San Juan River Rafting in… (trip)

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San Juan River Rafting in Navajoland

  • United States
  • Active & Adventure
“We came from England to spend 2 weeks in� Utah.� We spent a week in Zion and then headed East… ”
San Juan River, Southwest, Utah, United States

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contact Holiday River Expeditions:

Period offered: May, June. The provider (view their profile) can provide you with specific departure dates, final prices, and other information.


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from $1,285* per person5 DaysMay, June
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 4
Operator: Holiday River Expeditions 20 people max
Pound for pound, the San Juan River is the fastest moving river in the United States, dropping an average of eight feet per mile. Sandstone and limestone walls frame the narrow canyon as the river snakes through the countless goosenecks for which it is famous. Today the river borders Navajoland, although it was once the home of the ancient pueblo civilization. Scores of ruins and petroglyphs line the canyon walls.

The San Juan, with a lot of small rapids, is especially known for sand waves which appear to rise from nowhere due to shifting sand on the bottom of this fast moving stream. These make for a particularly thrilling ride in an inflatable kayak.

It was on the San Juan that commercial river running began in 1938 when Norman Nevils began operating trips from Mexican Hat through the Grand Canyon.

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Locations visited/nearby

San Juan River, Southwest, Utah, United States

1 testimonial about this trip

  1. Reviewer: Denham Family located in UK
    We came from England to spend 2 weeks in� Utah.� We spent a week in Zion and then headed East for our rafting trip.� It was a highlight of the holiday, especially as we lay in our sleeping� bags on the first night, in a long line, counting shooting stars.� Totally� memorable.� Thank you for a really brilliant rafting trip. I would love to think we will be back sometime.

3 testimonials about the provider, Holiday River Expeditions:

  • Reviewer: Geralyn DeFelice located in Pittsburgh, PA USA
    "Just want to thank you for everything and to let you know that I TOTALLY LOVED THE TRIP--WILL REMEMBER IT ALL MY LIFE!  I will never be the same after experiencing the river as we did!  Personally, I felt the entire trip was perfect.  What a great group of people Holiday has!  Our guides were great and we so enjoyed them.  The food was delicious, loved Clari, the yoga and massages, our hikes, the rapids, our campfire...perfect!"  
  • Reviewer: Ryan Higginson located in Salt Lake City, UT USA
    I have done the white rim with holiday 5 times, and each trip is the highlight of the year for me.  The scenery is spectacular.  The bigger than life red rock spires and bluffs that are prevalent throughout the ride give an abundance of photo opportunities. Doing the ride in 3 or 4 days allows for enough time to take in the scenery, and still get plenty of biking in each day. The guides for each of my trips have created an atmosphere of lighthearted fun and excitement balanced with plenty of knowledge about the geography and native american indians who inhabited the area in the past.  I'm always impressed with the great food they prepare and the organization around the kitchen.  The white rim trip has always been an unforgettable experience.

  • Reviewer: Kim England located in Scottsdale, AZ USA
    We had a great time.  We appreciated the informed guides and  the educational experience they were able to provide.  Our 7 year old thinks it was the BEST trip ever!  The kids activity kit came in handy.  Making friendship bracelets and sand castles.  The ducky was his favorite!  Also, We never expected the food to be one of the highlights of a camping/rafting trip!

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Special information

  • Family oriented trip.

Itinerary

Day 1: Meet group in Blanding, Utah then we're off on a 30-minute scenic ride to the put-in point - Sand Island. Float down to lunch near River House Ruin, one of the best preserved ancient pueblo dwellings in the Southwest. Camp near Comb Ridge, the 600-foot edge to the enormous Monument Upwarp.

Day 2: Pass through the village of Mexican Hat before traversing the famed Goosenecks of the San Juan. Take an optional hike to the 1894 prospector cabin of Walter Mendenhall. Enjoy frequent sightings of Great Blue Heron that seem to lead the way into the labyrinth. Camp in the heart of the Goosenecks.

Day 3: Small rapids and soaring walls are on tap this morning. Choose to float silently as a group, letting all of your senses come to life and open to the essence of the canyon. Take a ride through Ross Rapid and roll into camp in time for lasagna dinner at our very own river-front restaurant – no table reservations needed!

Day 4: This morning we can hike the Honaker Trail, all that remains of the "1892 gold rush". The reward for those who put forth this 1200-foot vertical effort is an unforgettable view of Monument Valley. A good day to stop at a pristine beach and check out 300 million year old fossils, remnants from another eon. Government Rapid and a "siesta" at Slickhorn Gulch highlights this day. Slickhorn Gulch is one of the premier side canyons along the Colorado System with fern grottos and swimming pools.

Day 5: Fast water drops you into Lake Powell after passing Grand Gulch Primitive Area; then we continue across the lake to the take out at Clay Hills Crossing. You will transfer to a two-hour scenic van ride back to Blanding, Utah.

More information from Holiday River Expeditions: