Wondering about grand canyon rapids? Get a plain guide to the biggest runs, including Lava Falls, plus safety tips and what the ride feels like before you go.
Want a clear grand canyon rafting trip cost? See what’s included, hidden add-ons, and motorized vs dory pricing so you can budget with confidence.
Comparing dory vs motorized rafting in the Grand Canyon? Learn the key differences in pace, trip style, and experience to choose the right river trip.
This crew takes "Twinning" to a whole new level 😂
📸Suzann Gobis
Trip pics are rolling in, and we are excited! It looks like our guides are stoked to be back on the river too.
📸PH Welsh
Canyon reflections ❤
📷: GCE Guest Steve Curray
We just love a good splash!
📷: Harrison Whittmore
Taco Tuesday on Cinco de Mayo?! Best day ever!
📸Annette Diliberto
The first morning of your river adventure starts with a bit of a long drive from Vegas to Lee's Ferry. The good news (besides the fact that you're headed to the Grand Canyon for a river trip) is that you'll make a couple of stops, one of which just so happens to be at Jacob Lake Inn, where they sell delicious homemade cookies! We recommend buying one or two for a delicious pre-river treat. 🍪❤
📸Debbie Rohde//Avram Fox
Our third dory trip of 2026 is heading to Lees Ferry today and will launch tomorrow!
Woo hoo!
A fun sequence of photos from Lava Falls! Go Robert!
📸: Sami Hawkins
For today's #saturdayshenanigans we're gonna do a throw back to 2014 with this great picture of Captain Emily and Captain Jalynda! If you've been on a river trip with these two, you know they're the dynamic duo of good times and have an everlasting friendship.
Happy Tuesday! It’s time for a little Show & Tell Tuesday. Today, we’re highlighting a personal favorite: Lava Falls. It’s big, it’s loud, and it never disappoints!
What’s your favorite rapid? Drop it in the comments below! 👇
Also, sending love to our first dory trip of the season; they wrap up tomorrow! We are so excited to hear all about their journey.
📸Terrill Jones
Well, that looks like fun! 🤩 Hermit rapid in a dory is a blast! We still have a few spaces on our July dory trip if you are looking for a summer adventure. Trip dates are July 21- Aug 3. Reach out if we can help you plan the trip of a lifetime!
📸: Swamper Ethan
Join us on a trip for lots of beautiful views 💜
Our first trip of 2026 is off the river. It sounds like lots of fun was had by all. More pics to come soon!
It’s pirate o’clock somewhere!
📸Dawn Jordan
For Earth Day we'd like to celebrate all of the crew, guests, rangers, hikers, private boaters; (everyone who spends time in the Canyon) for practicing Leave No Trace principles. Because of this group effort, the Canyon is a beautiful place to visit, and we are happy to continue following these principles to keep it beautiful for everyone who plans a future visit! 👏🌎⭐
https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/
https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/trail-courtesy.htm
📸Lisa Kavanaugh
Robert and Ana are home from the Guides Training Seminar River Trip. Here is a little before and after of their run in Waltenberg Rapid!
📷: GCE Guide Ana
Happy Wednesday! Our first motor trip launched today, and our second Dory trip launches tomorrow. The 2026 season is officially in full swing (and we still have room this summer, if you'd like to go!)
📸Alexann Sanford
Our dory trip is on their third day. We wonder if they visited Redwall Cavern today? This amazing photo was taken on an April trip last year.
📷: GCE Guest Terrill J.
Our first motor launch of the season is headed to Lee’s Ferry! Sedona, Mark and Zeya will spend the night with the boat and be there when our guests arrive tomorrow morning 🌊🌊🌊
Throwback to 10 years ago: an April trip in 2016.
📸Glenda Y
Swamper Robert and Captain Bobby showing us that they can 'walk the walk' and 'wear the hair' 😂
Our guests are almost to the ferry, and the first trip launches today! Happy 2026 season start!
📸 Capt Brendyce
Recognize any of these faces? We apologize for the poor quality of the photos, these were pinned to a bulletin board for years. We couldn’t help but share them!
We got a beautiful sunrise this morning as we headed to Las Vegas to meet our first group of guests. They are headed out on the river tomorrow for 16 days!
Happy Easter Weekend from our crew to yours! 🐣🌸
Don't worry, our guides will always have your back! Happy Saturday :)
(Just 10 days left until our first launch!)
Our first trip doesn’t launch until next week but Ana and Robert launched on the Guides Training Seminar! This is a collaborative trip put on by Grand Canyon River Guides (GCRG) and the commercial outfitters. We are sure they are having an amazing time and learning lots from the teachers and mentors on the trip.
Some of our crew just finished up their Wilderness First Responder Recertification. These are skills that we hope we don’t have to use! Thanks Tim and @sierrarescue for another great training!
Don't mind us, we are just testing out our new boats! 😂
#happyaprilfoolsday
This is a good example of a bag line and setting up the kitchen after a fun day of rafting!
📸Paul Dowling
One week until the first chair circle of the 2026 season!
📸Jim Neu
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature - the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
- Rachel Carson, Silent Spring
📸Nancy Kahl
Spring training was a huge success. We are so excited for river season! The crews’ favorite part of training is when they get their new crew shirt for the season. Thanks to funluvin_fleecewear for making us look so good!
Sometimes you find the green, sometimes the green finds you. 😂🍀
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Time for pre-season training! See anybody you know? 🤔😁
Happy Pi Day! (Yes, we know it's cake... but hey, it's a circle!) ft. Capt. Tyler
📸Oneida Peskin
We think this is way more fun than work!
Splash! We are getting so excited for our 2026 river season!
📷: GCE Guest Cheryl B.
Only 20 days until our first Dory trip!
📸Max Chernoff
A Bald Eagle? In the Grand Canyon? That's pretty neat!
📸Andy Hintze
Physically we are in the office... mentally we are on the river ❤
📸Finbarr Crispie
Is anyone else ready for summer?!?!
We are getting ready for our 2026 river season. We get two large non-perishable food orders. One at the beginning and one midway through our season. We are so excited! Are you joining us this summer?
POV: A Grand Canyon traffic jam
(These guests came across the bighorn on a trail, and respectfully waited until she had moved on. Please don't approach wildlife, stay safe, and always give distance when you can.)
Duffy, the majestic river mermaid 🧜♂️😂
📸Alex N
We hope to see you down there! 😉
📸Rusty Ford
Hi! Happy Friday!
📷: GCE Guest Christine P.
Some of our favorite flowers are cacti flowers. This fishhook cactus gets its name from the fishhook shaped spines. A trip in April or May is the best opportunity to see cacti flowers!
📷: GCE Guest Rie F.
Here we see the crew trying out that trendy new river facelifting technique: face taping. Results may vary 😂
📸Mindy Blake
My name is Taylor, I work in the office, and my absolute favorite food is a "Grand Canyon" style burrito while sitting next to the river.
What's your favorite river meal? Let us know below!
💜💙🖤
📷: GCE Guest Reid M.
This photo was taken on a Monday last summer. Mondays are more fun on the river!
📷: GCE Guest Holly G.
Still trying to plan your summer vacay? We just had a special opportunity open up for a single boat charter trip June 18-25, 2026. We have limited single boat launches and these typically fill up months in advance. Call or email our office for more information about charter trips (including information about a free space!) Link in bio.
📷: GCE Guest David S.
Saturday shenanigans: posing with the unsung hero of camp life.
📸Susan Davis
Bighorn lambs are on the move! If you’re on a river trip between mid-April and June, you just might spot one of these little cuties along the shoreline.
It's not too late to sign up for a spring trip! April and May usually have lots of opportunities to see wildflowers in bloom. Isn't this Desert globemallow beautiful?
📷: GCE Guest Vin L.
Our river trips have opportunities to hike and explore some of the side canyons. All hikes are optional and our guides will give a description of the trail so our guests can decide if they would like to go. The hike to the Deer Creek Patio involves walking along a narrow ledge. Would you do this hike?
📷: GCE Guest Rachelle M.
Happy Valentine's Day! We wrote a love poem for the Grand Canyon.
"The canyon stretches across the land,
a place both wild, deep, and grand.
The river flows and carves its path
a masterpiece shaped by time, not wrath.
The wild, the beauty, seen from above,
But the true adventure lies below
on the Colorado River, with love."
-T. Pratt
📸 Nic Haynes
Grand Canyon's version of a live tweet (and it's a cute one!)
📸Zack Steer
Caption this photo of Lew and one of our guests!
📷: GCE Guest Ali D.
Fun fact: those greenish stripes are 510-million-year-old Bright Angel Shale, capped by a fresh layer of travertine from ancient springs. The Grand Canyon is basically one giant time machine. #tectonictuesday
Eager to learn more about Grand Canyon Geology? We still have room on our Special Interest Geology trips in May (May 21-28, 2026) and July (July 9-16, 2026). We'd love to share the Canyon with you and teach you about the layers you'll see.
📸Chaz Hart
We think this looks like an amazing spot to spend the night! Would you camp here?
📷: GCE Guest Tom C.
Our office is closed for the holiday. We will be back tomorrow and will return calls and emails then.
📷: GCE Guest Chris W
Grand Canyon Expeditions Astronomy Trip • July 23–30, 2026
Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower • July 20–30 (Peak)
Coincidence? Nope.
We planned it this way 😉 The Grand Canyon’s Dark Skies are the place to watch these meteors light up the summer night.
📸Ken Tabbutt / 𝑈𝑛𝑘𝑎𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑙
The Grand Canyon is a wonderful place to sit, relax, and let Mother Nature take some weight off your shoulders.
Need a break? We recommend a river trip.
📸Alexann Sanford
What a view to wake up to 🌅
📸Gail Stakes
Happy Monday from this friendly lil' cutie!
Our office is closed today as we anxiously await to see if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow! Just Kidding! Our office is closed as some work is being completed on our electrical lines. We will be back tomorrow and ready to help you plan the adventure of a lifetime!
📷: Background photo Elissa F.
Our first launch is officially two months out, and honestly, we gotta hand it to Sedona; we’re surprised too!
📸Audrey Hansen
Just bighorn things 🐏
📸Bradley Sitko
Is there anything better than a river nap?
📷: GCE Guest Rachelle M.
We will never get over the color of this water 💙
📷: GCE Guest Natalie Semon
Oars are varnished! We are only 68 days from our first trip of the 2026 season!
”If there is a point to being in the canyon, it is not to rush but to linger, suspended in a blue-and-amber haze of in-between-ness, for as long as one possibly can. To float, to drift, savoring the pulse of the river on its odyssey through the canyon, and above all, to postpone the unwelcome and distinctly unpleasant moment when one is forced to reemerge and reenter the world beyond the rim-that is the paramount goal.”
- Kevin Fedarko
📸Alexann Sanford
Only 50 days until spring! (But who's counting?😉)
Redbud trees bloom in early spring in the Grand Canyon. If you like flowers and want to see these beauties, April is your best chance (hint, hint 😉)!
📷: GCE Guest Heather R.
One of the best things about the river? The people. ❤
📸Andy Hintze
Sending warm thoughts to everyone in areas that are affected by all this winter weather. If you want to book a warm and sunny vacation we got you!
We're still dreaming about summer........
📷: GCE Guest Rachelle M.
Taking the scenic route (as usual)
📸Kathy H, Bridjet O, Ham M.
Wellness Wednesday Tip: Sometimes what you really need is to watch a Grand Canyon sunset from a beach while listening to the river flow. We can help with that. 😉
📸Gary Bertsch
Today’s shenanigan throwback from 2024. No one’s exactly sure what’s happening here, but if Captain Glade jumps out of a boat, we’re jumping too. No questions asked.
It's National Sticker Day!
The Store at GCE has lots of fun stickers to celebrate. This option and many more can be found here:
https://the-store-at-gce.square.site/shop/the-stickers/7?page=1&limit=30&sort_by=category_order&sort_order=asc&location_id=11eb1871dd8235628648ac1f6bbbd01e
And remember, if you buy 5 stickers, the 6th is free!
This could be you this summer! We have space on some of our 2026 dory trips. Call or visit our website for more information. Link in bio.
Spots are filling up fast for April and May. This is the best time of year if you want to see spring blooms! Call or visit our website to book. Link in bio.
📷: GCE Guest Mark P.
We had some space open up on our 2026 May and June dory trips! These trips sold out months ago but due to some cancellations there is an amazing opportunity to join one of these trips this summer. Please call our office or go to our website for more information. Link in bio.
New species spotted in the Grand Canyon: River Guide. Powered by river snacks and shenanigans. Happy Saturday!
Don’t forget to plan for some FUN this summer!
We are back to normal hours this week. We are working through messages and emails and will be getting back to everyone soon. We hope your new year is off to a great start!
📷: GCE Guest Sarah F
It is snowing here at our warehouse in Kanab, UT. We are dreaming of sunny days on the river!
📷: GCE Guest Jeanette R.
If your goals for 2026 look like this we have the perfect trip for you!
Just a casual float past a few million years of rock history.
As we close out 2025 we would like to thank you all for being here. We are thrilled to share the Grand Canyon with you all and hope that it brings you as much inspiration and joy as it does us ❤
📷: GCE Guest Matthew G.
𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺
As part of our all-inclusive experience, Grand Canyon Expeditions books (𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘺𝘴) for your hotel room the night before your trip as well as the night you return.
New this year: about 90 days before your trip, you'll receive a Google Form by email. Fill it out, and your rooms will be booked and ready when your adventure begins. Easy.
Need extra hotel nights? You can request those through the same form.
Questions, concerns, or a cool old river story you feel like sharing? Email Taylor at taylor@gcex.com
Happy Tuesday!
Today’s throwback (September 2013) comes from our resident photographer, Barry Glazier! Barry is the photography interpreter on our Photography Trip, which offers hands-on workshops, tips on lighting and composition, and access to some of the most stunning spots in the Canyon. We still have space on our April 18–26, 2026 trip if you’d like to join us. All skill levels welcome!
Jacque's giving a "don't even think about it" face, but really she's just getting ready to tie up the boat 😉🛶
📸Alex N
Happy Birthday to GCE Guide Andy! We wish you a very happy day!
📷: GCE Guest Dahaus Pictures
Happy Birthday to GCE Guide Adam B! We hope that you are having an amazing day!
📷: GCE Guest Wayne S.
We hope Jim is this excited for his birthday! We are wishing him an amazing day!
📷: GCE Guest Ben D.
