Moab Biking & Westwater Canyon Rafting Combination Trip

For a one-of-a-kind adventure that combines the best of mountains, desert, and river, join our Moab-Westwater combination trip. Bike through the La Sal Mountains with elevated oases of aspen and pine trees towering above Moab’s red rocks. Ride with our guides along graded dirt Forest Service roads, through lupine-studded meadows. Meanwhile, our 4×4 support van is right behind us, laden with gear and all the fixings for gourmet trail-side meals. Catch glimpses of the desert far below at lofty overlooks, and camp out on the edge of the world in a piney grove. Biking the La Sals is the perfect summertime respite from the desert heat.

Ride out of the mountains on the second day. That is, ride downhill! We’ll descend 4,000 feet from the mountains to the river into Fisher Valley, leaving pine trees behind in exchange for cottonwoods. Crisscross Onion Creek dozens of times, splashing through the stream as it rushes down to the Colorado River. Camp on the edge of the river, and let the sound of water on rocks lull you to a well-earned sleep.

Westwater Canyon is our next stop. Known for its punchy whitewater rapids and sleek, black canyon walls, Westwater is the perfect reward for two days of pedaling. Relax and watch great blue herons soar over the river. Or, if you haven’t had enough activity, hop in an inflatable kayak and paddle alongside our oar rafts. We’ll spend our last night together on the riverbank, resting up for the grand finale of Westwater Canyon’s rapids. Big Hummer, Funnel Falls, and Skull Rapid are the perfect finish to a four-day Moab-Westwater combination trip!

Green River, Utah: Things to Do and Places to Explore

Featured Review:

“The food was awesome. The guides were polite and attentive. Biking was challenging but well worth the effort. We had an awesome trip and loved Onion Creek, especially going through the creek! And the views were spectacular. The food and guides were top-notch. The rafting was a blast.” (Keri Roche and Greg Roland)

Holiday acknowledges that Westwater Canyon and the La Sal Mountain range are the traditional homelands of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) people. We respect and honor the Indigenous people who have – and still do-  lived on and cared for the rivers and canyons that we now recreate in. Read more about our land acknowledgments here.
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Trip Overview

  • Type:

    Bike-Raft

  • Location:

    Moab Area Biking- Colorado River

  • Length:

    4 Days: 2 Biking, 2 Rafting

  • Dates:

    July & August

  • Meet at:

    Green River, Utah @ 7:00 pm (night before the trip)

  • Difficulty:

    Intermediate

  • Min. Age:

    12

  • Deposit:

    400

Highlights

  • Idyllic mild temps for summer biking through the high La Sals
  • Feel the rush of Westwater's finest rapids
  • Spot bald eagles and big horn sheep
  • Human powered, multi-sport adventure
  • Perfect balance of working hard and playing harder
Getting Here Before You Go Packing List FAQs

Rates & Dates

4 Days

  • Adult:
  • $1,260
  • Youth:
    18 and under
  • $1,160
  • Senior:
    65 and older
  • $1,160
  • Group:
    10 or more
  • $1,160
Book This Trip
Check Availability
2024
  • July
  • 13, 27
  • August
  • 10

*Rates do not include the $10.00 land use fee.

Itinerary

The La Sal Mountains sit just outside of Moab, Utah on the Colorado border. Their 10–12,000 foot peaks create a spectacular green contrast to the red and orange of the surrounding desert landscape. The Colorado River cruises around the northern flank of the mountains through Westwater Canyon. Trips through Westwater begin just south of Interstate 70 and take out at the town of Cisco, Utah.

Sample Itinerary

The Night Before:

Please arrive at our headquarters in Green River, Utah, no later than 7:00 p.m., Mountain Time for a pre-trip meeting. We’ll give you waterproof bags and any rental gear, collect personal beverages, and give you time to buy any last minute items from our store (see our packing checklist for a list of items we stock). Our guides will also go through a pre-trip inspection of your bikes. If you plan to ride your own bike, please make sure that it is in good condition. We recommend getting a full tune at a professional shop prior to the trip. If your bike doesn’t pass muster, we’ll ask you to rent a Holiday bike for $220.00/person.

Day 1:

We’ll ride in our comfortable, 15-passenger vans for two hours, stopping halfway in Moab for a quick pit stop. The van will carry us up to approximately 8,000 feet of elevation into the cool forests on the flanks of the La Sal Mountains. The bike ride begins with some gentle ups and downs. Once you’re warmed up, our route takes us up a sustained climb. We’ll have lunch near the top of the climb, then fly downhill for a couple of miles. Most of today’s riding is a balance of climbs and descents. Camp is on the edge of North Beaver Mesa, with an epic view of the peaks of the La Sals.

Day 2:

Today’s ride will be fast! After a hearty breakfast of pancakes (or maybe eggs to order?) we’ll pedal out to the edge of the mesa, and fly down the switchbacks into the Fisher Valley. Enjoy the downhill, but don’t forget to stop and enjoy the views, too. We’ll camp on the edge of the Colorado River. Those who still have energy to burn may choose to do a hike along the base of the Fisher Towers mudstone pinnacles that dominate the skyline.

Day 3:

Our comfy vans will pick up you and your river gear to transfer you to the waiting rafts at the Westwater Canyon Ranger Station. Sit back, relax, and scan the cliffs for bald eagles and great blue herons. Enjoy the rest: you’ve earned it. Eat lunch with your toes in the Colorado River. Spend the afternoon swimming or maybe taking a short hike to a historic goldminer’s cabin. Tonight’s camp will be deep within the black rocks of Westwater.

Day 4:

Holiday’s guides will whip up another delicious breakfast, then prepare the rafts for the whitewater. Hang on tight through Marble, Staircase, Sock-It-To-Me, and Skull, the biggest rapid of them all. Run through Last Chance rapid before enjoying one last riverside lunch while drying off from the rapids. Float the last few miles to the Cisco boat ramp where our vans await to return us to the Green River HQ, typically around 4:00 p.m.

Keep in mind that this is only a sample itinerary. Your trip may feature different campsites or routes, depending on weather and the other groups with whom we share these places. Please come with an open mind, a willingness to be flexible, and an appetite for for fun!

La Sal Mountain Bikers

The La Sal Mountain bike trip follows a 52-mile long route of mostly intermediate terrain with many beginner sections. The first day of riding begins among meadows and aspen trees at an elevation of around 8,000 feet and covers half of the total mileage as you grind up and then cruise down several long hills on the mostly gravel and dirt road. After camping high up in the La Sal Mountains, the second day of riding covers the rest of the mileage quickly as the trail descends over 4,000 feet from the high alpine through Utah’s classic red rock scenery to the Colorado River.

Riders with no previous off-road bicycling experience should be experienced road cyclists with strong athletic ability. Although not technically difficult, the uphills and higher elevation of this route provide a significant aerobic challenge. All riders should prepare for the trip by riding their bike on a regular basis leading up to the trip.

Reviews

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Holiday River Expeditions
Average rating:  
 21 reviews
 by Tory Sharp

It was so much fun! I really enjoyed the staff and the trip was wonderful.

 by Rob Patterson

Group of friends and individual arrangements. Dave and Josh were top shape and experienced. Dave pretty much took point on many issues and balanced the over ambitious types with the under performers to insure all had a good time. Nice techniques to never say no while re-directing those who had ideas that weren't in line with the company policy or good practice. Josh is a great guy and also did a very nice job serving pretty much every need. Great effort by both.

 by Teresa Aramaki

Karen was always very helpful and willing to answer any questions asked. Very patient, as we each took time to complete the required paperwork. Was very nice to have clean sleeping bags! Guides (Dustin, Sam, Kris and Nick) were knowledgeable, very skillful, helpful, patient and great with all types of people and requests. We were all very impressed with their ability to engage well with all guests, while navigating all aspects of our bike ride and river trip to ensure we all had fun and felt safe. Dustin is an excellent leader, who is professional, talented, articulate, aware, and we appreciated his hospitality. And all are great cooks. Thanks for a very enjoyable time!

 by Mike Linkletter

Dave and Josh are outstanding in everything that they do. They are knowledgeable, skilled, friendly and a great face for your company. Off the charts A-1, first class fun experience. Would repeat in a heartbeat.

 by Mike Buhagiar

I had problems submitting the forms. I completed the forms and submitted them a couple of times however the company contacted me and advised that they never received them. We got there in the end.



I had the best time ever. It was both challenging and relaxing. The guides were very professional, courteous and friendly.

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