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The Story of Moab Adventure Center

Adventure is our Middle Name

Located in the heart of red rock country, Moab Adventure Center helps visitors experience the best of Moab with expertly guided tours, from rafting and Hummer safaris to scenic park adventures. With 20+ years of excellence and thousands of five-star reviews, we make exploring Moab effortless, inspiring, and unforgettable.


Before the Moab Adventure Center opened its doors in 2003, our roots were already running deep in the red rock canyons. As part of the Western River Expeditions family, we’ve been guiding explorers through Utah’s wild landscapes since 1961. Our mission was simple — make it effortless for anyone to experience the magic of Moab.


Today, we help thousands of guests every year discover that same sense of wonder — whether it’s their first river splash, a heart-pounding Hummer climb, or a quiet sunset in Arches National Park. However you explore, our team makes sure your adventure unfolds as seamlessly and memorably as the landscape itself.

SINCE 1961

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Our History:A Legacy of Exploration

Before we were Moab Adventure Center, we were explorers — drifting through canyons and down the Colorado River as part of Western River Expeditions. Back in 1961, those early river trips satisfied the wanderers and dreamers who came seeking camaraderie, challenge, and the beauty of Utah’s untouched wilderness.


As Moab’s fame grew in the early 2000s, so did the desire to share its magic beyond the riverbanks. Inspired by the film crews who had long fallen in love with these red cliffs, we expanded our offerings and opened Moab Adventure Center — a one-stop hub for every kind of adventurer.



Today, our river roots still run strong, but our mission is broader: to make every Moab experience effortless, exciting, and deeply memorable. Whether you stop by for rafting, a Hummer safari, or just to ask where to catch the best sunrise, you’ll find friendly faces ready to help you make the most of Moab.

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Couple embracing, smiling; man in red cap, woman with blonde hair, outdoors.

Why Choose Moab Adventure Center

The front of the Moab Adventure Center building with a red raft hanging in a tower and a red hummer parked to the side.

ONE STOP, EVERY ADVENTURE

From rafting and Hummer tours to scenic flights and horseback rides, we offer every Moab experience in one place making planning easy and unforgettable.

A river guide rowing a boat.

GUIDES THAT MAKE THE MAGIC

Our expert guides bring Moab to life with knowledge, humor, and heart. Expect comfort, excitement, and a deeply personal adventure you’ll never forget.

A family hugging each other in the back of a Hummer vehicle.

ADVENTURES FOR ALL AGES

Whether you’re 9 or 90, our family-friendly adventures create shared moments of joy, wonder, and connection that bring generations together in unforgettable ways.

A father and son sit at the edge of a cliff with a dramatic canyon and river winding into the distance at sunrise.

EFFORTLESS ADVENTURE PLANNING

You book it, we nail the timing, smooth the logistics, and handle the chaos. All you have to do is show up and say “wow” (a lot). Adventure has never been easier.

A man and woman are rappelling under a stone arch with a canyon below.

EXCLUSIVE MOAB ACCESS

Explore beyond the typical views. Our tours unlock epic trails, spectacular arches, and soaring canyon vistas you’d never find on your own, all in the hands of expert guides.

Two people stand under a massive stone arch with the sun shining through the middle.

Memories that LAST A LIFETIME

More than fun, our adventures inspire. Guests leave feeling braver, more connected, and filled with memories they’ll talk about, and return for, year after year.

Meet the Team Behind the Adventure

Behind every unforgettable Moab Adventure Center experience is a team that truly loves what they do. Many of us began as guides, drawn to the adventure, the challenge, and the chance to share this incredible place with others. Over the years, that same spirit of exploration has grown into a shared mission: creating meaningful, memorable moments for every guest. Whether planning logistics, training guides, or greeting you in our store, we lead with purpose, teamwork, and genuine passion for people and place.

Brian Merrill and his wife smiling and hugging.

BRIAN MERRILL

Owner & CEO
General Operations

Brandon Lake smiling in front of green trees.

BRANDON LAKE

Owner & Vice President
Sales & Marketing

Trent Keller smiling with a sunset behind.

TRENT KELLER

Vice President Operations
Western River

Jason Taylor smiling with his elbow resting on a sandstone boulder.

JASON TAYLOR

Operations Manager
Moab, Utah

Awards & Recognition

When you explore with us, you’re in award-winning hands. From being named “Best Whitewater Rafting Tour” by USA Today to earning a spot among National Geographic Adventure’s “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth,” we’ve been recognized by the world’s toughest critics—and thousands of happy guests—for delivering unforgettable experiences. Our streak of Utah’s Best of State Awards since 2004, TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards, and even Newsweek’s Best Holiday Gifts isn’t about the trophies. It’s about the promise we make to every visitor: that your time in Moab will be seamless, exhilarating, and worth every memory. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, you deserve the best. That’s exactly what we aim to deliver—every single time.

Moab Adventure Center: Your Gateway to Canyon Country

Nestled between Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Moab is a landscape of stone, sky, and boundless possibility. Towering cliffs, hidden canyons, and the Colorado River set the stage for every kind of adventure—rafting, hiking, off-roading, and exploring. It’s where your journey begins—and where the spirit of the American Southwest still runs wild.

Map of the Moab area showing the Moab Adventure Center logo and surrounding national parks.

What Our Guests Have to Say

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"Most Awesome Family Vacation"

★★★★★


Horse riding, zip-lining, and a 4-day Cataract Canyon Expedition! Amazing guides! It was the most awesome family vacation for us ever!


Lee S - Google Review

"Couldn't Recommend More!"

★★★★★


Rafting was relaxing and adventurous. Hummer Safari was wild! Arches tour was educational. I simply couldn't recommend Moab Adventure Center more!


Erika D - TripAdvisor

"6 Days of the Best Adventures"

★★★★★


Moab is a MUST and the Moab Adventure Center team made it one of the best vacations we've ever had. Our 17-year-old son loved every minute.


Bridgette M - Google Review

"Unforgettable Adventure"

★★★★★


Our guide, Chad, was flipping amazing! He was full of fun facts about the rocks and plants, making the whole tour entertaining and informative!


Morgan K - Yelp Review

"Super Easy and Organized"

★★★★★


Everything was super easy and organized. I just had to show up, and everything else was handled.


Jeff L - TripAdvisor

"Perfect Outdoor Getaway"

★★★★★


It was one of the most fun days we’ve had as a family. Everyone was entertained from start to finish!


Rachel D - Google Review

"We Hit the Jackpot!"

★★★★★


Full-day rafting was incredible! Stunning views, fun rapids, amazing wildlife. Our guide's patience and leadership made the day over the top. We hit the jackpot!


Brad D - Yelp Review

"Most Awesome Family Vacation"

★★★★★


Horse riding, zip-lining, and a 4-day Cataract Canyon Expedition! Amazing guides! It was the most awesome family vacation for us ever!


Lee S - Google Review

"Couldn't Recommend More!"

★★★★★


Rafting was relaxing and adventurous. Hummer Safari was wild! Arches tour was educational. I simply couldn't recommend Moab Adventure Center more!


Erika D - TripAdvisor

Two people stand under North Window Arch in Arches National Park.

Our Commitment to Sustainability

We believe every adventure should help protect the place it explores. That’s why we give each guest a reusable souvenir water bottle—reducing plastic waste while keeping you cool in the desert heat. Our guides also share ways to care for Moab’s fragile ecosystem, from staying off cryptobiotic soil to respecting wildlife and practicing Leave No Trace. It’s a small part of every tour, but a big part of who we are.

A girl in a harness gives a thumbs up.

Our Commitment to the Industry 

We’re not just part of the outdoor industry, we help shape it. As proud members of America Outdoors, we stay at the forefront of best practices in safety, service, and stewardship. We partner with agencies like the National Park Service to ensure our adventures meet the highest standards while respecting public lands. Our commitment goes beyond Moab, we’re here to protect, elevate, and lead the future of adventure travel.

Moab’s Inevitable Rise to Tourism 

Line art drawing of Moab Adventure Center building.

Before the Jeeps and rafting gear, there were miner's pick-axes and farmers plows. Moab’s story began not with selfies at Delicate Arch, but with stubborn settlers, uranium dreams, and dusty fields. This remote outpost on the Colorado Plateau was once better known for farming alfalfa and mining vanadium than drawing millions of visitors. The wild landscape wasn’t a playground—it was a challenge. But slowly, the world started to notice what the miners and cowboys had been riding past all along: the red rock cathedrals, the winding river canyons, and the kind of sunsets that make your heart dance.


Then came the filmmakers, the climbers, and the curious. Hollywood westerns showcased Moab’s dramatic backdrops. Adventurers came for climbing, hiking, and river running. Word got out: this little corner of Utah was a geological wonderland. The town’s identity began to shift—rusted trucks gave way to raft trailers, and Main Street welcomed camera-toting hikers alongside work-booted locals. Moab had discovered its second boom, this time built not on ore, but on awe.

That’s where we come in. Moab Adventure Center was born not just to offer tours, but to help people experience this landscape the way it deserves - outfitting tours from the the abandoned frame of an old Taco Bell! We saw the growing need for a place where families, friends, and first-timers could get expert help navigating all Moab has to offer—from whitewater to slickrock. Our roots run deep in the adventure world, with a legacy stretching back to 1961 through Western River Expeditions. So when Moab was ready to welcome the world, we were ready to guide them.

Today, we’re still doing what we were meant to do: make the extraordinary accessible and memorable. We help visitors go beyond the Instagram shot and into real experiences—floating the river, crawling up sandstone domes, and learning the stories carved into canyon walls. Moab may have traded pickaxes for paddles, but it’s still a place of grit, beauty, and transformation. And at Moab Adventure Center, we’re proud to be part of that ongoing story.


And if you're wondering—yes, we really did build the Moab Adventure Center from the bones of an old Taco Bell. We kept the shell. Just added more sauce!

★★★★★

“Moab is a MUST-see, and Moab Adventure Center made it one of the best vacations we've ever had! From booking our trip to day six, we enjoyed every moment. Every guide was professional, fun, and made us feel safe. We've seen some beautiful places, but Moab is distinctly unique—and the Moab Adventure Center team made it unforgettable.” ” 

Bridgette Mitchell


Google Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions about Moab Adventure Center

Not finding what you're looking for?

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Most Popular Day Tours

From sunrise hikes in Arches to sunset Hummer safaris and river rafting on the Colorado, our most popular day tours capture the essence of Moab in just a few unforgettable hours. Whether you’re chasing thrills, views, or shared family moments, each expertly guided adventure makes the most of your time in Utah’s red rock wonderland.

A group of people are rafting down a river in a red raft.

Colorado River adventure for all ages: Stunning canyons, famous Castle Valley, easygoing rapids, delicious riverside BBQ, and stories you’ll tell long after you dry off.

  • Duration: ~7 hours
  • Departures: 9:00 am Mon-Sat
  • Season: Mar – Oct
A Hummer vehicle drives across a sandstone fin with the La Sal Mountains in the background.

Gravity-defying fun on Moab’s slickrock: Heart-pounding climbs and nonstop views in just two hours on the legendary Hell's Revenge Trail.

  • Duration: ~2 hrs
  • Departures: AM & PM
  • Season: Feb – Nov
Two figures stand under a large rock arch, sunburst in background, blue sky.

VIP access to Arches National Park: Expert guides, iconic sights, & mantle-worthy family photos without the hassle of parking or missing key sights.

  • Duration: ~4 hrs
  • Departures: Morning
  • Season: Year Round
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Top All-Inclusive Overnight Trips & Packages

For travelers seeking the ultimate adventure, our all-inclusive packages combine Moab’s best experiences—from Arches and Canyonlands tours to unforgettable multi-day rafting expeditions through Cataract and Desolation Canyons. Every moment is perfectly planned and expertly guided, so you can simply immerse yourself in the beauty, excitement, and serenity of Utah’s wild red rock country.

A river running through a canyon with mountains in the background.

Experience Moab’s best with one epic family-friendly package: two nights in town, a Hummer Safari, Arches National Park tour, plus two days of rafting and a night of riverside camping under the stars.

  • Duration: 4 Days, 3 Nights
  • Departures: Weekly
  • Season: May-Sept
A group of people in life jackets are rafting down a river

Journey 100 miles through remote red rock canyons with roaring whitewater & star-filled nights on this all-inclusive expedition from Moab to Lake Powell.

  • Duration: 4 Days
  • Departures: Tue-Fri
  • Season: May - Sep

Unplug and reconnect with five days of rafting, canyon hikes, starry nights & sandy beaches in one of America’s most peaceful wilderness adventures.

  • Duration: 5 Days
  • Departures: Vary
  • Season: Jun -Aug
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