Arches Sunrise to Sunset Explorer
A private guided morning through the geologic wonders of Arches National Park. An evening sunset float on the Colorado River. This is Moab from its very best angle, start to finish.
The Highlights Of Your Trip
Arches National Park holds the highest concentration of natural rock arches in the world, and the Colorado River carves one of the most iconic canyons in the American Southwest. This package gives you both, back to back, in a single unforgettable day. A knowledgeable guide picks you up in an air-conditioned van for a fully customizable morning tour of Arches National Park, and when the afternoon heat peaks, you trade the canyon rim for the river below on a scenic sunset float down the Fisher Towers stretch of the Colorado.
This is a private experience. Package base price is $1,200, which covers the private scenic van tour. See the reservations page for full pricing details.
Book this trip
How much
Pricing
From $94
for adults 17+, in addition to the $1200 for the group private scenic tour
From $79
for ages 13-16, in addition to the $1200 for the group private scenic tour
What's included
Activities
- Scenic Tours
- Rafting
Trip Length
Duration
Full Day, no lunch included
How Hard
Difficulty
Who can go
Minimum Age
13 years old & Up
Trip Highlights
A. What to Expect
This is a two-part day built around Moab’s two most spectacular settings: the canyon rim and the canyon floor. Here is what the experience looks like from start to finish.
- A private, air-conditioned van picks you up in the morning with a knowledgeable guide who knows Arches inside and out
- Explore Arches National Park at your own pace, with the freedom to choose short scenic walks or longer hikes to iconic formations
- Visit Delicate Arch, Devils Garden, Double Arch, and more of the park’s most celebrated spots, plus hidden viewpoints most visitors never find
- Return to Moab midday as the afternoon heat builds, with time to grab lunch or relax before heading to the river
- Board a raft for an evening float down the Fisher Towers stretch of the Colorado River, known as the backyard of Arches
- Paddle through Class I–II rapids on the sunset float, taking in canyon walls bathed in golden light as the sun drops behind the mesas
- Watch for desert bighorn sheep, great blue herons, and other wildlife along the river banks
- All river safety gear is provided; no prior rafting experience required
Private tour included. Unlike shared group tours, the morning Arches experience is reserved exclusively for your party. Your guide can tailor the pace, stops, and hiking level to what works best for your group.
B. Trip Itinerary
C. Who Will Love This Trip?
National Park Enthusiasts
If Arches is on your bucket list, this is the way to do it. A private guide unlocks context and access that a self-guided visit simply cannot match.
Families
With flexible hike options ranging from easy walks to longer trails, this trip adapts to the pace and ability of your group, including young kids and older adults.
Photographers
Morning light at Arches and golden-hour canyon glow on the river. This itinerary was practically designed around two of the most photogenic windows of the day.
Summer Visitors
Beat the midday heat by exploring Arches early, then transitioning to the cooler river canyon in the evening. Smart scheduling is built right into this package.
Groups and Special Occasions
The private tour format makes this an excellent choice for family reunions, bachelor and bachelorette groups, or milestone celebrations.
First-Time Moab Visitors
If this is your first time in Moab, this package is one of the best possible introductions. It covers both of the region’s defining landscapes in a single unforgettable day.
What to Expect on Your Arches Sunrise to Sunset Adventure
A Full Day of Excitement
The day starts on canyon rim and ends on the canyon floor. In the morning, your private guide leads your group through the geologic spectacle of Arches National Park, where more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches dot a landscape sculpted over millions of years. You choose which trails and viewpoints to prioritize, with your guide available to give depth and context at every stop.
When the afternoon peaks in temperature, you trade the trail for the river. The Fisher Towers sunset float is a calm, scenic rafting experience on the Colorado River with occasional Class I–II rapids. It is mellow enough for all ages and stunning enough that even seasoned Moab visitors count it among their favorite river memories.
Unparalleled Scenery
Few places in the world can match Moab’s visual intensity, and this package puts you at its center from the first light of morning to the last glow of sunset. Arches’ towering sandstone fins, precariously balanced boulders, and soaring natural arches are extraordinary at any time of day. Add a knowledgeable guide to explain what you are looking at, and the landscape becomes a story.
On the river, the Fisher Towers stretch earns its reputation as the backyard of Arches. Red-rock walls rise hundreds of feet above the water, painted in shades of amber, sienna, and copper as the sun drops. Keep an eye out for desert bighorn sheep on the canyon ledges and great blue herons along the shoreline. Read AVA’s guide to the best of Moab to plan what else to see during your trip.
Included Gear & Packing List
AVA provides everything you need for the river portion of the day. The morning Arches tour is land-based and air-conditioned, so packing light and smart is the priority. Here is what is included and what to bring.
Included by AVA
- Air-conditioned van and private guide (morning tour)
- Large water containers throughout the day
- Personal flotation device (PFD) for the raft float
- Helmet and paddle for the river section
- Professional river guide for the sunset float
What to Bring
- Light-colored, breathable clothing (dark fabric absorbs more desert heat)
- Sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes for Arches trails
- Waterproof sunscreen and quality sunglasses
- A camera or charged phone for both activities
- Water bottle and snacks for the trail
- Cash to tip your guides
Continue the Adventure
After a full sunrise-to-sunset day in Moab, you might find yourself wanting more. The region has a remarkable amount to offer beyond this single package. Here are some ways to extend your time in canyon country.
Explore Canyonlands National Park
Arches’ neighbor to the south is equally dramatic, with sweeping canyon overlooks and a completely different character. Browse AVA’s Canyonlands destination guide to plan a visit.
Add an E-Bike Day
Cover even more ground on two wheels. Our Copperhead EVO endurance e-bike offers up to 50 miles of range, making paved routes toward Arches or through town a genuine option for the following morning.
More Time on the Water
The Colorado River has a lot more to offer than a single float. Browse AVA’s full range of Moab rafting trips, from half-day scenic floats to full-day whitewater adventures.
Beat the Heat with Rafting + Biking
Looking for a more active full-day combo? AVA’s Beat the Heat package pairs a morning whitewater raft trip with an afternoon and evening e-bike rental, ideal for riders and adventure lovers.
Hike Beyond the Tour
Your morning with the guide will spark ideas. Check out AVA’s best hikes in Moab guide for trails worth exploring on your own the next day.
Stay Longer in Moab
Moab fills up fast, especially in spring and fall. Explore lodging options near AVA and browse our full Moab tours and activities calendar to plan additional days.
Trip Location
Moab Rafting on the Colorado River
825 Kane Creek Blvd
Moab, UT 84532
Welcome to AVA’s newest outpost in Moab, your basecamp for rafting the Colorado River in Utah. Whether you’re picturing calm red rock canyons or adrenaline-pumping rapids, Moab delivers both.
We focus on two distinct, high-demand rafting experiences:
- Fisher Towers → scenic, mellow, family-friendly float
- Westwater Canyon → powerful Class III–IV whitewater adventure
FAQs
The $1,200 base price covers the private guided morning tour of Arches National Park in an air-conditioned van, water and supplies throughout the tour, and the evening sunset float on the Colorado River, including all river safety gear. National park entrance fees for Arches may be separate; check your booking confirmation for full details. Additional guests beyond the base party size are priced at checkout.
Yes. Both activities in this package are designed to flex around your group. The morning Arches tour can be structured around easy, paved overlooks and short walks of 0.5 miles or less, making it very accessible for younger children and older adults. The evening sunset float on the Colorado River involves Class I–II rapids, which are gentle, scenic, and suitable for essentially all ages. Contact the AVA team before booking if you have specific mobility or accessibility questions.
Very. Because this is a private tour, your guide tailors the morning entirely to your group’s pace, interest level, and fitness. You can spend more time at Delicate Arch, skip longer hikes in favor of scenic overlooks, or ask your guide to take you to less-visited spots in the park. Popular stops include the Delicate Arch Trail (3 miles), Devils Garden and Landscape Arch (1.6 miles), and Double Arch (an easy 0.5-mile walk). Let your guide know your preferences when you meet them in the morning.
No experience is needed. The Fisher Towers stretch of the Colorado is a scenic, relaxing float with Class I–II rapids, appropriate for first-time rafters and families. Your AVA river guide will brief you on all safety procedures before you hit the water. To see AVA’s full range of river experiences, from mellow floats to more challenging whitewater, visit the rafting trips page.
Absolutely. Many guests who book the Arches Explorer Package spend additional days in Moab exploring by e-bike, adding a more active rafting trip, or heading into Canyonlands National Park. AVA’s Beat the Heat rafting and biking package pairs especially well as a follow-up day. Browse all available Moab tours and activities to build out your full itinerary.
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