Grand Canyon White Water Rafting
The Grand Canyon in Arizona is a fantastic place to visit, whether you are there for the view along the south rim of the canyon, to hike on one of the many trails or to go white water rafting down the Colorado river. This post will provide some information about Grand Canyon White Water Rafting. Check out a previous post about the Top 10 White Water Rafting Locations World Wide for other locations you may be interested in. Whatever you decide to do, the Grand Canyon is well worth the time spent to visit this scenic wonder.
Rafting Trip – Grand Canyon from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek
Description–
The Grand Canyon is an amazing place to visit. Every year, thousands of visitors from around the world gather at the Canyon’s south rim to look down into its magnificent vastness. Many also travel through it, via the Colorado River observing subtle and dramatic changes as the canyon walls climb towards the sky illustrating untold years of geological history. Terrific side hikes are also possible for the more adventurous.
Visit Marble Canyon, the Inner Gorge, terrific side hikes and Indian ruins, crystalline creeks and waterfalls, cactus gardens and whitewater galore.
The two most noted of the Colorado’s rapids, Crystal and Lava Falls, are both rated a 10. The intensity of all rapids naturally depends on the water level, so readings for low and high water levels may vary slightly.
River Rating –
Depending on water flow Grand Canyon White water rafting rapids can be rated from 1 to 10. A 10 is the same as a Class IV on the standard river rafting scale. Check with a white water tour company for current conditions based on time of year and weather conditions. The two most noted of the Colorado’s white water rapids, Crystal and Lava Falls, are both rated a 10.
Number of Rapids –
There are 47 white water rapids rated 5 or higher on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, however this does vary by time of year as previously mentioned.
Minimum Age –
The minimum age varies by white water tour company, however many limited kids under 8 for motorized rafting trips and 12 years old for an oar powered trip. In addition, you may also want to inquire about the rating of the rapids that you will be traversing to confirm age requirements and safety issues.
Departure Dates –
Rafting season typically runs from April to October depending on local conditions. check with a whitewater rafting tour company for specifics. We also recommend that you reserve in advance, particularly if you need specific dates.
Boat Type –
Boat types can be motorized or oar driven boats and they will vary by size. Each comes with a guide and the oar driven trips are usually longer since you drift with the current. A full trip can take 7 days for a motorized trip and as much as 18 days for the oar driven trip.
What to Bring –
Most tour companies will provide you with a complete list of what to bring on your white water rafting tour. You will need the essentials and you will need both warm and cool clothing due to the temperature extremes in the desert. Waterproof bags are ideal. Here is a short list of possible things you may want to bring, however check with your tour company first:
Here is a quick list of items that you may want to consider for your next trip. If you are unsure of what you will need, speak to the organizer or guide for your white water trip to make sure that you are well prepared.
- Bags
- Padding and clothing
- Dry suits and wet suits
- Plastic Cases & Boxes
- Footwear
- Men’s & women’s casuals
- Insulation and Underwear
- Sunglasses
- Hats & Gloves
- Rain wear
- Kid’s Clothing
- Swimsuits
Reviews – The best rapids for whitewater rafting are House Rock, Unkar, Horn Creek, Granite, Hermit, Crystal, Lava Falls. The length is 225 miles; 364 KM. There are also lots of hiking trails available that are easy as well as difficult. Some tour companies plan short hikes as well as part of their tours. Check with your tour company before you reserve.
Comments are appreciated, especially those people who have traveled the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. We will approve all constructive and helpful comments including a link to your site for those comments that meet our criteria.
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June 5th, 2012 at 11:29 am
the views in the grand canyon are utterly fantastic. Everyone should hike to base of the grand canyon or take a white water trip down the colorado river at least once in their life.
May 18th, 2017 at 7:34 am
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