The Big Picture

Our busy schedules make even the best of us desire to do more in less time. There is no reason to sacrifice big adventure and backcountry travel because you have to squeeze a lot of living into a short period. The Cataract Canyon Blast is built for people with fast-paced lives who need to get away from it all. Raft these rapids in only two days, but we promise it will feel like two weeks! You’ll enjoy the same 100 miles of the Colorado River including all 25 named class III-V whitewater rapids. A special designed raft creates a tremendous raft trip opportunity. New technology has powered our craft to cover calm river miles with the speed of a motorboat (about 20 miles per hour) but run the remote rapids with the security of a raft. With design technology comes versatility. We can stop to visit many of the interesting backcountry sites we see on longer river raft trips. When we reach Lake Powell after the last of the rapids, we cross the lake in just a couple of hours as the high tech raft commands the water. Our unique trip isn’t for everybody, but you will know if it has your name on it. An ultimate backcountry weekend getaway limited to only 10 people per departure, so pick a few good friends and raft the whitewater rapids. It’s a blast!


The Details

Day 1 – Lunch & Dinner
A Cataract Canyon whitewater adventure begins at the Tag-A-Long office at 7:00 a.m. There is a short, scenic ride to the Colorado River where a raft and guide will be waiting at the "put in." After a brief safety orientation, we launch! Start the day on flat water enjoying the red rock cliffs and trying to spot eagles, hawks, bighorn sheep and mule deer. Time is taken to stop at several locations with views of petrified wood, geologic wonders and historical sites from oil prospecting days in 1920. At noon, stop for lunch at a delightful spot along the river where guides show off their culinary skills. Late afternoon, stop to set up a picturesque campsite for the night. Guides provide instruction to 'pup' tents, if you have rented from Tag-A-Long. Making it quick and easy so you can spend your time relaxing and having fun with your companions. After sunset, enjoy the clear southwestern skies and see glittering stars!

Day 2 – Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast we continue our raft journey down the Colorado River around 9:00 a.m. Before hitting the whitewater rapids, your guide will give you a thorough whitewater orientation and let you know what to expect. Then off you go! The steepest descent of the Colorado River is encountered with these rapids in Canyonlands. The raft hits some of its most well known and respected rapids like Satan’s Gut, Little Niagara and the famous Big Drops. The raft trip ends with a relaxing cruise across Lake Powell, a stunning red rock and blue green water wonderland. At the marina, (with advance reservations) choose to board the scenic air flight back to Moab. The flight is piloted up the Colorado River above the rapids just run and over Canyonlands National Park before landing at the Canyonlands Airfield in Moab. We highly recommend this memorable add-on.


Return options

1. Return from the whitewater raft trip by land. The ride from Hite Marina to Moab takes about four hours through the high desert country of southeastern Utah. Your arrival in Moab will be about 9:00 p.m. The cost is $73.54.

2. We strongly recommend a scenic charter flight. You fly over the Colorado River including some of the rapids you just conquered and, from an altitude of 7,000 feet, really see the amazing formations in the Maze, Island and Needles sections of Canyonlands National Park. The flight is about 30 minutes making your arrival back in Moab about 5:30 p.m. This once-in-a-lifetime flight is only $105.00.

3. Tag-A-Long will shuttle your vehicles to Hite Marina on Lake Powell so it will be waiting for you when you arrive at the marina early in the afternoon. The cost of this service is $231.77 per vehicle.