The 12 Best Grand Canyon Rafting Day Trips
The Grand Canyon offers immense hiking opportunities but also rafting trips. Here are the best Grand Canyon rafting day trips. The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States. It is located in northwestern Arizona and is about 1 mile deep. The Colorado River created the canyon over millions of years. Today, it is a popular tourist destination, with people coming from all over the world to see its magnificent size and beauty.
What are the best Grand Canyon rafting day trips?
The best Grand Canyon rafting companies are Arizona Raft Adventures, Arizona River Runners, Can X, Canyoneers, Colorado River & Trail Expeditions or CRATE, Grand Canyon Discovery, Grand Canyon Dories, and Grand Canyon Raft Adventures.
One of the most popular activities at the Grand Canyon is rafting down the river. This amazing experience allows you to see the canyon up close and personal. Whether you are looking for an adventure or simply want to admire one of America’s most beautiful natural wonders, a visit to the Grand Canyon will surely be a memorable experience.
As rafting enthusiasts, we have put together names of some of the best Grand Canyon rafting companies you can try to make the most of your visit to this natural wonder.
Arizona Raft Adventures
If you’re looking for an amazing rafting experience in Arizona, look no further than Arizona Raft Adventures or (AzRA). They offer a variety of trip types to suit your needs, including motorized, hybrid, and all-paddle trips.
Their launch points include Lees Ferry and Phantom Ranch, and their starting points are Phantom Ranch and Diamond Creek. Trip lengths are somewhere between 6 days and three weeks.
Meeting locations are Flagstaff or South Rim, and ending locations are also Flagstaff or South Rim. Prices start at $2300 per person.
The minimum age for participants is ten years. So come join them for an unforgettable rafting adventure in the beautiful state of Arizona!
Arizona River Runners
Are you looking for an unforgettable rafting experience in Arizona? Look no further than Arizona River Runners. ARR offers motorized, oar-powered raft trips down some of the state’s most scenic and challenging stretches of the river.
Launch points include Lees Ferry, Whitmore Wash, and Phantom Ranch, with starting points at Phantom Ranch, Whitmore Wash, and Lake Mead. Trip lengths range from 3 days to a little under two weeks, making it easy to find an option that fits your schedule and budget.
Plus, all trips originate and end in Marble Canyon or Las Vegas, so you can easily add rafting to your vacation plans.
Prices start at $1500 per person, making ARR one of Arizona’s most affordable rafting companies. So what are you waiting for? Book your trip today and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
Can X
Can X is a Grand Canyon rafting company that offers hybrid trips, meaning they combine elements of both motorized and oar-powered rafts?
Can X’s launch points are Lees Ferry and Phantom Ranch, and their starting points are Phantom Ranch and Diamond Creek. Trip lengths range from 7 days to two weeks.
The meeting location for all Can X trips is Flagstaff, AZ, and the ending place is also Flagstaff, AZ. The cost of a Can X trip is somewhere between $2925 and $4775. The minimum age for participants is 12 years.
Can X is a great way to see the Grand Canyon if you’re looking for an adventure combining motorized and oar-powered rafts.
Canyoneers
Canyoneers is a Grand Canyon rafting company that offers motorized and oar-powered trips ranging from 4 to 14 days.
Launch points include Lees Ferry and Phantom Ranch, and starting points include Phantom Ranch and Diamond Creek.
The meeting location for all trips is Flagstaff, AZ, and the ending place is also Flagstaff, AZ. The trip cost is between $1575 and $4125, depending on the length of the trip and the type of boat.
The minimum age for all trips is eight years. Canyoneers offers a variety of Grand Canyon rafting experiences, making it the perfect choice for anyone looking to explore this amazing natural wonder.
Colorado River & Trail Expeditions (CRATE)
Colorado River & Trail Expeditions (CRATE) is a Grand Canyon rafting company that offers motorized, hybrid, and all-paddle trips ranging from 4 to 11 days.
Customers can choose to launch from Lees Ferry or Whitmore Wash and take out at Phantom Ranch, Whitmore Wash, or Lake Mead. All destination points are located within the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.
Prices for expeditions start at $1680 per person and increase up to $4285, depending on the length of the trip and the type of accommodation selected.
All participants must be at least eight years old and must meet in Flagstaff, AZ, for a pre-trip orientation before embarking on their Grand Canyon adventure. At the end of the expedition, they will return customers to Flagstaff.
Grand Canyon Discovery
Grand Canyon Discovery is a Grand Canyon rafting company offering motorized, hybrid, and all-paddle trips ranging from 6 days to three weeks in length.
Meeting locations include Flagstaff or the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and ending locations are either Flagstaff or the South Rim. common starting points are Phantom Ranch and Diamond Creek.
The trip costs range from $2300 to $5000, and the minimum age to participate is ten years. Grand Canyon Discovery offers a variety of trip types to accommodate different interests and skill levels.
Motorized trips are ideal for those who want to relax and take in the scenery, while hybrid and all-paddle trips are better suited for those who want a more challenging experience.
No matter what type of trip you choose, Grand Canyon Discovery will help you create lasting memories of your time in one of the most awe-inspiring places on Earth.
Grand Canyon Dories
Grand Canyon Dories is a Grand Canyon rafting company that offers dory trips through the canyon. Dories are small, open-boat boats ideal for exploring the narrow passages and tiny beaches of the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon Dories offers trips of varying lengths, from 5 to 18 days, and has launch points at Lees Ferry and Whitmore Wash. Starting points include Phantom Ranch, Diamond Creek, Whitmore Wash, and Lake Mead.
The company offers both Flagstaff, AZ, and Las Vegas, NV, as meeting locations and also has a shuttle service from both cities to the Grand Canyon.
The trip cost varies depending on the length of the journey and the number of people in the group but ranges from $2749 to $6200. The minimum age for a Grand Canyon Dories trip is 12 years.
Grand Canyon Expeditions
Grand Canyon Expeditions (GCE) is a Grand Canyon rafting company that offers motor and dry expeditions through the canyon. All trips begin at Lees Ferry and end at Lake Mead and can range from 8 days to two weeks in length.
GCE also offers a meeting location in Las Vegas, NV, for those coming from out of town, as well as an ending place in Las Vegas for those who wish to stay in the area after their trip.
The cost of a trip with GCE ranges from $2830 to $4479, depending on the length of the journey and the type of boat used. The minimum age for a Grand Canyon expedition is eight years.
Grand Canyon Expeditions provides an unbeatable way to see one of the most iconic natural wonders in the world.
Grand Canyon Raft Adventures
Grand Canyon Raft Adventures offers motor/hybrid and all paddle. Motor trips are the most popular and use a motorized raft to travel down the river.
Hybrid trips use both a motorized raft and oar-powered rafts. All paddle trips are oar-powered only. Grand Canyon Raft Adventures offers trips that launch from Lees Ferry and Phantom Ranch and take out at Phantom Ranch or Diamond Creek.
Trip lengths range from 6 days to a little over two weeks. Grand Canyon Raft Adventures meets guests in Flagstaff, AZ, or at the South Rim before each trip and returns guests to Flagstaff, AZ, or the South Rim after each trip.
The cost of a trip is anywhere between $2300 and $4700. The minimum age for Grand Canyon Raft Adventures is ten years. Grand Canyon Raft Adventures is an adventure company that provides an unforgettable experience rafting through one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Grand Canyon Whitewater
Grand Canyon Whitewater is a commercial rafting company that offers guided motor and oar trips through the Grand Canyon. Trips range from 3 to 15 days in length and can be booked for departure from Lees Ferry, Diamond Creek, or Whitmore Wash.
Starting points are available at Whitmore Wash, Diamond Creek, or Lake Mead. The meeting location for all trips is Flagstaff, AZ, and the ending place is also Flagstaff, AZ.
The trip costs range from $1475 to $4250, depending on the length of the journey and the number of people in the group. The minimum age for participants is ten years.
Grand Canyon Whitewater offers a unique opportunity to explore the Grand Canyon by raft. Guided trips provide a chance to learn about the geology, history, and ecology of the Grand Canyon while enjoying its spectacular scenery.
Hatch River Expeditions (Hatch)
Planning a Grand Canyon rafting trip can be daunting, but with Hatch River Expeditions, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.
Hatch is a Grand Canyon rafting company with over 30 years of experience leading motorized and oar-powered trips through the iconic canyon.
With launch points at Lees Ferry and Phantom Ranch and starting points at Phantom Ranch and Whitmore Wash, Hatch offers a variety of trip lengths to suit any schedule.
And whether you’re meeting the group at Marble Canyon or the South Rim, your journey will end at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim or in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Best of all, with prices between $1416 and $4554, a Grand Canyon rafting trip with Hatch is an affordable adventure for everyone.
O.A.R.S.
O.A.R.S. is a Grand Canyon rafting company that offers a variety of trip options for both first-time and experienced rafters. One of the most popular options is the oar-powered trip, which allows rafters to paddle their boat through the canyon.
Launch points for this trip include Lees Ferry and Whitmore Wash, with starting points at Phantom Ranch, Diamond Creek, and Lake Mead.
Trip lengths range from 5 to 18 days, depending on the route taken. Meeting locations for all trips are Flagstaff or Las Vegas, with ending locations of Flagstaff or Las Vegas.
An oar-powered trip costs range from $2749 to $6200 per person. The minimum age for this type of trip is 12 years.
Things to Consider Before Rafting at the Grand Canyon
Do you think about rafting in the grand canyon? Here are five things to consider before you take the plunge.
- The first thing to consider is your experience level. The grand canyon is a prominent, wild place, and rafting requires a certain level of skill. Choosing a route suitable for your abilities is essential if you’re a beginner. Many commercial rafting companies offer trips of varying difficulty levels, so do your research before booking a trip.
- Next is the time of year. The weather in the grand canyon can be extreme, and conditions on the river can change quickly. Pack plenty of sunscreen and water if you’re planning on rafting in the summer. In the winter, nights can be freezing, so you must bring warm clothing. Spring and fall are generally considered the best times to raft the grand canyon, as the weather is more reliable.
- The third thing you must consider is what you want to see. The Grand Canyon is massive, and there’s a lot to see. Do you want to hike down into the depths of the canyon? Or float through its majestic scenery? There are many different routes to choose from, so make sure you select one that fits your interests.
- Fourth, what kind of trip do you want? Are you looking for an adrenaline-filled adventure? Or a more relaxed experience? There are many rafting trips available, so be sure to find one that suits your needs.
- Finally, ensure you’re prepared mentally and physically for the challenge ahead. Rafting on the grand canyon can be a fantastic experience, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re not confident in your ability to safely navigate the river, it’s best to sit this out. And remember: safety first!