The smart way to plan your travel itinerary   
You are here: Home > Grand Canyon whitewater rafting

Grand Canyon whitewater rafting



Print
GRAND CANYON – Spring is here and, with it, Colorado River rafting season.

Wildflowers and water might not be the first things that come to mind when one pictures the high, barren Colorado Plateau, but the silt-laden river that grinds a channel through the northern Arizona desert holds some of the world’s most alluring white-water rapids and scenery.

Thrill seekers might wait years, or a lifetime, for the opportunity to run the rapids of Grand Canyon on a privately organized trip. Grand Canyon National Park Service strictly limits the number of private launches each year, and draws a lucky few boaters in a lottery system, according to the park’s website.

Not so if you opt to go on a commercial trip and let the folks who make white water their business guide you through the canyon on one of their motorized or oar-powered boats.

Although the park service limits the number of rafters commercial outfitters can carry, and restricts passengers to one river trip per year, many companies still have seats available on 2012 trips.

River trip guests can reserve a spot up to 1 year in advance or within as little as a few weeks of the launch date, said Lindsay Winter, the marketing director for Grand Canyon Whitewater.

“A lot of people think you have to book a trip years in advance, but that’s just not the case,” Winter said. “We can sometimes get people on one of our Grand Canyon raft tours with just a few weeks’ notice, especially if they are flexible on the dates and amount of time they can spend in the canyon.”

Grand Canyon Whitewater is one of 16 commercial outfitters authorized by the park service to run Colorado River raft trips through Grand Canyon.

Its rafting schedule, like those of all the outfitters, is dictated by the park. The 2012 season kicks off in early April and runs through October. Now is the best time to book a trip for this summer, Winter said.

Grand Canyon Whitewater offers tours of The Big Ditch that range in length from 4 days to 2 weeks and in cost from about $1,100 to about $3,400. Some of those getaways include round-trip transportation to and from the canyon.

The company is offering discounts on a handful of early season May trips, the marketing director added.

Grand Canyon Whitewater is a fully equipped outfitter. It provides all camping gear (tents, sleeping bags and pads or cots), rafting necessities (life jackets, dry bags and river safety orientation), and three meals a day plus all the snacks and beverages (excluding alcohol – you bring your own and the guides will stow it for you) a person could want.

“You just sit back, try to absorb as much of this incredible place as you can, and let our guides take care of you,” Winter said. “This truly is a trip of a lifetime, and it’s not just for experienced boaters and campers. We try to make Grand Canyon rafting accessible for everyone.”

For more information on Colorado River rafting through the Grand Canyon, call Grand Canyon Whitewater at 800-343-3121 or visit its website at grandcanyonwhitewater.com.

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!