Explore the magnificence of the San Juan River with Ancient Wayves!

The mystical waters of the San Juan River carve through ancient rock layers creating a colorful landscape of immeasurable beauty.

Float by spectacular geological wonders such as the Mexican Hat and Goosenecks that are best seen from the river.

This river radiates Indigenous heritage! Remnants of ancient villages are scattered along this river dating back thousands of years. This river has provided life to this desert region since time immemorial. Its powerful flow carries ancient stories of the Indigenous people and native wildlife.

What better way to explore this river than with guides who are connected to the region through ancestral heritage and are knowledgeable and fun!

We provide guided river trips on sections extending from Montezuma Creek to Clay Hills, Utah.

*Upper Canyon section: Sand Island to Mexican Hat

*Lower Canyon stretch: Mexican Hat to Clay Hills

Maximum number of guests: 25

Sand Island to Mexican Hat, UT (3-day river adventure)

~ Adult: $948
~ Youth: $840

~ Child: $633
*Sales tax will be added upon booking.

The "Upper Canyon" is a fantastic stretch of the San Juan River that has vast history and immeasurable beauty.

Launch point: Sand Island boat ramp

Take-out point: Mexican Hat boat ramp

Food:

* Tasty full course meals will be prepared in spectacular kitchen settings by our multi-skilled guides who rock the kitchen with their camp-cooking skills. Like coffee in the morning? There's nothing better than sipping a cup of "cowboy coffee" alongside the beaches of the San Juan River.

Hiking:

* There are awesome hiking trails along this stretch of river. These "side-hikes" vary in length, the longest being approximately 2.5 miles in length. We'll trek to see beautiful views of the landscape and to visit spectacular archaeological sites.

Tour inclusions:

* Sleep gear (tent, sleeping bag & sleeping pad)

Below are several 2025 "launch" dates open to booking:

* March 28

* April 5

* June 6

* June 21

* July 12

* August 1

Mexican Hat to Clay Hills, UT (4-5 days)

~ Adult: $316 per day
~ Youth: $280 per day

~ Child: $211 per day
*Sales tax will be added upon booking.

The "Lower Canyon" section:

Experience the magnificent "Lower Canyon" stretch of the San Juan River. A region of serenity and pure beauty.

Rapids:

* Along this stretch are three rapids (Gypsum, Twin Canyon & Ross) rated class II and a class III rapid called Government.

Hiking:

* There are several areas in the "Lower canyon" where hiking is possible. The historic "Honaker Trail" is a switchback trail that provides fantastic views and a close-up look at the canyon's mesmerizing geologic history. At the Slickhorn confluence is an area of scenic wonder and has several trails. Other areas where hiking is possible is at the marvelous Grand Gulch confluence and within the Oljaito wash.

Old Swinging Bridge to Sand Island (Single-day paddle adventure)

$219 per adult (age 18 and over)
$198 per youth (ages 11-17)
$110 per child (ages 6-10)
*Sales tax will be added.

This unique adventure begins with a short hike to a majestic archaeological site on the Navajo Nation. After this short hike, we'll begin our float which is approximately 7.5 miles in length. Along the way we'll stop for a scrumptious lunch with a splendid view. During the float, we'll make an additional stop to see more remnants of an ancient thriving civilization that existed approximately 1200 years ago. We'll "take-out" our vessels at the Sand Island Boat Ramp where we'll be able to view ancient petroglyphs on the Jurassic walls of patina.

Montezuma Creek to Sand Island (2-day river adventure)

Adults: $632
Youth: $560

Child: $422
*Sales tax will be added

This one-of-a-kind adventure begins upriver near the small community of Montezuma Creek on the Navajo Nation. Float through a land of wonders amongst a landscape that has extensive history of ancient inhabitance.

Camp one night under the desert stars and taste Indigenous foods prepared by your Indigenous guide.

Sand Island to Mexican Hat (4-day river adventure)

Adult: $1,264
Youth: $1,120

Child: $844
*Sales tax will be added upon booking.

We'll guide you along this stretch of the San Juan River known as the "Upper Canyon". Launching point is at the Sand Island boat ramp and the takeout is at the Mexican Hat boat ramp.

This magnificent river trip will cover 27 miles over 4 days (3 nights).

Taste local flavor as your guides prepare you hearty meals during the adventure.

Explore the San Juan River with Ancient Wayves!

The "Upper Canyon"

There is a stretch of the San Juan River called the "Upper Canyon". This stretch of river spans from Sand Island to Mexican Hat (27 miles). Within this stretch is where we see an immense number of archaeological wonders. During our river trips within this stretch, we access trails to visit these awesome archaeological sites.

The geologic landforms seen along this stretch are out of this world! The river cuts through many geologic formations giving guests a trip of "time travel". See along the way prominent landforms such as the Comb Ridge giving guests spectacular views of the landscape.

Places of interest in the "Upper Canyon"

Katsina Panel

River-right:

Located on BLM managed lands

There is tremendous amount of history along the San Juan River. The Katsina Petroglyph Panel is a great display of that history. Indigenous people have visited this particular rock wall since time immemorial, leaving images on the wall depicting ceremonial activity. Today, this panel provides visitors an artistic visual of the ancient cultures and their lifestyles. This spectacular panel has petroglyphs dating back to the Archaic time period (approximately 7,000 B.C.). This panel also displays magnificent images made by the Basketmaker people. Basketmaker petroglyphs date to around 1000 B.C. to 500 A.D. on this immense panel. The Katsina Panel is one of the most exquisite petroglyph panels in the Southwest!

River House

River-right:

Located on BLM managed lands

River House is an architectural marvel erected during the Pueblo time period (500 A.D.) and vacated around (1280 A.D.). This ancient home, once inhabited by the Snake Clan of the Hopi Tribe, still stands because it sits protected in an alcove. View a kiva where ceremonies were conducted long ago giving sacredness to this place. River House sits in a scenic setting of vibrant red rocks and prominent landforms providing guests a memorable view. River house is a great place to visit during a river trip in the "Upper Canyon".

Chinle Wash

River-left:

Located on the Navajo Nation

The Chinle Wash is a mystical landscape located on the Navajo Nation. This magnificent region holds an immense amount of Indigenous history as well. We'll hike to see ancient petroglyphs and pictographs. During this awesome hike, guests will learn about the Indigenous cultures that have existed in this area since time immemorial.

The "Lower Canyon"

The "Lower Canyon" stretch of river spans from Mexican Hat to Clay Hills (57 miles). Within this stretch is a landscape of high canyon walls carved by the ancient waters of the San Juan River. Have you ever been to the Goosenecks overlook? Well, if you ever have, the river below is part of the "Lower Canyon" stretch. We'll float through the magical region of the Goosenecks and get to see the wildlife that call the area home. This ancient landscape along the river is the ancestral home to the Desert Bighorn Sheep.

Colorful layers within the rock walls (approximately 290 million years old walls) provide spectacular scenery. We "time travel" (historically and geologically) on this stretch of river.

Places of interest in the "Lower Canyon"

Mendenhall Cabin

River-right:

Located on BLM managed lands

Learn how the goldminers of the late 1800s sought their fortunes on this stretch of river. Remnants of Mendenhall Cabin still stand today providing guests a glimpse into that era. During river trips, we stop at this location to take a short hike to see this historic setting in its beautiful canyon surroundings.

Honaker Trail

River-right:

Located on BLM managed lands

Another remnant of historical goldmining activities, the Honaker Trail provides guests with a glimpse into that mining era. This spectacular switchback trail was created in the 1890s by the gold prospector Augustus Honaker. Today, this trail is a great side-hike during river trips. As we trek this trail, we get to see great views of the river and an up-close visual of the geologic layers.

Slickhorn Confluence

River-right:

Located on BLM managed lands

Where Slickhorn Canyon meets the San Juan River is truly unique. Along with pure beauty, this area also possesses interesting history. At this confluence is where we usually set camp. From camp we're able to hike up Slickhorn Canyon to a pond created by a natural spring or we can hike the switchback trail that leads to the upper layers of the Honaker Formation and take in a scenic view.