaks - utilized on commercials trips are more often than not dictated by river flow and difficulty.
|
|
|
|
| The right trip |
| Cataract Canyon, below the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers, is a world-class stretch of white water. Here, the Colorado River's power and speed produces 14 miles of rapids, some of which are Class V. Whitewater rafting trips in Westwater Canyon traverse a dozen of the top whitewater rapids in the western United States. Little Dolores, Funnel Falls, Skull Rapid, and Sock-it-to-Me are but four. Desolation Canyon may not hold the allure of Cataract or Westwater but it is no less exciting and no less stunning. The rapids, Class I to III in peak season, make this section of the Green River an ideal choice for families partaking in their first multi-day whitewater rafting trip. The dramatic landforms, created by millions of years of erosion, will capture the attention of even the most jaded kids. The slow float in Castle Valley from Fish Towers to takeout beach is ideal for novice paddlers. Whether you partake in a half or full-day trip the kids will learn to raft yet have ample opportunity to swim.
|
|
|
|
| Plotting your route |
| Rafting on the Colorado and Green rivers is ideal from early May to late September. Rivers flow, dependent on rainfall and snowmelt, peaks, on average, between mid-May and late June. Yet the water level isn't the only thing you will need to consider when planning a self-guided rafting trip. A permit is required for all Green and Colorado River rafting trips through Cataract Canyon, Westwater Canyon and Desolation Canyon as well as all points in between. If you are planning a self-guided rafting trip in an area managed by more than one public entity request an interagency permit. It reduces the bureaucracy. Unless you plan to paddle both down and upstream, book your shuttle service first. Several of the take-out points are a long way from anywhere and companies offering river services are oftentimes fully booked weeks if not months in advance. In addition, consider the number of hours you intend to paddle each day as well as the amount of time you would like to spend exploring, hiking side canyons for example, when determining the length of any rafting trip.
|
|
|
|
| Selecting an outfitter |
| Selecting the right outfitter is essential for a successful river rafting adventure with or without kids. Once you have established the type of adventure you wish to experience, determine the outfitter's knowledge of the area, experience with children as well as the number of hours you will be paddling each day. In addition, find out what is included in the cost; determine the size of the group, type of boat, length and difficulty of the rafting trip and whether other families have registered. And before you book, seek advice from other family travelers. Ask friends and pose questions on travel forums.
|
|
|
|
| Travel gear |
| If you are partaking on a fully outfitted river trip you won't need much in the way of specialized rafting gear but there are a few things all families should consider. Don't wear cotton on the river it weighs more wet than dry and will quickly leaving you feeling chilled. Quick drying clothing - shorts, pants and tops - is ideal. Don't forget to think about your feet. Sturdy, water resistant shoes or sandals (no flip-flops or crocs) are a necessity even if you plan to spend all of their time in the boat.
|
|
|
|
| Packing tips |
| There is little reprieve from the sun on Colorado and Green River rafting trips. Pack enough waterproof sunblock and sunscreen lip balm for repeated applications. Pack sunglasses with a cord and hats with a draw string, it is easier than you think to loose both to the water and the wind. Don't forget your camera, bathing suit, water resistant sandals or sport shoes, quick drying shorts, pants and tops, and insect repellent as well as a sport bottle for each member of your crew. Pack your personal items including your camera in resealable waterproof bags. Families embarking on a self-guided adventure will not want to forget guidebooks, maps and first aid kit. |
|
|
|
| Travel health & child safety |
| River rafting is a great way to introduce the kids to the wilderness. Yet it is important not to exaggerate. Select a rafting adventure that matches the age and ability of the kids and pay particular attention to the mercury. From May to September the temperature on the river can exceed 100° F (38°C). Apply sunscreen to all exposed areas before you start paddling and repeat the applications throughout the day. And while it may be tempting to remove t-shirts and bear bikini tops the desert sun is unforgiving. Encourage the kids to drink regularly (children dehydrate quicker than adults) and start out your day with a good hearty breakfast.
|
|
|
|
|
| Explore |
| Maps |
| Online maps are a great family travel planning resource and a great way to get the kids involved in a family trip. Use online maps to plot your route to Moab as well as the Green and Colorado rivers. Map Westwater Canyon and Cataract Canyon. Get detailed river maps and river guides complete with campsites and hiking trails for do-it-yourself float or rafting trips in southeastern Utah. Geocaching - GPS treasure hunts - is popular with kids and may provide the incentive needed to get them paddling. And if you are traveling with primary school aged children teach them how to read a map and use a compass before you depart on a backcountry adventure whether you are embarking on an unassisted or fully guided river journey. Maps are a great way to turn a trip with mom and dad into a different kind of family adventure.
|
|
|
|
| Books |
| Books are a great way to introduce younger children to a new adventure and get teens and tweens ready for a family trip. Our age-appropriate reading lists - bestsellers, classics and non-fiction - are designed to spark the interest of kids and go beyond a romantic view of Utah and the wilderness.
|
|
|
|
| Music & Sound |
| Explore nature through sound. Learn about natural sounds and the effects of noise. Discover 'soundscapes' and human sources of sound.
|
|
|
|
| News |
| Newspapers are yet another family vacation planning resource. Discover tips and tidbits about rafting and find out what's happening on the water before you depart. Dig a little bit deeper and learn more about the Colorado River's struggle to meet growing water demands in the Southwest.
|
|
|
|
| Kids' stuff |
| Online resources make learning about the Green and Colorado rivers fun. Map the Colorado River from its headwaters in Rocky Mountain National Park to the Gulf of Mexico. Learn about John Wesley Powell and the first expedition of the Grand Canyon by boat. (The Grand Canyon may be Arizona but the adventure began at Green River City, Utah.) Read about the Colorado River Compact signed in1922 and discover how it has defined politics and policy in the Southwest. Find out about the controversy surrounding the construction of Glen Canyon Dam and why environmentalists believe it has affected the ecology of the Colorado River.
|
|
|
|
| Organizations |
| Associations and non-profit organizations can be a valuable resource as well as a means to get involved. Find out more about a few of the organizations involved in enhancing the appreciation of public lands in Utah and safeguarding the interests of all who use the Colorado River.
|
|
|
|
|
| Forkids |
|
Tamarisk |
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! |
|
|
|
| Outfitter |
| Moab Adventure Center |
|
Moab, Utah 84532 |
|
|
 Moab Adventure Center Website
|
|
moab@moabadventurecenter.com |
|
tel: +1 (866) 904 1163 |
Map:
Map It! |
 |
|
Type of Organization: adventure travel company |
|
Moab Adventure Center offers outdoor experiences for the novice as well as the enthusiast. Whether you whitewater raft, mountain bike or horseback ride the professional guides do more than chaperone. They work hard to ensure each excursion is memorable and carefree for both the adults and the kids. Minimum age varies. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Western River Expeditions |
|
Salt Lake City, Utah 84121 |
|
|
Western River Website
|
|
|
|
tel: +1 (866) 904 1160 (Toll-free U.S. only) |
|
|
|
|
|
Type of Organization: adventure travel company |
|
Western River Expeditions, Utah's best of state for 4 years running, is a whitewater rafting specialist. Whether you paddle the rapids in Westwater or Cataract Canyon or float above the Confluence on the Green River, the guides go out of their way to make the trip carefree and fun for both the novice and the enthusiast. The minimum age is 5 on Green River trips and 10 on Colorado River trips. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Review |
| Fun for all in the family |
|
Submitted on 11 December 2007 by snowedunder from Monza, Italy |
|
Rafting the Colorado River was one of the highlights of our two week trip to southeast Utah and western Colorado. Even if we didn\'t attempt the world class rapids at Westwater or Cataract canyons. The slow float in Castle Valley, northeast of Moab, is perfect for novice rafters and families traveling with younger children. The rapids, Class I and Class II, provide a thrill, especially when navigated in an inflatable kayak. The guides at Moab Adventure Center provide the rest. A safe environment and good kid fun. Swimming, water fights and a paddle for each small hand ensured all of the kids in our raft were smiling from ear to ear and that none of them fell in, except when they jumped. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other fun things to do in Moab with kids |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Related tips for travel with kids |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Fun family vacation ideas |
|
You may also enjoy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
