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Moab: Canyoneering

Canyoneering is one of the hottest new sports in America. It combines a little of everything: hiking, climbing, rappelling, swimming, scrambling and plenty of exploring. Canyons have lots of twists and turns that might reveal Anasazi Indian ruins or petroglyphs, desert wildlife like bighorn sheep, beautiful pools and waterfalls, muddy wades or perhaps a 100' drop that requires a rope to descend. You never know what you'll find around the next corner but you know it'll involve an adventure!

We have trips to suit all levels of fitness or experience. You pick the length of time and we'll provide the technical gear and instruction. We also provide all group camping gear as well as breakfast and dinner on overnight trips. You provide your water and snacks as well as your sense of adventure.

Trips begin either in Moab, or at Fry Canyon Lodge off highway 95 between Blanding and Hanksville, a 2 hour drive from Moab. Lodging and campground facilities are available near the trailhead. Please call or email our office for additional Moab travel information.

You can also take a very scenic, one hour flight to a remote airstrip near the traihead of the highway 95 canyons with Redtail Aviation from the Canyonlands Airport.

Half Day Trips

Moab Area:
Medieval Chamber- 3 A II
This is the most spectacular half day trip you can expect to do in the Moab area! There are 2 amazing rappels; 1 is into the “ Medieval Chamber “ and the other is off Morning Glory Arch. Both rappels are at least 100’ long and the arch rappel is freehanging. The photographic opportunities are classic and many. The trip is in Moab and takes around 4 hours.

Pritchett Canyon- 3 B II
This canyon is a true adventure. It is a loop that involves some scrambling and downclimbing, and 2 rappels. It has a slot as well as some wading or swimming (this is dependent on the time of year and your height!). It is slightly more advanced than the other Moab trips we have listed and takes 4+ hours.

Fry Canyon Area:
Fry Canyon 3 B III- 3 hours
Fry Canyon is a perfect warm-up for the rest of the routes we guide. It is close to the road and close to the trailheads of our other trips. Combine it with the drive for a nice day and then camp under the stars in Natural Bridges National Monument or stay at Fry Canyon Lodge before heading out on a longer adventure the next day. We will provide camping gear and food for all multi-day trips. Fry Canyon has 2 narrows to negotiate as well as a rappel and some swimming. It also has some cool Anasazi ruins to explore. Wetsuits will be needed in colder weather.
Price: $250 private; $150pp group rate.

Full Day Trips

Fry Canyon Area:
Middle Narrows of Gravel Canyon 3 B IV- 9 hours
Gravel Canyon is the longest tributary of the White Canyon. We offer several trips into Gravel Canyon. The Middle Narrows section has several swims, 2 rappels, some of the best cliff dwellings you’ll ever see as well as a large panel of petroglyphs. It will require a few rock-climbing moves rated 5.4. This canyon will require a wetsuit in the colder weather.
Price: $325 private; $200pp group rate.

Lower Narrows of Gravel Canyon 3 B III- 7 hours
This trip can be done in conjunction with the Middle Narrows or on it’s own for a shorter day. If combining the two you can expect a very long day ~12 hours. We can also run it as a 2 day trip with more time for exploring side canyons and the dwellings. On it’s own you can expect a half day trip. The Lower Narrows has lots of scrambling, some rock- climbing moves to 5.6 and some wading. Price: $325 private; $200pp group rate.

Cheesebox Canyon Narrows 3 B III- 8 hours
The Cheesebox Canyon trip has it all! It contains some great narrows, multiple rappels, some climbing to 5.2, some swimming as well as some ruins to explore.
Price: $325 private; $200pp group rate.

Black Hole of the White Canyon 4 B R III- 7 hours
The Black Hole is one of the more spectacular canyoneering trips. It is very narrow and water-filled. Unfortunately in recent years there has been flash-flooding to the point where a couple of unstable log jams have formed requiring the R ( risky ) rating. This is one of our more advanced trips. There are many long cold swims which will require a wetsuit. Your swimming skills must be strong before you attempt this trip both due to the length of swims and to the amount of debris you must swim through. There is some scrambling and belayed down-climbing as well.
Price: $325 private; $200pp group rate.

Long Day Trips

Combine the Middle and Lower Narrows of Gravel Canyon for an advanced and exhilarating canyoneering adventure.
Price: $375 private; $225pp group rate.

Multi-Day Trips

Dark Canyon 5-6 days
Dark Canyon is the area between Lake Powell to the south and the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park to the north. The canyon drops over 5000’ to Lake Powell. Because of this drop in elevation, the landscape changes dramatically from forest to desert, making the upper canyon and lower canyon seem like two different worlds. Dark Canyon was heavily used by the Anasazi indians. You can see the ruins and artifacts as you hike along and they make for interesting exploration. We will visit the lower canyon via the Sundance trailhead. The lower canyon is famous for its many deep pools and waterfalls. The BLM manages the lower canyon as a Primitive Area. It is also a Wilderness Study Area. The trail into and out of the canyon is very primitive and steep. It is not for the lighthearted! $325/day private; $200pp/day group rate.

Sundance Lean-To Canyon - Young’s Canyon Loop- 6 days (non-technical, intermediate)
Day 1- camp in Lean-To at base of large fall
Day 2- camp at top of main fork of Lean-To
Day 3- camp at top of Young’s Canyon
Day 4- camp at bottom of Young’s Canyon
Day 5- camp near Lost Canyon confluence
Day 6- out

The upper part of Dark Canyon is part of the Dark Canyon Wilderness Area. It is more accessible than the lower canyon and therefore more popular. Due to it’s starting elevation of 8,000’ this trip is only possible in late May/June and September/October.

Gravel Canyon Long Canyon Loop 4-6 days (technical, advanced)
Due to the nature of this trip some technical canyoneering experience is required. It is for those who are physically fit and ready for the unique challenge of dealing with a pack through technical canyons for multiple days. For those up to the challenge, you will be rewarded with lots of Anasazi ruins, petroglyphs, pictographs and artifacts as well as fun twists and turns that will keep you on your toes. Gravel Canyon has much to explore so consider taking an extra day or 2 to really enjoy it. There are many wades and swims on this trip so plan on doing it in the warmer months of May/ June and September/ October. $400/day private; $250pp/day group rate.

Day 1- camp in Long Canyon
Day 2- camp at the head of Long Canyon
Day 3- cross over to Gravel Canyon
Day 4-6- camp in Gravel Canyon