How do I book a Grand Canyon river
trip?
How do I choose an outfitter?
How can I obtain printed brochures?
How far in advance should I make my
reservation?
What happens if I cancel my reservation?
Do all outfitters charge the same
rates?
What’s the best time of year
to go?
Can I go on a one or two-day Grand
Canyon river trip?
Will I get wet?
Are the outfitters regulated by the
National Park Service and other government agencies?
What happens if there’s an emergency?
Do I need previous river running
experience?
Do I have to be young and physically
fit?
Can my special diet be accommodated?
Are there bugs, snakes, scorpions,
or other dangerous pests?
What if I don’t know how to
swim?
Can I bring my young children?
Will I get motion sickness?
Can I fish on a Grand Canyon river
trip?
What personal items should I bring?
What items should I not bring?
Can I rent camping equipment from
my outfitter?
Can I bring my own
alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages for personal use?
Can I charter an entire trip for
family or friends?
What common mistakes do people make
that I should avoid?
How can I get the very most out of
my trip?
Can my physical disability or other
special need be accommodated?
What is "Hantavirus
Pulmonary Syndrome?"
What is the Grand
Canyon River Outfitters Association?
-
How
do I book a Grand Canyon river trip?
We suggest you start by taking advantage of the resources found
on this website. First, take a few minutes to learn about the
many and varied trip options available from which you can choose.
Then get to know those outfitters that specialize in the type
of trip you’ve selected. Keep in mind that when you’re
ready to make your reservation, you must contact directly one
or more of the sixteen professional river outfitters licensed
by the National Park Service to provide public whitewater rafting
services in Grand Canyon National Park. These are the folks who’ll
be taking you down the river. The Grand Canyon River Outfitters
Association is a trade group whose members include the licensed
outfitters, but the association is not itself a licensed outfitter.
For detailed instructions about booking a Grand Canyon river trip,
please see our step-by-step guide.
Please
note: Due to limited availability, the National Park Service
restricts recreational boating opportunities on the Colorado River
within Grand Canyon National Park to one trip per year per individual.
Because of this regulation, the Grand Canyon river outfitters
cannot accept a reservation from any individual who has or will
participate in any other full or partial canyon commercial or
non-commercial river trip within the same calendar year.
-
How
do I choose an outfitter?
We suggest you first take a few minutes to learn about all the
available Grand Canyon river trip options. Then, when you’ve
narrowed your choices a bit, take a look at those outfitters who
specialize in the type of trip you’ve selected. Visit their
websites or take a look at their printed materials. When you’re
ready, go ahead and call them up. Get to know the outfitters a
bit and give them the chance to serve you.
-
How
can I obtain printed brochures?
If you’d like to obtain printed materials from any of the
outfitters, click here.
-
How
far in advance should I make my reservation?
Because the overall number of Grand Canyon river trips is tightly
controlled by the National Park Service and because these river
trips are in very high public demand, we strongly suggest you
make your reservation as soon as possible. Booking policies vary
from outfitter to outfitter, so there are no hard and fast rules.
It’s always best to check around. Generally, while late cancellations
are often available, reservations made six months to a year and
a half prior to the departure date are standard practice. Book
as early as possible especially if you have a large group or if
you need specific trip dates. Be sure to check with your outfitter
regarding trip cancellation and deposit refund policies, which
vary from company to company. Also, ask your outfitter about purchasing
trip insurance. The cost is reasonable and this coverage may help
protect your investment should some types of unforeseen circumstances
force you to cancel your reservation.
-
What
happens if I cancel my reservation?
Reservation trip deposit and cancellation policies vary from outfitter
to outfitter. Be sure to understand the specific policies of the
outfitter you’ve selected before you book your trip. To help
protect your investment in your trip, we recommend you obtain
trip cancellation insurance. This coverage may help protect against
some types of unforeseen circumstances that may force you to cancel
or miss your trip's departure. Trip insurance is available from
many independent insurance providers at reasonable rates. Ask
your outfitter for more information.
-
Do
all outfitters charge the same rates?
Trip fares and other rates for transportation services, rental
equipment, and so forth are generally comparable but do vary from
outfitter to outfitter. In general, shorter trips cost less overall
but more per day than longer trips. Longer trips cost more overall
but less per day. Like beauty, value is in the eye of the beholder.
As always, it’s best to shop around. As a consumer, it’s
your responsibility to know and understand exactly what you are
getting and what you are paying for when you purchase an outfitted
Grand Canyon river trip.
-
What’s
the best time of year to go?
Professionally outfitted Grand Canyon river trips run from April
through October. Spring and fall trips offer more mild conditions
and cooler sleeping weather. May, June, and July are the hottest
and most popular months. Daytime temperatures can easily reach
115 degrees during this time. Afternoon showers, while possible
at any time of the year, are more common in July and August. If
you’re interested in lots of off-river hiking, consider a
trip in the spring or fall. If you like the heat, come in the
summer. Due to the presence of Glen Canyon Dam some twenty miles
upstream from the canyon, the river’s temperature is icy
cold all year round. Also because of the dam, the river’s
flow is regulated and no longer fluctuates according to the season.
-
Can
I go on a one or two-day Grand Canyon river trip?
There
are no one or two-day Grand Canyon river trips available. The
Colorado River corridor through the Grand Canyon is 277 miles
long. Due to the canyon’s physical geography, there are only
a few ingress and egress points along this corridor. These limitations
mean that the shortest professionally outfitted Grand Canyon river
trip available is three days in duration. Please review the trip
options page for more information. Some of the Grand Canyon
river outfitters do offer shorter trips on other rivers in the
region. For more information on these trips, please click
here.
-
Will
I get wet?
You will get wet. You will get just a bit splashed or really soaking,
sopping wet depending on the rapid, the run, the type of boat
and how your guide chooses to approach a particular piece of river.
Rain gear is essential not only for the weather but for running
rapids as well.
-
Are
the outfitters regulated by the National Park Service or other
government agencies?
Yes, all of the Grand Canyon’s professional river outfitters
are licensed, regulated, and evaluated annually by the National
Park Service. We work hand in hand with the National Park Service
to make sure your river trip will be the best it possibly can
be. Other governmental agencies who provide regulatory functions
involving Grand Canyon river outfitting include the U.S. Public
Health Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Arizona Department of
Transportation, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration,
Coconino County Health Department, Arizona Game and Fish, and
the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
-
What
happens if there’s an emergency?
All prospective river passengers should understand and appreciate
the fact that the Grand Canyon’s backcountry, including its
river corridor, is a primitive undeveloped environment that demands
our respect. Travel in this area presents inherent unavoidable
risks. Situations can arise when help is not immediately available.
All river passengers are out of touch from family and friends
for the duration of their river trip. All licensed professional
river guides have advanced first aid and emergency medical training.
Moreover, all outfitted river trips carry emergency communications
gear that can be used to contact Grand Canyon National Park’s
emergency services personnel when necessary. In a medical emergency,
evacuations are possible. Every passenger must understand that
the passenger – not the National Park Service and not the
outfitter – is responsible for the costs of an evacuation.
Because helicopters are involved, evacuations from the Grand Canyon’s
river corridor are expensive and can cost as much as $4000. This
fee is billed to the passenger by the National Park Service. Therefore,
we strongly encourage all passengers to either make sure their
standard health insurance will cover this cost or, if not, to
obtain supplemental vacation trip insurance that will. This coverage
is offered by many independent insurance providers at reasonable
rates. Ask your outfitter for more information. Go
here to view independent information about the safety of Grand
Canyon river running.
-
Do
I need previous river running experience?
No, not at all. The vast majority of our guests do not have previous
river running experience. It’s simply not necessary. In fact,
the first night of the trip is, for many of our guests, the first
time they’ve ever spent a night outdoors. Just bring an adventurous
spirit and a willingness to try new things and you’re in
for the adventure of a lifetime.
-
Do
I have to be young and physically fit?
The Grand Canyon river experience is special exactly because it
is available to everyone from the young to the not so young. We
take everyone from kids to grandparents in their sixties, seventies
and yes, even their eighties. It’s all a matter of selecting
the trip style that’s just right for you. Review our trip
options section for specific descriptions and talk to your
outfitter about any concerns you may have.
-
Can
my special diet be accommodated?
Yes, most outfitters can accommodate most special diets. Give
the outfitter you’ve selected a call and discuss your needs
with them.
-
Are
there bugs, snakes, scorpions, or other dangerous pests?
The Grand Canyon is a dry desert environment. Bugs are rarely
a problem. While snakes and scorpions do inhabit the river corridor,
bites and stings are rare. Your guides will explain common sense
precautions that will help you avoid unpleasant encounters.
-
What
if I don’t know how to swim?
Modern safety equipment and techniques mean that Grand Canyon
river running is very safe, even for non-swimmers. To see the
independent statistics, please take a look at our safety page.
All passengers, regardless of swimming ability, are required to
wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type V personal flotation device
at all times while on the river. Do keep in mind that being comfortable
around water will help you enjoy and get the most out of your
trip.
-
Can
I bring my young children?
Generally, children as young at twelve are welcome on most Grand
Canyon river trips. The outfitters have differing policies regarding
the minimum age of children allowed. Talk to your outfitter for
more information.
-
Will
I get motion sickness?
It is extremely unlikely that you will experience any kind of
motion sickness while on the river. The movement of the boats
while running rapids is fun and exciting and lasts for only a
few minutes at a time. On calm water, most people find riding
on the boats very relaxing.
-
Can
I fish on a Grand Canyon river trip?
Depending on the turbidity of the river at the time of your trip,
fishing can be excellent or very poor. Brown and rainbow trout
are the primary game fish. The river’s endangered native
fish are protected by law and should be immediately released unharmed
if hooked. Talk to your outfitter about expected conditions at
the time of your trip. Those wishing to fish will need an Arizona
fishing license and trout stamp. We suggest bringing a collapsible
rod in a protective case.
-
What
personal items should I bring?
After you make your reservation, your outfitter will supply you
with a detailed packing list of all essential and many optional
items. Consider these suggestions carefully as many passengers
tend to heavily over-pack for their trip.
-
What
items should I not bring?
Do not bring firearms, cellular telephones (there’s no coverage
in the canyon and don’t you really need a break from that
thing anyway?), fireworks or other incendiary devices, sensitive
electronic equipment like laptop computers, radios or other electrical
appliances, expensive watches or jewelry or other such valuables,
or large amounts of cash.
-
Can
I rent camping equipment from my outfitter?
Many outfitters have rental equipment available at reasonable
rates. Policies differ from outfitter to outfitter, so check on
the specifics. Some rent equipment while others provide all necessary
equipment including tents and sleeping kits as part of the overall
trip fare. It’s your responsibility to understand what is
and is not included in your trip package. Talk to your outfitter.
-
Can
I bring my own alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages for personal
use?
Yes, all outfitters encourage their guests to bring beverages
for personal use on the trip. Opportunities to purchase such beverages
in Arizona are often afforded on the way to the put-in. Bring
cans, not glass bottles, which will be kept cold in "drag
bags" that hang off the boats into the cold, cold river water.
Please understand that the Grand Canyon river outfitters are prohibited
by Arizona state liquor law from including alcoholic beverages
as part of the river trip and meal services they provide. However,
guests are welcome to bring their own alcoholic beverages for
personal use. In the interests of safety, only the responsible
consumption of alcoholic beverages will be permitted on any Grand
Canyon river trip.
-
Can
I charter an entire trip for family or friends?
Yes, many of the outfitters are pleased to charter an entire river
trip for groups of all kinds. Reservation policies and prices
vary from company to company. Check around to get the specifics.
-
What
common mistakes do people make that I should avoid?
The three most common mistakes people make are: 1) to get sunburned
early in the trip by not taking proper precautions from the beginning,
2) to over-pack, and 3) to bring newly purchased river shoes or
sandals on the trip that are not properly broken in and therefore
cause blisters or other such discomforts. Each of these mistakes
is easily avoidable.
-
How
can I get the very most out of my trip?
Here are a few tips. First, get a little exercise beforehand.
Do it by breaking in that special footwear you purchased. Walk
around the neighborhood in those new river sandals and wear them
in the shower a few times. There’s no need to overdo it,
but river trips are an active outdoor experience. Just a little
bit of exercise before the trip will make a big difference. Once
you get on the river, be flexible and have a positive attitude.
But the main thing to remember is, the more you put into your
trip the more you’ll get out of it.
-
Can
my physical disability or other special need be accommodated?
The Grand Canyon river outfitters are very proud of our efforts
to accommodate persons with even serious physical disabilities
on our river trips. Please see our access
program page for more information.
-
What
is "Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome?"
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is a rare but serious viral infection
predominately reported in rural and backcountry areas of the southwestern
United States. The virus can be transmitted to humans through
contact with rodents or rodent droppings. Symptoms are flu-like
and can lead to extreme difficulty with breathing. For information
about Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome provided by the Centers for
Disease Control, click
here.
-
What
is the Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association?
The Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association (GCROA) is a non-profit
trade group whose members include the sixteen professional river
outfitters who provide public whitewater rafting trips in Grand
Canyon National Park. All members are licensed concessionaires
of the National Park Service. Formed in 1996, GCROA works with
the public and the media to provide information and to answer
questions about Grand Canyon river running and related issues.
For more information about our mission and the work that we do,
please click here.
|
|
