A trip through Cataract Canyon begins with a serene 47-mile float from Potash through the towering red rock spires of Meander Canyon, providing ample time for swimming and exploring Ancestral Puebloan ruins. The landscape transforms dramatically at the Confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers, where the river plunges into a 15-mile stretch of legendary Class III-V whitewater, including the infamous "Big Drop" rapids. As the current eases, the journey concludes on the slack waters of Lake Powell, where a motor is often used to navigate the final miles toward the Hite takeout.
Snapshot
Important information for this section of river
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Water Level
FAQ: What's the current water level for Cataract Canyon?
3,450 CFS
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FAQ: What's the ideal range for this section of river?
3,000 – 50,000 CFS
Rapids
35 loggedCommunity-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.
- Rapid 19Class III
- Big Drop 2Class IV
- Rapid 24Class III
- Rapid 29Class III
- Big Drop 3Class IV
Boat Launches
6 loggedCommunity-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.
- Moab Bridge Boat Launch4.5
- Hittle Bottom Boat Ramp
- Rocky Rapid Public Boat Ramp4.9
- North Wash Boat Ramp3.5
- Potash Boat Ramp4.7
Camps
51 loggedCommunity-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.
- Ten Cent
- Lower Spanish Bottom
- Middle XY Right
- Red Lake Canyon
- Waterhole
Outfitters
3 loggedCommunity-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.
- Paddle Moab5.0Gear SupplyShuttle ServiceGuided Trips
44 W 200 N, Moab, UT 84532, USA
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Common Questions
What paddlers most often want to know about Cataract Canyon.
Do I need a permit to run Cataract Canyon on the Colorado River?
Yes — a permit from Recreation.gov is required for all private overnight trips through Cataract Canyon. Advanced reservations for the high season are typically released in mid-December; permits for the winter season open in mid-June. Permits become available at 8:00 AM MST on release day.
What class of rapids are in Cataract Canyon?
Cataract Canyon features rapids ranging from Class III to Class V, culminating in the legendary Big Drop sequence — three consecutive rapids that are among the most powerful on the Colorado River system. At high flows above 30,000 CFS, the canyon becomes an expert-only undertaking.
What is the ideal flow range for Cataract Canyon?
Cataract Canyon is generally runnable from 3,000 to 50,000+ CFS. The classic experience is at mid to high flows (10,000–40,000 CFS) when the Big Drops are at their most spectacular. Very low flows expose rocks and require more lining and portaging.
How many days does a Cataract Canyon trip take?
Most Cataract Canyon trips run 5–7 days: roughly 47 miles of scenic flatwater through Meander Canyon, then 15 miles of intense Class III–V whitewater through the canyon proper, finishing on the slack waters of Lake Powell.
What are the Big Drop rapids in Cataract Canyon?
Big Drop 1, 2, and 3 are three consecutive Class IV–V rapids at the heart of Cataract Canyon. Big Drop 3 (also called Satan's Gut) is considered the most powerful and technically demanding, and is often the most consequential rapid on the entire trip.
Weather Forecast
What's the daily forecast at the put-in for Cataract Canyon?