Arizona: 5-Day Hiker’s Special Grand Canyon Rafting Trip
“I like that, oh I really like that.” My new friend Tammie and I laid back on the motorboat, our feet propped up on the side of the boat, a snack in one hand, and watching the canyon walls pass by far above. It was these moments of calm water and endless views that captured my heart on my first Grand Canyon rafting trip. The rafting trip was an immersive experience, igniting every sense from the thunderous rapids and shock of a river splash to the silence that followed. As for taste, I had delicious camp meals and likely consumed more sand than I care to admit. For my first ever river rafting trip, I opted to go on a 5-day Grand Canyon Hiker’s Special with Grand Canyon Whitewater. Without further ado, let’s get into the trip.
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5-day Grand Canyon Rafting Trip: Introduction
As an avid hiker, I loved that this trip focused on slowing down and exploring the side canyon and sights along the way. This would also be my first time hiking below the rim, even though I have visited the national park before, and even the big hike out at the South Rim would be new and exciting. I also loved that this trip was only one workweek long. It was the perfect way to get a taste for a Grand Canyon rafting trip without committing to the entire thing. I chose to go with a company called Grand Canyon Whitewater because they: (1) have a long history of operating on the river, (2) focus on sustainability as well as work with the National Park, (3) enacted measures for COVID, and (4) they offered this hiker’s special.
This post is a day-by-day breakdown of the 5-Day Hiker’s Special Grand Canyon Rafting Trip with a hike out at Bright Angel Trail. It’s important to note that all campsites along the river are first-come, first-serve and our river guide had backup plans for where to sleep and hike. Because this is a one-way trip and you cannot go back upstream, where we slept was a significant factor in where we hiked the next day. Not every hike will be available for every trip, which is what makes a Grand Canyon rafting trip so unique – each one is a little different.
In addition to the following breakdown, I am working on shorter posts on prepping for a rafting trip as well as a discussion on the things I didn’t expect on the trip. Check out these posts before you head out on your rafting trip:
At a Glance:
- Rating: 4 (out of 4) stars, this was a great introduction to river rafting and such a fantastic way to interact with Grand Canyon National Park.
- Intensity: The hike out at Bright Angel Trail is very demanding, the hikes during the trip were easy to strenuous, and there is a fair amount of physical activity when unloading and loading the boats, setting up and breaking down your camp, and holding onto the boat in the rapids.
- Locations: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
- Cost: $1,695 in 2021 and $1,720 in 2022
- Timing: 5 days, 4 nights
- Company: Grand Canyon Whitewater
Included with the Rafting Trip:
- All meals! And snacks! And non-alcoholic beverages!
- Two dry bags to use on the trip – one checked baggage size, one for your day pack
- Sleeping gear – cot, sleeping bag, a sheet, a tarp, and a pillow (tent, if you would like one
- Personal coffee mug
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides
- Roundtrip transportation to Flagstaff
Day 1: Launching the Boat with First Day Nerves
It wasn’t easy waking up at 4:30 am, but it was necessary. Even with my clothes laid out, everything took a long time. Does this ever happen to you when waking up extra early? I ran downstairs to snag my bagged breakfast at 5:15 am and boarded the bus by 5:55 am. I was one of the last people to be ready, and we departed at 6:00 am on the dot. On the drive to Lees Ferry, I started to see the canyon-like formations, and I became simultaneously excited and nervous. Did I bring the right gear? Was I going to enjoy this style of trip? I was about to find out.
This first day was a big orientation day. Arriving at Lees Ferry, we had a flurry of activity. We unloaded the bus, packed our bags into two dry bags, applied sunscreen, filled up on water, used the last flushing toilet, and received a safety briefing and introduction to what would happen each day. You will use two dry bags during the trip: a “checked” bag for your overnight gear that you do not need to access. Then there is a smaller “carry-on” bag accessible throughout the day and hooked onto the boat. I’m borrowing this terminology from the Grand Canyon Whitewater’s informational packing videos that I studied right before the trip – thanks, Dean!
We also met the team:
- Trip Leader: Riley Burch
- 2nd Boatman: Trevor Hubbard
- Swamper: Bryce Mosher
- Work-Your-Way Volunteers: Ghia and Kirk
Launching the Boat
After covering the most important things about the trip, it was time to get introduced to our life jackets and the boats. Your life jacket will be your most-worn accessory, as you must wear it at all times on the boat. Honestly, I liked that the life jackets provided a little extra heat when I got chilled and provided something to hook my cameras onto while I was holding onto the boat. The boats themselves were impressive. They had a particular organization and setup that made logical sense to find everything easily. We had about 12 passengers, the river guide, and one or two volunteers on each boat.
Taking off from the ramp was like taking a big sigh of relief for me. Once you enter the canyon, it gets increasingly difficult to leave. Not just emotionally, but it also becomes tricky to get out physically. Although I was already committed to this adventure, launching felt final. But I didn’t think about it very long because the canyon immediately entranced me. The Lees Ferry area is more open, but shortly after taking off, one canyon wall came up, then the other. Before long, the canyon walls towered 500 ft on either side of us.
Already the sense of scale in the canyon was mind-boggling. The California Condors we saw at the Navajo Bridge seemed pigeon-sized but have a 9 – 12 ft wingspan. Physical scale and time scale were warped in my new environment. We stopped to take a quick walk to see petroglyphs. It is fascinating to witness evidence of people living in the canyon hundreds of years ago.
Lunch & Camp: 20-Mile Camp
Orientation Day continued at every stop. During lunch, we learned the hand washing system and what to expect. At camp that night, we did our first proper unloading of the boat with our gear, kitchen supplies, and cots. We found open spots amongst the rocks and shrubs to set up our cots and get comfortable. Coming from a backpacking mindset, it was crazy not to set up my sleeping bag while it was daylight. Riley warned us that you should set everything up at the last minute so that you know you’re the only thing inside! You must adjust expectations to sleeping en plein air in the desert.
Speaking of expectations, I wrote a separate post about the things I didn’t expect while on my first rafting trip. One of them was about sleeping without a tent. Check those out here:
Tips, Tricks, and Takeaways – Launch Day
- Book the hotel that the rafting company recommends, which will make everything easier.
- BE EARLY to board the bus. We left at precisely 6:00 am, our agreed-upon departing time.
- Pack your bags the night before to have what you need the river in your day pack. Everything you don’t need should be in your overnight bag. You will have an opportunity to repack, but it is helpful to have it more-or-less already divided.
- If you would like to bring alcoholic beverages, get them ahead of time. Although there is a stop right before you get to Lees Ferry, there is a limited selection.
- Wear and reapply sunscreen more than you think. My upper shins got slightly sunburned on the first day due to the sunscreen rubbing off as I crawled around the boat and got splashed. I also feel like the canyon is more open in this section, so you are in the sun more on this first day.
- Although Lees Ferry marks the edge of Grand Canyon National Park, it is not technically the Grand Canyon yet. The first 61 miles of the river is an area called Marble Canyon.
- Set up your cot, change, and get settled when you get into camp, but don’t lay out your bedding until you’re about to get in it.
Day 2: The Roaring 20’s
Now that we more-or-less understood the rhythm of the trip, we got into the fun stuff on the second day. We started off hiking in the North Canyon, which was right across from our campground. It was super cool to wander into the side canyons like this and see how they have eroded over time. We hiked deeper into the canyon, where the walls became more narrow, and the stones became more smooth. It was gorgeous.
Also fascinating during this hike was who was camping here. A group of scientists studied side canyons to determine when and how often this side canyon had flash floods. They told us about the studies, which went over my head but had something to do with finding the history of water in the rocks. Studying previous flash floods will help predict future flash floods.
Roaring 20’s Rapids
Immediately after North Canyon, the Roaring 20’s Rapids begins. The Roaring 20’s is a series of rapids that occurs in succession throughout miles 20 – 29 of the river. The great thing about the Colorado River is how it warms you up to larger and larger rapids. On the first day, we had baby rapids where we got our feet (and entire body during one rapid) wet. I was mentally prepared, geared up, and ready to tackle the rapids on the second day. And boy, are they fun.
Each rapid is a little different, and it is up to the river guides to decide which line they want to take, based on rocks, eddies, and a bevy of other factors. It was on Day 2 that I began to notice the skills of river guides. I was on Riley’s boat, and she maneuvered through the rapids in a way that made it look effortless. Then afterward, she popped up on top of the raft to tell us a story, something interesting from history, and neat things about the rock formations as if she hadn’t just heroically navigated the rapid.
Day 2 is also the day I settled into being on the boat. The front seats on either side of the raft are the guaranteed splash zone. Even on the small rapids, there is always a little bit of spray that keeps you chilled. Slightly blocked by the front seat, the middle seats still see a lot of action. And finally, the princess seats in the back of the boat are typically dry unless you hit a particularly big rapid. During smaller rapids, you can also sit out on the sides, riding it like a horse.
Lunch with Petroglyphs
Lunch was at South Canyon. While we did a short hike to view more petroglyphs, split-twig figurine, and a view of the giant Redwall Limestone with a bend in the river, the other guides and work-your-ways set up lunch. This hike also featured bits of broken pottery pieces, which our group respectfully left things in their place.
Redwall Cavern
Past South Canyon is Stanton’s Cave and Vasey’s Paradise, a spring that creates a small waterfall into luscious greenery. Although we did not stop to see these sights, we did stop at the enormous Redwall Cavern. I began to fall in love with how impenetrable the Redwall Limestone is, so seeing a large cavern was exciting. Powell described the cavern as being able to seat 50,000 people. This description is an exaggeration, but the cavern is vast and scenic. Our guides approved this location to be barefoot, which was incredible to run around the cavern without shoes. The cooler temperature inside the cavern shocked me. Not only the air was cool, but also the sand between my toes. Riley pointed out rocks that had broken open with fossils inside.
After Redwall Cavern, keep your eyes out for the Bridge of Sighs, which is a gorgeous bridge in the canyon just off the river. We covered roughly 27 miles on the boat on day 2, and by the time we got back to camp, I was exhausted. I snagged a nice little spot under a tree to share with my new friends.
Tips, Tricks, and Takeaways – The Roaring 20’s
- Raingear is vital for the rapids. The rain jacket and pants will not keep you completely dry because the water will find a way in, but they will help maintain your heat. The water comes out the bottom of the Glen Canyon Dam at 52 degrees and only heats up a couple of degrees as it moves down the canyon. A single splash can cool you right off. A couple of splashes, and you’re chilled.
- Speaking of rapids, they never felt daunting, but they were often a wild ride. Especially in the princess seats, you can witness the raft bend and flex as we went over the rapids.
- Move around the boat as needed. My new friends and I rotated on every couple of rapids to experience the uninterrupted view from the front seat and warm up on the back seats.
- Bring your deodorant with you in the day pack, especially on hiking days. With the water from the rapids, hiking, and holding onto the boat, you may need to reapply throughout the day.
- Keep your eyes peeled while hiking for ancient pottery.
- If your hands get dry, reapply lotion often. By the end of the second day, some people’s hands were on their way to cracking.
Day 3: Grand Canyon Stairmaster
Coming off a big day on the river, day 3 was a big day of hiking. We started bright and early by hiking into Saddle Canyon. This canyon was immense and involved some good elevation gain before leveling out. Once it leveled out, we followed a dry streambed deeper into the canyon. The walls narrowed until they became smooth rock and more vegetation appeared. The canyon became a slot canyon with a waterfall! The water was freezing but a beautiful light blue color. I LOVED IT!
The Saddle Canyon hike was phenomenal. Not only did we see the slot-canyon/waterfall combination, but I also loved hiking amongst the Redwall Limestone layer, which created these massive walls surrounding us and the camp. Every campsite was scenic, but I love the calm, reflective water against the Redwall Limestone.
Back on the boats, we only went about 5 miles before stopping to eat lunch and prepare for what the guides called “The Stairmaster.”
Nankoweap Granaries Hike
As it turns out, the Stairmaster is the hike to the Nankoweap Granaries. The granaries are little storerooms that protected corn and seeds from rodents and climate. The structure dates back to 1100 and is well worth the hike to see the granaries and the expansive overlook. But before I get to the view, allow me to describe the trail. The trail is short but packs a punch of (you guessed it) stairs. Climbing vertically away from the river, it features only a few switchbacks and instead opts for thigh-burning and calf-burning steps. Yes, I was sweating. Yes, I was out of breath. But it is worth it.
As I climbed, I got an increasingly incredible view of the river downstream and the canyon. The water was a vibrant blue with hints of green, which contrasted the oranges and reds of the canyon. The canyon downstream actually was more-or-less straight before turning, so the view felt particularly lengthy. The river at the very bottom wiggled back and forth in an organic manner. The granaries themselves were neat and a marvel at how the native peoples discovered and utilized this area.
Unlike the Saddle Canyon hike, the Nankoweap Granaries hike was almost entirely in the sun. The warm breeze was hardly a relief, but going down was far easier than going up. After everyone recovered from the hike – cooled off, rehydrated, and whatnot, we got back on the boats and headed to camp a little early.
Who doesn’t love an early camp?
After two beefy hikes, I was happy to head to camp early. Not only to relax after an active day but also to clean up. Although I was wiping down at the end of each day, it was getting time to do a full submersion. It was time to bathe.
Our camp this night had a little natural bay with calm but running water. Conditions were perfect, but that didn’t make getting into the water any easier. I opted for a head dunk, lather, followed by a single full-body dunk. The water temperature is shocking, but it also felt amazing. I wore a swimsuit for the bath, and it was dry by morning – gotta love that desert air for some things. It was probably the best thing to do after the hikes. We had a burrito/fajita dinner this night, and I was on cloud 9 – exercised, clean, and a full belly while watching the canyon walls change colors.
Tips, Tricks, and Takeaways – Grand Canyon Stairmaster
- On a big hiking day, it’s good to focus on foot care. Pay attention to hot spots and address them immediately so they do not become a big problem later.
- Also important is to ensure proper hydration. Even though we hiked in the shade to the waterfall in Saddle Canyon, I drank a ton of water. Then, even more water was necessary for the Nankoweap Granaries hike, plus additional electrolytes.
- If there is more than one boat on your trip, be sure to switch it up. Each of the boatmen has a different style of driving and describing the canyon.
- If you plan to bathe in the river, use natural soaps that rinse out easily. Don’t bother with separate shampoo and conditioner. A leave-in conditioner is a good idea if your hair gets dried out.
Day 4: Little Colorado and into the Grand Canyon
Each day on the river was a little different from the last. Day four was exciting because we got to swim in the Little Colorado River and officially enter the Grand Canyon. Our camp was not far from the Little Colorado River, a bright turquoise color tributary river that converges with the Colorado River. It was a good 10 (or more) degrees warmer than the Colorado River, joyfully swimmable! We hiked upstream for about five minutes, where we rode our life jackets down small rapids.
Riding the Little Colorado River
To protect your booty while floating the Little Colorado River, we wore our lifejackets by putting our legs through the armholes and re-securing the latches in the front. It looked ridiculous, like a diaper, but it worked! We could float down the small rapid, bumping into things and not getting banged up too much. And although it was chilly, it was tolerable. I ran the tiny rapids twice or three times, but it was a blast to watch the others in my group go downstream.
I was completely enamored with the color of the Little Colorado River and could have stayed here all day. It reminded me of backpacking Havasupai in 2019. Check out those blog posts below:
Entering the Grand Canyon
After passing the Little Colorado River, we officially entered the Grand Canyon. At that moment, it didn’t feel different from what we experienced over the last few days. A few miles later, the canyon seemed to open up and feel particularly large, and it felt like mountain peaks surrounded us. You could see the various rock shelves rising into the distances with a touch of haze to make it feel even further away.
We soon encountered the much bigger rapids like Unkar and Hance. Technically challenging, these rapids had far more rocks, making them seem like they went on forever. Sitting in the princess seat, I had a blast, and it felt like riding a mechanical bull.
Mile 75 One-Way Hike
Before lunch, we did another hike! This one was a neat one-way hike to a beach where we had lunch. The walk climbed well above the river, where we could watch Riley and Trevor navigate the rapids with practically empty boats. They looked tiny in the canyon below. We continued to climb into the heat of the desert. While comfortably on the river, I thought about how cool it would be to make a backpacking trip into the Grand Canyon. Now that I was in the intense dryness of a trail, it gave a new water-less perspective. Even in early April, the amount of water you need to carry has to be insane. At the same time, I loved seeing more of the Grand Canyon from somewhere that wasn’t the top and wasn’t the bottom either.
The loop trail made its way to the top of a narrow canyon. We would take this narrow canyon back to the river. Once again, the narrow canyon had smooth walls, where flash floods filled with water and rocks shoved their way to the Colorado River. Very cool!
Possibly the Coolest Camp: Zoroaster
After a hearty lunch, we were back on the boat to head into a new rock layer: Zoroaster Granite. This granite layer was gorgeous. Some areas were a dark granite with a strip of while moving through it like a snake. Some areas were sharp and intimidating, whereas the river smoothed other regions to create gentle curves. The near-vertical walls on either side of the canyon hugged the river with very few riverbanks. And yet there was one riverbank, and this is where we camped! It felt like a campground out of Game of Thrones or something. And speaking of thrones, the guides placed our potty in a crack of the Zoroaster Granite with a river view. The granite backdrop was dramatic and fit for a queen.
Knowing this was the last night on the river was bittersweet. Half of the group was about to hike out at the Bright Angel Trail, while the other half continued to do the rest of the canyon. I had mentally prepared for four nights, so in a way, I was excited to do the hike out and return to an actual shower. But at the same time, I was endlessly fascinated with the canyon and wanted to continue on with my new friends. We had a steak (I had a veggie burger) dinner with mashed potatoes and an incredible marbled cake covered in frosting. We gathered together and sang a couple of songs to our river guides before heading to bed (“Silver Bags” was a trip original, and “In Love with My River Guide” was a classic we joined in for the chorus). It was a sweet night.
Tips, Tricks, and Takeaways – Little Colorado and into the Grand Canyon
- The Little Colorado River is on Native American land. It is a sacred river, and everyone should treat it with respect. Try not to put anything into the water and leave no trace.
- Tie-down or take off your hat while doing any of the bigger rapids. I nearly lost my hat, and some else hat flew to the back of the boat on one of the rapids. It’s a good idea to tie down your hat at any time because the gusts of wind through the canyon are unpredictable.
- A sarong is a wonderful accessory for a river trip. I utilized it as a towel and cover-up on our Little Colorado Day but also found it great to drape over my legs to protect them from the sun or dip in water to keep cool. Both men and ladies can benefit from bringing a sarong!
- If you are hiking out, take time to prep your backpack for the next day. Rearrange, stuff, and get everything read as much as possible. Also, pull out your tip for the river guides so that you can give it to them at night or the following morning.
Day 5: The Big Hike Back
The final morning was a bit chaotic with much to do. The hikers had to fully pack their bags and get ready for the hike out, whereas those continuing had to get prepared early. The earlier the hikers can start, the better, so everyone worked as a team to make it happen. Before I knew it, it was time to say goodbye to those continuing on the river. As someone who usually doesn’t believe in endings, I surprised myself by getting teary-eyed. Everything became apparent that it was my last – my last coffee, my last time on the boat, etc.
The boat ride to the Bright Angel Trail was short and fun. When we docked, we did our final preparations – putting on the hiking boots, packing our sandwiches and snacks, having our last river pee. Then, without delaying too much, it was time to hike.
Bright Angel Trail
It felt good to be back in my hiking boots with my pack on – I was in my comfort zone with 8-miles to go, entirely uphill. Starting at 8:20 am, I was surprised at how quickly we lost sight of the river. It felt final. Once I got over the loss of the river, I focused on the trail and my surroundings. Although challenging, I enjoyed the Bright Angel Trail. Traversing the vertical and horizontal distance from the river to the rim was insightful at how far we had floated down. We had effortlessly descended through space as well as time. As I climbed, I reversed through the different rock layers and billions of years of geology. I stopped to take in my surroundings every so often because I knew I would eventually be at the rim, seeing these rock formations from a distance.
I stopped by Indian Gardens to eat one of my two sandwiches and take a proper break. After this stop, things began to heat up. There was less shade, higher temps, and more people, but I tried not to think about it. Being one of the most iconic National Parks in the country, of course, it would be busy. As the trail grew busier and steeper, I knew we were nearing the top. I finished the trail at roughly 1:15 pm.
Overall, I would say the hike is brutal, and you should not underestimate it. The main reason for this is the heat and the fact that it is entirely uphill. There is no 4-mile reprieve like a regular 8-mile hike. It is a different mindset, where two mph is super speed. I recommend training to be able to do a 10-mile hike before attempting this one-way hike.
Chilling at the Rim
Re-entering civilization felt like culture shock after being isolated (except for our group) on the river. The line for ice cream was at least 30 minutes, and people were everywhere. I found a quiet spot overlooking the canyon to make some phone calls and to each another sandwich. The bus back to flagstaff was not arriving until 5 pm, so I had plenty of time. Everyone in our group finished by 3:15, which was fun to congregate while waiting for the bus. Four hours passed rather quickly after that significant effort.
The bus arrived promptly at 5 pm, where the entire group emerged from various locations to board. It took about an hour and a half to get back to flagstaff. And that was the end of our grand adventure with Grand Canyon Whitewater.
Tips, Tricks, and Takeaways – The Big Hike Back
- Training is vital for this hike. And the best training for a hike is to hike. Also, be sure to add weight while training since you are carrying out your gear from the last four days. I did three or four training hikes in preparation, but I wish I would have done a hike with an extended uphill section.
- Bring plenty of water, and it’s not a bad idea to have a bladder so you can drink as you hike. I brought 3.5 liters for this hike and drank at least 3 liters in the 8 miles. I filled up my Nalgene at Indian Gardens. The other two water stations were not operational at the time I went.
- Bring money/cash for food when you make it back to the rim.
Going with the Flow
It might seem like the days are nicely categorized in this blog post, but I didn’t always know what we were going to do. At first, I felt the tug to understand what was going to happen. I wanted to know what I could count on, especially being my first rafting trip. But instead of trying to figure it all out, I simply went with the flow. Riley knew about so many hikes that we could do or sights to see, but this was determined by our timing, campsite, other boaters, and more. And our camp was determined by various factors. Far too complex for someone who has never been in the canyon before. I left the planning up to the experts and tried the best I could to soak up the present moment. At the end of each day, I felt satisfied (and beat), and that’s all that mattered.
This approach ensured I didn’t have certain expectations in mind and instead enjoyed what we did. In this way, every trip will look a little different. And that’s the beauty of it. If there are things I missed, I will have to come back again… and again… and again. For me, being in the canyon is a gift, and I’m glad I didn’t waste energy on what we didn’t get to do. If you go on a whitewater trip, I recommend you also “go with the flow.”
Water Clarity and Canyon Temperature
I was mega lucky to have the Colorado River run a clear emerald blue color for the trip duration (five days). It was so gorgeous to see in contrast to the orange and red hues of the canyon. However, this is not the natural state of the river. Before the dams, the river was a consistent brown and heavy with sediment “too thick to drink, too thin to plow.” With Glen Canyon in place, the water settles and has a controlled release. The release is typically clear and emerald green. From there, it is the streams and tributaries that might add sediment to the water, making it turn brown. With so many factors at play, it is simply the luck of the draw. Read more about it on the Grand Canyon Whitewater Blog.
I was doubly lucky with the weather! We had delightful 70’s or 80’s temperatures during the day, which cooled to 60s (maaaaaybe 50s?) at night. While packing, I struggled with what to bring and worried that I would be cold at night. This worry was all for not because the weather was beautiful. Check out my blog post about gear to bring:
Group Dynamics
If I felt lucky with the water clarity and temperatures, I am triply fortunate with the group of people on this Grand Canyon rafting adventure. With a group of 28 or 30, it still felt small enough to get to know each other. Everyone was welcoming, even if they came as a group and there were a handful of us single peeps on the trip. With most people being outside their comfort zones, there is the potential for complainers to emerge. However, I am stoked to report that we had not a single complainer, no overly dominant personalities, and no one that was constantly late to things. The entire group seemed down to have an adventure and were on time to do it. We liked each other so much that we created an original river song and laughed our way through the bag loading/unloading. So wonderful – I miss them already!
Full Transparency
I reached out to Grand Canyon Whitewater for an opportunity to work together in exchange for this post and associated social media, and I want to talk about how that would have impacted my trip. A Grand Canyon rafting trip has been a bucket list item for me for many years, so I was particularly excited when I discovered the hiker’s special. The 5-day hiker’s special on a motorboat felt precisely in alignment with being adventurous, but moderately so – exactly what I love to do and write about on this website.
On the trip, I was treated as a regular guest by the guides and my fellow guests. I was experiencing everything for the first time, just as they were. My blog was not a secret, and my fellow guests often helped me get photos and shared photos after the trip. Excluding natural phenomena like water clarity, temperature, and campsites, I cannot think of anything else that would be different if you booked the journey today.
The photos in this post an amalgamation of my photos, my friends photos, and a few professional grade photos from the Marketing Director at Grand Canyon Whitewater who joined this 5-day tour. Thank you all for contributing!
Overall Thoughts: 5-day Grand Canyon Hiker’s Special Rafting Trip
This Grand Canyon rafting trip exceeded my expectations. Writing this post and reviewing all my photos, I truly had such a great time. It’s hard to describe how mesmerizing the Grand Canyon is, even after looking at it and living it for multiple days. Every bend, rock formation, and side canyon is exciting and feels worth exploring. Layer on the history of the river and native people with the excitement of the rapids and comradery of the group, and I’m nearly signing up to become a river guide. Grand Canyon Whitewater did a phenomenal job of ensuring our safety while keeping us engaged. It was the best of all worlds. Here’s the link to the Grand Canyon Whitewater website one more time.
This post is already massive, so I wanted to pull out a couple of discussion points – the important things to bring on a Grand Canyon Rafting Trip and the things that surprised me about the trip. This way, I could speak in-depth about each of those topics. Read those posts here:
- Pack and Preparation for a Grand Canyon Rafting Trip
- 8 Things I Didn’t Expect on My First Grand Canyon Rafting Trip
As I mentioned a couple of different times, this was my first rafting trip. But now I’m hooked. I’m definitely coming back to do the bottom half of the canyon. But where else should I make a rafting trip? I’ve heard good things about the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Let me know in the comments a river and the tour company you would recommend!
Happy Travels,
Hanna
I enjoyed reading your blog about the GC trip with GCW. Riley has been on three of my six trips and is a most enjoyable person to be with–I love her smile! I serendipitously ended up a sole passenger on her raft one day during my October ’18 trip and we laughed and chatted happily the entire day. When you do the lower half, consider an oar trip with GCW or ARR. You may find the cot isn’t needed after all!
Hi Gary,
SIX TRIPS!!! Wow, that is incredible. I can totally see why – it’s so easy to fall in love with the canyon. Riley was woooonderful! That would be so much fun to spend the day with just Riley on a raft – I’m jealous. Yes, as you read, I’m definitely interested in doing the lower half in any form and will keep that in mind. Coming from backpacking, I found the cots to be luxurious… but yes, probably not a necessity. Thank you so much for reading, Gary. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you on a future rafting trip!
Happy Travels,
Hanna
I loved reading about your experience in Grand Canyon. Your descriptions really made it come alive for me. Happy travels!
Hi Go Wander Wild,
Thanks so much for writing in! Have you done a rafting trip in the Grand Canyon? If not, I hope my post helped add it to your bucket list – it was such an incredible experience.
Happy and Healthy Travels,
Hanna