Travel Guide to White Water Rafting in the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is one of the notorious natural wonders of the world and arguably America’s most iconic landmark. The canyon stretches 277 miles across the state of Arizona and is the most recognizable national park in the country. While gazing upon the mighty depths of the canyon is an incredible experience in itself, there’s no better way to immerse yourself in this natural wonder than white water rafting through it! Get ready for our grandest adventure yet as we share the best tips on how to visit the Grand Canyon in this epic 5 day Arizona Road trip guide!
Planning Your Trip to the Grand Canyon
When planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, it is important to consider the massive scale of the area. Depending on what landscapes you want to see, the departure and landing points may vary. Here’s a brief over view of the other Rims and the highlights of each:
- West Rim – Located on the Hualapai Tribal Land, about 2 hours from Las Vegas, Grand Canyon Sky Walk, Ziplining, Great views from Guano Point, Rafting options
- South Rim – Close to Flagstaff Airport, Iconic views from Mather & Yavapai Points, many hiking options, accessible to many hotels / restaurants, Grand Canyon Railyway
- North Rim – Closer to Utah, about 5 hours drive from South Rim, peaceful viewpoint from Bright Angel Point, hikes descending toward the river, more secluded and best for solitude
- East Rim? – Technically not designated as one of the Rims, nearest to Page Arizona, Desert View Watchtower, on Navajo Nation Lands, close to Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend (Stay tuned for our Utah Road Trip!)
Best Time to Visit the Grand Canyon
Planning your trip depends on which Rim appeals to you the most. The South Rim is busy year round with peak season during the summer time. The North Rim is famous for its fall foliage but is closed during the winter months. The West Rim is the best during the shoulder seasons of Late Spring or Early Fall, with exceptional temperatures for a white water rafting excursion. We planned our adventure to the West Rim at the end of May to take advantage of the Memorial Day weekend and the weather was fantastic.
White Water Rafting in the Grand Canyon
Who doesn’t love a good opportunity to check off a bucket list item from your list? And I can’t think of a single better place in the world to try white water rafting than with the scenic backdrop of the Grand Canyon. It is a once in a lifetime experience that provides an intense thrill. The Hualapai River Runners offer single or multi day rafting tours perfect for all ages and skill levels. It may seem scary, but it’s much easier with the motorized raft and a tour group. If holding on for dear life while getting smacked by water isn’t your idea of a fun time, then maybe opt out for hiking some other trails. Sign up for a full day rafting tour from Las Vegas here!
Essential Packing List
- Poncho
- Dry fit Shirt and/or long sleeve
- Fast Drying Shorts and/or pants
- Water shoes
- Backpack
- Extra dry clothes
- Towel
- Gopro camera
- Waterproof bag
- Bandana to cover face
- Sunblock
- Swimsuit
- Bug repellent
- Wet wipes
- Water Bottle
Epic 5-Day Arizona Grand Canyon Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arriving in Arizona
Since we’re on a journey to visit all 50 states, we decided to fly into Phoenix, Arizona to begin the journey. We rented a car from the airport and got a hotel for the night. Alternatively, flying into Las Vegas is a good idea since it is about 2 hours from the Grand Canyon West Rim while Phoenix is 4.5 hours. Stock up on snacks and rest well for an early morning!
Day 2: To Grand Canyon West
We woke up bright and early (around 6am) to begin the journey to Grand Canyon West! The drive is a simple route about 4 hours straight north. Of course we made the obligatory stop at In-N-Out Burgers for lunch. CAUTION: as you approach the Grand Canyon, there will be less and less amenities so be sure to fill up at the gas station before you arrive. The West Rim Chevron is the nearest gas station about 26 miles from the park’s entrance.
We purchased tickets to Grand Canyon West which included access to the Park, the Skywalk observatory, and a few other attractions. Be sure to stop by the ziplining before you get to the entrance of the park since it closes earlier than everything else. After parking at the visitor’s center, you can ride the shuttle between the Skywalk at Eagle Point and Guano Point for amazing views. We recommend spending at least 3hours soaking in the majestic scenery.
After spending the day in the canyon, we drove 1.5 hours to the Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs, since this was the departure point for the next morning’s adventure. Keep in mind there’s not many restaurant options in the area, so if it gets too late you might just have to settle for a frozen pizza and some chips.
Day 3: Wild White Water Rafting
White water rafting in the Grand Canyon is definitely a highlight of our trip and I would recommend it to everyone! For anyone who is still hesitant, there were only a few moments of intense rapids but the majority of the trip is through calm waters. It is an incredible way to experience the Grand Canyon from a different perspective. Here’s an overview of the day’s schedule:
- 7:30am – Meet at the River Runners Concierge at the Hualapai Lodge to sign waivers
- 8:00am – Depart Hualapai Lodge, ride in a sketchy bus on a bumpy road
- 9:30am – Arrive at Diamond Creek, gear up and board the vessel on the Colorado River
- 9:48am – Hit a few rapids
- 10:00am – Stopped at Travertine Falls to hike to a secret waterfall
- 10:41am – Hanging on for dear life
- 11:45am – Lunch stop, Sandwiches & snacks provided
- 12:30pm – Continued sailing down river
- 3:15pm – Arrived at Peace Ferry, headed back to the van
- 6:00pm – Arrived back at the Hualapai Lodge
Overall the experience was awesome, a mix of adrenaline-fueled thrills and peaceful moments of admiring the Grand Canyon. It was an exhausting day out in the sun but as long as you hydrate it will be a day you’ll never forget. It may have been expensive but it was totally worth it.
Day 4: Sedona, Arizona
One of the best parts about a road trip is the random detours along the way. And Sedona might just be one of the most marvelous pit stops with vibrant vermilion rocks contrasting against the green valley. After checking out, we drove about 2 hours along a scenic mountain view before reaching Uptown Sedona. Despite being ridiculously expensive, this picturesque town has a huge variety of shops and restaurants to indulge in. There’s a lot of other historic landmarks in the area so we decided to spend most of the day exploring the city’s highlights including:
- Uptown Sedona
- Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Bell Rock
- Montezuma Castle National Monument
After sightseeing all day, we continued the drive to Phoenix 2 hours south. We arrived just in time to try a few pies at the infamous Pizzeria Bianco, supposedly crowned as one of the best pizzas in Arizona. Being a New Yorker and self proclaimed pizza expert, I gotta say it tasted great. 8.5/10. Stay tuned for our epic NYC Pizza tour! We booked a cheap hotel in Downtown Phoenix and spent the night resting up for the final day.
Day 5: Phoenix and the Departure
Overall, there isn’t much to do in Phoenix except visit museums. There are a few hiking trails in the area but it’s way too hot to do anything outside for too long. So we spent the day exploring Papago Park, walking around the Desert Botanical Garden, and made a quick stop to the Hole in the Rock. Our flight back home was set to depart later that night and we managed to grab a half terrifying, half amazing self-driving Waymo taxi to the airport. Here’s a few other suggestions if you have more time to explore Phoenix:
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Musical Instrument Museum
- Phoenix Art Museum
- Papago Park
- Hole in the Rock
- Phoenix Zoo
- Taliesin West
- Arizona Science Center
- Heard Museum
Cost Break-down
- 1-Day White Water Rafting – $441
- 2 Nights at Hualapai Lodge – $400
- Grand Canyon West & Skywalk – $68
- 5-Day Rental Car – $202
- 2-Nights Phoenix Hotels – $160
Okay not going to lie, we spent way more than I expected. But an unforgettable experience in the USA’s best National Park is not something you do everyday. The Grand Canyon is a magical place of unparalleled magnitude. Words can’t describe the euphoria its immensity brings, so hopefully this Grand Canyon itinerary will inspire you to experience it for yourself someday soon. Thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
Here’s more of our experience at Grand Canyon West and its incredible view points!
Check out our entire white water rafting experience in the best place in America!
Join us as we explore Arizona’s capital city of Phoenix in this travel vlog!
Check out our day trip to Sedona, AZ the most scenic town in America!
Check out our entire Arizona road trip vlog here!
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