Private Group Trips

Friends, Families, Companies, or Groups - treat yourselves to a private red rock river adventure!

Canyonlands Field Institute simplifies red rock adventuring. Our all inclusive trips create space for you to focus on what really matters: creating memories in the outdoors.

Each of our adventures features naturalist guides, full meal service, backcountry exploration, and all the gear needed to enjoy Canyon Country.

Schedule an overnight river trip on the thrilling rapids of the Colorado River, the breathtaking Green River, or the culturally rich San Juan River for your group or family.

Looking for your next venue for a family reunion, company retreat, or group gathering? Check out the breathtaking 35 acre Professor Valley Field Camp, the perfect place to unplug and focus on reconnecting to what matters.

guide cooking on ruby horsetheif

No Planning Required

Concentrate on what matters – the wonder of Canyon Country! Our expeditions are fully outfitted, and all you have to do is show up. On overnight trips, guides will set up a comfortable camp, provide naturalist history, and most importantly, cook hot meals to fuel your adventure. Sit back, relax, and let us take you along some of the most spectacular riverways in the country.

Adventure Day Camp Summer Guide EB Teaching Creek PVFC

Family Friendly Guides

CFI specializes in providing an educational experience in the outdoors. Witness natural history, archeological wonders, and breathtaking scenery from the perspective of a CFI naturalist. Our guides are experienced teachers who will bring family friendly activities that will be sure to make the surroundings come alive for everyone in the group.

Loading up a stack of boats

Decades of Experience

CFI has over 35 years of experience leading outdoor expeditions for schools and families. We bring the Colorado Plateau to life while managing risk in a backcountry setting. Our guides are trained in risk management, first aid, and CPR, and our trip leaders are certified Wilderness First Responders.

Ruby Horsethief and Westwater Combined Trip

If I could give CFI 50 stars I would!!! We did a breathtaking 4-day 3-night 42 mile trip down the Colorado River through Ruby Horsethief canyons and then the last day hit the rapids in Westwater Canyon. Our group was comprised of 2 families: 4 adults, 5 kids between ages 12 and 19. CFI and our 4 guides were an absolute pleasure to work with! Michele in the office made sure we were properly outfitted with everything we needed well in advance. The entire experience was TOP NOTCH. The guides expertly navigated us down river and through rapids, provided much geologic and naturalistic education, provided 3 delicious meals/day, and even some live music at night under the stars! Watching our 5 teenagers unplug and be present in the moment was absolutely extraordinary and I would highly recommend this trip to any adventure-seeker looking for quality family time but in a safe and controlled environment. BRAVO CFI!!!

Antonia T

Englewood, CO

Westwater Canyon

We were all delighted by the trip on the river. The organization was awesome and we thoroughly enjoyed the 2 days. Thanks a lot! I will certainly recommend CFI to my friends and family for future trips.

Pierre & family

Brussels, Belgium

Upper San Juan River

It was extraordinary, thanks to CFI. We were a party of 10; four adults and six kids ranging in age from 8-15 years old. CFI was extremely organized and send us excellent packing lists and tips beforehand. We had three remarkable guides; each one extremely knowledgeable about the geology and history of the San Juan. The guides were such a delight to be around; really funny and clever, but also laser focused on safety especially with the kids. A great combination. Oh and the riverside meals they prepared three times a day were a testament to their culinary expertise. 
As for the scenery and environment we encountered along the way; it was breathtaking and soul stirring. 
can not recommend CFI enough; give yourself and your family a tremendous gift and go on one of their guided itineraries. We are excited to book another one in 2021!

Grace M

Denver, CO

San Juan River

Staff was friendly, capable and guided our attention to important features of the landscape while instructing us about safety, how to row a “rubber ducky”, etc. At the end of the day they prepared delicious meals. Other travelers were good company. Learning experiences made a big impression on our grandsons. The landscape was beautiful and we were privileged to see considerable wildlife.

Diana T

Logan, UT

Labyrinth Canyon Canoeing

My wife and I did a five day - four night canoe trip with CFI through Labyrinth Canyon that was absolutely spectacular! I would recommended this trip to any outdoor enthusiast. We were well taken care of, the terrain was spectacular, the food was excellent and the guides were wonderful!

Patrick S

The Upper San Juan River

I recently took my second trip with CFI. My family (7 of us) spent 3 nights and 4 days on the river. The guides were truly top of the tier, this trip and the one I took before. Our trip was about seeing parts of nature that you don't usually get to see, quality family time, learning something new, and experiencing nature up close and personal. There wasn't one part I was disappointed with. The equipment was quality and the food was wholesome, yummy and satisfying...no quick fix or junk food. And along with good family time, we got to share time with the guides who were fun, helpful, friendly and great teachers. We experienced Bald Eagles, Rams, wild rapids, smooth and flowing stretches of river surrounded by massive rock walled canyons, petroglyphs up close, beautiful hikes, sunsets and sunrises. And so much more! I will do this trip with CFI again, bringing others so they can get this experience.

April H

Upper San Juan River

Canyonlands Field Institute goes way beyond what the typical outfitters do for you. Our guide actually had an academic background in archaeology and really knew what she was talking about! I'm all for the usual entertainment-oriented banter you get from most guides, but instead of feeling like I was getting a somewhat well-worn tourist spiel, this was more like a fascinating, engaging EXPIERIENCE - something I'll remember for the rest of my life. A life-changing milestone. Way to go, CFI. Thank you!

Franklin S