Bikes and a packraft in one day. This is a private, full-day adventure that mixes mountain biking and packrafting on the Green River near Canyonlands. I love the pacing: a steep 1,000+ foot downhill first, then a calm, scenic float through Labyrinth Canyon. I also like the human touch—just your group, guided closely by Desert Highlights. One drawback: it’s an early start and a long day of active time (about 8–10 hours), so you’ll want moderate fitness and a strong breakfast.

You’ll meet at Desert Highlights at 16 S 100 E in Moab around 6:00 am, with hotel pickup and drop-off available if you arrange it in advance. From there it’s about a 45-minute drive west, gear handoff, then a day that ends back at the same meeting point—wet shoes and all.

Key highlights I’d build a day around

• A 1,000+ foot downhill on an old mining road, before you even reach the river
• Packraft strapped to the front of your bike, so the ride and float feel like one continuous route
• Private, just-your-group tour with a pro guide and close attention
• Labyrinth Canyon flat-water float on the Green River, right by Moab
• Lunch included, plus a real food-and-water plan for 8–10 hours outdoors

Moab in one hit: biking first, floating second

This combo tour is designed for people who want Moab, but not the same old photo-stop circuit. You start with mountain biking that drops you more than 1,000 feet on an old mining road. Then you pivot—literally—to the water, inflating a small packraft and floating a scenic stretch of the Green River near Labyrinth Canyon. The last part is back on land with a shorter bike leg to tie it all together.

What makes it feel special is the way the day flows. You’re not just doing two activities side-by-side. The packraft is strapped to the front of your bike, and the guide structures the route so your movement is continuous: descend, reach the river, float, then pedal again.

From the reviews I saw, the guide matters a lot here. People singled out Herb as the fun, careful guide who explained inflating the boats and kept the group comfortable. And Melissa was mentioned as the person who answered questions ahead of time—useful if you’re deciding whether this fits your family’s comfort level.

Your 6:00 am start at Desert Highlights (and why it helps)

The day starts early—6:00 am—at Desert Highlights, 16 S 100 E, Moab. If you arrange it, hotel pickup and drop-off can be included, which is a big deal in Moab where parking and timing can get messy.

Getting up early pays off in a very practical way. You’re on the bike and out toward the river while the day is still fresh. It also means you finish while you still have daylight buffer for any slower moments with packing, boat inflation, or adjusting to the rhythm of a multi-sport day.

You’ll also get a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received at booking. The tour is private, meaning it’s only your group participating, which usually translates to more flexibility and fewer waiting gaps.

Down the old mining road: the 1,000+ foot “first wow”

After a drive of about 45 minutes west, you’ll be dropped off with gear and start your downhill. The highlight is the descent itself: you’ll lose more than 1,000 feet (305 meters) over the ride.

The key word here is downhill. This isn’t described as a technical climbing workout. Still, it’s not just a leisurely cruise. You’re moving fast enough to feel the grade, and you’ll want to stay focused and relaxed at the same time. A guide can help with pacing so it feels exciting without feeling chaotic.

One more thing I like about this segment: you’re on an old mining road. That means the route is purposeful and accessible compared to more rugged trails. It helps you focus on the bigger plan—getting to the river—without worrying that you’ll spend the whole day navigating something too complex.

At the Green River: packrafting turns the day sideways

Once you reach the banks of the Green River, you switch gear—from biking mode to water mode. This is where the packraft setup happens.

You’ll inflate your packraft, then strap your bike to the front of it. From there, you sit back and enjoy a flat-water float through Labyrinth Canyon. The tour description emphasizes the float being especially scenic and flat-water, which matters. Flat water usually means less wrestling and more relaxing.

You’ll also do a brief stop at an old inscription from one of the first explorers in the area. It’s short, but it changes the feel of the float. It gives you a moment to look around and understand that this place has been seen—and named—by people long before most of us planned a Moab weekend.

Tip I’d take from that: even if you’re mostly there for adventure, this is a good moment to slow down. If you’re snapping photos, do it during the calmer portions so you can fully register the canyon walls when the float opens up.

Labyrinth Canyon on flat water: scenic without the white-knuckle stress

Labyrinth Canyon is the emotional center of the day. You’re floating, so you’re not burning energy the way you are on a bike. Instead, you’re giving your body a break while your eyes do the work.

The tour frames this section as one of the most scenic stretches of Labyrinth Canyon near Moab. And because it’s flat-water, it tends to be a better fit for people who are excited by water but don’t want a technical rapids experience. You’ll still feel like you’re in a remote corner of the desert—just with the relief of an easier water pace.

From the reviews, people talked about being in awe and enjoying the views during the float, not just rushing through it. That tells me the tour succeeds at slowing the day down in the best way: you get adrenaline, then you get quiet time on the river.

The explorer’s inscription stop: small pause, big perspective

That inscription stop might sound minor on paper. In practice, it’s a useful reset button.

You’re riding and floating in a place where the scenery looks timeless. Then you see an old marking tied to early exploration of the region, and suddenly the canyon feels less like a movie set and more like a real chapter of American outdoor history. The stop is brief, but it adds meaning without turning the day into a classroom.

If you like learning on the go—short facts, local context, then back to moving—this is one of the smarter inclusions.

Final 3-mile bike leg: wrapping up while you’re still energized

After the float, it’s back on the bike for the final leg: about three miles. It’s shorter than the downhill segment, and that’s the point. You end the day with momentum instead of exhaustion.

This final ride is also a way to make the whole route feel complete. You’re not just dropped off at a viewpoint after rafting. You pedal back across land after spending time on the water, and the day lands with a clear finish.

The tour ends back at the meeting point, Desert Highlights. Expect to be tired in a good way—like you worked, but didn’t destroy yourself.

Lunch, water, and the food plan for 8–10 hours

Here’s where the tour’s “prep guidance” matters for your comfort.

Lunch is listed as included in the highlights, but the tour also advises you to bring enough food to be active for 8–10 hours. That usually means you should not rely on just one meal. Think of lunch as the anchor, with snacks as your safety net.

Water is explicitly not included in bottled form. The recommendation is clear: bring between 2 and 3 liters of water per person. On a hot Moab day, that’s not a small request. If you cut it close, you’ll feel it later during the bike segments.

So pack like this:

• A water capacity that reaches 2–3 liters total
• Enough food for the full active window, not just lunch
• Snacks you can eat quickly between bike and boat steps

If you’re traveling with teens or kids, this is the part that makes or breaks the day. One review mentioned a family of four bringing boys ages 13 and 16. Multi-sport days work best when kids can stay fueled and hydrated.

What you’re paying for: private guiding, gear, and the real logistics

At $670 per person for a 10-hour day (approx.), you might wonder if it’s “worth it” versus booking something separate.

Here’s the value case based on what’s included:

• Private tour with personalized attention (just your group)
• A professional, experienced, fun guide
• All necessary mountain biking and packrafting gear
• Transportation to and from the canyon
• Pick up and drop off if arranged in advance
• Lunch included (and advice to bring extra food)

You’re also paying for the hard part: making a remote river experience work smoothly with a bike descent and a packraft float. Not every company can pull that off cleanly, and you can feel the difference when the day runs like a system instead of a scramble.

If you compare to doing biking in Moab and then trying to coordinate packrafting on your own, the total cost can surprise you—especially once you add gear, vehicle logistics, timing, and the safety planning a guide handles for you. This tour bundles the pieces into one coherent day.

The private aspect also matters. You get more attention and less waiting, which is a big deal when you’re learning how inflating a packraft and strapping equipment works.

Who this tour fits best (and who should pause)

This experience is for people with moderate physical fitness. The day includes a steep downhill ride and a full active window, but the water portion is described as flat-water and the overall plan keeps shifting between biking and floating to manage effort.

You’ll likely enjoy it if:

• You like variety: dirt + river + views
• You’re comfortable starting early and staying active for 8–10 hours
• You want a guided, gear-provided way to see a remote Green River section
• You’d rather do one well-run day than cobble together multiple plans

You might want to think twice if:

• You hate early starts (it’s 6:00 am)
• You want a short, low-effort tour
• You’re not willing to carry enough water and food for the day

The good news: the biking is described as an easy-pace downhill in the reviews, and the float is flat-water. Those two details suggest the day is built for confident first-timers as well as experienced outdoor people.

Should you book this Pedal, Paddle, Pedal combo?

I’d book it if you want one of the most “Moab-meets-adventure-sport” days you can do without turning your trip into a logistics project. The combination of a big downhill drop, a Green River float through Labyrinth Canyon, and then a short ride to finish creates a day that feels like a full narrative, not a checklist.

If you’re on the fence, here’s my quick decision rule:

• If you’re excited by the idea of biking first and then floating—while someone else handles the gear and timing—you’ll probably love this.
• If you’re hoping for a relaxed sit-and-look tour, this one may feel too active for your tastes.

One last note from what people appreciated: guides made the difference. Herb came up repeatedly as a strong leader, and Melissa helped answer questions ahead of time. If you have specific concerns—like how the boat inflation works or whether your group can handle the pace—ask early. That’s the best way to get comfortable before you roll at 6:00 am.

FAQ

What time does the tour start in Moab?

The tour starts at 6:00 am.

Where is the meeting point, and where does the tour end?

Meet at Desert Highlights, 16 S 100 E, Moab, UT 84532. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Pickup and drop-off are included if you arrange it in advance.

What’s provided during the tour?

You’ll be outfitted with mountain biking and packrafting gear, and you’ll get transportation to and from the canyon. A professional guide is also included.

Is lunch included, and should I bring food?

Lunch is listed as included, but you should still bring enough food to stay active for about 8–10 hours.

What should I bring for water, and what if weather is poor?

Bottled water isn’t included. Bring between 2 and 3 liters of water per person. The tour requires good weather; if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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