Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours — Local services in Moab

As an almost life-long former whitewater instructor and guide it was important for me to pass on to my children the joys, challenges and lessons that a river has to offer. When the youngest grandchild turned five, my husband and I wanted to introduce "the littles" to the incredible world of rivers. We googled southwest guides and rivers that would be appropriate for young ones. As such we lucked (!) into Mild to Wild. From the first e-mail and phone call to this wonderful group I was continually impressed with their attentiveness, focus on safety, and willingness to accommodate our needs. (Can you accommodate dietary issues? Can we bring our own beverages? Can I bring my beloved whitewater canoe?--Yes, Yes, and after reviewing my whitewater resume and boat outfitting, Yes). Mild to Wild bent over backwards to help us create the trip we wanted for the Littles. The moment we met our guides, I knew we had landed with an incredible group of humans. Jackson White (group leader), Abigail Calloway, Jordan LeCointe, Brandon McArthur and Ben Feller are simply some of the finest people I have had the joy of meeting and running a river with. Their unfailing positive attitudes, energy, knowledge, joy-de-vivre and focus on safety and our comfort made this trip simply wonderful. Yes, it was incredibly hot, yes, the river was running very low, no, we did not score the best camp sights...but it all became part of the fun, adventure and learning. The guides gave the littles a wonderful introduction to whitewater. The kids learned how to paddle, learned that that they could sleep well even though it was hot and their sleeping bags were full of sand, they learned to read a river, discovered that running a wave-train is a blast, and that rivers can become one of your greatest teachers. I watched them soar under the gentle, laughter-filled guidance of our amazing guides. Sadly during this trip I had to accept that this aging body and developing health issues meant it was time to pass on my beloved canoe to the younger generation. Saying goodbye to my beloved old Dagger friend was hard, and I grieved. Jordan and Abigail reached out and helped me accept and let go with incredible empathy, love, and kindness. I will never forget them for it. Thank-you, Molly and your beautiful family of guides for the gift you gave our family. To anyone wondering if they should choose Mild to Wild I say this: Yes. They are simply among the very best. With loving gratitude, Brigitte...

We booked our family of six for a five day rafting trip down Cataract Canyon mid June 2025, our four kids ranging from 16-22, two boys and two girls. We wanted the longer trip for more time together, more vacation time away from our phones and work, and more opportunity to explore the region. Scott and Levi were our guides; they were experienced, knowledgable, outgoing, and extremely patient in our family's various needs and personal craziness - we would definitely request them again for any return trips with Mild to Wild. I personally loved the daily hiking, history tidbits, the white water on the 20-foot boats and in the duckies (two-man kayaks), and, of course, the unavoidable relaxing on the calm-water days. I haven't spend this much time in the sun for a long time, so it was nice to have sun shades on the non-white-water days. The food was excellent - our favorite breakfast was the sausage, egg, arugula, sriracha mayo, avocado and English muffin sandwiches; our favorite dinner was dutch oven lasagna, but the salmon and steak were not far behind. I was pleasantly surprised by the balance of the meals - veggies and/or fruit were served with every meal. This was an adventure! White water rafting, exploration (we requested hiking), remoteness. It was hot, but I felt that most at night, and would suggest sleeping under the stars on the calm nights to avoid the still air of a tent. You do not need any "warm" layers in Cataract Canyon in summer months! Something we did not anticipate was the wind as you get further down the river, and my daughter was unable to put her contacts in for the last two days, so be sure to bring your glasses. I regrettably forgot to pack a book (I've become reliant on audiobooks but didn't want to use any devices this week), but it didn't necessarily detract from the experience. If anything, I was more present and curious about the Canyon history coming from our guides. It's not necessary, but I'd also suggest a way to carry your water on the hikes, I used a carrier specific to a water bottle, but my daughter and husband used a small, pack-tight backpack. We loved our experience together as a family and made some sweet memories - both with type one fun (obvious fun) and type two fun (laugh-about-it-later). Thank you Scott and Levi - you...

5 Stars An unforgettable adventure through Cataract Canyon – Max and Peyton made it truly exceptional.

Our group of five just returned from a 5-day whitewater rafting trip with Mild to Wild through Cataract Canyon, and it was truly the trip of a lifetime. From start to finish, the experience far exceeded our expectations in every way.

Our guides, Max and Peyton, were absolutely fantastic. Their professionalism, expertise, and easy camaraderie made all the difference. They worked seamlessly as a team, and it was clear they both loved what they do. Whether navigating the rapids, setting up camp, preparing meals, or sharing insights about the canyon, they did everything with a level of care and skill that made us feel both safe and completely at ease.

The rafting itself was incredible. The weather was perfect, the water was refreshing, and the views along the Colorado River were nothing short of stunning. We did several hikes throughout the trip, but the hike up to the Dollhouse stood out as the most memorable. We started early to beat the midday heat and tackled a moderate-to-hard climb with about 850 feet of elevation gain. Reaching the top near the "Ice Box" made it all worthwhile—the views were spectacular and it was a rewarding challenge for all of us.

Going in, we had low expectations for the accommodations and meals, but Max and Peyton absolutely blew us away. Every meal was thoughtfully prepared and delicious. Dinners included grilled salmon, perfectly cooked steak, and hearty lasagna—each accompanied by appetizers, sides, and desserts that rivaled anything from a restaurant. We had brownies, a giant chocolate chip cookie, strawberry shortcake, and the crown jewel: peach cobbler. Breakfasts and lunches were just as good—so much so that we joked each of us gained seven pounds by the end of the trip!

Mild to Wild put together a phenomenal experience, and thanks to Max and Peyton, we’ll be talking about this trip for years. I’m already planning to bring more of my family on a future expedition, whether it’s through Cataract Canyon again or one of the other rivers Mild to Wild serves.

Huge thanks to Max and Peyton—your hard work, great attitudes, and love of the outdoors made this adventure one we’ll...