Three Days Kayaking the Colorado:
Moab to Lake Powell
Three days of flatwater paddling, from kayaking the Moab Colorado River under red cliffs to an Antelope Canyon kayak on Lake Powell and the calm Glen Canyon stretch below the dam.
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One river, red rock, slot canyons & still water, across Utah and Arizona.
The Colorado River carved the canyon country of the Southwest, and some of its most beautiful stretches are calm enough to paddle in a sea kayak. This route is built around accessible colorado river kayaking trips: flatwater floats and guided paddles where the scenery does the work and you can keep your eyes on the cliffs instead of the rapids.
Over 3 days you go from kayaking the Colorado River in Moab beneath towering red sandstone walls, to an Antelope Canyon kayak on the still blue water of Lake Powell, to the glassy Glen Canyon stretch below the dam at Lees Ferry, where Horseshoe Bend curls overhead. It is a mix of self-guided flatwater and guided trips with local outfitters, all of it mellow paddling rather than technical river running.
One important distinction: this itinerary is about kayaking the lower Colorado River on its calm, dam-controlled sections, not whitewater. The famous rapids of Westwater Canyon and Cataract Canyon require permits and are guided, advanced trips, not casual day kayaking. Spring through fall is the season, with spring and fall the most comfortable. Summer is very hot here, so start early, carry far more water than you think you need, and remember flows are controlled by the dams.
Guided Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell kayak trips out of Page book up fast in peak season, so reserve ahead, especially for spring and fall weekends. If you rent your own kayak in Moab, arrange a shuttle for the take-out before you launch. There is no service in much of the canyon country, so download offline maps and carry plenty of water.
Moab · flatwater on the Colorado River under red cliffs
Start in Moab, the adventure hub of southeast Utah, where the Colorado River runs calm enough to paddle right below town. The classic kayaking the Moab Colorado River day is the mellow flatwater stretch often called the Moab Daily, downstream of town along Highway 128, where the current is gentle and the red sandstone walls tower overhead. It is a forgiving introduction to colorado river kayaking trips, with calm water and big scenery.
For an even more scenic put-in, head upstream toward the Fisher Towers section near Castle Valley, where soaring rock spires rise above mild water. Book a guided inflatable kayak or raft trip with Wild West Voyages in Moab, or rent and arrange a shuttle. Summer is hot here, so launch in the morning, carry plenty of water and sun protection, and remember the flow is dam-controlled and can change.
- Moab inflatable kayak trip · Wild West VoyagesGuided flatwater kayak / raft on the Moab Colorado River · book ahead
- Moab Daily flatwater stretchCalm water below town along Hwy 128 · forgiving intro · launch early
- Fisher Towers & Castle ValleySoaring rock spires above mild water · the most scenic put-in
- Stay in MoabAdventure hub of southeast Utah · outfitters, shuttles and lodging
- The Moab Daily stretch along Highway 128 is gentle flatwater and a great first paddle. Westwater and Cataract Canyon are permitted, guided whitewater and are not casual day kayaking.
- If you rent your own kayak in Moab, arrange a take-out shuttle before you launch so you are not stranded downstream.
- Flows are controlled by upstream dams and can change. Check current conditions with a local outfitter and carry far more water than you think you need.
Fisher Towers
Moab river bendDrive to Page · an Antelope Canyon kayak on Lake Powell
Lake Powell
Red cliff paddlingDrive south from Moab to Page, Arizona, gateway to Lake Powell and Glen Canyon (roughly 4.5 to 5 hours, so leave early). The highlight here is one of the most photogenic colorado river kayaking trips anywhere: an Antelope Canyon kayak, where you paddle across the still blue water of Lake Powell and slip into the towering Antelope Canyon slot, the cliffs closing in around you.
Book a guided kayak with Lake Powell Adventure Co. out of Page, who handle the launch, the route, and timing so you are in the slot at the best light. Lake Powell is part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, a vast playground of red rock and still water. It can be windy in the afternoon and very hot in summer, so paddle early, wear sun protection, and carry lots of water.
- Guided kayak across Lake Powell into the Antelope Canyon slot · book ahead
- Lake Powell paddling info, launch points and conditions
- Drive Moab to Page~4.5 to 5 hr · leave early to paddle in the cooler morning
- Stay in PageGateway to Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
- The Antelope Canyon kayak is a guided trip across open lake water into a slot canyon. Going with Lake Powell Adventure Co. means they handle the launch, route and timing for the best light.
- Lake Powell can get windy and choppy in the afternoon. Paddle in the morning when the water is calmer and the heat is lower.
- It is a long drive from Moab to Page, roughly 4.5 to 5 hours. Leave early so you arrive with time to settle in before an early paddle.
Glen Canyon below the dam · Lees Ferry & Horseshoe Bend
On your last day, paddle the glassy Colorado River in Glen Canyon below Glen Canyon Dam. This is the calm, clear, cold tailwater stretch between the dam and Lees Ferry, the classic example of kayaking the lower Colorado River on flatwater, with sheer canyon walls and Horseshoe Bend curling overhead. Many paddlers take a backhaul boat upstream to the dam and float the 15 miles back down to Lees Ferry, so you go with the gentle current.
There are no rapids on this stretch, just deep green water below red and tan cliffs, and it is one of the most beautiful easy paddles in the Southwest. Cap the trip with the short walk to the Horseshoe Bend overlook for the famous view from above. Getting home: Page (PGA) has limited flights, so most travelers drive back toward Moab (CNY) or out to a larger airport, so fuel up and leave with daylight to spare.
- ~15 mi calm float from the dam to Lees Ferry · backhaul upstream, paddle back
- Short walk to the famous bend in the Colorado River from above
- River, lake and overlook options around Page and Lake Powell
- Getting home: Page or drive back to MoabPage (PGA) limited flights · CNY or a larger airport for most travelers
- The Glen Canyon stretch from the dam to Lees Ferry is calm flatwater with no rapids. Most paddlers take a backhaul boat upstream and float the roughly 15 miles back down.
- This water is released from the bottom of the reservoir and stays cold all year. Dress for cold water even on a hot day, and check the dam release schedule.
- Horseshoe Bend is a short walk from the parking area off Highway 89. Go early or late to beat the crowds and the harshest light for photos.
Horseshoe Bend
Lees FerryNow build your Colorado River trip.
You've seen all three days. Open the free drag-and-drop planner and tune it for your dates, your pace, and whether you base in Moab, Page, or split your nights between the two.
What we actually learned on the river.
This is flatwater, not whitewater
These colorado river kayaking trips are mellow flatwater and guided paddles, not rapids. The famous whitewater of Westwater Canyon and Cataract Canyon requires permits and is run on guided, advanced trips, so do not confuse them with a casual day paddle.
Go spring through fall, paddle early
Spring and fall bring the most comfortable temperatures for paddling in red rock country. Summer is very hot, so launch in the morning, wear sun protection, and get off the water before the afternoon heat and wind build.
Carry far more water than you think
The desert is brutally dry and the sun reflects off the water. Carry at least a gallon of drinking water per person per day, plus electrolytes, and never count on filling up out in the canyon country.
Flows are dam-controlled
The Colorado here is regulated by Glen Canyon and other dams, so levels and the Glen Canyon tailwater temperature depend on releases, not rain. Check current flows and release schedules with a local outfitter or the recreation area before you launch.
Plan your shuttles and the long drive
If you rent in Moab, arrange a take-out shuttle before you launch. Moab to Page is a 4.5 to 5 hour drive, so build it into the day and fuel up, since service is sparse across the canyon country.
Base in Moab, Page, or both
Moab is the hub for the upper river day, and Page is the base for Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon and the Glen Canyon stretch. Splitting nights between the two keeps the drives manageable. Guided Page kayak trips book up fast, so reserve ahead.
Afternoon wind can flip a kayak
Lake Powell's glassy morning water can turn to hazardous chop when high afternoon winds pick up, enough to capsize a loaded sea kayak. Launch around 7:30 AM to beat the wind and catch the premium light in Antelope Canyon, then get off open water before midday.
Cold tailwater is a shock risk
The Glen Canyon water below the dam is released from the bottom of the upstream reservoir and stays cold all year. An overheated paddler who jumps in to cool off risks cold-water shock, so ease in slowly, dress for the water not the air, and keep a dry layer within reach.
Everything you'll actually want to know.
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Colorado River kayaking route.
Put-ins and shuttles, guided Antelope Canyon and Glen Canyon trips, drive times between Moab and Page, lodging in both towns, and the early-start, carry-water timing you need to paddle the desert safely.
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