Colorado River Rafting for Beginners

Does anyone know of a white water rafting trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon that would be appropriate for inexperienced rafters?

Colorado River Rafting for Beginners

Check the Arizona forums and the Grand Canyon Nat%26#39;l Park forum in particular. There are several companies that run raft trips through the Grand Canyon. All are approved by the Nat%26#39;l Park Service. All raft trips in the Grand Canyon must take a minimum of 7 days. This is a legal requirement. No experience is neccessary for passengers.

It is possible to do a 3 or 4 day partial canyon trip, but it requires that you either hike into or out of the canyon at Phantom Ranch, from the South Rim.

We did a trip with Canyoneers, based in Flagstaff. We traveled from Lees Fery to Pierces Landing in Lake Mead, a distance of over 240 miles in 8 days. Our fellow passengers ranged in age from 13 to 70s and experience from none to 150 trips (Raft Captain).

It%26#39;s a fabulous trip. Planning and advance reservations are a must, and cost will be around $2K per person.

Colorado River Rafting for Beginners

Check out the one below,which i did last summer.

www.alllasvegastours.com/body.asp…

The above listed trip is not really white water, and is also not really in the GC. Certainly not %26#39;through%26#39; the GC as requested by the OP.

If all you%26#39;re looking for is a float trip in a scenic area, then perhpas this will do. But don%26#39;t do it and then go home and tell people that you rafted through the Grand Canyon.

Just got back this week from four days rafting with a company called westernriver.com - brilliantly organised, with friendly efficient guides - can only say terrific things about them all - starting in Las Vegas, with a flight in a 14 people prop plane (a bit bouncy - sick bags on hand) to a ranch for one night - basic accommodation in covered wagons - riding, skeet shooting - then helicoptered down (brilliant) to the canyon and two nights camping by side of river. Rapids on lower run were fun but not scary. Climbing stunning waterfalls, washing in warm water creeks Incredible scenery and sleeping under stars was an experience I won%26#39;t forget. As a middleaged, unfit individual, it was all easy to do.

Things to be aware of - heat - incredible waves of heat until after midnight - back in Vegas it was 117 degrees during the day, so July-August to be avoided - %26#39;certain%26#39; facilities - basic in the extreme - but hygenically arranged - you have to be prepared to join in - a party pooper would bring the atmosphere down considerably - we had a lovely group who all got on - despite never having met before.

We all agreed that 3/4 days was just the right amount of time for all of us who did this for the first time - the longer trips might have been just that bit too much without knowing what you were letting yourself into....but cannot recommend it too highly, providing you are healthy and game for a laugh.

The 3-day trip that another person mentioned is a great introduction to rafting in the Grand Canyon and I agree try to go in April/may or late Aug /early Sept. Also, the one day is a good start, but if at all possible do a longer trip. If you can swing the whole length of the canyon DO IT! It is the vey best way and all the outfitters are great. Many first time rafters do this trip and it is very secure feeling to go on a big motor boat (33 feet or more), but even the oar boats are large 918 feet)and a complete novices go on those trips all the time. Check out ehow.com/how_4511365_book-grand-canyon-raft-… for more information on finding a trip. Many outfitters are already almost fully booked for 2009, so you should start soon!