Important things to ask when choosing a GRAND CANYON RAFTING trip

Q1

How many passengers will be on the trip and how many people will ride on each raft?

A1

A smaller group size and more importantly a smaller number of passengers on each raft will lead to a better trip. On a motorized rafting expedition look for 12 or less on each raft.

Q2

Where does the trip begin and end?

A2

Make sure you are rafting the entire length of the canyon Lees Ferry to Lake Mead on Motor Trips.

For rowing or paddle trips you may wish to end at Whitmore Wash.

GRAND CANYON RAFTING SECTIONS

Section--------------------------------------Length

Lees Ferry to Lake Mead----------------280 Miles

Lees Ferry to Whitmore Wash----------188 Miles

Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek-----------225 Miles

Lees Ferry to Phantom Ranch------------87 Miles

Phantom Ranch to Lake Mead-----------193 Miles

Phantom Ranch to Diamond Creek------138 Miles

Phantom Ranch to Whitmore Wash------101 Miles

Whitmore Wash to Lake Mead-------------92 Miles

Diamond Creek to Lake Mead-------------55 Miles

Lees Ferry to Lake Mead

This is the Best Trip offered. Not only will you see the canyon walls rise and fall, but you will also run all of the rapids and see all of the great sites.

Lees Ferry to Whitmore Wash

This is a good trip as well. Most of the rapids and famous sites are contained in this section. This is my pick for rowing and paddle trips because of the problems that arise from Lake Mead.

Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek

This is also a good trip. The lower gorge that is missed is a shame though.

Lees Ferry to Phantom Ranch

This section is known as the Upper Grand Canyon. It is a fabulous section which includes the Little Colorado, Nankoweep, Redwall Cavern, and Vaseys Paradise. This section also includes Hance, Sockdolager, Grapevine, and House Rock Rapids. This section usually only takes a few days, but a hike out of the canyon is required.

Phantom Ranch to Lake Mead

This section is known as the Lower Grand Canyon. The best rapids are found below Phantom Ranch. Also Havasu, Deer Creek, and Elves Chasm are in this section.

Phantom Ranch to Whitmore Wash

Another very nice section of river.  Start with big rapids and end with Lava Falls.

Whitmore Wash to Lake Mead

I do not think this is a very good value.  You miss the best rapids. You miss the best side canyons. This trip is way over priced.  Run the entire canyon or try a Colorado River rafting trip through Cataract Canyon on the upper Colorado instead.

Diamond Creek to Lake Mead

Lets see 12 miles of river and then nothing but Lake Mead.  Stay away from this one. Try Westwater Canyon on the upper Colorado River instead.

MOTOR TRIP VS ROWING TRIP VS PADDLE TRIP

Grand Canyon Motor Trip Information

The Grand Canyon motor trip is my favorite trip. It offers the advantage of being able to cover many river miles in a short amount of time. This allows for a lot of hiking and side canyon exploring. It also allows a lot more flexibility in finding camps and planning for all day side canyon excursions. These rafts also have the ability to carry plenty of ice. These rafts require the most skill to operate.

Grand Canyon Row Trip Information

The Grand Canyon row trip is the trip for purists. The silence of the calm river mixed with the excitement of the rapids makes for an awesome trip. When you book your trip you may want to make sure that there are no motor rafts used as support boats.

Grand Canyon Paddle Trip Information

The Grand Canyon Paddle Trip is the best trip for those wanting all of the excitement of the rapids. They also are a good option for those wishing to get a great workout everyday. Be prepared to swim some rapids if you choose this option.

TABLE SHOWING BOAT CAPACITIES

Craft--------# pass/boat----- #crew/boat---Trip Length(days)

Motor-------------11-15------------------ 2-3 --------------------7-10

  

Oar ----------------3-5----------------------1--------------------10-18

Paddle ------------6-8---------------------- 1--------------------10-18

WHAT IS A DORY?

A Dory is a rigid flat bottom boat used for whitewater rafting.  Before there were inflatable rafts, wooden boats were the only way to ride the rapids of the Grand Canyon.  Now the Dory is more of a novelty.  Most trips that run Dories support these trips with other rafts.