Cataract Canyon Rafting Trip Reviews

We just came back from going down Cataract Canyon with CRATE in the first week of May 2021. The trip was fantastic and CRATE was excellent in all areas: professional, SAFE, fun, knowledgeable, experienced and efficient. The food was fresh and excellent everyday, including salads at dinner. Our guides were an amazing group of individuals who helped make the trip so good.
Our trip include hiking most days, including 8-10 miles hikes to the overlook of the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers one afternoon and a full day to explore the Doll House. We were able to enjoy the canyons from the water and the rim, which really added to our experience.
We’ll certainly use CRATE again our next rafting trip.

Hello Ill just say, I am hooked on Colorado River and Trail Expeditions. This is my fourth adventure with them. This was a 7 day trip down the Green river to the Colorado and on to Lake Powell. The trip started in Moab airport where I met up with some of the crew and my fellow rafters. For me this trip had a lot of old friends Cater Mills, Adam Teal, and Oni. The trip leader was Walker MacKay and I met one new crew member John. The crew works as a well oiled machine and as always ready to help with even the smallest detail to make our experience unforgettable. My fellow rafters were from all over the country and all walks of life. Everyone was fun to be with and we came together as a group quickly. We had two motorized rafts and we all found a spot to sit for the trip. Our trip leader Walker gave us the rundown on the trip as we motored along the Green river. The focus of this trip was the side hikes and the beauty and grandeur of Canyonlands National Park and Cataract Canyon. The food was great and plenty to eat. I am always impressed with the ability of the crew to cook such a wide range of foods in the portable kitchen and the fresh food we have from the first day until the last day.
The side hikes were tough be worth the effort. The Dolls house hike was spectacular but tough. The guides stayed with us each step of the way making sure we were safe and there if you needed a hand.
I would recommend this trip if you like to hike and see unspoiled county and varies landscapes.
Thank you to the entire CRATE staff and crew. A Special thank to Vicki Mackay for putting up with me.

I took my 2 sons-in-law on this trip and was impressed with our experiences with CRATE. From booking the trip in mid December with Vicky to our guides, Ben, Casey and Carter. The food was great , the guides were very helpful and taught us many unknown facts about the canyon. It was an enjoyable and educational trip. In spite of the low water conditions due to last years’ poor snow fall, the trip was an excellent experience. I definitely recommend CRATE to everyone who is interested in a visit to this beautiful part of Southeastern Utah.

Such a great experience for everyone in our group. The rafts were very comfortable and the food was over the top with accommodation for all food preferences. The hikes were fabulous and we all learned so much about the history and geology of the canyon. While the white water wasn’t as big as what we were expecting, it was still so fun. You just can’t beat sleeping under the stars and the beautiful night skies. The guides were over the top and so dedicated to our comfort and safety. They always had something up their sleeves …..a joke, a prop, a costume just wonderful. If you want an individual experience and NOT a cookie cutter trip…..this is the company for you. It has been family owned for over 40years and their attention to detail is just incredible! We are already looking forward to our next trip!

It doesn’t get ANY better than a trip with Crate. I think this is my 7th trip and each one has been so wonderful. Crate is one of the only companies I know that doesn’t do a “cookie cutter” trip. The guides are so knowledgeable and have so much experience that each day was a new adventure. Anyone thinking they might want to do Grand Canyon but aren’t sure if it’s really for them….. try Cataract! You will jump in with both feet. And the stars are absolutely like none I’ve ever seen before. The food is fantastic and the equipment is first class. Come on…. what are you waiting for?

I had the time of my life with CRATE and their incredible team of professionals! We had amazing campsites, hikes, rafting and river experiences! This was my first river trip and will not be my last! I don’t know how they managed to cook such outstanding meals, guide us on hikes and in the river, and always with a smile! The rapids were so exciting!!!! Cannot wait to go again!

I just completed a 5 day trip with CRATE through Cataract Canyon. We started in Moab, UT and finished in Hite, UT. The trip was fantastic! It consisted of a leisurely float trip of 4 days mixed with off river hikes to The Maze, Indian Ruins, and waterfalls. The food was outstanding ~ breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our guides were exceptionally friendly and informative.They answered all of our questions and even read stories to us by campfire light. The most important thing ~ safety! Our CRATE guides (three of them) had a combined experience of over 50 years with CRATE. At no time did I ever feel we were placed in any danger. Gear: except for personal gear, it was all supplied by CRATE, and all was top quality. I will definitely use CRATE again in the future.

Took back to back trips this May & June in Desolation Canyon and Cataract Canyon. These were the trips with professional photographer Tom Till from Moab. Could not have been better. Mikenna, one of my favorite guides, was the tip leader for both segments. Dave one of owners of the company and his son Walker met us at the take out point to assure that all was well. Thanks again to all the hard working folks at CRATE. Already thinking about next year … maybe Alaska?

My first CRATE trip was in 1976. Have taken at least 16 additional trips with them, including both Alaska trips. Took my daughter when she was 10 and took my grandson when he turned 10. Have observed many other outfitters, CRATE is unquestionably the best … quality of gear, safety, sanitation, food variety and preparation.
Most importantly the guides are the absolute best, knowledgeable, compassionate, professional. I have entrusted them with my daughter and grandson time and again. Have not met a CRATE guide in 17 trips that I would not go on another trip with!
Have already planned my 2017 trip.

CRATE provided the support for a private, 12-day, 5-dory trip on the upper Colorado (from Loma, Colorado, to the head of Lake Powell: Horsethief, Ruby, Westwater, Cataract Canyons, and the relatively flat water from Westwater to Cataract); another outfitter was involved from put-in to Westwater. Staff were well-trained, friendly, and took good care of us. Food was good and prepared in a timely manner. I have done four full Grand Canyon trips with AzRA since 2010. Some comparisons: AzRA has a greater variety of breakfast and lunch menus and their tents likely were somewhat easier to put up. CRATE offers cots (great for sleeping out if rain and mosquitoes are absent, will not fit inside a tent) and chairs (great for socializing, less necessary in Grand Canyon). CRATE uses largely self-inflating pads (needed in a tent); however, the dry bag in which the pad goes (with a sleeping bag and tarp) is barely long enough for the pad and not easy to fold over the three times necessary for being waterproof. We had the new CRATE owner (son of the founders) on our trip; he has an enthusiastic and outgoing personality. The other staff were young; it appears that CRATE likes to hire approximately 20-year-olds and train them. They were mature and experienced; one 24-year-old described saving the kitchen in the Grand Canyon last year as it eroded into the river in the middle of the night. Younger boatmen may have less knowledge of Canyon geology, history, and lore than older ones.

This trip began at Red Clifs Lodge on May 17th and ended on the 26th. It was “The Most Wonderful” trip EVER!! Not only did we experience some awesome Rapids, we had the, pleasure of a geological education of the rock formations and layers of many era’s. We had Wayne Ranney with us and included in our trip. We participated in hikes to discover fossils and rock formations that were spectacular. Our 4 guides, Alex, Johnny, Garrett, and Zoe were the most accommodating foursome, and always attentive. The food was sumptuous and facilities unexpected. Inside “Groover!”
I would Recommend CRATE for your next rafting experience.

We just returned from our second adventure with CRATE. Two years ago we went on the river through the Grand Canyon, and last week we floated an hiked our way through Cataract Canyon. Each trip was truly an adventure, an exceptional experieince, loads of fun, beautiful scenery, and a good balance between hiking and rafting. Our climb to the Doll House was the highlight of this trip, WITH the added bonus of beautiful wildflowers – a possibility only with the recent rains in this desert habitat. Walker McKay and his crew – Alex, Johnny, Lucas and Garrett – were professional, informative, accomodating, receptive to our requests, excellent cooks, and provide a comfortable atmosphere at every campsite. They also ensured our safety on the water at all times but escpecially through some REALLY GREAT rapids. We give our highest recommendations to any and all who, too, are in search of a truly exceptional water and canyon outdoor adventure experience. We especially like the readings and historical accounts that Walker provides aong the way to transport us back to earlier times, allowing us to imagine the people and their trials and tribulations as they made settlement and lived on the lands. Most Sincerely, Dick and Chotty Sprenkle, Cochranville, PA

Trip of a lifetime, expertly cared for and looked after by the best in the business. Made some great friends. The food is out of this world and nothing is too much for the guides. All in all a brilliant trip and I would not hesitate to recommend CRATE to anyone. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

The guides of this trip took care of every detail. There was awesome food, great hiking and of course rapids and swimming. Camping under the stars every nite was so wonderful, you didn’t want to close your eyes. I also felt that the guides paid very close attention to safety and made sure everyone had a safe and great trip! Would I do it again? Of course! This is my 3rd trip with this company and each and every one has been fabulous and not a “cookie cutter” experience.

As a college professor, sometimes I just need to get-away so I joined the Colorado River & Trail Expeditions on their June 2011 Women’s Summer Solstice Retreat and had the most incredible four days (www.crateinc.com)! Everything is done for you. From the moment we left Moab, Utah to the 84 miles of river we rafted to the arrival back at the starting point, CRATE’s family of guides made this solo river guest, thoroughly engaged, athletically challenged, and cathartically moved with their professionalism, friendly natures, personable, kind and incredibly accommodating considerations for my safety, education of the area, my understanding of the ecology, geology and Native America legacy, and my overall well-being. Crate sends you a specific list of everything you need, expect, and/or want. Only piece of advice: bring an extra sweater or long underwear if you are from Florida! Highly recommend crateinc.com, especially if you want to go alone.

I came back a week ago from 2 rafting trips with CRATE. This time I went for 5 days of rafting in Desolation Canyon which were followed by 3 days of motor trip to Cataract Canyon. They have the best Crew/Guides, with so much knowledge, so nice and very helpful. Their equipment, food, safety, hikes, geological and other explanations are top of the line, They are highly recommended ! I would go rafting with them anywhere in the world.

Just finished 9 days of hiking and rafting the Green River with Colo. River and Trail Expeditions. This follows my trip of May 2010 down the Grand Canyon.
CRATE continues to be the best hiking/rafting/camping experience imaginable. DEFINITELY try to use this company if you’re rafting Alaska, the Colorado, the Green River, etc. Family run business for 40 years–good people who care and who hire only those who care. I can’t say enough about how great the experience was. Equipment, food, safety, hikes, activities(guitar, singing, etc.), geological and other explanations, etc., etc. ! Highly recommend! ***************