Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • How to Pack Your Kayak
    • Flush Mounted Rod Holder Install for the Offshore Angler
    • Best Kayak Fishing Crates
    • Benefits of Paddling for Exercise
    • Best Bed Racks for Chevrolet Silverado
    • Perfect the Canoe Forward Stroke
    • Know How to Float, Swim, and Self Rescue in Whitewater
    • How to Throw a Rope Bag In Whitewater to Rescue Paddlers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Kayak Manual
    Subscribe
    Wednesday, March 22
    • Home
      • About
    • Contact
      • Write for Us
    • Privacy Policy
      • Disclaimer
    • Kayak Types
      • Inflatable Kayaks
      • Budget Kayak
      • Folding Kayaks
      • Kayak for Rapids
      • Kayaks for Kids
      • Sit-In Kayaks
      • Sit-On-Top Kayaks
      • Tandem Kayaks
      • Touring Kayaks
    • Blog
    Kayak Manual
    Home » Best Grand Canyon Raft Tours
    kayak

    Best Grand Canyon Raft Tours

    Arthur G. MooreBy Arthur G. MooreNovember 4, 2022Updated:November 4, 2022No Comments4 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Whitewater rafting on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona can be a life-altering experience that raises the bar for wilderness travel adventures. Commercial operators offer tours that range from quick to leisurely, rugged to plush. Time, type of travel, and degree of physical exertion play a part in each adventurer’s idea of what is the best tour.

    Contents

    Orientation

    Rafting in the Grand Canyon is controlled by the National Park Service to preserve the river’s ecosystem and to ensure the safety of visitors. Private permits for floating through the gorge are available but usually are booked years in advance. About 15 commercial operators offer guided tours during the warm months of the year and usually can be booked on relatively short notice. More than 20,000 people participate in these guided tours every year. Tours generally range in length from 3 to 18 days and use engine-powered and oar- and paddle-powered inflatable rafts or wooden dories. Tour sizes range from less than a dozen to several dozen passengers and crew.

    Season and Geography

    The climate at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is low desert with little precipitation, similar to Phoenix and Tucson in southern Arizona. Midday temperatures range from the 60s in the spring and fall to more than 100 in midsummer. Cloud cover, higher humidity and rain are more likely in the spring and fall. Summer tends to be relentlessly sunny and dry. The Colorado River winds 277 miles through the canyon, its flow controlled by fluctuating water release from the Glen Canyon dam in Page, AZ, that is based on electricity generation needs of the larger cities in the region. The river is generally muddy brown, swift and cold.

    Access and Duration

    Grand Canyon rafting trips generally are accessed from Las Vegas, NV, or Flagstaff or Page, AZ.

    There are two types: partial and full.

    Partial trips, which range from 3 to 10 days, begin at Lees Ferry at the canyon’s upper end and terminate at Phantom Ranch in the middle of the canyon or go from Phantom Ranch to Separation Canyon at the lower end. Those signing up for a partial trip must hike from the canyon’s south or north rim to Phantom Ranch or vice versa, a significant trek involving at least a one-mile vertical change in altitude.

    Full trips, which last from more than a week to as long as two-and-a-half weeks, go from Lees Ferry to Separation Canyon.

    Trip Considerations

    Outfitters generally divide their Grand Canyon trips into four categories: powered and oar trips, inflatable rafts or wooden dories, boats that resemble those used by John Wesley Powell and his band of adventurers who first explored the canyon in 1869. Powered boats obviously travel more quickly than oar-powered. Inflatable rafts tend to be more stable and comfortable than dories. Some outfitters allow passengers to paddle the Colorado in smaller inflatable rafts.

    Most trips include all meals and most beverages and offer daily hikes up remote side canyons. Luggage is usually not limited.

    Rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon involves negotiating many rapids ranging from mild to violent. Crystal Rapids and Lava Falls are two of the most significant navigable rapids in North America. Participating in such trips involves living outdoors for lengthy periods, camping, considerable physical exertion, especially when participating in side canyon hikes, and the potential of significant climatic fluctuations.

    Outfitters

    Prevalent oar-powered outings are offered by Arizona Raft Adventures, Arizona River Runners, Canyon Explorations, Grand Canyon Dories, Moki Mac River Expeditions, Oars & Dories, Outdoors Unlimited, and Wilderness River Adventures.

    Paddle trips are offered by Arizona Raft Adventures, Canyon Explorations, Outdoors Unlimited.

    Oars & Dories and Grand Canyon Expeditions offer rowing trips using dories.

    Powered raft outings are offered by Arizona Raft Adventures, Arizona River Runners, Canyoneers, Colorado River and Trail Expeditions, Grand Canyon Expeditions, High Desert Adventures (formerly Sleight Expeditions), Ted Hatch River Expeditions, Moki Mac River Expeditions, Western River Expeditions, and Wilderness River Adventures.

    A good way to sort out all the options is by contacting River Travel Center, a clearinghouse for whitewater raft outings.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticlePacking a Canoe
    Next Article How to Paddle a Two-Person Canoe
    Arthur G. Moore
    • Website

    Arthur G. Moore is a veteran paddler. He has over 10 years of whitewater kayaking experience in his kitty. When he was young, he used to love kayaking in rapid III and rapid IV but as time went on, he decided to concentrate mainly on covering long distances on a standard touring kayak. He is currently working as a senior editor for Kayak Manual.

    Related Posts

    How to Pack Your Kayak

    March 18, 2023
    Read More

    Flush Mounted Rod Holder Install for the Offshore Angler

    March 17, 2023
    Read More

    Best Kayak Fishing Crates

    March 15, 2023
    Read More

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER

    KayakManual.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, We earn from qualified purchases.

    ABOUT KAYAK MANUAL

    It’s time to ditch the dry dock and get out onto the water! Kayak Manual provides an excellent resource for all aspiring kayakers and canoeists in pursuit of the best – and safest – paddling out there. Whether you’re a complete beginner looking to dip your toes into the waters of kayaking or an experienced expert looking for new places to explore, we’ve got you covered. We provide a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know, from finding the best spots on the lake, what gear to bring along for your journey, safety tips so can cruise without hitting any rocks – and some fun fishing tales to reel in while you’re at it. So hit us up before hittin’ the water – with Kayak Manual as your trusty companion, you can be confident that sailing is smooth sailing!

    About Kayak Manual

    Kayak Manual is trying to help both beginners and seasoned kayakers to have a great time on the water by providing them with the most comprehensive and up-to-date information available about kayaking.

    We hope that this manual will provide you with all of the information that you need to get started kayaking or to improve your existing skills. In addition, we have included many helpful tips and resources that we hope you will find useful.

    Affiliate Disclaimer

    KayakManual.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, We earn from qualified purchases.

    Recent Posts
    • How to Pack Your Kayak
    • Flush Mounted Rod Holder Install for the Offshore Angler
    • Best Kayak Fishing Crates
    • Benefits of Paddling for Exercise
    • Best Bed Racks for Chevrolet Silverado
    • Perfect the Canoe Forward Stroke
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
    © 2023 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.