Whitewater rafting is an exhilarating activity. But a rafting trip down the Colorado River, which takes you along the Grand Canyon, is an adventure of a lifetime.
The river offers a balance of heart-pumping rapids and serene smooth water floating. Rafters are treated to views of the gorgeous side canyons, and can even take trips to explore them during their journey.
Enchanting views in Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon is one of America’s most popular national parks. The canyon is absolutely massive, sometimes reaching as tall as a mile, and also visually stunning. The red rock formations dazzle rafters with each twist and turn down the river.
Over billions of years, the Colorado River carved out the incredible canyon that runs 277 miles across Arizona in the Grand Canyon National Park.
Choosing a rafting tour
Take a tour to learn from enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides. You can choose tours that vary in length, usually ranging from 3 to 21 days long. To get the full canyon experience requires at least six days. But there are abbreviated options that take you through either the upper or lower section of the river. Keep in mind that the lower section is much more challenging!
Another thing to consider when choosing a tour is what type of watercraft you want to use. You have the choice of using a motorized or a human-powered raft.
Know before you go
If you decide to raft the entire length, you don’t necessarily have to be in strong physical shape if you stick with an oar boat or a dory boat. But you need to have strong endurance, as you’ll be sitting for several hours a day in the sun. And if you choose a paddle boat, you’ll need to have good core strength as well as upper body strength.
The minimum age to raft the Colorado River is usually 12, depending on the tour you go with. No experience is required but you will need to plan your trip well in advance, as they’re often booked out.
Kat Sweet
Add comment