Utah Kayaking & Arches Hiking

Moab, UT
6
DAYS
2/5
Intensity
FROM
$1699
Sep 9–Sep 14, 2023
Seats Available
Oct 13–Oct 18, 2023
Seats Available

Get ready, this is a good one! We designed an itinerary to kayak through some of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth, then hike among the world’s most stunning natural rock arches. We kept the intensity mild, to makes the trip accessible to a lot of people. Yet, we travel deep into the backcountry for an adventure that feels way off the beaten path.

If you’ve dreamed of a big western river trip, but don’t want the giant whitewater, this adventure is for you. If you feel the calling to explore epic red rock landscapes, this trip has your name on it.

This September, join me for an adventure of a lifetime. Register today!

Matt Stan
Matt Stan, Bad Adventures founder

Is this for me?

Small Group

We keep it to no more than 10 amazing travelers plus a guide or two.

Camping

We spend the first three nights of the trip backcountry camping along the Green River. The final two nights of the trip are spent at our comfy base camp in the heart of Arches National Park. Dome-style backpacking tents and self-inflating camping mattresses are provided.

Meals

Most of our meals are cooked together at camp. Your guides have prepared scrumptious recipes, will provision the trip, and lead meal preparations. This is gonna be yummy!

Kayaking

We paddle single-person sit-on-top touring kayaks for the first four days of the trip. The physical activity is mild, but the paddling is sustained for a few hours each day. All kayaking gear is provided!

Hiking

On our final two days, we explore Arches National Park. The hiking intensity is mild. The scenery is breathtaking.

Traveling Solo?

This trip works well for couples, friends, and solo travelers. The adventures we plan seem to attract like-minded people. Odds are, you'll enjoy the company of your fellow travelers.

There’s no singles supplement fee!

Here's the plan...

Day
1

Off We Go!

Your guides can pick you up from either a hotel near Grand Junction Regional Airport between 6:45 and 7:15 AM or from Moab’s Canyonlands Field Airport at about 9:15 AM (after the morning fight from Denver arrives).

Adventure awaits! The kayaking portion of our trip begins today. We organize our personal gear and head to the put-in in the town of Green River, UT. Your guides lead an expedition kayaking skills workshop to bring everyone up to speed. Then we begin our 4-day kayaking trip!

We paddle at a mild pace for about 3.5 hours to our first camp.

Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
Day
2

Trin-Alcove Bend

Our first backcountry breakfast sets the bar high! As our second day unfolds, we begin to fall into the routine of georgeous canyon paddling, delicious eating, and starry night camping.

Our camp tonight at Trin-Alcove Bend is the most spectacular of the trip.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day
3

Enter the Labyrinth

Red sandstone cliff walls loom large us as we paddle into the heart of Labyrinth Canyon. Our kayaks are accompanied by great blue herons wading in the water. Each bend in the river brings more stunning canyon views.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day
4

Bowknot Bend Saddle

Our last morning on the river features an epic side-hike to view the jaw-dropping saddle of Bowknot Bend. Here, the river meanders more than 7 miles, before doubling back on itself. We ascend to the saddle that separates the upstream and downstream sections by only a couple hundred yards. It’s an amazing view!

After a final few miles of paddling, we reach our takeout. We load gear, then head to the town of Moab for optional showers, free time, and dinner at a restaurant.

In the evening, we drive into Arches National Park to set up our comfortable basecamp for the final two nights of the trip.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day
5

Devils Garden Hiking

After a hearty breakfast, we leave camp on foot for a 7.5-mile hike, past desert landscapes and incredible natural sandstone arches. We tackle the National Park’s Primitive Loop trail, then stand in awe of the longest arch in North America.

We return to camp for our final dinner feast together. That sense of dread that the trip is almost over beings to set in.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day
6

Delicate Arch at Sunrise

On our last day, we rise early for a sunrise hike to Delicate Arch, the breathtaking, free-standing sandstone formation that adorns “Welcome to Utah” signs and state license plates. What a way to bring the trip to a close!

We enjoy a little more free time in Moab and a final group lunch at a restaurant in town.

You have three choices for leaving the trip: your guides can drop you off at a hotel in the town of Moab between 2:15 and 3:00 PM, at Grand Junction Regional Airport by 4:40 PM (in time for the 6:40 PM flight to Salt Lake City), or at a hotel near Grand Junction Regional Airport between 4:30 and 5:00 PM.

Meals Included: Breakfast

What's Included?

4-Day, 3-Night Kayak Expedition

Fully guided paddling trip on a flatwater river.

5 Nights of Spectacular Tent Camping

We stay at beautiful sites! Tents and camping mattresses are included.

Kayak & Paddling Gear

We'll bring a single-person 16-foot sit-on-top touring kayak, paddle, lifejacket, dry bags, and more for you to use!

Services of a Guide or Two

Friendly, accommodating, fully credentialed, and always professional.

5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, and 4 Dinners

We’re talking about meticulously planned yummy provisions.

National Park Admission and All Permits

Sit back and relax! We've got the red tape covered.

Transportation in Utah

Ride in style in a comfortable Ford Transit passenger van.

Group Gear

Medical kit, satellite phone, navigation supplies, and more.

Not Included:

Your flights or other transportation to and from the trip, your accommodations the night before and the night after the trip, optional shower on day 4, dinner on day 4, lunch on day 6, your personal clothing and gear on the packing list, travel insurance, and guide gratuity.

Important Details & FAQ

Let's Do This!
$349 to reserve your spot today.
Sat Sep 9 Thu Sep 14, 2023
Seats Available
$ 1699
Fri Oct 13 Wed Oct 18, 2023
Seats Available
$ 1699
Balance due 60 days before the trip.
Possible change of plans? You can cancel for a full refund until 90 days before the trip.

Real People.
Real Reviews.

I have many adventuring experiences with Matt Stan over the years. Matt has created a team of knowledgeable and...

Posted by Megan Lundy on Saturday, June 29, 2019

Meticulously planned adventures. World class guides. Friendly people. Delicious food. Spectacular sights. Epic experiences. I could go on....

Posted by Chris Nadovich on Sunday, June 16, 2019

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