Please contact the Red River Canoe Company office for additional rental information

This lovely river slowly makes its way out of the San Juan Mountains in southern Colorado and crosses the Four Corners region before flowing into Lake Powell.

Photo by Judy Brown

She was the focus of settlement for the Anasazi Indians for hundreds of years. They farmed along her banks and left abundant remains of their civilization in the form of chips of stone and pottery, ancient homes and ceremonial rooms, and pictures carved into the walls of the canyons or painted on the roofs of overhanging rock shelters. Some of the finest rock art in the southwest can be seen just steps from the river's edge, on sheer rock faces covered with ancient stories in stone.

Near the put-in at the town of Bluff, Utah, the river meanders lazily past groves of cottonwood trees and braids across sandbars in a wide valley bounded by low sandstone cliffs. Within a few short miles, the river begins to cut directly into the heart of a great bulge in the layers of the earth's crust, the Monument Upwarp. As she carves into layers of rock deeply buried elsewhere, she forms a limestone canyon whose walls climb 1,300 feet above the river. The water still meanders in an immense looping pattern through these canyon walls, forming the "Goosenecks of the San Juan", where the river flows approximately 12 miles only to achieve about 3 miles of distance overland.

The San Juan is a living classroom for the region's history, geology and archeology - here the learning is easy and fun! Hikers can climb to the tops of the canyon walls for a spectacular view, retrace the old Mormon wagon route up "San Juan Hill", splash in clear plunge pools on a hot summer day, walk to the remains of a gold prospector's stone cabin, and run their fingers over fossils millions of years old or observe pieces of ancient pottery that still bear the potter's fingerprints. The river itself flows swiftly but does not form huge rapids. Although the river has a steeper average gradient than the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, her Class I and II rapids are fun and bouncy and offer plenty of challenges for the intermediate canoeist. The San Juan River is the favorite of many river runners in the southwest, one that inspires love and loyalty and to which they eagerly return.

River runners need to allow at least 2 days to run the 26-mile stretch between Bluff and Mexican Hat, more to take advantage of the variety of hiking. The 57-mile section of river between Mexican Hat and Clay Hills Crossing requires at least 3 days, and when combining both sections, it is best to allow for at least 5 days. Permits are required for running this river and must be obtained in advance through the San Juan Resource Area of the Bureau of Land Management.

Red River Canoe Company offers guided canoe trips with raft support on the San Juan, as well outfitting. Please call for dates and current prices.

Bluff to Mexican Hat

Photo by Todd Campbell

This 26 mile stretch of the San Juan River is rich in petroglyphs, pictographs, ruins and artifacts as well as remnants of early pioneer settlers.

One could spend days exploring the first 8 miles of this trip. This section also contains the bulk of the Class II rapids on the San Juan. The Sand Island put-in is several miles south of the town of Bluff, Utah on Highway 191. Allow a minimum of 2 days to reach the take-out at Mexican Hat which is also on Highway 191. Permits are required for this river trip, and may be obtained from the Bureau of Land Management in Monticello, Utah at (435) 587-2141.

Red River Canoe Company offers guided trips in conjunction with Moab Rafting for this section of the San Juan. Shuttle services can be arranged in either Bluff or Mexican Hat.

Mexican Hat to Clay Hills
The lower section of the San Juan can be run by itself or combined with the Bluff to Mexican Hat section for a truly superb trip.

Photo by Judy Brown

The river meanders through spectacular canyons, has several Class II rapids and provides access to Grand Gulch, Slickhorn Gulch, the Goosenecks and many other great hiking areas. The take-out at Clay Hills is located 11miles off of Highway 263. This area is also rich in ruins, petyroglyphs and artifacts. Allow a minimum of 3 days for this section. Permits are required, and may be obtained from the BLM in Monticello at (435) 587-2141.

Red River Canoe Company offers guided trips in conjunction with Moab Rafting. Shuttles may be arranged for in Bluff or Mexican Hat.

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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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