Two Day Grand Canyon Rafting

Drive times to Peach Springs from neighboring cities are as follows:

• Grand Canyon South Rim, AZ: 2.5 hours, 133 miles
• Las Vegas, NV: 3 hours, 155 miles
• Kingman, AZ: 1 hour, 50 miles
• Seligman, AZ: 35 minutes, 37 miles
• Williams, AZ: 1.5 hours, 80 miles
• Flagstaff, AZ: 2 hours, 110 miles

If you are driving yourself, we recommend staying at the Hualapai Lodge the night before (more information about where to stay below) as the day begins early.

Rafting Itinerary

FRIDAY EVENING

Check-in at the Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs, AZ (Grand Canyon West) between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. You will meet the Hualapai River Runners at their desk located in the lobby to pick up your dry bags and confirm the Saturday morning departure time. 

SATURDAY 

On the day of your trip, you will check-in at approximately 6:30 a.m. in the lobby of the Hualapai Lodge. From the Hualapai Lodge, you will take a 1-hour bus ride 20 miles down the scenic dirt Diamond Creek Road to the put-in on the Colorado River.

Once you arrive at the put-in, you’ll receive an orientation and safety briefing. After your briefing, it’s time to grab a paddle and get ready to meet the Colorado river! You’ll begin your trip in a paddle raft with eight whitewater rapids within the first ten miles. You will get wet! The rapids are rated II and III+, which makes for a fun roller coaster ride of wave trains.

During the day, you will hike and explore a beautiful side canyon with a waterfall called Travertine Falls, run more rapids, and enjoy a picnic lunch on a sandy bank. Lunch consists of deli-style sandwiches with chips, fruit, cookies, and trail mix. Snacks, water, and soft drinks are always available.

After the whitewater, you will change boats, running the flat water portion on a 22′ inflatable, motorized pontoon raft, which carries up to 9 people.

Soak in the experience of being a mile deep in the earth all afternoon. Relax, explore and connect with your fellow passengers and guides. You will camp at Spencer Canyon, where the origin of the Hualapai Story begins.  Settle in for an evening which includes a hearty dinner of steak, salad, corn-on-the cob, and baked beans.  Savor the awesome experience of camping beneath the stars.

SUNDAY

Wake up to a hot breakfast and breathtaking views of the Canyon walls. You will have the opportunity for a short morning hike to explore more historic sites. From here the motorized pontoon rafts will take you the remaining river miles. Enjoy lunch on a sandy river bank before arriving at the first optional take-out point, Quartermaster Canyon, where a helicopter lift will take many of you to the rim above.

At the end of your two days, you will have traveled 35 miles down the Colorado River!

Option 1: Helicopter Out

If you choose to add-on the helicopter lift out you will arrive at Quartermaster Canyon around 1 p.m. From here you will take a quick 6-7-minute helicopter flight back to the rim of the Grand Canyon. Patience is a must as the helicopter can only take four people at a time. There is a covered waiting area located at the helicopter pad.

After your helicopter flight to the rim, you will wait in an air-conditioned building for the entire group to arrive, including the Skywalk group. Once everyone has arrived, you will take a 2-hour shuttle back to the Hualapai Lodge. Expect to arrive back between 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. depending on the group size.

A Note About the Helicopter

If, for your safety, the helicopter is grounded due to weather (wind, rain, severe heat) you will raft down river for an additional two hours to Pearce Ferry. From here you will take a bus back to the Hualapai Lodge. You will receive a refund for the helicopter portion of your expedition and Skywalk if applicable.

Option 2: No Helicopter

If you forgo the helicopter, you will continue rafting for approximately two more hours. Enjoy the scenery of Grand Canyon for 19 additional river miles and arrive at Pearce Ferry. Here you will take a 2-hour bus ride back to Peach Springs. You will arrive back at the Hualapai Lodge between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

The Skywalk is not available with this option. We recommend taking the helicopter out of Grand Canyon, especially in the summer months, as the additional hours on the river make for an extra-long day.

Grand Canyon Skywalk

The Skywalk is the only place where visitors can step out onto a glass walkway nearly 4,000 feet above the floor of the Grand Canyon. If you choose to add the Skywalk option to your rafting adventure at our discounted rate, this add-on will be an additional cost. Rafters who choose to do the Skywalk will be helicoptered to the rim first and will have approximately a 30-minute visit at the Skywalk.

Camp Life

Whether you’re an experienced camper or it’s your first time under the stars, your guides will facilitate an enjoyable camping experience.  You will camp on a shoreline near the Colorado River with the starry sky overhead.  Everyone participates in setting up and breaking down camp as well as loading and unloading the rafts on sandy and sometimes steep sandy beaches.

You are welcome to bring your own camping gear. Tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads are included in the price of the trip and can be reserved when you sign-up for the trip.

Bathroom Breaks

Urination during the day, while not near a port-a-john, must take place in the river or in the wet sand next to the river as ordered by the National Park Service. A composting, private toilet will be available at your campsite.

Where to Stay

We recommend staying at the Hualapai Lodge the night before and/or the night after your expedition. The trip has an early start and this is the only lodging option in Peach Springs. There are train tracks that run near the hotel, so if you are a light sleeper we recommend bringing ear plugs.

We have discounted rates for the lodge and are happy to book your rooms for you. Our discount rate varies throughout the season and can be seen through our online booking portal by selecting a desired date. The price includes all taxes and fees.

Your lodging reservation can be cancelled up to 3 business days before your check-in date in order to receive a refund. Cancellations within 3 business days of your check-in date cannot be refunded.

Please know that space in the Hualapai Lodge is limited. If we cannot secure a room, there are other lodging options nearby.

Weather

Historically speaking, weather patterns in Grand Canyon are as follows:

• March, April and May have cooler temperatures and can bring strong winds.
• June through August are the hottest months with temperatures between 95°F – 115°F.
• Monsoon season is July thru September and can bring afternoon clouds and rain showers. (See more about monsoon storm related cancellations below.)
• September and October have cooler temperatures.

Water Temperature

The Colorado River water is around 50°F – 55°F all year round. This is a whitewater rafting trip, so you will get wet and the water will be cold!

What to Bring

We’ll provide you with this detailed packing list when you book your trip. No matter what time of year, we highly recommend you bring waterproof rain gear (jacket and pants). There will be times when you’re in the shade and if you’re wet – even in the summer – it can get uncomfortable. If you’re rafting in the spring or fall, you’ll want to bring layers to keep warm.  Sun protection is a must as you’ll be spending full days in the Arizona sun. If you want to get an idea of what gear we recommend, you can visit our recommended gear page (please note this gear is for all river trips and is not specific to the 2 day trip).

Payment and Cancellation Policy

Payment in full is required at the time of booking your 2-day Grand Canyon Rafting adventure. Cancellations received 30 days or more prior to the original trip date will forfeit $50 per person with the remaining amount being refunded. Cancellations received within 29 to 1 day prior to the trip date and/or no shows will forfeit the total amount paid.

Please know that Rivers & Oceans is subject to the outfitter’s policies and cannot make exceptions for any reason to their cancellation policy. We are also subject to any changes made to the trip itineraries, departure dates, prices, and/or their reservation policies at any time.

Date Changes

After reserving the trip, you may change your trip date one time by paying an additional $35 per person date change fee up to 2 days prior to the trip date. Date change requests received within 2 days of the trip date will be treated as cancellations and will forfeit the total amount paid. Please note, if you change your trip date and need to cancel your trip, the total amount paid will be retained and no refunds will be issued.

Monsoon Storm Season: Rafting in July, August, or Early September

If there is an intense rainstorm the night before your rafting trip the dirt road down to the river may be washed out. If this occurs the Hualapai River Runners will do their best to clear the road allowing you to raft that day. This could delay your launch by one to two hours, which will affect the pacing of your trip. If the road is unable to be cleared your trip will be cancelled and you will be given the opportunity to reschedule. If you are unable to raft on different days you will receive a full refund.

We have more information about variations in the river during the rafting season.