Arizona River Runners ~ Helicopters, You and the Grand Canyon

Most of Arizona River Runners' Grand Canyon raft trips involve a helicopter ride. If that worries you, rest assured that there are options without the helicopter.

BUT....for those of you that have never ridden in a helicopter before, and just can't wait, many of our multi-day trips include a helicopter ride either in or out of the Grand Canyon. Yee Haa!! Let me just say that it is MEMORABLE. If you are entering the Grand Canyon, your helicopter drops into the beautiful scene. Leaving the Arizona Strip, you descend along sheer cliff faces to the powerful Colorado River from high above.

If you have launched at Lee's Ferry and spent many days and nights on the river your exit in a helicopter is no let down. You lift off the helipad and swoop across the river. All the time you are climbing the steep and tight canyon walls. At last you clear the cliffs and the horizons expand before your very eyes.

Your helicopter ride, whether dropping in or climbing out, is an experience to savor. Bring your camera!

Arizona River Runners offers a variety of Colorado River rafting trips. Call us to book your Grand Canyon whitewater rafting trip at 1-800-477-4238!

Breakfast in the Grand Canyon with Arizona River Runners

Let me give you a peek at breakfasts that you might encounter on a Grand Canyon Rafting trip with Arizona River Runners.

First thing every single day on, even before breakfast, is the call for COFFE-E-E-E-E-E. It's loud and clear, and you can roll out of your sleeping bag and get a freshly brewed cup o' joe. You can do this in your PJ's....you don't necessarily have to speak to anybody or be cheery and bright. You can grab your hot mug of caffeine and retreat to some outrageously beautiful and scenic spot to savor your morning mud. Can only be done on a Grand Canyon rafting trip!

A little later you'll hear a holler for BREAKFA-A-A-A-A-ST. Now it's time to get yourself down to the "kitchen" and get some vittles. You might find eggs to order with bacon or sausage. Perhaps it's a morning for french toast - hot off the griddle, the maple syrup is warm too. There's always fresh fruit, real orange juice, tea, and oatmeal. Maybe you'll start your day with blueberry pancakes and yogurt. My personal favorite is build-your-own omelet. You pick your favorite fillers and they magically cook 3 beautiful omelets at a time on this huge griddle. Then you hunker down to savor your own favorite bites of omelet steaming hot off that griddle.

Breakfast, and all other meals with Arizona River Runners, involves real food. You won't be subsisting on dehydrated flakes or other extrapolations of backpacking food. There is fresh brewed coffee and fresh fruit. ARR guides are all great cooks. If you have particular food restrictions or needs, that too is easily addressed.

A great breakfast in the Grand Canyon. Does it get any better than that? You really should try it.

Call us for your Arizona rafting vacation and have breakfast on us - with us! 1-800-477-7238

Arizona River Runners: Those Brazen Ravens (say that 10 times real fast!)

Ravens are a medium-sized, common black bird. They are plentiful in the Grand Canyon on a Colorado River rafting trip, especially the spots where people visit. They are scavengers of the most skilled kind. Used to be, they waited on the rocks, sort of across the way until we campers left the beach. Then, they would swoop in and devour whatever little tidbits might be left from lunch or dinner or whatever else we rafters were obliged to have left behind for their delight.

Not so anymore. These skilled thieves can open zippers and sleuth out buried treasure in your bag. They don't even wait for everybody to leave. I've known them to swoop down and snatch a baggy, no doubt filled with important items for some unsuspecting camper. On my last trip, at camp, they opened my big bag, removed my wallet (it was shiny), and proceeded to spew my credit cards, driver’s license, and all across the sand. They even pecked at the dollar bills! We noticed the commotion from about 50 feet away, and had to sprint over to shoo them away.

They are no longer satisfied with crumbs and leftovers. They have honed their skills so that they can get into your things and do some damage. I was lucky; the aggressive thieves didn't carry away my stuff. You can learn from this and remember to keep your things under wraps until you need them.

Don’t leave your important belongings and gear near harms reach, those birds are sneaky and cunning! They want what you have, food, trinkets, toilettries… Don't encourage these brazen ravens.

For tips on ravens, raccoons and more, visit Arizona River Runners, your place for an adventure of a lifetime!

New Friends on the River with Arizona River Runners

One of my favorite things to behold on a Grand Canyon Rafting trip is to see a 10 year old chatting away with a 75 year old. Or maybe a granny sharing thoughts with a 20 year old hip dude. Things like this happen a lot in the heart of the Grand Canyon.

People on an Arizona River Runners rafting trip have the time and opportunity to get to know each other. Fellow rafters have converged from all ends of the earth, from diverse ethnicity and cultures. Ages may span many decades and economics no longer has any bearing on interaction. The electronic distractions have been eliminated. Life on the river is simple.....have fun, have as much fun as humanly possible.

Challenges exist. Everyone has apprehensions of some kind. Can't climb onto the boat. Hate cold water. Don't like dirt. Afraid of high places. Bats creep me out. Hiking scares me. I'm no rock climber. Can't pitch a tent. I'm shy. It's hot. It's cold. You and your fellow rafters will tackle everything that comes up. You will be a helper and encourager sometimes, and sometimes others will give you a helping hand. You all keep moving on through, just like the river.

This crosses all boundaries of age, gender, race, religion, class. Together you will face all the fun and fears, and together you will conquer and survive and FLOURISH. A Grand Canyon rafting trip is a bonding time with people you didn't chose. You have come together randomly for a week or so of some really awesome things. Some was fun. Some was difficult. Some just took your breath away. You did it together. You will likely leave the Grand Canyon with unexpected new friendships.

Call Arizona River Runners for a Colorado River rafting trip - and meet people from all walks of life, from all over the globe!

Arizona River Runners Late Season Specials

Looking for a great summer getaway? What about a Colorado River Rafting trip? Late August and September tend to be less busy than mid-Summer as most families are heading back to school schedules and activities by then. If your schedule allows you to travel during this time there is still some trip dates with available space.

At Arizona River Runners, we have some incredible late season specials. Three of our trips in August have savings of up to $400.00 per person! For more information on these and other specials visit our website and click on "Browse Our Specials" tag.

It’s time that you come and experience what our guests continue to rave about, year after year. Many visitors come to do the Canyon…most are amazed by what the Canyon does to them. Come join us for this incredible journey!

Libations on a Arizona River Runners Rafting Trip

Arizona River Runners is in the rafting business. We've got all the licenses and permits and prerequisites to guide you through the Grand Canyon, show you what AWESOME really means, keep you safe and to bring you home in one piece.

We do not, however, have a liquor license (I don't think any of the outfitters have a liquor license) and therefore, we do not provide alcoholic beverages. So, it's definitely a B.Y.O.B. situation. You bring what you would like to drink. We provide water (no pun intended), soda, lemonade, coffee, tea, and juice...stuff like that. You are welcome to bring the specific things that you enjoy - alcoholic or otherwise.

Here's where it gets "sticky". Let's say somebody brings lots of “whatever is their favorite beverage." It's nearly impossible to label each can or bottle but hopefully, you will not be dipping in to somebody else's things unless specifically invited. This may sound petty but if you are addicted to Dr. Pepper and everybody on the raft is drinking up your supply.... this could be a problem. Or you may not want to share your wine that you and your sweetie discovered on your honeymoon 25 years ago.

Sometimes it's hard to know what's what and whose is whose. A lot of it is supplied by Arizona River Runners for you to enjoy, but some of it might belong to a fellow rafter. Quite simply, IF IN DOUBT---- ASK.

Drinking lots of water is important. Hydration, hydration, hydration. But that is another whole topic.

On your Grand Canyon Rafting Trip, bring your favorites to drink.... don’t drink other peoples' favorites without asking.

Click here for more tips and ideas on your Colorado River Rafting Trip!

Getting Aquainted in the Grand Canyon with Arizona River Runners

Maybe there are two of you going on an Arizona River Runners rafting trip. Maybe you are traveling alone (I did, on my first Grand Canyon River Trip). Maybe there are 12 of you who are best friends and family. No matter what your numbers, you are about to meet (and eat and sleep with) a whole new group of friends.

Your fellow river rats will very soon be your good pals. There's something magical about facing the unknown together. You'll conquer new territory as each others best advocates and supporters. The guides are there to ---"guide" you and help you on your journey. But you need to be an active participant in your own story. Be busy about getting acquainted. Introduce yourself and your friends and family to others that you don't know. You are all facing the same things. You have a lot of the same questions and worries.

You are about to have a fabulous week together so meet and greet one another right away. Don't waste a minute of your time being shy. There are grand things to explore in the canyon and fascinating things to discover about your fellow campers as well.

Enjoy everything about your Grand Canyon trip. Visit www.raftarizona.com for your Colorado River rafting trip today!

Rafting a River Dance With Arizona River Runners

The Colorado River in the Grand Canyon is a pool-drop type river. That means that the current beginning below Glen Canyon Dam (this is officially Marble Canyon) flows smoothly until something gets in its path. That would be rocks. The water "pools" upstream from the rocks until it "drops" over. Sometimes a huge boulder may sit alone in the middle of the current or other times large deposits of debris have been washed into the main river current from a side canyon. This forms the rapids. The river "pools" serenely above the rapid, spills over to continue on and the boats drop down to the river below. None of these look anything like a waterfall. The drop in elevation slopes downward so that there is a navigable path for you and the rafts. It's thrilling. It's wet. It's powerful.

As the water level changes so, too, does the relationship between the water and the rocks. Some rapids become more exciting and dynamic when the water flow increases, while some rapids become less of a ride. On the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, water levels vary depending on the release from Glen Canyon Dam. Water is enormously powerful, rocks move around, and the rapids change. This is truly the river dance. It is a dance that every ARR guide is thrilled to share with you.

To raft through the Grand Canyon with Arizona River Runners call 1-800-477-7238 or visit us at http://www.raftarizona.com/.

Arizona River Runners Rafters' Reviews

Read these reviews from Arizona River Runners' Rafters.

"The geology of time that we passed never ceased to amaze me, The variations - spectacular, beyond anything I've ever seen before. The concentration of geological activity all in one place! I want to praise the guides - obviously very hard work and yet they were always cheerful and helpful. I always felt that they were concerned about our health and safety and yet encouraged us to have fun, and maybe push ourselves just a bit, while still reminding us to know our limits." (Marilyn M.)

"My trip throught the Grand Canyon wa a life-changing experience that I never could have managed on my own. Your guides restored my confidence in the next genreation, and the Canyon nourished my soul. Please extend my heartfelt thanks to TJ, Riley, and Kenny. (I intend to write a letter to the National ark Sevice praising your company)." (Sandy B.)

"It's hard to explain the calming influence this trip has had on our family- we have all changed for the better on so many levels. Our kids (teens) have asked if there are other trips that are out there that are similar - not sure if we can to it!" (Lori H.)

"Here's a taste of life on the river from our trip at the beginning of June - take a peek:

http://web.me.com/anneryan/GrandCanyon/Movie.html"

Thank you to all our rafters - we love your comments. At Arizona River Runners we want all our passengers to "experience the trip of a lifetime!"

To book your journey call us at 1-800-477-7238.

Meteor Showers Over the Grand Canyon and Whitewater Rafting with Arizona River Runners

If this is how clear the sky is in the morning, just imagine it at night!

Stargazing in the Grand Canyon is well – grand! The complete absence of light (except for the moon at times) enables you to see the stars at their most glorious. When the last camper has gone to bed, and all is quiet you are blanketed by a night sky bursting with stars, stars so bright you want to reach out and touch them. The night sky in the Canyon is indescribable; at certain times of the year you may even see meteor showers.

The Grand Canyon is the perfect location not only for stargazing, but to behold a meteor shower as well. Small fragments of cosmic debris entering the earth’s atmosphere at extremely high speeds produce meteor showers. Each time a comet swings by the sun, it produces large amounts of small particles, which will eventually spread out along the entire orbit of the comet to form a meteoroid "stream." Depending on where the Earth's orbit and the comet's orbit intersect, meteors appear to fall from a particular place in the sky for a few days, maybe within the neighborhood of a constellation, thereby giving the meteor shower its name.

Perseid meteors will appear to "rain" into the atmosphere from the constellation Perseus, which rises in the northeast around 10 p.m. in mid-August. At its peak, the shower could produce up to 100 meteors per hour. This year's shower should peak on the night of August 12 and the morning of the 13^th. The thin, crescent moon will be out of the way early, setting the stage for a potentially spectacular show. (There is the possibility of seeing meteors any time from July 23 - August 22 as well). The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Perseus. For best viewing, look to the northeast after midnight.

Arizona River Runners offers a number of rafting trips during this “meteor peak season.” To see a meteor shower is awe-inspiring! And what better way to experience a meteor shower than camping out on the banks of the Colorado River on a rafting trip? Call us at 1-800-477-7238 for your adventure of a lifetime and indulge your love of the night sky!

Arizona River Runners in the Chicago Tribune

Here's a little something from the Chicago Tribune, May 15th:

"Here are some of the more interesting deals, Web sites and other travel tidbits that came across our desk recently: The eight-day, seven-night Grand Canyon Adventure from Arizona River Runners explores the full 280 miles of the Grand Canyon for $2,450 per person. 800-477-7238, raftarizona.com."

Now if the Trib likes us, how can you not? We have a variety of trips, call us today for your Colorado River rafting trip! 800-477-7238

Functional Footwear Facts for Your Grand Canyon Whitewater Trip

Take a minute to consider your footwear for your upcoming Grand Canyon Raft trip. There are a few different aspects that you need to consider when making your choices. One of the more important things to realize is that most every hike or walk that you go on, will probably encounter water. You will almost always walk through or swim through some water while you have your shoes on, so, you probably don't want to bring your good hiking boots. The footwear that you do bring should:

1) Be comfortable wet or dry.

2) Have good traction on land and on the boat.

3) Have enough support to hold them to your feet while scrambling on rocks or around the boat.

I've done 40 or 50 Grand Canyon river trips and I don't ever take sneakers. I take 2 pairs of sandals. Something like Tevas or Chacos. (One of my pairs I bought at Target and they have lasted 10 trips and are still going strong.) They have straps over the toes and around my ankle from behind my heel. I can tighten them so that I can climb rocks and hike in them. They are rubber so that I can get them wet, they still have good traction and are comfy.

You may want to bring sneakers. We have a "Shoe Bag" on the boat for you to keep them in if you want them during the day. Just remember the whole water everywhere thing. Some people like the support of dry sneakers for in camp at night. You'll pack those in your personal bag. Campsites are often on very fine sand. Footwear that traps the sand can get uncomfortable. Flip-flops are very workable for camp too.

Critically important --- break in your footwear before you get to the river. Even if you have had them for a long time, wear them and soften them up again before your trip. If you don't want to do this then bring socks to wear to protect all those blisters you will undoubtedly develop. Socks may look really geeky with sandals but at least you will be able to walk. Sometimes the sand causes even well broken-in shoes to rub your feet and cause problems. We have lots of band aids to take care of you!

So that's a little more insight on footwear appropriate for your upcoming Grand Canyon adventure. There's lots to do and see and you'd like to be comfortable doing it all. Check our online store for footwear and other helpful river gear.

Rafting the Grand Canyon is What the Trip is All About, But That’s Not All….

It is true; rafting is what you do on a Colorado River Rafting Trip with Arizona River Runners. But that isn’t all! You will be “entertained” for your entire journey. From the time you get to the Canyon (or even before, such as the helicopter ride on our 3 Day Escape), you will not be bored or wanting for something to do! Each trip is unique on its own, filled with exciting and fun things.

Our 3-Day Escape provides you with a scenic flight to the Bar-10 Ranch on the North Rim of the Canyon. Here you can spend the night at the Ranch or in a covered wagon! In the morning you are helicoptered to the Canyon floor. Rafting and hiking, not to mention eating, follows for the next day and a half.

Our longer trips involve more intense rafting, and there are some with a “hike-in” or “hike-out” before or after your rafting adventure! The longer trips provide more opportunities for additional off-river time to take in the spectacular vistas and side stream hikes, to explore along the side stream corridor.

During the evenings our guides feed (yeah!) and entertain you. On clear nights, stargazing is a favorite pastime of our rafters. Where you sleep is a vision – look up and take in all the stars, you’ll never see anything like it again!

Give us a call (800-477-7238) and we’ll be more than happy to talk to you about all that goes on our rafting trips!

Blooming Flowers and Arizona River Runners

What do blooming flowers and rafting the Grand Canyon have to do with each other? Arizona River Runners is offering specials in May that will give you the opportunity to see Canyon flowers in bloom! Did you know there are about 1737 known species of vascular plants (such as ferns, flowering plants, conifers, clubmosses and other gymnosperms), 167 species of fungi, 64 species of moss and 195 species of lichen that are found in Grand Canyon National Park? The park is home to the rare Tusayan Flamethrower, with approximately 1000 plants identified in 10 small populations; and the park has one Federally-listed endangered species called the sentry milkvetch, a perennial mat-forming herb.

Wouldn’t it be “grand” to see some of these unique and strange plants?

ARR has some unique specials to help you do just that! Click here to find your May trip or call 1-800-477-7238!

River Fashionista Tips from Arizona River Runners – Function Follows Fashion!

So you are heading out on a rafting trip and are wondering what to wear. We all want to look great in those vacation photos (check these out and post your own on Flickr), so here are some head-to-toe tips for packing light and staying comfortable throughout your ARR experience.

You will be out in the sun. That means you may want to wear a hat, especially if you are follically challenged. But even for those with a full head of hair, a brim helps keep the sun out of your eyes. Your hat should have a strap, because you don't want to lose it if the water gets wild or the wind kicks up.

Quick-drying nylon shorts and bathing suits are great, but being out in the sun means you'll need protection for your skin. Nylon pants and a light nylon, cotton or quick-drying long sleeved shirt are great for layering in case you start to burn.

For cooler times and rainy weather, a lightweight fleece or fleece lined will help you keep cozy. Rain gear is a MUST! Look for quality pieces that are waterproof, not just water resistant. The point is to stay dry! Pants and jackets with elastic cuffs at the ankle and sleeve work best. A jacket with a hood will keep you much dryer than a poncho, and really a jacket is so much more fashionable. Ponchos are so last year.

Bring two pairs of shoes - it's nice to have dry feet in camp, and you'll need to wear shoes on the raft, which will get wet. Tennis/athletic shoes are recommended, and you can bring sturdy sports sandals with heel straps (no flip flops). Red Rock Outfitters has some great options. Think Teva, Chaco, Merrill - you know outdoorsy. This is the Grand Canyon we're talking about! Socks are nice for camp, and also if you develop sore spots from any of your shoes. In any case, try to bring shoes that are already broken in and comfy.

Don't be tempted to wear a different outfit in every photo. Really! Everyone will be wearing the same thing more than once, getting sand on their stuff, and hanging things out to dry. It's just the way we roll. Pack light in a soft gym-type bag and we'll pack it into our waterproof bags before we head out.

Once you're signed up for a trip, we'll send you a complete packing list. If you want to get a sneak peek of the best in river fashion, check out Red Rock Outfitters.

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee with Arizona River Runners

After an exhilarating day on the water, songs around the campfire and a great night's sleep under the stars, what's better than waking up to the invigorating smell of a delicious cup of coffee? On a Colorado River rafting trip with Arizona River Runners that is exactly what you'll get - fresh brewed, great tasting coffee. We serve only the best - Toucanet Coffee. Toucanet Coffees are hand-crafted quality, organic, single-source, shade-grown varieties from the tropics of three continents. Bird friendly coffee beans are sought out from farms in Africa, Asia and Latin America, which support nature and protect the environment. Toucanet coffees carry the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center Bird Friendly certification; supports fair trade products, and Women Coffee Producers. Toucanet Coffee is locally owned in Flagstaff, AZ. Arizona River Runners is delighted to serve this rich tasting, full-bodied coffee on all our Grand Canyon rafting vacations.

6 Day Grand Canyon Whitewater Rafting Trip with Arizona River Runners

Here is what Katie M. of Cleveland Tennessee had to say about her 6 Day Grand Canyon Adventure:

"I found it (the trip) far more enjoyable than I had imagined. There are not enough words to describe those guys (the guides). They are on point and then they took it to the next level!"

Regarding the food, "This section of the trip far exceeded my expectations...quite the culinary geniuses!"

Kaite M. Cleveland, TN. August 28th, 2009

Grand Canyon River Outfitters Support Conservation Fund

Arizona River Runners is one of the fourteen licensed Grand Canyon National Park’s river outfitters that have managed the Grand Canyon Conservation Fund, a non-profit enterprise established in 1988. Each year, approximately eighty percent of all passengers on professionally outfitted Grand Canyon river trips donate $1 per day of their river trip to the Grand Canyon Conservation Fund. This money is then awarded in the form of grants to non-profit conservation groups, as well as groups working to provide outdoor experiences for those with physical and socioeconomic challenges. Organizations like the Grand Canyon Trust are working hard to protect the Canyon and its natural beauty, while other groups like River of Dreams help provide river trip scholarship assistance to the disabled. Grand Canyon Youth’s mission is to give teens an experiential education along the rivers and canyons of the Southwest while promoting environmental awareness, community involvement, personal growth, and teamwork among people with diverse backgrounds and the Peregrine Fund is committed to the reintroduction and protection of the California Condor through their efforts at their Vermillion Cliffs site in Northern Arizona.

Managed by volunteers for over 20 years, the Grand Canyon Conservation Fund makes sure that 100 percent of donations go directly to the effort of protecting and conserving the Grand Canyon and providing access to those who would otherwise not be able to share in the Grand Canyon river experience. In the past 13 years, the involved river outfitters have raised over $1,000,000 in donations which has been awarded to these and other non-profit organizations in the form of grants. A lot of care and attention goes into choosing the groups to receive these funds and each individual grant generally ranges anywhere from $5,000- $20,000.

One of the most exciting new projects that the GCCF is becoming involved in is the potential of a Grand Canyon River Heritage Museum to be located at the South Rim. Participating outfitters are currently working with the Grand Canyon Association to determine the feasibility of converting the historic laundry building, located within walking distance to the rim, into this new proposed museum which will tell the history of rafting the Grand Canyon.

All of the non-profit public interest organizations involved with the Grand Canyon Conservation Fund are working hard in an effort to continue to spread awareness, education and conservation in the Canyon. Anyone can help make a difference and all donations are fully tax deductible as charitable giving. Each person to donate as little as $1 is helping to preserve one of the world’s natural wonders and is giving people an opportunity to experience that which they might otherwise never be able to.

Please visit http://gcroa.org/Pages/gccfund.htm for more information or to make a donation.

What to Expect on Your Arizona River Runners Colorado River Rafting Trip

Whether you’ve just booked your first rafting trip or you’re still in the process of thinking about it, you’re probably wondering what to expect on an Arizona River Runners trip. Here are some tips to prepare you for the adventure of a lifetime.

We ask that all of our guest arrive in Las Vegas one day prior to their trip. We suggest you stay at the Desert Rose Resort and take advantage of the special rates, luggage storage, and parking that are offered. You’ll get to choose from a comfortable one or two bedroom suite with a private patio and balcony, fully equipped kitchen, and relaxing living and dining area. Try to get to bed early, though, because you’ve got a busy day ahead.

On day one of your adventure, we’ll wake up early and fly out to Marble Canyon, Arizona after breakfast. Here, a river guide will meet you and help you pack up your gear before heading out to the launch point at Lee’s Ferry. Then get ready to hit the river where the real fun begins!
During days 1 through 5, you will be traveling 190 river miles on your river journey through the canyon. Be prepared to see the uniquely beautiful plants, animals, and awe-inspiring geologic formations the Canyon has to offer.

Our skilled and knowledgeable guides will take you on an exciting ride down the Colorado River where you can expect to get wet from the spray of the rapids. Because the river water is always cold, you will want to have your rain gear packed and ready. You’ll also get a chance to swim in many of the side-canyon streams.

Each day, you will explore the canyon with mid-morning and mid-afternoon stops or hikes. These on-land adventures are optional, but you’ll enjoy the trip more if you prepare with a little walking or light exercise and take part in exploring the natural wildlife and beauty within the canyon. The Grand Canyon is a very friendly place to camp and most trips will thrill to the sight of Desert Big Horn Sheep and a variety of exotic canyon birds!

Also during your trip, you can expect nutritious and expertly prepared meals ranging from eggs or pancakes in the morning to salads, steaks, and international foods served at dinner – and don’t forget dessert! Remember you’ll be spending a fun and action-packed day out on the river, so you’ll really work up an appetite. With every meal you’ll get a chance to relax and share stories and experiences with others. You’ll get to know your river crew and make new friends with the other guests.

Arizona River Runners is dedicated to making this an amazing experience for all involved. Our guests have said that “the guides were truly phenomenal,” and “The rapids, hikes, stories, meals, and company were experiences we will remember forever!”

Join us for an incredible vacation! Check out our Hiker's Special, unique trips starting in April! Call 1-800-477-7238 for reservations!

A Day on the Job with a Grand Canyon River Guide

If you had chosen the career of a river guide, you just might think that you have the best job in the world. So, what makes the job of a Grand Canyon river guide so much better than your Average Joe’s everyday gig? You will probably need to spend a week in the Canyon with one of river guide to find out. After taking part in a Arizona River Runners’ rafting adventure on the Colorado River you’ll have no problem understanding why river guides love to go to work everyday. Compare a day in their “office” to a day in yours:

Guides in the Grand Canyon start their day with coffee and breakfast in the majestic setting of one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world. They’re not fighting traffic, and it’s easy to see how starting your day floating through the morning calm of this breathtaking river feeds your soul instead of draining it. You get a sense of your part in the natural world, and how inspiring that world really is.

No fluorescent lighting for river guides, and forget about staring at the glare of a computer screen or those tired old memos from the boss posted on your cubicle walls throughout the day. These guides enjoy the ever changing scenery, experienced from the Colorado River vantage point that many people will never see.

No ringing phones, overflowing inboxes, expense reports and sorting e-mail spam. There’s a rhythm to the days, but rafting trips are far from routine. Every bend in the river brings a fresh perspective and the chance to experience something new all over again – you might be facing the adrenaline pumping rush of whitewater rapids, or the chance to float lazily for a while and take in the scenery of afternoon clouds contrasting against the blue sky and Canyon walls.

Been doing the same ol’, same ol’ on the job for years? River trips are fantastic learning experiences. Arizona River Runners guides come from a wide variety of backgrounds, all with a passion for the river that has allowed them to soak up a wealth of knowledge and some pretty incredible stories that they will share throughout the trip. Ask them questions and take in as much as you can. From learning to read river conditions and practicing environmentally responsible camping techniques to Grand Canyon history and folklore, these river guides will keep you informed every step of the way.

On a rafting trip, you’ll experience teamwork and bond with the others on your trip in a way you’ll probably never see in the office. The river serves up challenges and rewards throughout the days to enjoy with your new “co-workers”. No gossip in the breakroom, no competition for the big promotion. These trips develop teams led by some of the most knowledgeable guides in the business, successfully navigating the challenges of some of the biggest whitewater in the North America. You just might develop a new definition for the word “success” after sharing some time in their workplace.