Utah Kayaking & Canyonlands Hiking
Is this for me?
We keep it to no more than 12 amazing travelers plus a guide or two.
We spend the first three nights of the trip backcountry camping along the Green River. The final two nights of the trip are spent at our comfy base camp in Canyonlands National Park. Dome-style backpacking tents and self-inflating camping mattresses are provided.
Most of our meals are cooked together at camp. Your guides have prepared scrumptious recipes, will provision the trip, and lead meal preparations. This is gonna be yummy!
We paddle single-person sit-on-top touring kayaks a total distance of 45 miles for the first four days of the trip. The physical activity is mild, but the paddling is sustained for a few hours each day. All kayaking gear is provided!
On our final two days, we explore Canyonlands National Park. The hiking intensity is moderate to challenging. The scenery is breathtaking.
Traveling solo?
This trip works well for couples, friends, and solo travelers. The adventures we plan seem to attract like-minded people. Odds are, you'll enjoy the company of your fellow travelers.
There’s no singles supplement fee!
Here’s the plan…
Labyrinth Canyon Kayaking Days 1-4
NEEDS DESCRIPTION
Chesler Park Loop Day 5
Chesler park loop hike, picnic lunch, dinner at camp FIX DESCRIPTION
Confluence Hike Day 6
COnfluence hike, lunch on the trail, back to Grand Junction. - push drop off time 1 hour back from arches drop off FIX DESCRIPTION
How intense is this?
Overall, this is a moderately challenging to challenging trip.
Labyrinth Canyon Kayaking
There are no features on this segment of river requiring technical paddling skills. The potential for a significant headwind can make this paddle moderately challenging.
Easy to Moderately Challenging
Distance
8 to 15 miles per day
Total Distance
45 miles
Bowknot Bend Hike
This hike has spots with steep elevation gain, as well as high exposure on one or both sides of the trail. There are a few areas on this hike that require the use of hands for extra stability.
Moderate
Distance
1 to 1½ miles
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Elevation Gain
350 to 400 feet
Elevation Loss
350 to 400 feet
Starting Elevation
4,000 feet
Chesler Park Loop Hike
This trail requires us to walk up and down stone steps and rocky slopes. The length of the hike, as well as it's continuous rolling elevation changes makes this hike very challenging. In hot weather, this largely unshaded hike can be especially challenging.
Very Challenging
Distance
10.7 miles
Route Type
Lollipop
Elevation Gain
1,820 feet
Elevation Loss
1,820 feet
Starting Elevation
5,150 feet
Confluence Overlook Hike
This hike has areas where we are required to walk up and down rocky slopes. The uneven rocky trail, as well as the length of the hike and consistent elevation changes make this hike challenging. In hot weather, this largely unshaded hike can be especially challenging.
Challenging
Distance
11 miles
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Elevation Gain
1,370 feet
Elevation Loss
1,370 feet
Starting Elevation
4,900 feet
What’s included?
4-Day, 3-Night Kayak Expedition
Fully guided paddling trip on a flatwater river.
5 Nights of Spectacular Tent Camping
We stay at beautiful sites! Tents and camping mattresses are included.
Kayak & Paddling Gear
We'll bring a single-person 16-foot sit-on-top touring kayak, paddle, lifejacket, dry bags, and more for you to use!
Services of a Guide or Two
Friendly, accommodating, fully credentialed, and always professional.
5 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, and 4 Dinners
We’re talking about meticulously planned yummy provisions.
National Park Admission and All Permits
Sit back and relax! We've got the red tape covered.
Transportation in Utah
Ride in style in a comfortable Ford Transit passenger van.
Group Gear
Medical kit, satellite phone, navigation supplies, and more.
Not Included: Your flights or other transportation to and from the trip, your accommodations the night before and the night after the trip, optional shower on day 4, dinner on day 4, your personal clothing and gear on the packing list, travel insurance, and guide gratuity.
What should I pack?
We put together a recommended packing list with all the clothing and gear you need for the trip.
Where do we meet?
Grand Junction Airport Area Hotels
- Clarion Inn
- Courtyard by Marriott Grand Junction
- Days Inn by Wyndham Grand Junction
- Grand Vista Hotel
- Holiday Inn & Suites Grand Junction-Airport
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction
- Residence Inn by Marriott Grand Junction
We can pick you up from any of the following recommended hotels near Grand Junction Regional Airport between 7:00 and 7:30 AM on the first morning.
Where does the trip end?
Bad Adventures will drop you off at either Grand Junction Regional Airport or any of our recommended hotels between 5:30 and 7:30 PM. If flying out the night the trip ends, we do not recommend booking a flight before 9:30 PM.
FAQs
It’s no problem if this is your first kayaking trip! Our guides have decades of experience and will provide paddling instruction, beginning with the absolute basics.
Weather varies, but we expect daytime highs in the high 70's to low 80's and nighttime lows in the 40's.
No problem. Just please let us know if you’re packing anything that’s not on the packing list, so we can load for the trip accordingly.
You may! Please start by contacting us with a description of your boat. Large touring kayaks, tripping canoes, and sea kayaks are all appropriate for the trip. Recreational kayaks lack the carrying capacity required for this adventure.
We tent camp all 5 nights of the trip. Our first 3 are spent in the backcountry on beaches along the Green River. We set up a comfortable basecamp in Canyonlands National Park for our final 2 nights.
Dome-style backpacking tents and self-inflating camping mattresses are provided. (You may also bring your own.)
Yep. Optional showers are available at a commercial campground for $10 on day 4 after we get off the river.
We can accommodate common food allergies, sensitivities, and dietary requirements. If you have specific questions, please contact us. A food preferences survey will be emailed in advance of the trip and will inform how we arrange provisions.
Not really. The Labyrinth Canyon section of the Green River is flatwater. There’s one set of class I+ to class II riffles which we splash though.
Nah. That’s pretty unlikely. This trip is solo traveler friendly!
You can reserve your spot today by paying a $399 deposit. The balance is due 60 days before the trip. Be sure to read the complete Trip and Course Policies.
We recommend taking out a travel insurance policy. Bad Adventures reserves the right to cancel trips and a travel insurance policy keeps you protected. See the Travel Insurance Page for more information.
There's no cancellation fee if you decide to cancel 90 days or more before the trip and we'll even refund your deposit! However, if you cancel less than 90-days before the trip, your deposit is nonrefundable. Additionally, there are significant cancellation fees if you decide to cancel your registration 59 days or less before the trip. Be sure to read the complete Trip and Course Policies.
We only advertise trips we plan to operate. Since our founding in 2013, Bad Adventures has never canceled a multi-day trip. However, we must reserve the right to do so. Be sure to review our Trip and Course Policies and purchase travel insurance.