Looking for a rafting adventure? When it comes to whitewater whole or half day rafting, Arizona is the first place to come to mind with Colorado River adventures constantly providing a heavy stream freshwater perfect for this activity. Perhaps one of the most popular ones is the Horseshoe Bend - but that's actually just the first page of an exciting book!
So let’s say you’ve already made the decision to experience a trip of day rafting on the Grand Canyon or Glen Canyon Dam. Perhaps you've decide you want to try the Horseshoe Bend? Here’s everything else you need to know to experience river adventures in an awesome rafting trip. Interested in Kayaking Horseshoe Bend? Click here to do so.
Web page sites will tell you that water rafting is a sport that’s available the whole year. To experience the large tides of Grand Canyon, the excellent weather, and the amazing flora along the way– then May is the optimal month to visit according to many page AZ weather sites. During this time, the weather for rafting trips won't be as harsh so staying outdoors won't cause sunburns. The flowers are also blooming at this time so the river coast will be teeming along the way to the bottom. You’ll be absorbing the best of the wilderness river within a small window of time.
Other viable months for visit are April and June – but for entirely different reasons. With April, you get a slightly colder climate with hikes along the side-canyon. During April however, the weather will be slightly hotter – but the water will be clearer and calmer, giving an amazing turquoise blue look to the surface of the river.
August is perhaps the hottest month for Horseshoe Bend river adventures with the temperature reaching up to 3 digits. Try to avoid these times for rafting trips, especially if you prefer a smooth experience compared to high-turbulent tour experience. Around the end of September, the temperature becomes friendlier again with less people visiting the Canyon Dam. You can try booking for these dates for a day rafting trip of Horseshoe Bend and avoid the crowd.
There are several modes of transport from air service to shuttle service going to Arizona from Las Vegas. You can also go on a road trip to Arizona from Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, or any other nearby place. The drive can take as much as 5 hours depending on your location, but this should leave you in perfect control of your schedule. Since the road going there is perfectly paved, there shouldn’t be any problems with the trip. For air travel, Contour Airlines offers flights from Phoenix and Las Vegas and vice versa. Make sure to check the web page of providers to see the trips they cover with a lump sum payment.
Yes – but your tour guides should secure this for you ahead of time. After all, the Canyon Dam as well as the Glen Cayon Dam are protected areas. There are also certain limits on what you can do on the Colorado River. Your tour guide during the rafting trips should keep you informed or it should be displayed through their web page.
The total cost really depends on where and what kind of rafting trip you’re taking. There are 1-day rafting trips, 7-day white water trips, and certain river trips in between. Obviously, the cost also goes up as your tour of the Grand Canyon is extended. The upside of that is you’re experiencing more of the wilderness river tour. You can explore more of the Colorado River and enjoy the Horseshoe Bend and the Glen Cayon at a more relaxed pace.
If you’re taking a 3 day rafting trip, expect to pay a ceiling of $2,000. If you’re taking week long rafting trips, you might need to shell out as much as 4,000 USD according to a tourist page AZ. It’s a careful balance between time, money, and Grand Canyon experience – which is why the input of experts from web page AZ becomes crucial. You can narrow down the options into what river adventures you really want experience and then how much time you have in Arizona. Once done, it becomes easier to settle on a rafting trip budget. In the alternative, you can check a web page AZ for tours and see which one fits your budget for a Glen Canyon Dam river rafting trip and go from there.
Most Colorado River rafting trips today have created a convenient package setup displayed through their web page AZ. This lets you pick and choose the experience that's best for you. Some even include costs of transfer from Las Vegas to the Canyon Dam. Hence, if you want a smooth river tour starting with a pick up from Las Vegas all the way to the Colorado River and the actual Horseshoe Bend, this is a good plan.
Some web page for Arizona trips however will offer a per head pricing for float trips of the Glen Canyon Dam and the Horseshoe Bend. You can join the Colorado River tour and form part of a group for a day rafting trip or you can call your group of friends in Las Vegas and book the float trip with people you know. Either way, you'll be able to experience the Glen Canyon Dam and the river adventures.
According to web page AZ, the Grand Canyon is formed by three parts. Each rafting trip typically covers only one part. Of course, you have the option of covering them all through extensive river adventures. –If you have to choose rafting trips however, here's what you should know:
The first 88 miles from Lee’s Ferry to Phantom Ranch. This is the phase that boasts of the Roaring 20’s Rapids and the Little Colorado River. It’s not as intense as the other river parts with some portions letting you enjoy the group of birds fleeting across the sides.
From 88 to the 188-mile point. This covers the Phantom Ranch area down to Whitmore Wash. In between, you get the Hermit and Crystal Rapids, the Elves Chasm, the Thunder River, the Patio and Source, and the Lava Falls. It’s an exciting trip of river rapids and calmness, giving you just enough time to enjoy the view before bringing on the exciting wilderness river.
From Whitemore Wash onwards. The third phase end at 277 miles which is the grand total of the river canyon. This lower phase lets you tour the Travertine Falls and the mesmerizing blackness of the Lower Granite Gorge. At this stage, the wilderness river rapid gets smooth water with more fun-splashes than actual cardio-inducing runs.
Aside from the Grand Canyon, there’s also the Glen Canyon Dam which is another option for river rafting according to a page AZ. It’s found on the upper portion of the Grand Canyon and is actually a float trip, perfect for those who want to enjoy the calm river waters . With the Glen Canyon rafting tour, the required age minimum is lowered down to just 3 years old, making it an ideal half day rafting family trip, covering 15 miles.
Typically a half day trip, this Glen Canyon option includes the Horseshoe Bend, the Petroglyph Beach, and Lee’s Ferry which is where the Grand Canyon’s first phase typically starts. During the stop at the beach, you should be able to take a relaxing dip before heading on to the Horseshoe Bend rafting tour with calmer waters. Some tour guides might have their own limits so make sure to take their page.
There are two kinds of crafts being used for the wilderness river. First is a motor-powered one which helps you tour the river as quickly as possible. This is the default choice when it comes to half day horseshoe bend rafting as guides bring you to the most breathtaking parts of the wilderness river, making sure all of Glen Canyon is enjoyed. Adventurers who want to take things slow and explore every portion of the Colorado river can take the man-powered tour type, which basically means you’ll be paddling through Glen Canyon. It’s a slower pace that lets you really take in the scenery in the float trip tour, although you might not be able to see as much as you want in this setup.
Since whitewater rafting includes many bumps and bends, you might find some age restrictions in place – but this really varies depending on the Arizona river you want to tackle. For example, the Grand Canyon wilderness river has an age requirement of 12 for the first two phases because of the rapid waves. If you only plan to visit the third phase however, the requirement is lowered to 9 years old thanks to the calmer float trip. The Arizona Glen Canyon is much more family-friendly with an age requirement of 4 years old according to page AZ guide tips. Make sure to contact your guide via their web page if you intend to bring children along.
According to web page AZ guides, inclusion in the raft is really a judgment call for seniors. The fact is that many people in their 60s and 70s still enjoy going rafting – especially for float trips. If you’re only taking the latter part of the Grand Canyon or opting for the Horseshoe Bend rafting, then having seniors on the Colorado River boat float trip should not be a problem. Some guides however may placed added limits on their page AZ so make sure to ask ahead of time by contacting them via their web page.
What you bring really depends on where you intend to go. For rafting on the Grand Canyon, you’d want to limit yourself to valuables. Cameras and selfie sticks are fine including different snacks. Hard coolers however might be a problem and will need to be consulted with your tour guide. The typical outdoor staples like your sunblock, lip balm, water, cold weather clothes, and medication are all encouraged. If you have a set of binoculars, bring it, too and you should be able to appreciate the surroundings even more.
Every page AZ will warn you that all guns and ammunition are NOT allowed – even if you have a concealed carry permit or even if you’re an officer who is not on duty. The Glen Canyon is federal property so any Horseshoe Bend rafting trip must be done safely without firearms.
Wilderness river whitewater rafting is a sport and like all sports, there’s a certain amount of risk involved. In the more turbulent parts of the Colorado river, you might find yourself in danger of falling off the raft. Don’t worry though as this rarely happens, the constant bouncing in fact adding to the excitement of the Horseshoe bend rafting ride. All guests will be equipped with lifesaving jackets to ensure that even if you do fall off, you can easily keep yourself afloat on the Colorado river. These jackets are coast guard approved and you have the company of experienced Horseshoe bend rafting guides. Even if you can’t swim, you’ll find that these Colorado River rapids are safe.
It really depends on the size of the raft. You’ll find that most Glen Canyong packages will accommodate as much as 10 people in one go. The rafting is typically paid not per head but rather per trip – which means that you will be paying a set amount even if you fall below the suggested number. Some Horseshoe Bend Rafting trips however will require fewer people in one ride, but each time making sure that there’s enough weight on the raft to guarantee safety for all 15 miles. Make sure to check the web page AZ of the guide to see how many they can accommodate per Horseshoe Bend Rafting.
Going on your own in the Colorado River can be dangerous – especially if you don’t have the experience to back you up. The good news is that there are some solo half day trips that you can try – and they don’t require permits. These trips are usually upstream – which means that you’ll be starting from Lee’s Ferry going to the Glen Canyon Dam which takes 15 miles. A powerboat can be hired for this trip. Some adventurers go as far as bringing a kayak with them on the powerboat. Once they reach the Glen Canyon Dam, they ride the kayak downstream for a leisurely 15 miles float trip. Note however that this is not advisable for horseshoe bend rafting beginners as there is no way you can disembark from the kayak halfway down. You need to finish the Glen Canyon trip all the way to Lee’s Ferry.
Most people think about how to get into the Colorado River without really wondering how they’re supposed to get out. Well, this is something you need to consider beforehand because you might not be ready for added exercise, especially after a tiring Horseshoe Bend rafting.
There are 2 possible ways to get out. First is by hiking up to the canyon, the trek usually covering anywhere from 8 to 18 miles, which can take half day to finish. Of course, if you’re not really into hiking – you can always have a helicopter transfer. For the helicopter part, this usually needs to be done at the bottom or at the end of the canyon. If you decide to end your trip after the third phase, then this shouldn’t be a problem. However, if you’ve only done the 2nd phase, then you’ll need to take a boat through the end and then grab your helicopter from there. Trips back to Las Vegas usually depend on the guide. You might want to check their page AZ to find out what Las Vegas return options they offer.
The one day trip or half day rafting often covers the Diamond Creek and concludes around the latter part of the Grand Canyon. If we’re counting from mile 0, then the one day trip starts at the 226th mile and ends at the 265th. Since it’s just half day of exploring the Colorado River, you can expect to go back to your hotel after the experience and then head back to Las Vegas to catch your flight home. If you prefer, there's also the Horseshoe Bend Rafting which also takes half a day but covers a different part of the Colorado River.
With a rapids and float trip that covers 3 to 4 days, you’ll be camping outdoors for at least two nights. It starts a bit farther down the canyon, often at the 188th mile of the river. A helicopter drops you off the jump-off point from which you’ll alternate from raft to camp until you reach the end of the expedition. Depending on your personal preferences, you can then take a helicopter to the rim or hike it yourself before heading back to Las Vegas to catch a flight! The guide page will have a more detailed itinerary for this trip.
The setup really depends on your guide. Typically, however, a 3 to a 4-day trip that requires outdoor camping means that the guide will be the ones providing the camping setup. Hence, you don’t really need to bring your own as they will be taking care of all your needs during that time – even food. Don’t expect 5-star hotel service however as this is the wild outdoors. The guide page should tell you exactly what they're providing during the experience in terms of shelter and food.
Known as the “Other Grand Canyon”, you also have the option of going Salt River Rafting. It’s a bit tamer than the Grand Canyon or Horseshoe Bend Rafting with adventurers often using paddle boards to navigate their way through the turbulent waters. It covers just 10 miles of river and has Class III rapids which are OK even for those who aren’t athletic. it should take half day at most.
The slow pace of this rafting adventure gives you the chance to truly enjoy and embrace what’s around you during the trip. There are Indian ruins and all kinds of flora and fauna through the course, giving you the opportunity to take pictures as you go. As with the Grand Canyon whitewater rafting trips, going through the Salt River lets you take up a 3-day trip for a full excursion before going home to Las Vegas.
Walk-ins are welcome but not prioritized. Keep in mind that the tourist-heavy months can severely dampen the ability of guides to accommodate everyone. If you walk in during a top-heavy season, then you might be disappointed. This is why you have to check the page of your preferred guide before going. Most web pages have contact information that will let you call them so you can plan ahead.
Of course, you can! Cameras are encouraged in white water rafting excursions. Note though that if you plan to go on turbulent half day water rides, its best to make sure your camera is well covered or is waterproof – otherwise you might not be happy with the results. Ask guides via their web page beforehand for any information about availability of water proofing gears. A good page guide should also tell you if there's a need to bring multiple power banks or if they can offer some type of power source. This is crucial if you're not taking a half day tour.
The beauty here is that some guides actually offer photo tours for guests. Check if they have this on their page or you can always inquire about it.
Check any web page AZ to see what's in store. If you loved the adventure of whitewater rafting, then chances are you’re also open to other outdoor activities within the area. Arizona is known for its slew of outdoor activities beyond the Horseshoe Bedn and the Canyon. There’s the pure-hiking trip around the Havasu Canyon that will lead you to multiple waterfalls and secluded swimming holes. Even before you reach the site from Las Vegas, you should note many attractions along the way.
There’s also the Verde Hot Springs which is popular with the locals. Getting there is a combination of rough road driving and hiking – but the trip itself is worth it. Along the way, you’ll find many watering holes and waterfalls. It’s best to go with a group or local guide since the trail can be quite confusing and there are no web pages dedicated for its navigation.
Other options include taking a mountain bike off Prescott. Many guide page sites will give you direct links to bicycles for rent near the area There’s a wide range of trails so if this is your first time on a bike, this outdoor adventure isn’t really advisable. Instead, you can go off-roading and just enjoy the bumpy ride before leaving for Las Vegas.
There are online page sites today that offer a comprehensive listing of what else is available in the State. Some page will even list attractions based on how close they are to your current location.
Any other concerns you might have can be asked directly from your preferred service provider via their web page. One thing to note however is that there might be local laws or restrictions in place because of the recent COVID 19 outbreak. Hence, you’d want to find out exactly how the State, the city, and the tourist industry in the area have adjusted their services to ensure safety for all of their guests. Also be wary of how you can go back to your point of origin. For example, you might need to secure Las Vegas passes to go back to the city. Feel free to contact guides through their web page if you want to ask questions that are not answered in this page.