Grand Canyon 1-Day Whitewater Rafting Trip
Run Rapids, hike the falls, picnic lunch
$320 per person, add helicopter tour $106
One Day Grand Canyon Rafting
White water rafting the Grand Canyon in 1-day is perfect for those who are short on time and want a true rafting experience a mile deep in Grand Canyon. Run rapids on the Colorado River, hike to Travertine Falls, have lunch on the river bank, and take a helicopter to the rim – all in one day.
Discover the rich traditions of the Hualapai people and travel down river with a native guide. For those who want a bird’s eye view, the helicopter transport to the rim adds a highlight to your Grand Canyon rafting trip. In addition, this trip requires no hike in or out of the Grand Canyon.
Those that are looking for more adventure can take a 2-day, 3-day or longer Grand Canyon rafting trip. Not sure which Grand Canyon trip is best for you, give us a call. We’ll answer your questions and guide you through the process. Find your perfect Colorado river rafting trip at the same price you would get directly from the outfitter.
$320 per person
***Due to Covid-19 the helicopter tour and Hualapai Lodge are tentatively scheduled to open this year.***
Includes: all taxes and fees, transportation from the Hualapai Lodge to the Colorado River and back, picnic lunch, beverages and snacks.
Optional: Helicopter Add $106 per
Optional Skywalk add $58 per
Rapids: Class II-III+
Length: 1 day/35 river miles
Minimum Age: 8 years
Meeting Place: Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs, AZ.
Meets: 7:30am
Returns: Between 5:30 – 7:30pm
1-Day Grand Canyon White Water Rafting Details
The Hualapai Legacy
Your whitewater rafting adventure takes place on the Hualapai Indian Reservation with Hualapai River Runners guides. This is a unique opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon with people who have a rich history within the Canyon and still call it home. Being mindful of cultural differences and keeping a flexible outlook will enrich your adventure.
1-day Grand Canyon Whitewater Rafting Video
The Morning of Your Rafting Adventure
On the day of your whitewater trip, you will check-in at 7:00 a.m. with the Hualapai River Runners in the lobby of the Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs, Arizona (Grand Canyon West). From the Hualapai Lodge, you will travel by bus 1-hour down a scenic dirt road into the Grand Canyon. The motor rafts launch from Diamond Creek at the confluence with the Colorado River.
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Getting to Peach Springs
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
We recommend staying at the Hualapai Lodge the night before (more information about where to stay below) as the day begins early. In addition, round trip transportation from Las Vegas is available for an additional fee. Please inquire for more information.
Your Whitewater Experience
The raft will be a 22-foot, motorized inflatable pontoon, which carries 6-8 people. There are typically 6-8 boats traveling down river in a group.
Rapids
The action begins right away with eight whitewater rapids within the first ten miles. You will get wet! The rapids are rated II and III+, which makes for a wild roller coaster ride of wave trains. If you have back issues, please know the rafts have metal benches. Going through the rapids is a rough ride. After the rapids, the next 25 miles of river will be smooth water and incredible Grand Canyon views.
River Stops
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. In addition, snacks, water, and soft drinks are always available. Dietary restrictions due to allergy or medical conditions can generally be accommodated.
River Bathrooms
A note about 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.
Transportation out of the Canyon
If you choose the express helicopter lift out of Grand Canyon, you will arrive at your take-out point, Quartermaster Canyon having rafted 35 river miles. Otherwise, you will raft an additional 19 miles to take out at Pearce Ferry. Either way, you will have had an exciting day rafting the Colorado River.
Option 1: Helicopter Out
If you choose to add-on the helicopter lift you will arrive at Quartermaster Canyon between 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. From here you will take a quick 6 to 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.
Option 2: No Helicopter
Alternatively, 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. At this point a bus will take you back to Peach Springs. Expect to 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 and see 4,000 feet down into the Grand Canyon. You can add the Skywalk option to your rafting adventure at our discounted rate (price is at the top of the page). Rafters who choose to do the Skywalk will be helicoptered to the rim first and have approximately a 30-minute visit at the Skywalk. Unfortunately, the Skywalk option is only available if you choose the helicopter lift out of Grand Canyon.
WHERE TO STAY
Hualapai Lodge
We recommend staying at the Hualapai Lodge the night before and/or the night of your expedition as it is an early start with a full day of activity. This is the only lodging option in Peach Springs. For light sleepers we recommend bringing ear plugs to minimize the sound coming from the nearby train tracks.
Discounted Rates
We have discounted rates for the lodge and are happy to book 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 the Hualapai Lodge has limited space. If we cannot secure a room there are other lodging options nearby.
Weather
Typical Grand Canyon weather patterns:
- 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, July thru September, brings afternoon clouds and rain showers. (See more about monsoon storm related cancellations below.)
- September and October have cooler temperatures.
We have additional information about variations in the river during the rafting season.
Monsoon Storm Season: Rafting in July, August, or Early September
When an intense rainstorm occurs the night before a trip, the dirt road down to the river may wash out. In this situation 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 or you have the option of a full refund.
Water Temperature
The Colorado River water is around 50°F – 55°F all year round. You will get wet on this whitewater rafting trip and the water will be cold!
What to Bring
We provide a detailed packing list once you book your trip. No matter what time of year, we highly recommend you bring waterproof rain gear (jacket and pants) to protect you from the splash of the rapids, rain and wind. There will be times when you’re in the shade and if you’re wet – even in the summer – it can get uncomfortable.
For spring or fall rafting you’ll want to bring layers to keep warm. Sun protection is a must as you’ll be spending a long day out in the Arizona sun. We have more gear information here (please note this gear is for all river trips and is not specific to the 1 day trip).
Payment and Cancellation Policies
Payment in full is required at the time of booking your 1-day Grand Canyon Whitewater Rafting adventure. More than 30 days prior to the original trip date it is possible to cancel by forfeiting $50 per person. The remainder of the total amount paid will be 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 $25 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.
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 a different take-out point where 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. See pricing listed above.
Start Your Grand Canyon Adventure
Trip Reviews
This trip was amazing!!!!!!
Totally worth the money!! We basically left thinking we would do it again!! It’s adventurous, so much fun, and an experience you’ll remember for life. You get to experience the Grand Canyon from below and the canyon walls just completely tower over with their magnitude and beauty. The Colorado River was amazing from it’s greenish/blueish tones to the exciting whitewaters and then the calm part towards the end- and Yes it’s Cold, but in the hot day, the water felt pretty refreshing. The trip was also not so physically demanding, the hike to the waterfall was quick (and one of my favorites parts), you do have to climb, but the level of exertion is really low (do take shoes that won’t slip). We didn’t have the option to do the helicopter because of COVID, but I think we would’ve liked that experience because at the end the boat trip does get a bit lengthy and one gets to get a little tired. All the guides were very friendly and they’re great at pointing out interesting parts of the canyon and it’s history, along with any wildlife (we got Lucky and we saw 2 packs of bighorn sheep (male & female) ; once in the canyon and another one by the river drinking. Oh and we also saw deer on the bus ride down to the canyon). I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone who wants to experience a bit more of the Grand Canyon and have a fun adventure! P.S. you’re gonna get soaked and it’s so worth it!
Had a blast!
This was a well organized group. The trip was amazing and they did a great job of putting kids from different families together so they had friends to play with during breaks. My son and I had a blast and can’t wait to do a longer trip!
So glad I went!
I was hesitant about my ability to be able to keep up with the rigors of white water rafting because of my physical disability. I was totally wrong. It was so much fun and the guides were very patient with me in our little walks to the falls.
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