Photo from a trip in September, 2022
Utah Kayaking & Arches Hiking
Explore a red rock wonderland with mild kayaking and hiking.
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 make 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.
Join me for an adventure of a lifetime in September or October. Register today!
Bad Adventures founder
Is this for me?
We keep it to no more than 12 amazing travelers plus a guide or two.
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.
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!
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!
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…
Labyrinth Canyon Kayaking Days 1-4
Adventure awaits! Your guides pick you up from a hotel near Grand Junction Regional airport. We organize our personal gear and head to the put-in to begin our 4-day self supported kayak expedition. After a tasty lunch, we load up our boats and begin paddling into Labyrinth Canyon.
Red sandstone cliff walls loom large over us as we venture deeper into the canyon. Great blue heron watch from the water's edge. Each bend in the river brings more stunning canyon views. Each night we camp on a new sandbar island. Dark skies reveal breathtaking views of the Milky Way.
Day 3 on the river features an epic side hike to view the jaw-dropping saddle of Bowknot Bend. 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!
Upon reaching the takeout on day 4, we load gear, then head to the town of Moab. Here we enjoy 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.
Devils Garden Hiking Day 5
After a hearty breakfast, we leave camp on foot for our first hike. We creep past desert landscapes and incredible natural sandstone arches. We stand in awe of the longest arch in North America.
Later in the day, we hop in the van and explore The Windows section of the park. Oh so many arches!
We return to camp for our final dinner feast together. That sense of dread that the trip is almost over beings to set in.
Delicate Arch at Sunrise Day 6
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 before heading back to Grand Junction.
How intense is this?
Overall, this is a mild to slightly challenging trip.
Day 1-4 Labyrinth Canyon Kayaking
There are no features on this segment of river requiring technical paddling skills. The potential for a significant headwind can make this paddle moderately challenging.
Mild to Moderately Challenging
Distance
8 to 15 miles per day
Total Distance
45 miles
Bowknot Bend Saddle Hike
This hike has spots with steep elevation gain, as well as high exposure on one or both sides of the trail. There are a few areas on this hike that require the use of hands for extra stability.
Moderate
Distance
1 to 1½ miles
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Elevation Gain
350 to 400 feet
Elevation Loss
350 to 400 feet
Starting Elevation
4,000 feet
Devil’s Garden Hike
There are a few areas in this hike with high exposure and a drop off on one or both sides of the trail. Any elevation gain or loss is very gradual.
Mild
Distance
5½ miles
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Elevation Gain
450 feet
Elevation Loss
450 feet
Starting Elevation
5,100 feet
Delicate Arch Hike
On this hike, we encounter a few sections of the trail that have high exposure on one side.
Moderate
Distance
3¼ miles
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Elevation Gain
550 feet
Elevation Loss
550 feet
Starting Elevation
4,300 feet
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.
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.
Great mix of kayaking and hiking. You could not do the kayaking without a guide. It would be hard to put the hiking parts together yourself.
—
Jim H.
from West Chester, PA
after a
trip
in October, 2022
The Bad Adventure Company and staff always go to the best places and do a fantastic job of accommodating their customers. The food at both the front country and back country camps are both tasty and plenty. Always an all around great experience!
—
Garrett R.
from Pennsburg, PA
after a
trip
in September, 2022
What should I pack?
We put together a recommended packing list with all the clothing and gear you need for the trip.
Where do we meet?
Grand Junction Airport Area Hotels
We can pick you up from any of the following recommended hotels near Grand Junction Regional Airport between 7:00 and 7:30 AM on the first morning.
Where does the trip end?
Bad Adventures will drop you off at either Grand Junction Regional Airport or any of our recommended hotels between 3:00 and 5:00 PM. If flying out the night the trip ends, we do not recommend booking a flight before 7:00 PM.
FAQs
It’s no problem if this is your first kayaking trip! Our guides have decades of experience and will provide paddling instruction, beginning with the absolute basics.
No problem. Just please let us know if you’re packing anything that’s not on the packing list, so we can load for the trip accordingly.
You may! Please start by contacting us with a description of your boat. Large touring kayaks, tripping canoes, and sea kayaks are all appropriate for the trip. Recreational kayaks lack the carrying capacity required for this adventure.
We tent camp all 5 nights of the trip. Our first 3 are spent in the backcountry on beaches along the Green River. We set up a comfortable basecamp in the heart of Arches National Park for our final 2 nights.
Dome-style backpacking tents and self-inflating camping mattresses are provided. (You may also bring your own.)
Yep. Optional showers are available at a commercial campground for $10 on day 4 after we get off the river.
We can accommodate common food allergies, sensitivities, and dietary requirements. If you have specific questions, please contact us. A food preferences survey will be emailed in advance of the trip and will inform how we arrange provisions.
Not really. The Labyrinth Canyon section of the Green River is flatwater. There’s one set of class I+ to class II riffles which we splash though.
Nah. That’s pretty unlikely. This trip is solo traveler friendly!
You can reserve your spot today by paying a $349 deposit. The balance is due 60 days before the trip. Be sure to read the complete Trip and Course Policies.
We recommend taking out a travel insurance policy. Bad Adventures reserves the right to cancel trips and a travel insurance policy keeps you protected. See the Travel Insurance Page for more information.
There's no cancellation fee if you decide to cancel 90 days or more before the trip and we'll even refund your deposit! However, if you cancel less than 90-days before the trip, your deposit is nonrefundable. Additionally, there are significant cancellation fees if you decide to cancel your registration 59 days or less before the trip. Be sure to read the complete Trip and Course Policies.
We only advertise trips we plan to operate. Since our founding in 2013, Bad Adventures has never canceled a multi-day trip. However, we must reserve the right to do so. Be sure to review our Trip and Course Policies and purchase travel insurance.
Weather varies, but we expect daytime highs in the high 70’s and 80’s and nighttime lows in the 40’s. Expect slightly colder weather if you itinerary is in October. In anticipation for your trip, we recommend checking the weather forecast for the area. To get a weather forecast for our paddling days, check the weather for Green River, UT. For our hiking days, check the weather forecast for Arches National Park.