Moab Packrafting Course: An Introduction to Packrafting
Limited Spots Available : Call to book 435-259-4433
October 24-25th 2026
Lead Instructor: Bret Davis aka BD
Co-Instructor: Kai Palmer
Learn to Packraft with Our Beginner Packrafting Course in Moab, Utah
Whether you’ve just purchased your first packraft or you’re curious about trying the sport before investing in your own gear, our 2-day beginner packrafting course is the perfect place to start. Learn the fundamental skills, safety techniques, and river knowledge needed to confidently begin your own packrafting adventures.
Designed for first-time and beginner paddlers, our packrafting course in Moab, Utah combines hands-on instruction, daily workshops, dry-land skills training, and time on the Colorado River. You’ll gain practical experience while learning paddle strokes, self-rescue techniques, river reading, trip planning, gear selection, and the essential skills every packrafter should know.
By the end of the course, you’ll have the confidence to safely explore rivers and remote landscapes while continuing to build your packrafting skills. No previous experience is required, and if you don’t own a packraft yet, we provide all the equipment you need.
About The Packrafting Course
Course Prerequisites:
- No prior paddling experience required
Course Duration:
- October 24-25th 2026
- 9:00AM-4:30PM
Course Location:
- Moab, UT
- We’ll spend the majority of our time on the Colorado River
- Prior to getting out on the river, we’ll spend time at Lions Park
Number of Participants:
- We intentionally keep our courses small as to provide quality instruction. We guarantee a 4:1 ratio (particiapants to instructor) Max participants: 8
Course summary:
- Preparing to depart – weather, conditions, hazards, trip plan, gear, etc.
- Packraft setup, packing, inflation, and gear management
- Essential paddling strokes and boat control techniques
- River navigation/reading and beginner skills
- Proper paddling posture, efficiency, and maneuvering
- Packrafting safety, self-rescue, and assisted rescue techniques
- Equipment selection, maintenance, and field repairs
- Leave No Trace principles and responsible river travel
- Risk assessment, group communication, and decision-making
- Build the confidence to safely plan your own packrafting adventures
Retreat Schedule
Thursday
- 3pm – Check In Begins
- 5pm – Welcome Introduction
- 6pm – Gentle Vinyasa Yoga (all levels)
- 7pm – Dinner
- 8:30pm – Fireside Gathering, Intention Setting, Journaling
Friday
- 8am – Breakfast
- 9am – Depart for Canyon
- 9:30am – Canyon prep
- 10am – Canyon Adventure
- 4pm – Finish Adventure & back to Red Moon Lodge
- 4:30pm – Gentle Vinyasa Yoga (all levels)
- 5:30pm – Relax & Restore
- 7pm – Dinner
- 8:30pm – Fireside Social (optional)
Saturday
- 8am – Breakfast
- 9am – Depart for Canyon
- 9:30am – Canyon prep
- 10am – Canyon Adventure
- 4pm – Finish Adventure & back to Red Moon Lodge
- 4:30pm – Gentle Vinyasa Yoga (all levels)
- 5:30pm – Relax & Restore
- 7pm – Dinner
- 8:30pm – Fireside Social (optional)
Sunday
- 8am – Gentle Vinyasa Yoga (all levels) + Closing Discussion
- 9am – Breakfast
- 11am – Checkout
Your Retreat Guides
Desert Highlights
Moab’s Original Canyoneering, Packrafting and Rock Climbing
Guide Service, Est. 1997
Sure, it’s our job to get you and your group through a technical canyon safely, but our job doesn’t stop there. We want your trip with us to be a learning experience for you, leaving you with a deeper understanding of and connection to the landscape that you’re visiting. We love talking about the flora, fauna and natural history of our area – a value added component that is often lacking with other companies.
We’ll also “teach you the ropes“ (literally!), giving as much detail as you’d like, so that you can gain trust in your guide and understanding of the systems you’ll be using to safely descend the canyon.
Danny B
Dan is a yoga instructor with a 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification, along with additional trainings in asana alignment.
He has been teaching yoga classes since 2016 and as a rock climber, he enjoys the implementation of yoga asana to a climber’s movements and ailments.
Through enhanced mind-body connection, intentional breath, and mental focus, Dan empowers you to take your yoga practice off the mat and into the world!
Dan Dasana also has a passion for music that is expressed through live DJ performances for yoga classes and dance floors!
Canyoneering Locations
Entrajo Canyon
Adventurous canyon hiking with lots of variety (and sometimes water!)
In its short length, Entrajo runs the gamut of most everything that has come to define canyoneering: simple hiking through beautiful wide canyons, long mesa-top views toward distant mountain ranges, struggling through tight narrow canyon walls and interlocking potholes of water – and, of course, climbing gear.
A jaunt through Entrajo Canyon involves the use of ropes, carabiners, harnesses, helmets, spring-loaded camming devices, and other nifty tools of the trade used to allow curious canyoneers access to the desert’s deep, dark – and beautiful – recesses.
- Duration: 4-6 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Minimum Age: We suggest a minimum age of 6 for Entrajo Canyon trips. Exceptions are sometimes made.
- Total Hiking Distance: 2 miles
- Rappels: 2 (15ft/5m, 80ft/24m)
- Distance from Moab: 25 minutes one-way
Medieval Chamber
Easy Hiking and long, dramatic rappels
We begin our hike over ancient petrified sand dunes and big open views of the La Sal Mountains and Arches National Park. We soon reach the canyoneering route’s namesake feature – the Medieval Chamber – a deep, dark slot canyon that creates our first rappel. We’ll spend time here discussing gear and rappelling technique before clipping into the rope and backing off into the void! You’re always backed up with a second rope that your guide is controlling, so you can rappel with ease as you marvel at the rock walls around.
At the bottom you’ll probably think you’re in a different world than the others still at the top. You’ll probably also think that the rappel wasn’t as terrifying as you thought it would be! Behind you, the Keyhole, a subtle and narrow passageway, provides an escape from the Chamber’s seemingly exit less confines.
- Duration: 4-6 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Minimum Age: We suggest a minimum age of 6 for Medieval Chamber trips. Exceptions are sometimes made.
- Total Hiking Distance: 3 miles
- Rappels: 2 (90 ft/27 m, 100 ft/30 m)
- Distance from Moab: 15 minutes one-way
Retreat Will Include:
3 Nights of Accommodations
2 Days of Guided Canyoneering Adventures
4 All Levels Yoga Classes
Night time fireside sessions
Breakfast – homemade, organic, healthy
Lunch – delicious, nutritious, packed to go
Dinner – healthy, energetic food, prepared or catered locally
Full Access to 6 acres of Red Moon Lodge grounds
Retreat Will NOT Include:
Transportation to & from the Red Moon Lodge
Transportation to & from Daytime Adventures
Staff Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Retreat Pricing
All Prices Listed Are Per Person
Single Occupancy
$1,900 per person
1 Queen bed per room
Private entrance, Private bathroom
Double Occupancy: Individual Bed
$1460 per person
2 Queen beds per room
Private entrance, Private bathroom
Double Occupancy: Shared Bed
$1345 per person
1 Queen bed per room
Private entrance, Private bathroom
Red Moon Lodge
The Red Moon Lodge is a natural sanctuary nestled on 6 acres of land with incredible views of Moab’s towering red cliffs. The property offers a retreat like atmosphere with beautiful landscaping, a spring-fed pond, greenhouse, gardens, outdoor dining patio, and yoga barn. Located just under 5 miles from Moab’s city center, the Red Moon Lodge is a perfect fit for those searching for an oasis removed from the hustle and bustle of town while offering easy access to all that it has to offer.
Yoga Barn
Practice yoga outdoors with views of the Moab Red Cliffs, lush green pasture, and old growth cottonwood trees!
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations more than 60 days from the start date will be given a full refund of the deposit, minus a processing fee of 10% of the deposit.
Cancellations between 60 and 45 days from the start date will be given a 50% refund of the deposit amount.
Cancellations between 44 and 30 days from the start date will not be given any refund of the deposit.
Full payment is due 30 days before the start date.
If payment is not made, we hold the right to cancel the retreat and open up our rooms for normal bookings.
Cancellations less than 30 days from the start date will not be given any refund.
We strongly recommend you purchase Travel Insurance that includes the
“Cancel for Any Reason” clause.
What to Bring
- Water: we recommend 1.5 liters per person.
- Snacks to be out 4-6 hours
- Closed-toe shoes required. A pair of hiking shoes or running shoes are great. Whatever you feel comfortable hiking ~3 miles in, and don’t mind getting wet.
- Backpack if you have one you like, if not we have some we can provide.
- sunscreen/sun protection (hat/sunglasses)
What to Wear
- Athletic clothing you don’t mind getting wet, or a bit scuffed up! Quick dry material is great!
- Some people like pants because they offer some abrasion resistance while rappelling and shimmying on, and around rocks. However, shorts are great too, just as long as they are long enough to comfortably wear a harness over.
- Closed-toe shoes you don’t mind getting wet.
What We Provide
- All canyoneering gear: harness/rappel device, helmet, rappel gloves, backpack if needed.
- Waterproof small bag to put personal items in if we encounter water to wade through
- Our guide will carry an extensive first aid kit, and emergency beacon (Garmin InReach mini)