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Have you ever dreamt about rafting through the Grand Canyon, but fear spending days bouncing through the rapids? An alternative may be a water raft trip from Page, AZ, to Lees Ferry in the Grand Canyon. The 15 miles of river adventure is available in half- or full-day trips that include floating around Horseshoe Bend in the Colorado River. It is a family-friendly means of introducing kids to river adventures.
Let the Colorado River's current carry you to discoveries of nature, history, and yourself. There are motor-powered and oar-powered rafting trips. They include rafting through the Grand Canyon on the Columbia River and water trips around Horseshoe Bend in Glen Canyon. Individuals, families, and groups are immersed in a life-changing experience that combines adventure, culture, and nature.
When you stand at the edge of Horseshoe Bend, you may see some brown or tan rafts floating on the river. Visitors are enjoying a half-day rafting trip that starts at the base of the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River. These half-day tours are ideal for the whole family.
The best way to experience the Colorado River's grandeur is aboard a half-day Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip. It is a treat for people of all abilities and ages. The trip is inspiring, beautiful, and calm as you gently float down the river. You stop at some of the most awe-inspiring sites.
Check-in at Page, AZ, River Headquarters. Departing from scenic Page, AZ, the trip begins with an exclusive and exciting motor-coach ride down the two-mile-long access tunnel of the Glen Canyon Dam that was carved from solid rock.
You disembark at Glen Canyon Dam. The dam climbs 700 feet above you. You board a comfortable raft for a downstream journey. For three hours, you experience some of the most dramatic stretches of river in the western U.S. A guide tells the story of explorations by Major John Wesley Powell and others, the area's abundant wildlife, crystal blue-green waters, and soaring sandstone cliffs.
Watch for wildlife, including hawks, ospreys, coyotes, and graceful great blue herons. You may see some of the canyon's resident wild horses. As the raft trip continues, you pass Hislop Cave and learn about the history of the region, stories of the Pueblo people ancestry, the mining culture, and John Doyle Lee.
At some point along the way, the guide shuts off the boat's motor to allow you to enjoy the awesome tranquility of the river. There is a stop to view impressive ancient petroglyphs. On Petroglyph Beach, you learn about the archaic culture and see hand-carved images of bighorn sheep and other ancient canyon dwellers that are perfectly preserved after 5000 years.
You get the opportunity to stretch your legs and enjoy lunch as you bear witness to an area formerly inhabited by ancient native cultures. If you wish, you may wade in the clear, cold river. After the float, you ride back on a bus that takes your from Lees Ferry to Page, AZ. You pass geologic wonders, Navajo Bridge, Marble Canyon, and Vermilion Cliffs along the way.
The Glen Canyon Half-Day Float from Glen Canyon Dam to the Grand Canyon is a rafting trip you will never forget. It is a way to enjoy an incredible day on the Colorado River. All the Horseshoe Bend river adventures are family-friendly. They are available for ages four and up. Chilled water and lemonade are provided.
You can enjoy Glen Canyon at a slower pace on a full-day raft trip. As a half-day raft trip, the journey begins at the River Headquarters in Page, AZ. A motor-coach ride takes you through the two-mile tunnel carved out of a solid rock. You climb aboard the raft at Glen Canyon Dam.
The raft is oar-powered. An experienced oarsman and guide does the rowing and narrates as you enjoy the serenity of the canyon, accompanied by water splashing sounds from the paddles. There is little splash on the flat-water journey, but it is a good idea to pack things that should not get wet in a dry bag or waterproof container. At the season's beginning and end, midday trips have an expected temperature that ranges from the high 70s to mid-80s.
Breezes and cloud cover over the water may cause you to feel chilly. A lightweight fleece jacket placed in a dry bag may be a good idea. On summer days, temperatures exceed 100 degrees. Early morning trips are cooler. Wear breathable, lightweight synthetic fabrics that can be dipped in the water.
Put them on to keep cool. Synthetic fabrics stay light and retain moisture to cool you. Cotton fabrics get soggy and heavy. A dunk-able hat is also recommended. There are opportunities to wade in the water along the way. A swimsuit can be your base layer.
There are stops at Petroglyph Beach and Lunch Beach to see ancient petroglyphs and enjoy a provided deli-style lunch. The trip concludes at Lees Ferry. You are given a ride back to the point of origin. The ride back is part of the adventure. You board an air-conditioned motor-coach that passes by mining era stone structures. orchards that date back to the 1860s, and the breathtaking Vermilion Cliffs.
River adventures also include Grand Canyon white water rafting. There are times of absolute serenity, moments of pure thrills, a deep connection with nature, and a feeling of togetherness within the group. The combination creates a truly life-changing experience.
You hear about the history and geology of the mighty Colorado River. Wonderful new friendships are made, and bonds are formed that may last a lifetime. All occurs under the experience and guidance of the industry's best guides. There are oar-powered and motor-powered rafts available for the river adventures of white water rapids.
Instead of a trip that covers 15 miles, you experience 188 miles of river, complete with its 67 rated rapids. You will brag about them for years to come. These river adventures start at Lees Ferry. There is bus transportation from Page, AZ. The trip ends at Whitmore Wash. Return transportation is provided by helicopter to Bar 10 Ranch. From there, take a flight to Las Vegas, NV, or Page, AZ.
Experienced guides do more than help with the white water rafting. They do all the cooking, which is spiced up with fascinating facts of astronomy, geology, and canyon folklore. Provisions include a tent, cot, sleeping bag, camp chair, stowage for clothes and camera, life jackets, all meals, drinking water, and soft drinks. You will marvel at cliff walls that rise almost a mile overhead, ancient Indian ruins, and pristine waterfalls. You will be surrounded by wildlife that includes mule deer, foxes, bighorn sheep, coyotes, condors, and eagles.
There are a variety of river adventures to choose from. There are half to 18-day motorized raft trips or a 12 to 18-day oar-powered raft trip. For some, you need to arrive at Page, AZ, the day before the trip for a 'Meet & Greet' orientation, which requires accommodations that are separate from the Glen Canyon float trips.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is for recreation and conservation of the National Park service. It encompasses 1,254,429 acres around Lake Powell, lower Cataract Canyon in Utah, and Arizona. The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area was developed in 1972.
It is meant to provide preservation and recreation. The area differs from a national park where the emphasis is on natural preservation. The Glen Canyon National Park Area is intended to provide public use and enjoyment and preserve the area's scenic, historical, and scientific features.
Glen Canyon float trips are an excellent way to enjoy the area and see all of those features. Tour highlights include:
This is a place where over a million travelers come to see the dramatically beautiful views of the Colorado River and Glen Canyon. The ADA-accessible area provides places for people from all walks of life to enjoy the majestic scenery of the Southwest.
The unforgettable place can be easily damaged and needs your help. Here are ways to practice 'Leave No Trace' on your visit. Plan ahead. Over 250 medical emergencies per month occur at Horseshoe Bend. Most are heat-related. Appropriate shoes, water, and sunscreen are needed for a safe and enjoyable visit.
The heat can be harmful to pets. Consider leaving them at home. Dogs taken to Horseshoe Bend must be kept on a leash and all solid waste packed up. A desert is a fragile place. Stay on designated areas to preserve vegetation and wildlife.
Litter is harmful to wildlife and the soil and water. Pack up everything you pack in. Leaving a mark is overrated. Carving on sandstone causes a permanent scar, even if it is removed. It ruins the natural beauty of the landscape for everyone. Drones are not allowed in a national park. That includes Horseshoe Bend National Park. Their noise can be disruptive to wildlife and other visitors.
Bathrooms are available at the Glen Canyon National Park parking lot. Please do not use the trail or the overlook as a bathroom to minimize contamination and avoid social impact. These guidelines help preserve the national park and Horseshoe Bend. Enjoy your visit and leave no trace. Much of this advice also pertains to Horseshoe Bend rafting
Trying to book a date that meets your specific needs can be a bit of a challenge. Advantage Grand Canyon is a company aware of all the hiking vistas, caverns, rapids, and wildlife that are found in the Grand Canyon. They don't want visitors to miss any of it.
AGC is on a mission to ensure visitors have the best opportunity to choose river adventures they desire. They have access to all rafting trips and operators who run the river. Going through them increases the chance of booking for intended travel dates that meet specific needs.
They do all the work. Visitors are not limited to just what a few operators have to offer. Relationships they have built allow them to aggregate every rafting trip they run. All of them are made available. Visitors pay no more when they use the services of Advantage Grand Canyon. Operators pay them a fee that does not come out of the pockets of visitors. If you want to go Horseshoe Bend rafting, just let them know. They have access to many other float trips for either full- or half-day.
Rafting Grand Canyon is rated as one of the top vacations in the world. It is an exciting way to explore the adventurer in you. There are many options. They include trip length, route, and duration. A great place to start planning river adventures is determining the raft type you want to be in while navigating the Colorado River. Rafting trips are motorized, oar-powered, or paddle raft expeditions. The decision of a raft is determined by the time available and sightseeing preferences.
Motorized rafting is among the most popular option for Colorado River Rafting. More motor trips launch in the Colorado River than all other rafts combined. There are reasons for that. Whether your wilderness river adventures include exploring the Lower Canyon, Upper Canyon, or the whole Colorado River, motorized rafting saves time and physical exertion.
Motorized raft trips allow plenty of time to experience the ancient geological structures, stunning cultural sites, sparkling side canyons, and the canyon's exhilarating rapids. A motorized trip saves time traveling that can be used to hike, raft, and explore the diverse set of attractions found in the canyon.
The raft covers more distance in a day than oar-powered rafts. It is a popular choice for those with children or teens who seek more activities. A motorized raft offers the most comfortable seating positions. They are great for guests who feel more secure with a larger type of raft.
They travel at about six to ten miles per hour. At that rate, visitors can see the entire length of National Park in six to ten days. Those limited on time can ask for three to five-day motor adventures at the Upper, Lower, or Western segment of the region. Motorized adventures consist of an active itinerary that covers more rapids and attractions on a daily basis. There are 12 to 14 spaces on the boat. The trips are great for solo travelers and families.
Unlike a paddle raft, visitors are not expected to propel or steer an oar-powered raft. Raft mates remain seated while the river guide, centered in the middle of the raft, directs the craft with two large oars. Through calm areas of the Colorado River, passengers may take turns steering if they so desire. The rafts travel at about two to four miles per hour slower than motorized rafts.
Traveling with a paddle raft is among the most demanding ways to travel the Colorado River. Propulsion comes from raft mates and the river guide. Guests are given a paddle. The guide shows them how to steer, accelerate, and decelerate the raft. A paddle raft is smaller than either a motorized or oar-powered.
If you'd like to learn about a Glen Canyon full or half-day float trip, or if you'd like to book one or more rafting tours, please reach out to our friendly team at 888-244-2224 / 928-351-7711 or send us an email info@advantagegrandcanyon.com.
