Grand Canyon Rafting Trip Itinerary

Good morning Grand Canyon! Wake up to the chirping of the Canyon Wren and the aroma of freshly brewed cowboy coffee. Though the sun hasn’t fully reached our camp yet, the tops of the Canyon’s walls are starting to glow from the light. While the eggs, sausage, and muffins cook, we pack up our sleeping bags and gear. Don’t forget to take a sip of coffee and look around, the sunrises in the Canyon are second to none.

We load up onto the boats and just around the corner a series of rapids. If the sun hasn’t fully risen yet, you might be wearing some splash gear. A great blue heron takes off downriver, beckoning you to follow. As the shadows move throughout the Canyon the surroundings feel somehow prehistoric.

We pull over at a side canyon called South Canyon and our guide starts talking about a hike. It’s a shorter hike but requires some careful navigation. It ends with incredible archeology and petroglyphs made by the Native Americans over thousands of years ago! Some folks stay back by the boats and enjoy solitude by the river.

After South Canyon, the river turns sharply to the east, signaling Vasey’s Paradise is just ahead. Sunlight explodes from the fountains of water gushing out of the limestone and beautiful mosses and ferns are at the base. As we drift closer the guide spins the raft and we have a moment to take pictures and smell the aromas of the fresh plants and water.

We stop for lunch in the shade of Redwall Cavern. John Wesley Powell believed this cavern was large enough to hold over 50,000 people. While we can’t confirm that, we do know this place can hold a great game of whiffle ball and lots of fun and laughter!

As two golden eagles soar lazily overhead, we drift quietly, and our boatman tells us the story of Bert Loper’s historic life and his connection to the river. We feel the afternoon heat, but soon a much welcomed rapid refreshes us.

We pull over for camp and the shade starts to crawl back into the Canyon. We help unload the boats and the guides point out some spots of interest for self-exploration. Many people take advantage of having free time to themselves and bathe, journal, and have a cocktail or soda.

Wash your hands, it’s dinnertime! The guides call us to the camp kitchen and a delicious dinner is presented. Tonight’s menu is Mahi Mahi, rice, asparagus, and a tasty bean salad. For dessert, a freshly baked lemon cake—yum! We eat in a chair circle with our new friends and guides and reminisce about the day.

Dinner has been cleaned up, but many remain in the chair circle as our guides share stories of their times in the Canyon. Those who can’t stay awake find their sleeping bags. Our ceiling tonight is the Milky Way, framed by the walls of the Grand Canyon. The sky is so clear that if you are patient enough, you’ll see stars shooting across the sky. Eventually the white noise of the river lulls you to sleep, and excitement creeps in for what the next day may bring.