San Juan River

The San Juan River is one of the steepest and fastest-moving rivers in the United States. With an average drop of eight feet per mile, it’s steeper than the average gradient of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon!

Although steep, its rapids are relatively mellow. This makes the San Juan a great place for families, first-time river runners, and inflatable kayak enthusiasts. Archaeological sites from ancient Pueblo civilizations and recent Diné (Navajo) People abound in the upper canyon.

Add in the stunning exposures of Colorado Plateau geology that dominate throughout, and this trip keeps you enthralled.

Disclaimer: In recent years, variable water levels have put Full and Lower San Juan River trips at risk of cancellation within one to two weeks of the trip launch. If a trip is cancelled due to low water levels, guests can choose to receive a full refund or join a different trip as a replacement, such as Labyrinth Canyon or Desolation Canyon. Read more about that here.

Acknowledging the Indigenous inhabitants of the San Juan River. In an effort to end the erasure of the traditional inhabitants of this land, Holiday acknowledges the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), Southern Paiute, Diné (Navajo), Hopi, and Pueblos people, who have lived along the San Juan since long before this continent was colonized. You can learn more about our land acknowledgements here.