Located in Easter Utah, USA, Moab is the country seat and largest city Grand County. The city attracts a large number of visitors each year. Most tourists head to Arches and Canyonlands national parks. Known for its world-class mountain biking, Moab also boasts incredible canyoneering routes that take you from carved sandstone slot canyons to ancient ruins and water-filled pools.
There are many outfitters serving the area, but you might want to consider booking with Red River Adventures, who offer guided canyoneering routes, including the moderately easy Ephedra's Grotto and Chamisa Canyon, both of which feature hiking, scrambling and a couple of rappels each. You can pair canyoneering with rafting down the Colorado.
The landscape surrounding Moab, Utah, has many surprises in stores for explorers, such as beautiful water carved canyons you can only reach with the right skills. “Since 2004,” states Red River Adventures' official website, “our professional AMGA certified SPI's have been introducing people to these amazing Moab Canyoneering routes. We back up every rappel on a separate safety system so these trips are for anyone with a bit of fitness and a sense of adventure.”
The most popular adventure is Morning Glory (also known as Ephedra's Grotto). “This 3 mile adventure is only made possible by doing two of the areas best rappels and a bit of scrambling. A step up from your typical hike, yet doable by almost anyone with the help of our incredible guides.” This adventure is rated from easy to moderate difficulty, it lasts from one to two days, it spans over three miles, it has two rappels, and you need to be at least 8 years old to join.
Guides favourite is Chamisa Canyon, which is tight and technical: “this route has potholes, some easy scrambling, rappelling, lots of wading and sometimes a short swim thrown in for fun. This trip is a favourite of our guides. Exploring this water carved sandstone slot canyon is a “cool” thing to do for summer fun.” The level of difficulty is easy to moderate, it lasts from one to two days, the length is 2.5 miles, there are two rappels, you need to be at least 8 years old to join.
The longest route, spanning 5 miles, is called Rock of Ages. “Moab Canyoneering at its best, this route features three rappels a tight ‘slot', potholes, some easy scrambling, views of seldom seen arches, ancient ruins and pictographs. A hike through this route will leave memories that will last a lifetime.” The level of difficulty is from moderate to heard, it takes four to six hours to complete, it has three rappels, and you need to be at least 12 years old to join.
You can also pair canyoneering with rafting, a Red River exclusive. “Spend an unforgettable day with Moab's best guides by combining an AM Morning Glory canyoneering trip with an afternoon of rafting the beautiful Fisher Towers section of the Colorado River.” The difficulty is from easy to moderate, class varies from II to III during May and June. After hiking for three miles, you get to raft for seven miles.