Some lodging and tours require a year in advance, while some things can. We offer guided, multiday, whitewater rafting trips in grand canyon national park ranging from 3 to 15 days. Glen and bessie hyde were newlyweds who disappeared while attempting to run the rapids of the colorado river through grand canyon, arizona in 1928. Endless in scenic wonder, rich in native american history and loaded with fun and adventure, western river expeditions grand canyon rafting tours are a onceinalifetime experience. Gcex has been an authorized concessionaire of the national park service from 19642020. Imagine drifting by raft down an ancient river flowing between magnificent red rock canyon walls and through impressive white water rapids. There are different river trip opportunities through grand canyon national park. Weve made a list of some of our favorite grand canyon rafting books. Rivers lend themselves to stories, and stories lend themselves to books. Two day grand canyon rafting trip rivers and oceans. Rafting the colorado river through the grand canyon is perhaps the best river trip in the world. Belknaps waterproof grand canyon river guide all new edition. The essential grand canyon reading list july 4, 2012 in grand canyon blog, grand canyon profiled, grand canyon things to do by grandcanyon wild open outdoors, marshmallows roasting on open fires, a bubbling stream, a playful zephyr, a cozy tent, a hot cup of cocoa, vast expanses of nature in the raw, you and nothing else in between.
From lees ferry to grand wash cliffs, the grand canyon is 277 river miles 445. One thing you definitely should add to your packing list is a good book. Rafting the grand canyon bucket adventure guides book 1. Essential grand canyon books rafting colorado river and trail. The ultimate bucket list river trip, grand canyon whitewater rafting trips are a onceinalifetime opportunity. Phantom ranch is a historic oasis nestled at the bottom of grand canyon. There are now only 10 mule saddles daily available to take you to the bottom of the grand canyon for an overnight stay at phantom ranch. So naturally, there have been a couple of great river books over the years. As a testament to how difficult running the colorado through grand canyon is, it would take 80 years from that first expedition for the next 100 people to complete the journey. The setting is a rafting trip through the grand canyon, and the people watching is done. The grand canyon mule rides were severely limited by the 2011 grand canyon stock use plan. Grand canyon rafting trips best white water rafting. Weve put together a list of some staff favorites for you to read before your trip.
Grand canyon whitewater colorado river rafting trips give you the opportunity to be in one of the most spectacular places on earth, and to truly get to know the grand canyon and the colorado river. The majesty of the grand canyon is celebrated from the colorado river as it continues to carve americas natural wonder from a. Commercial colorado river rafting operations in the grand canyon are only active from april through to october. The next day, on august 29, 1869, powell and his men passed grand wash and knew they had emerged safely at the end of grand canyon and their historic journey. This is the perfect book for someone whos serious about wanting to take a rafting trip down the grand canyon, who wants to learn exceptionally helpful details on planning and taking such a trip, who also has a sense of humor about themselves and others. Wilderness river adventures grand canyon, glen canyon. One of our unique adventures is the 3 day motor trip that blends a western ranch experience with a whitewater adventure. Allow history and nature to accompany you on this grand expedition. How to book a grand canyon river rafting trip my grand. Passengers must be age 8 or older to participate in this trip. It is the only smoothwater raft trip on the colorado river just before grand canyon. Good reads for grand canyon grand canyon whitewater.
Exploring the grand canyon by river is an experience you truly wont forget. The view from the rim is spectacular, but the view from a raft is even better. This chapter includes information on river guide books, plant books, geology books, etc. As the first rafting outfitter in north america, hatch river expeditions provides the ultimate grand canyon white water rafting adventure. Run rapids on the colorado river, hike to travertine falls, have lunch on the river bank, and take a helicopter ride to the rim all in one day. It was written to help interpreters, tour guides, teachers and others learn more about the canyon s geology and to help them share the parks geology with others. Spend two days on the colorado river and one magnificent night camping under the stars in the grand canyon. So relax and enjoy the grandeur of the grand canyon on one of our five best of grand canyon colorado river rafting trips. Friends who went rafting off the grid in the grand canyon. The grand canyon is a source of inspiration for many, meaning there is no shortage of literature about it. Because of the difficulty of the mandatory hike into the canyon, you must call us to book online reservations are not allowed. In the heart of the canyon by elisabeth hyde goodreads.
In our continued effort to run the best grand canyon river trips we now pick up your room before and after your trip. From the early explorations of john wesley powell to the daring speed record of kenton grua, the literature of the grand canyon is a genre. Behind the geological wonders of the canyon, there lies a world of waterfalls and other rock formations that can only be reached through the colorado river. All books set in the grand canyon national park on the global book map. Wilderness river adventures, managed by aramark, is an authorized concessioner of the national park service, grand canyon national park, canyonlands national park and glen canyon. We are an active couple of middle aged and senior but not after camping. Heres the rundown on our editors recent grand canyon rafting experience, including what to. Grand canyon whitewater rafting trips whitewater rafting trips in the upper or lower grand canyon. Whitewater rafting is a thrilling way to experience the grand canyon, and whitewater rafting at grand canyon west is truly an experience like no other. Childrens stories about adventure, friendship, nature, family in the beautiful grand. This essential comprehensive book prepares you for your multiday grand canyon whitewater river adventure. Running the colorado river written by thomas blagden jr. As these adventurers can attest, you havent fully experienced the canyon until youve rafted the colorado river. Here are three of the best grand canyon kids books.
I have just started to plan hiking grand canyon next march. Grand canyon info here are a few great books to read about pass river runners and there daring adventures dow the colorado river. The grand canyon section of the colorado river sees about 29,000 boaters each year source. Most grand canyon rafting trips book a year or two in advance. Perhaps the most storied rapid in all of north america, if you have heard just one tale of rafting in the grand canyon, youve heard of lava. It is on the north side of the colorado river tucked in beside bright angel creek.
This money is used for research and protection of the grand canyon as well as groups working to provide access to trips for those with physical and socioeconomic challenges. The epic story of the fastest ride in history through the heart of the grand canyon fedarko, kevin on. Heres the rundown on our editors recent grand canyon rafting experience, including what to know about how to start planning yours. A winter float of the grand canyon switchback travel. The following books focus on river running through the canyon and are. This book is good for grand canyon rafting passengers, but it does not replace some of the better guide books for rowing the river. I really like this tour companys 2n3d itinerary that is hotel based.
Exploring the grand canyon by river is an experience unlike any other. This trip requires a mandatory 8mile hike into the grand canyon. Choose a whitewater rafting trip if youve a year to plan and 3 5 days for the trip. Guide to the colorado river through grand canyon fifth edition by tom martin and duwain whitis, vishnu temple pressrivermaps, may 20. Nash, contribution by the grand canyon conservancy. Onenighttwoday grand canyon mule rides just 10 riders per day. Phantom ranch is the only lodging below the canyon rim, and can only be reached by mule, on foot, or by rafting the colorado river. Trip planning timeline when should i book my grand.
The 1 day grand canyon rafting trip is perfect for those who are short on time and want a taste of a true whitewater experience a mile deep in grand canyon. Book a smooth float trip at the north rim or a whitewater trip in the west rim. We found 52 books set in the grand canyon national park and 12 others set nearby. If youre hungry for grand canyon river rafting, with loads of white water rapids and lots of miles, this is the colorado rafting trip for you. Looking for fun, educational book to read before the grand canyon whitewater river trip. Its not just the whitewater, but about spending up to 3 weeks in remote desert wilderness with some of the most dramatically stunning scenery in the world.
This book includes topographical maps of the canyon, rapids, campsites and historical sites and it has in depth explanations of the canyon s geologicalhuman history. Hatch river expeditions grand canyon whitewater rafting. Hidden waterfalls and pools carve their way down to the river. Weve put together a list of some of our favorite grand canyon stories. Grand canyon river trip 3 day best white water rafting.
Its always at the top of those lists that they like to make and for a good reason. Travel downriver with native guides and discover the rich traditions of the hualapai people through their own stories on a 2 day grand canyon rafting trip. Most visitors to the grand canyon are lucky if they even get to glimpse a sliver of the colorado river below during their whirlwind threehour tour of the south rim. This peek into the lives of the grand canyon boatmen and boatwomen is. If youre going to read one book about the grand canyon before your trip, this is it. Discover the rich traditions of the hualapai people and travel down river with a native guide. Planning a rafting trip down the colorado river in the grand canyon. This expedition consists of five oar boats and one paddle boat. Our classic adventure is the most popular grand canyon rafting adventure we offer. The grand canyon is a source of inspiration for all river runners. The epic story of the fastest ride in history through the heart of the grand canyon.
It goes through glen canyon on a stretch of the colorado river just before grand canyon national park begins. Because grand canyon rafting expeditions are so popular, we highly recommend that wouldbe adventurers plan and book their trip reservations at least a full year in advance. Books set in the grand canyon national park 52 books. Use our trip planning timeline to figure out when you should book your grand canyon vacation. The grand canyon geology training manual overviews the parks geology, including information that ranges from the introductory level to more advanced concepts. Experience the beauty of the american southwest april 9th october 26th.
Colorado river rafting trip planning guide where gcw river rafting trips start and end. Had the couple succeeded, bessie hyde would have been the first woman known to accomplish this feat. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Powells grand ambition rafting through the grand canyon. Hualapai river runners offer one or twoday rafting experiences, led by experienced river guides. Over the last fortyfiveplus years, oars has gained more experience conducting nonmotorized rafting trips down grand canyon s lifeblood, the colorado river, than any other grand canyon rafting company. The river and the canyon are a world unto themselves. Grand canyon rafting experience colorado river white. Relaxing while rafting on the colorado river through the grand canyon. Grand canyon river rafting trips are the thrill of a lifetime. Grand canyon river rafting trips whitewater and smooth.
Massive sandstone cliffs conjure up imaginary shapes. Thats a bold statement, but most who have spent time there will agree that it is a life changing experience. Here, the colorado rivers famous rapids, though still exciting, are a bit tamer. Perfect for guests of all levels and experience, each rafter has the option to sit back and relax in the oar boat with three other guests, while the guide sits in the center and rows the boat down river, or join five other guests in the paddle raft. Lava falls cannot actually claim any grand canyon superlatives for longest rapid, biggest waves, highest consequence, or most difficult line, but it certainly earns honorable mention in all categories. For 12 passengers and their 3 guides this rafting trip will become days that they will never forget. Thats 56 years of the doing our thing, running river in the grand canyon on the colorado river.
Grand canyon river expeditions grand canyon river rafting. Its the ultimate bucket list trip, and as such, it has spawned more great books than any river in the world. A waterproof guide book that covers glen canyon dam to lake mead. For those of us who cant afford a rafting trip down the grand canyon, or perhaps might have more qualms than a desire to do so, along comes in the heart of the canyon by elisabeth hyde.
Theres this river, by christa sadler a mustread before a grand canyon rafting trip, this book is a collection of artwork and true personal stories as told by the grand canyon river guide community. Mason thomas, 29, nurse sarah knaack, and teacher zach edler, 27, were rafting in the grand canyon from february 19 to march 14 and emerged in arizona to the global covid19 pandemic. Start by exploring our trips to find the best fit for you. Your grand canyon rafting trip begins in the lower 100 miles of the canyon. The following books focus on river running through the canyon and are sure to add a whole new perspective to.