Raynde,

I don't know of any white water rafting that will be near your destinations and for just a 1/2 day. You can float the Virgin River during the summer months, but not inside the park boundaries. You can start just outside and float through Sprindale. Stores in town have tubes for rent and can give you info.

Of course the Grand Canyon Colorado River trips are fairly near LV and Zion, but those are minimum of 3 days and quite expensive. Also require res far, far ahead.

If you were going to Moab, you could choose between a couple of 1/2 day trips, or a 1 day trip in Westwater Canyon that is a bit more intense.

I suggest you Google rating trips in Utah, Nevada and take a good look at their trip destinations and descriptions.

Some companies:

western river expeditions
moki mac river expeditions
navtac (moab)
Tag-a-long (moab)

You may need to plan another trip with the focus on white water.

It's a very shallow,narrow river in Springdale. You just lazily float in tubes. We've camped alone side of it.

Arizona River Runners operates rafting trips from Las Vegas! Check them out at www.raftarizona.com. I'm going with them the end of May!

We just came back from Vegas, Bryce, GC, Moab, and I think Moab would be PERFECT for this! BUT it is further out of the way for you....

I'm looking into a combo 4x4 & rafting trip in Moab. Tag-a-long offers one for Canyonlands and one for Arches. Any ideas on which would be better? Whichever park we don't do on a tour we'll explore on our own by car (and short hikes), so I want to know which park would be a better choice to see in a 4x4.

Pugsley,

If they are offering 4x4 inside Arches, there are a couple of places possible, the Salt Valley or maybe the rougher 4x4 road up to Tower Arch.

Canyonlands could be one of several different options. You really couldn't go wrong, but it's easier to see more of Arches with your own car than it is to see most of Canyonlands.

Arches is smaller and Canyonlands huge with many 4x4 roads. I would ask a lot of questions and come back here for more advice. Moab isn't an off road meca for nothing. Some of those "roads" are doozies! Find out if you will be in a "specially outfitted" 4x4. That will tell you a lot.

Have fun! It will be a blast.