Custom Lower San Juan River Multi-Day

  • Where: Start and end in Bluff, UT; Float the San Juan River, Mexican Hat to Clay Hills,
  • Number of Days/Nights: We recommend 5 or 6 days for this stretch, can be longer. (To float Upper and Lower, we recommend 8 days to allow for varying water level and exploring time.)
  • Age Group: Adults and Youth 6 years old and up
  • Cost per Person: $220/day - Adult
  • Cost per Person: $180/day - Youth 6-17 years (must be 6 during month of the trip)
  • Cost per Person: $20 - BLM Special Area Fee applies to all persons
  • Notes:

    4 person minimum (adult or child); 25 maximum; organizer goes free once minimum is met (BLM Special Area fee still applies to group organizer).
    Deposit (non refundable) $300/person applies to total fee.(Minimum deposit is 4 x $300 = $1200.) Balance of payment due 30 days prior to trip.
    Fee includes motel stay double occupancy and orientation the night before, full river days, taking out 2pm last day after lunch, delicious meals from breakfast at motel through lunch last day, and transportation to/from river.

An Outdoor Adventure for Adults and/or Families!

This popular 56-mile stretch is famous for geological wonders and interesting side canyon hikes, mild/moderate rapids and flat water. First night orientation at 7:30 pm and overnight stay in Bluff, UT followed by our river trip in the world-famous Goosenecks section of the lower San Juan Canyon, a remote wilderness setting.

Take out is on the last day after lunch, then we return to Bluff and the lodge (where you may leave your car) by 5.p.m. Lodging this last night is on your own. We strongly advise that you do not plan to fly this last night to due unknowns of river travel on the take out day.

All boating gear is provided and includes row rafts and a few, very stable, inflatable kayaks (“Duckies”) for those who would like a bit more adventure and a chance to use river reading and basic kayaking skills. Best months in terms of water flow are late May through June and late August through mid October.

You’ll be served healthy meals featuring many locally grown foods and Dutch oven cookery; participants are asked to help with light camp chores. There is a portable toilet set up in camps.

We share short readings of desert literature and river rat tales around evening campfires.

Weather is usually clear with temperatures in the 70-80’s; an occasional short but dramatic thunderstorm may delight desert travelers this time of year.

This is wonderful “locals” time of year to visit the San Juan: we will have this lower canyon almost to ourselves! Our longer trip format accommodates shorter day-lengths and lower flows yet provides ample opportunities for side-canyon hikes, natural history instruction, time in camp to read and relax. We might see big horn sheep along the way as well as most certainly wildflowers, birds and other small mammal life.

The river includes flat water and small rapids with a challenging class III at Government Rapid. Hikes are 1/4 to 2 miles round trip and optional. The tour is suitable for novice boaters if you are comfortable camping outdoors for a week. Call if you have questions regarding the nature of the activity and comfort.