Are you looking for the ultimate rafting experience? The Grand Canyon is more than just gazing upon one of the world’s natural wonders and hiking down the intense trails. The Grand Canyon offers a thrill for adventure enthusiasts to jump aboard and cruise down the Colorado River, giving you some of the best perspectives you can have while venturing through the rock canyon walls that most people will probably never get to experience. Whether you’re visiting for a short time in Arizona or are planning a more extended duration, you have the opportunity to book an excursion to hit the high waters.
Know Before You Go
Unfortunately, if you plan to book a half-day or a day tour to paddle oar raft, that option is unavailable. Due to the canyon walls, there are only so many pull-off spots, so trying to paddle raft to the following site needs overnight stays on the river. However, you do have the opportunity to jump in a motorized raft that will take you down the river in half/full day tours.
Before heading out on the waters, other things are knowing what to pack for the day or multi-days. It is wise to follow up with what your tour guides recommend to pack for your tour. Packing light waterproof gear and suitable base layers will help you avoid freezing to death if you happen to fall into the river. Remember, the water will be cold and usually stays around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). Another thing to mention is during the rafting trip; you will be off the grid. Cellphone service will be non-existent so enjoy unplugging from daily life tasks and being present in nature. Take those photos and enjoy uploading them once back to your accommodations.
Last thing to mention before planning a trip to raft the Grand Canyon is if you’re looking for intense level IV and V classified rapids that are non-stop action, you will not get this experience on this river. Most of the rapids you will encounter on this river range in the classifications of III’s and IV’s, with downtime floating in-between areas to take in the beauty of the rock wall canyons and wildlife. Depending on if you plan for multiple days on the river, you will experience camping overnight in some of the most beautiful spots on the Colorado River, which only a few can experience in a lifetime. This rafting trip is perfect for all levels of rafting and ages, usually eight years and up. To read more information about the rafting level classifications, visit my Cruising the Rapids in Washington blog.
When is rafting season?
Commercial Rafting season in the Grand Canyon is open from April to October, Although some tours may open in March. Just note that March is the chilliest time to go and still has the potential to have lingering seasonal snow showers in the area. The best time to venture down the river is in April and October. The atmospheric temperature is relatively drier and milder, with the water temperature of the Colorado River staying consistently in the range of 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The most unfavorable time to plan a trip is during the deserts monsoon season, roughly in July and August.
Tours and Excursions
There are many rafting tours available throughout the season. How long you plan to float down the river will depend on what tours will be available for you to book. Below I have broken down what excursions you can expect based on the length of days.
Half-Day/Full-Day Excursions: If you only have a small window to venture into the Colorado River, head over to Glen Canyon in Page, Arizona, where you will take a smooth half-day motorized raft down the smooth waters of the Colorado River. This half-day excursion is an ideal trip for those wanting to dip their toes in experiencing the scenic views of the Grand Canyon and Colorado River. Points of interest along the way on this half-day tour will include 15 miles of downstream rafting, Horseshoe Bend, a stop at the petroglyphs, and finishing your expedition at Lee’s Ferry, which is the start of the Grand Canyon. To reserve your half-day on the water, book your date and time in advance to ensure availability.
If you choose to Kayak the Glen Canyon area, there are options for a half-day tour or a full day. You will park at Lees Ferry and be dropped off at the launch point either at the Glen Canyon Dam or at the Petroglyph site, where you will make your way downstream. Book your kayak excursions ahead of time to ensure availability.
For the entire day experience, head over to Hualapai River Runners to enjoy your full day of fun and adventure with the best transportation you can get when traveling through the Grand Canyon. The West Rim of the Grand Canyon is home to the Hualapai Reservation. However, the launch dropoff is less than 2 hours east at Peach Springs, Arizona. If you need a place to stay before and following your river adventure, check out the Hualapai Lodge or other accommodations near Peach Springs. Hualapai is the only rafting tour that offers one-day and two-day excursions on the river.
You can expect to travel approximately 40 miles on the Colorado River in your motorized raft for your one-day excursion, with the first 12-mile section being the most adrenaline-filled. The last 25 miles will consist of smooth waters where you can sit back and enjoy the views. This tour includes a moderate hike and a climb to the Travertine Cavern Falls, and a nice picnic lunch near the water’s edge.
2-Day Excursion: Jump on board with the Hualapai River Runners and experience a packed two full-day adventure doing paddle rafting. Enjoy the first day with the same points of interest one can encounter with the one-day trip. However, you will continue down the river and set camp at Spencers Canyon, where you will have a nice cooked meal and enjoy the evening with some great company. You will pick up right where you left off the next day and paddle your way through the canyons to your endpoint.
3-18 Day Excursions: The time on the river depends on how long you are in the area and what you want to do. Typically, planning 3-5 days on the river, you will experience a motorized raft that takes you to the western side of the Grand Canyon. 4-days you can experience the upper portion of the grand canyon, whereas if time allows you to extend to a 5-day trip, you can experience the lower part of the canyon. Unfortunately, if you are only planning for a 5-day tour on the river, you can only choose the option of the lower canyon or shortening your expedition.
For those ready to step up their game on a week-long trip and camping overnight in several picturesque sites along the riverbed. You can choose to paddle raft the lower canyon. This kind of rafting needs a 6 to 7-day timeframe or if you can stay for additional days, take your paddle rafting skills to the Upper Canyon. If extending your trip on the high waters past a week-long, you have options of experiencing the ultimate ride through the Grand Canyon, chasing stunning views of both the upper and lower canyon.
Several tour groups offer multiple-day excursions throughout the upper and lower canyons. Pick an expedition that fits you and your group best, and be mindful when selecting if the tour will be motorized based or paddle rafting, where you will use your skills and tactics with an experienced guide.
Overall Thoughts
Rafting through the Grand Canyon is a unique experience that many people don’t get the chance to experience. The intensity of the II-IV rapids with only a few level V rapids makes the journey appropriate for all ages eight and up. Rafting is an ideal trip for getting off the grid, just being in the moment, and having fun with your fellow travelers. When rafting through the canyon, you will get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful rock walls above you, the rushing Colorado River below, and the wildlife surrounding you. Choosing a multi-day excursion lets you relax and fall asleep to the sounds within the canyon walls, a lifetime memory and experience cherished for years to come.
Are you ready to experience the thrill of a lifetime that many rafter enthusiast want to experience and have on their bucket list?
