As the Colorado leaves the wide canyons to re-enter her steep-walled sandstone gorge, she slows to a peaceful pace and becomes a gentle float. On the sandy banks and soft sandbars of the river, blue herons stand patient and solid, waiting for fish. Hawks, ravens and the occasional osprey circle overhead in the endless blue slice of sky. Just below Moab, boaters can bird watch as they float past the only major wildlife preserve along the Colorado River in the state of Utah. The Matheson Wetlands Preserve lies along the wide river bend just downstream from Moab. The area was set aside in 1991 to protect wetland species and to educate visitors about the fragile and diverse ecosystems that are so crucial to southwestern rivers.

Photo by Doc Z. With the Kingman clan.

Below the put-in at the Moab Boat Ramp, where Highway 191 crosses the Colorado, the river crosses through the imposing sandstone cliff line called The Portal. The sheer wall that lines the river on the right bank for several miles is known as "Wall Street", a rock climber's paradise and an increasingly popular location for the sport. From here the river wanders back and forth through sheer buff-colored sandstone walls for either 11 miles to Gold Bar (for a half day flat water paddle) or 17 miles to the Potash boat ramp (for a full day paddle trip). This section is rich in Anasazi rock art, arches, massive cliffs and strange eroded landforms. There are even dinosaur tracks in the rocks, reminders of days when the great creatures wandered the sand dunes of a long-vanished desert. In all, the calm water, extraordinary scenery and close proximity to Moab make this stretch one of the most popular flat water day floats in the area.

Red River Canoe Company offers guided trips for groups of 4 or more and rental packages. Please call for prices and availability.

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Red River Canoe Company
1371 North Highway 191
Moab, Utah 84532
800-753-8216
redriver@redrivercanoe.com

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