The smart way to plan your travel itinerary   
You are here: Home > Packing for a Grand Canyon Rafting Trip

Packing for a Grand Canyon Rafting Trip



Print
So, the dates are set and written on the calendar, and everyone is looking forward to white water rafting through the Grand Canyon. Fortunately, there are plenty of things to think about while the date of the trip slowly approaches – things like how to pack for it. What kinds of clothes are right for spending a few days on the river? Where do you keep the clothes? There are plenty of things to consider when packing for a Grand Canyon raft trip, but Arizona River Runners would never leave anyone in the dark about such an important part of the trip.

If there are three important things to remember when packing for a whitewater trip it would be: water, sun, and dirt/sand. These aren’t things to bring, but what needs to be kept in mind when deciding what to pack for a Grand Canyon rafting trip.

First, a trip will involve a significant amount of time on the river, which means a lot of time will be spent on, near, and perhaps in the water. Clothes should be fast drying and okay to get wet. Leave the jeans and fashion tops at home. Bring quick-drying nylon shorts and shirts that will dry off quickly or will be dry by morning. The good news is clothes like these are not terribly difficult to find, nor are they horrifically expensive. Any sport store or general retail store will carry clothes like the ones described! Don’t go overboard though – no need to bring a new outfit for every day on the river. Shirley, a long-time employee, suggests a rule of thumb that “for six days - bring four of each shorts and shirts. You don't have to change clothes every day.

Bathing suits are a good idea to wear beneath your clothes, or even as clothing. However, women should avoid one piece suits, which may seem a bit counter intuitive. While a one piece may provide more coverage it makes things like going to the bathroom or changing clothes much more difficult. Privacy is in short supply while on the river; something to keep in mind while deciding what clothes to bring. Keeping things simple and easy will make everything less stressful during the trip.

Finally, the water in the Colorado is not clear, clean glacier water by any means – come August it can be a muddy brown; due to rains and rafting. Clothes soaked by the water have the potential to take on the color of the river itself, so leave the designer clothing behind! Bring clothes that will not be missed if they happen to change color to a less flattering shade of “dirt.”

Sun protection is very important when getting ready for a Colorado River trip. Especially rafters coming from outside Arizona, it must be understood how important it is to have sun protection at all times. Lip balm and lotion with an SPF of 30 is recommended, and reapply often. Sometimes a long sleeve shirt with built in UV protection is the best idea during the months when the sun is especially strong, such as June, July and August. These long sleeved shirts can be found in sport stores. They are light weight without any cotton, will dry quickly and be less likely to irritate skin when they do get wet. Don’t forget your hat and sunglasses (both with retention string) for added protection.

For cooler times and rainy weather, a lightweight fleece or fleece-lined jacket will keep you cozy. Raingear is a MUST. Look for quality pieces that are waterproof, not just water resistant. The point is to stay dry!

A couple of other packing tips…Bring two pairs of shoes, one for the raft and one for camp; make sure they are well broken in! Don’t forget socks, these are great for camp and help your feet if you get sore spots from your shoes. Make sure your camera has extra batteries and memory card, and store in a zip lock bag – not just to protect it from the water, but from the sand! A bandana is helpful too, it comes in handy for cooling off or keeping the sun off your neck…Lastly bring a water bottle; hydration is important on the rafts and on the hikes.

The outfits have been picked, now how should they be packed? Everyone on the trip is advised to pack one sports bag/duffel to bring with them on the boats measuring 24x12x12 inches. One of the best ways to make sure the clothes stay organized and dry is to use plastic zipper bags. Shirley is also a veteran rafter and offers this advice: “I roll my shorts and shirts up like a cigar and put them in zip lock bags…Keeps things separate and easy to get to!” “And don’t forget to pack a hoodie, they are great to wrap around a pillow for softer sleeping.”

With over forty years of experience, Arizona River Runners knows the ins and outs of what is a must for a whitewater trip, as well as what to leave behind. With packing lists, articles, blog posts, and an open line of communication for any questions, Arizona River Runners wants to make sure that no one leaves unprepared. Shirley says “people try to make it more complicated when it comes to packing - just go by what's on the packing list and they'll be fine, and always call with questions."

Click here for More Information

Arizona tourism & sightseeing
Did you find this travel planning article useful? This travel content was helpfulYes  This travel content was not helpfulNo

Do you have an article of interest to travelers? Submit it here!

Travel articles that may be of interest to you:

Travel Safety - 235 20
Family Reunion Planning - 223 33
Car Sickness - 15 Ways to Prevent Car Sickness - 843 698
Tipping - 135 20
Vacation Travel Insurance Tips - 757 655
Lightweight Backpacking Techniques - 674 592
Making Memories Last a Lifetime - 630 554
How To Travel With Your Pet - 653 578
Planning For Road Trip Travel - 632 564
Tips for Keeping Your Money Safe While on Vacation - 680 613
7 Tips For Travel Trips - 678 625
Booking Travel Online - 5 Tips You Must Know - 595 544
Light Travel - Carry-On Only - 625 575
Challenge Yourself: Travel Alone - 631 584
Travel Safety Tips: Things to Consider When Traveling - 593 554
Travel Saftey - Using Intuition - 670 632
Lightweight Backpacking - 570 535
Get Cheap Air Tickets - 637 602
Packing For Adventure Travel - 614 584
Are You Paying Too Much For Airport Parking - 553 525
5 Tips To Help You Pack Wisely For Your Family Vacation - 574 546
Rental Booking Tips For Vacationers - 565 543
Traveling by car with your pets - 586 564
Finding Cheap Hotels - 552 531
6 Tips for Paranoid Travelers - 563 543
A Great Vacation Begins At Home - 523 503
How To Find Cheap Airfare - 693 676
Top Travel Reservation Tips For A Stress-Free Trip! - 606 589
Pet Travel Guide: Tips for Traveling With Your Pet - 575 559
What to Bring While Vacation Hiking and Walking - 605 591
Four Unmentioned Travel Tips - 582 568
Keep The Kids Entertained While Traveling! - 530 517
A Guide to Traveling London through King’s Cross Station - 538 527
Thinking Ahead: Planning For Vacation Emergencies Part II - 589 580
Traveling by air with your pets - 588 580
10 Travel Tips - 549 542
Staying at pet friendly hotels - 572 565
History Happened Here & So Much More! - 217 211
Tips for Better Vacation Photos - 560 555
Thinking Ahead: Planning For Vacation Emergencies Part I - 571 567
Stay Healthy When You Travel - 543 541
Traveling With Pets - 521 520
Tips For Travellers To The Tropics - 506 505
Budget Travel Tips 101 - 541 540
How To Save Your Traveling Cost - 539 541
Hotel Selection Guide - How to find a hotel online - 565 569
Great site for discounts on Orlando Attractions - 176 180
Air Travel Hassles - 520 525
How to care for your pet when traveling - 537 543
Your Vacation First Aid Kit - 547 554
Hotels Near Airports - 231 238
Travel Games - 537 550
Pet Travel and Pet Friendly Hotels - 533 546
Guidelines for Safe Traveling - 557 571
Find Out How You Could Find Low Airfares - 528 544
How To Keep Yourself Healthy While Traveling - 544 563
Travel Safety Tips: Things To Consider When Traveling - 519 538
Finding Fun Ways to Travel With Children - 583 610
For Most People, Price is Surprisingly Not the Number One Factor when Selecting a Hotel - 523 557



What's New Privacy Statement Customer Service Sign In Tell a Friend Get Listed Contact Us
Travel Articles Legal Site Map Register About Us Follow WeGoPlaces on Facebook!