Selecting Your Grand Canyon Rafting Trip with Arizona River Runners

The Grand Canyon is one of the most powerful and awe-inspiring landscapes in the world. Every year, thousands of people experience whitewater rafting through the grand Canyon, and explore the it’s natural beauty and wildlife. For most it’s the adventure of a lifetime, but before you head out on the water, Arizona River Runners feels there are a few important things to consider.

First of all, unlike many other rivers, the Colorado River has a fairly consistent water flow throughout the year and from year to year. The Colorado River through Grand Canyon is controlled by Glen Canyon Dam; the water is released from Lake Powell consistently based on seasonal electric demand to provide power to much of the Southwest. This means you do not need to be concerned with trying to time your trip during the spring run-off like other river systems.

Taking some time to learn about all the different trip options can help ensure that you have an experience that matches your personal tastes and expectations. With over 277 miles of canyon to explore, having a few of the facts can help make your decision a bit easier.

Arizona River Runners' rafting trips can range anywhere from 3 to 13 days depending on how much of the Canyon you’d like to experience. We have a variety of watercraft options ranging from motorized rafts to human-powered oar boats. 70% of the travel on the Colorado River is done in motorized rafts that move at a speed of 8-10 mph and allow a person to experience the heart of the Canyon and the biggest white water in North America in a week’s vacation time. Choosing oar-powered or paddle boats can extend your vacation to nearly two weeks and some trips require a hike in or out of the Canyon, allowing you to experience half the canyon in about a week.

All trips allow time for hiking and side-canyon exploring. Outfitters also organize and arrange their trips differently. Arizona River Runners, for example, provides a “trip host” in additional to the full river crew, for all their 3-day trips. The host meets the group on day one and stays with them to the end of the trip handling all transportation details so passengers can just kick back and enjoy the adventure.

All professional outfitters are regulated as Concessioners by the National Park Service. ARR offers Colorado River trips from April through October. If you’re excited about lots of off-river hiking, you might consider booking your trip for the spring or fall months when the weather can be cooler. April and early May trips also lend themselves to great viewing of the spring bloom in the Canyon. Most people experience the Canyon during the summer months and enjoy the equalizing balance between the hot, dry Arizona climate and the chilly, refreshing Colorado River water splashing on your skin.

In general, it’s best to book your trip as soon as possible as the National Park Service does limit the number of Grand Canyon rafting trips available each year and historically demand exceeds supply. You should particularly consider booking in advance if you have a large group or plan to travel during the prime time of June to mid-August. Researching and planning out your trip is an important step ensuring a safe and memorable adventure that meets your personal wants and needs.

If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-477-7238, we'd love to talk to about our trips!

Starry Starry Nights in the Grand Canyon with Arizona River Runners

Camping under the stars is one of my favorite parts of a Grand Canyon Raft trip with Arizona River Runners. It's not one of those things that you put in the brochure but, for me, it is...well...stellar.

There you are, riverside, on the beach, prone on your cot. The sunlight has receded completely leaving even the tallest canyon walls in darkness. There is total darkness which means stars appear everywhere. You don't get a display like this in the city, or any place that has ambient light. In the sky above the Grand Canyon, darkness is your friend. The Milky Way is a blur of illuminations. It stretches across the sky with authority and grandeur. You'll see satellites as they speed around the earth. Shooting stars will streak across the darkness. They are brilliant for a short time. Their glory is ephemeral, and lucky are you to be gazing in the right place at the right time. You may view the well defined spiraling of another galaxy. Constellations appear for you to recognize.

The night skies are truly awesome in the Grand Canyon. The darkness brings a heavenly display every single night. It is a joy to behold.

Call Arizona River Runners for your "stellar" rafting trip through the Grand Canyon, 1-800-477-7238!

THINGS THAT SHOULD NOT KEEP YOU FROM RAFTING THE GRAND CANYON

Thinking about summer vacation? Wanting adventure? Have thought about Grand Canyon rafting trips, but there are some things holding you back?

Food restrictions, vegetarian, vegan, sensitive to gluten, allergic to nuts, lactose intolerant, out of shape, sensitive to sun, can't swim, never pitched a tent before, never camped before, traveling solo, it's expensive, can't find the time, who'll take care of my dog?, I sunburn easily, my wife won't go, I don't like cold water, physical challenges/limitations, mental challenges/limitations, old age, the kids, can't sleep without your own pillow, scared of heights…

These are a mere dabbling of things that should not keep you from considering your own rafting adventure in the Grand Canyon. There are a million more challenges that need not douse your desire for a trip of a lifetime. If you have a concern or have questions... contact the office of Arizona River Runners and we can evaluate your particular situation and help you to decide if your dreams of rafting in the Grand Canyon can still come true. Don't give up your adventures if you don't have to. A lot of things are easily remedied. We can work together to find solutions for you. Many people who thought they couldn't, or should raft the Grand Canyon have achieved their dream with Arizona River Runners. Call us - don't miss out - together we can make your dream come true too!

Arizona River Runners 1-800-477-7238, for your adventure of a lifetime!

America Outdoors and Grand Canyon Rafting with Arizona River Runners

Arizona River Runners is a member of America Outdoors Association. This is a national organization made up of companies and people that do private business on public lands. Land designated as National Parks, Bureau of Land Reclamation and National Forest for examples. Arizona River Runners provides all-inclusive rafting trips within Grand Canyon National Park.

America Outdoors Association (AO) serves individual companies' interests in many ways. They provide awareness of issues on the federal level. AO has a lobbyist in Washington with outfitters' interests in mind. AO holds an annual convention where people who do similar business can network. This convention has learning opportunities through seminars and demonstrations. There is also a large market where equipment and services that are relevant to this industry are on display. Relevant products and wares are available for order. Insurance companies and computer companies are present and willing to explain, teach and show the new concepts and ideas coming to market that are useful on many levels of our businesses, including whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon.

Some AO members are ranchers, horse people, hunters, hikers and, of course....river runners. Some do business in a boat, astride a horse, or on a 4-wheel vehicle. There is a wide diversity within the group. They are naturalists and outdoors people by nature who are trying to make a successful business of their love of nature.

All these businesses explore, appreciate and want to preserve the great natural wonders that we have. AO helps individual companies to balance the demands of running a safe and profitable business with the preservation and appreciation of nature.

Our public lands are important to us and they must be preserved and protected. They are not to be closed off to us, but access should be with the utmost respect and reverence for their condition and continued well being.

Parks should not be set aside like your Mom's fancy dishes. They are to be respectfully enjoyed, appreciated and loved. AO help us at Arizona River Runners and you to do those things.

Arizona River Runners is proud to be a member of AO, and support organizations that protect our environment. We are nature lovers, adventurists and we love people.

For our Grand Canyon rafting packages call us at 1-800-477-7238. We would love to take you on a guided river rafting tour through the Grand Canyon.

Plan a Family Rafting Vacation with Your Adult Children and Arizona River Runners

Your kids can be adventurous travel companions who are willing to try new things, and are hungry for physical activity and education. Arizona River Runners has a variety of family rafting trips with adventure written all over!

Remember when the kids were little, and family vacations sometimes seemed like more of a hassle than the fun and relaxing holidays they were supposed to be? First you had to pack for you, then for the kids, then load them into the car with a big bag of distractions, and bear the repeated annoyances of “are we there yet?” only to arrive at Lego Land or Disney World to wait hours in line and spend buckets of money on bottled water and Mickey ears.

Now that the kids are more grown up, things might seem a little easier. Don’t think that just because the kids are all adults means you have to give up those fun-filled family vacations. The empty nest syndrome can be rough for a lot of parents, but leaving the nest can be just as hard sometimes. It might surprise you that most kids would be happy to relish in old times, and spend some quality time traveling with their parents.

Besides, now that they’re older, your kids can be adventurous travel companions who are willing to try new things, and are hungry for physical activity and education. Why not bring them out on a Colorado River trip? Rafting through the Grand Canyon with outfitters like Arizona River Runners provide tons of boat-rocking rapids to help keep the excitement up, along with lots of fascinating information on the Canyon’s history and ecology. Arizona River Runners has family rafting trips with adventure written all over!

Along the way, you’ll get to experience the Canyon both on the water and off with a variety of side canyon hikes, hidden waterfalls and cool swimming spots. The Canyon is known for its unique environment and breathtaking geography, so you’ll be sure to find something fun to explore. Don’t worry, you’ll have some down time each day with delicious full course meals provided by the Arizona River Runners’ crew.

Your Grand Canyon rafting trip doesn’t even have to mark a milestone like a graduation or a job promotion; bringing your adult kids out on a river trip can simply be an opportunity to share in an exciting experience with a loved one. Kicking back at the campsite is the perfect opportunity to catch up and stay connected with your kids. You’ll be able to recount stories and share experiences with one another while enjoying the beautiful setting of the Grand Canyon.

You’ll also be surrounded by other people who share in similar interests, so your Colorado River trip can be a great opportunity for both you and your children to make some new friends. Our guides, especially, have some incredible stories about their own experiences whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon, and they’re always happy to share.

Now that the family is together for the holiday - go online and take a look at our trips! You will be pleasantly surprised at our all-inclusive rates. Book your "grown-up" family rafting trip with Arizona River Runners, it will be the adventure of a lifetime -an unforgettable adventure! You’ll travel over one hundred plus river miles down the Colorado River and have the opportunity to share in the experience of a lifetime with your kids, all while rafting, swimming, hiking, and camping in one of the most amazing “Natural Wonders of the World.” It’s the family vacation they’ll never forget, and best of all – there are no lines! Call us now at 1-800-477-7238!

Arizona River Runners ~ Grand Canyon Rafting Myth Busters!

Seems lots of people have some preconceived ideas about rafting in the Grand Canyon. I have to make reservations a year in advance. I have to hike into the Grand Canyon to get on the raft. I have to hike out of the Grand Canyon. I have to be super strong and agile. I need a bunch of special equipment…Arizona River Runners will bust these myths one at a time.

Q. Do I have to make reservations a year in advance?

A. Typically...no. If you have a bunch of people that want to go together, and you only have one time slot that works for your group, you should reserve your space as far in advance as possible. But if you are 1, 2, 3, or 4 people and you are somewhat flexible with your timing, you do not have to reserve a year ahead to get a spot. There are lots of openings throughout the entire season. The earlier you call Arizona River Runners about your trip reservation, the more choices you will have. As the year progresses, the schedule fills in and there are fewer openings for you to choose from. Some people have been known to jump on at the very last minute because they are filling a late cancellation. You never know what is available until you call.

Q. Do I have to hike in to get on the raft trip?

A. The majority of Arizona River Runners' trips do not involve hiking in or out. Most rafting trips launch at Lee's Ferry where you simply climb onto the boat and head downstream - no hiking. A few of our trips include hiking in or out of the canyon. Those that take these rafting trips will be accompanied by a hiking escort to ensure your safety.

Q. Do I have to be super strong and agile to enjoy rafting through the Grand Canyon?

A. You do not have to be the ultimate specimen of fitness to enjoy a Grand Canyon Raft trip. It can be challenging at times, but it does not require you to be unusually strong or agile. Everyday people go on these trips and have the time of their life...."a trip of a lifetime" is a common description. Even if you have specific medical, physical or dietary needs, ARR can easily deal with many of these things to keep you at your best and allow you to experience white water rafting in the Grand Canyon.

Q. Do I need a bunch of special equipment?

A. Nope! You bring your personal gear and Arizona River Runners provides all your camping and river gear: sleeping bag, pillow, sheet, tarp, tent, cot, paco pad, chair, travel mug, plate, utensils, life jacket, dry bags, all that stuff! Food and drinks are provided as well.

So... there are just a few myths busted! It's really easy to go on a Colorado River trip. Call Arizona River Runners (1-800-477-7238) and ask all the questions you want or need to about our family rafting trips. Don't hang up until you have it all figured out! Dates and rates for the 2011 season are on our website at www.raftarizona.com. Don’t hesitate, check out our Grand Canyon rafting adventures now!

Rafting The Grand Canyon in Comfort ~ Arizona River Runners Style

Riding the waves on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon is certainly exhilarating. It's active, exciting and it's Mother Nature's display of raw power and beauty. Certainly it is wet. It is wet from all directions. Sometimes the skies open and drench you. Sometimes the river lures you down and crushes you with huge torrents of water. The water is playful, cold and powerful. The sun can graciously warm you up or mercilessly bake you and burn you. The clouds can protect you or reveal the warmth of the sun you crave. Every one of your senses will be on high alert during your time in the wilderness rafting through the Grand Canyon.

Arizona River Runners can provide a trip of a lifetime within this superb display of nature. We have the expertise, the guides and all the equipment you'll need, not only to survive, but to relish your part in the river dance.

Our rafts have cushioned seats. The duffel pile makes a great seat back and supports your back. The rafts are custom built with plenty of storage (so you can eat like a king) and provide lots of comfy options for you to sit. The boxes are cushioned so that you can think about other things besides your tush on your whitewater rafting trip!

When you get to camp everybody can enjoy a chair. On motor trips, you'll be able to sleep on a cot. Oar rigs have less stowage space. They still enjoy chairs and inflatable paco pads for sleeping. The toilet setup is very comfy....probably looks just like your seat at home but has a much better view.

We've got roomy tents for everybody that wants one. They are easy to assemble even for non-campers. Cold drinks are available 24/7 and chocolate-y, nutty, granola-y, yummy snacks abound. Meals include fresh fruits and veggies eaten with real utensils, on plates that won't fold in your hands. There's ice available in the evenings, and we have a "happy hour" with appetizers!

Do keep in mind, that this is a wilderness experience, but Arizona River Runners takes your comfort to heart. You are, after all, in a truly awesome environment. You don't need to be distracted by "boo boos" that can be avoided.

The Grand Canyon is the star. ARR will minimize the uncomfortable distractions so you can be awed by the main attraction.

To book your Arizona rafting vacation call 1-800-477-7238 for 2011 rates and dates!