• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

928-526-4575 | info@riversandoceans.com | COVID Update

  • About R&O
  • Media
  • Gear
  • Contact
  • Water Blog
    • Grand Canyon
    • Gear
    • Whitewater Rafting
    • All Posts
Rivers & Oceans Adventure Travel Logo

Rivers & Oceans

Rafting and Adventure Travel

  • Grand Canyon
      • Grand Canyon Overview
      • 1 Day Trips
      • 2 Day Trips
      • Full Canyon (6 to 18 days)
      • Upper Canyon (4 to 8 days)
      • Lower Canyon (5 to 12 days)
      • Western Canyon (3 to 5 days)
  • Destinations
      • Utah
      • Yampa River Rafting

      • Lodore Canyon Rafting, Green River

      • Desolation Canyon Rafting

      • Oregon
      • Rogue River Rafting

      • Illinois River Rafting

      • Idaho
      • Salmon River Rafting

      • Middle Fork Salmon Rafting

      • Selway River Rafting

      • Baja, Mexico
      • Sea of Cortez Kayaking

      • Baja’s Bounty – Small Ship Cruise

      • British Columbia, Canada
      • Broughton Archipelago Sea Kayaking

      • Alaska
      • Alsek River Rafting

      • Tatshenshini River Rafting

      • Kongakut River Rafting

      • Glacier Bay Cruise

      • Belize
      • Glover’s Reef & Mayan Caves

      • Lighthouse Reef

  • Activities
      • View by Activity
      • Multi-Sport
      • Rafting
      • Sea Kayaking
      • Small Ship Cruises
      • Popular Trips
      • Sea of Cortez Kayaking – Baja Mexico
      • Lodore Canyon Rafting, Green River – Utah
      • Rogue River Rafting – Oregon
      • Salmon River Rafting – Idaho
  • Custom Adventures

Western Grand Canyon Rafting Trip

Visit a working cattle ranch, enjoy a scenic helicopter ride, and go whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon - all in 3 to 5 days.

Western Grand Canyon Rafting Trip

The Western Grand Canyon rafting trip covers the final stretch of the Colorado River and offers a multi-activity experience, with a 5-minute helicopter ride, 92 miles of river all the way to Lake Mead. These 3 to 5 day trips are popular for people who have less time and still want to experience the whitewater and scenery in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. This trip includes the section run on one and 2-day trips from Diamond Creek to Lake Mead. The 3-day Grand Canyon rafting trip is by far the most common Western Canyon tour.

No Mandatory Hike

There is no requirement to do the hike in or out on a Full Grand Canyon rafting trip, making this trip more accessible.

Where to Start

Not sure what we mean by a mandatory hike or motorized versus non-motorized trips. Check out our Grand Canyon rafting overview page or give us a call. We’ll answer your questions and guide you through the process to help you find your perfect Colorado river rafting trip at the same price you would get directly from the outfitter.

Share
Tweet
Pin

$1,283 - $2,468 per person

Find Available Dates
Call us: 928-526-4575

Western Canyon Facts

Length: Motor Trips 3–4 days
Oar Trips 4–5 days

Price: Motor Trips $1,283 – $1,716
per person
Oar Trips $1,795 – $2,468
per person

Begin: Whitmore Wash (mile 188)
*Helicopter Ride to the River
End: Pearce Ferry (mile 280)

Season: April – October
Min. Age: Motor Trips – 8 years
Oar Trips – 12 years

  • Full-grand-canyon-rafting-map-with-rapids
  • rafters watch someone jumping from a rock into the Colorado River
  • sunset on camp for 3-day Grand Canyon rafting trip
  • whitmore helicopter pad on the Colorado River
  • motor rafts on 3-day Grand Canyon rafting trip

Western Grand Canyon Rafting Trip Details

Beginnings

All Western Canyon expeditions begin in Las Vegas, NV with a 50-minute flight to the Bar 10 Ranch in Arizona. Depending on the trip you select, you may stay overnight at the ranch. A scenic helicopter ride will take you from the ranch to the Colorado River in Grand Canyon. Your river adventure begins at Whitmore Wash at river mile 188 and ends 92 miles downstream at Pearce Ferry. Hike side canyons and enjoy a fun, whitewater experience. Camp out on beaches in the bottom of the Grand Canyon under a blanket of stars. After the trip, you will be transported back to Las Vegas.

Endings

On your last day you will exit the Canyon on a 1.5-hour speedboat ride to Pearce Ferry. Transportation from Pearce Ferry back to Las Vegas is provided by the outfitter.

Read More

Price Includes

All camping and river-related safety equipment. Plenty of fresh food, non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks. The flight from Las Vegas to the Bar Ten Ranch, helicopter flight from the ranch to the river, jet boat ride out of the canyon to Lake Mead and the return ride to Las Vegas are also included. If you have selected a trip that includes a night’s stay at the Bar Ten Ranch, this will also be included in your package.

Weather

April and May have cooler temperatures, which require extra layers, but allow for longer hikes while the wildflowers are in bloom. Spring can bring strong winds. June through August are the hottest and busiest months to raft Grand Canyon with temperatures ranging 95-115°F. Monsoon season starts in July, bringing afternoon clouds and rain showers to cool things off. As the rafting season winds down in September and October, you can expect cooler weather, longer hikes and shorter days.

The Colorado River

The river alternates between short sections of rapids and long calm stretches. There are about thirty rapids in the upper section, but our introduction is gentle as the rapids start out small and gradually increase in size. Rapids range from predominantly moderate (Class III) to a couple of large rapids (Class IV). Glen Canyon Dam controls the water flow, which comes from far beneath the surface of Lake Powell. The water is cold (48 to 54°F), and can be emerald green or chocolate brown depending on the season.

The Boats

Your boat will depend on the outfitter and the type of trip you select. There are two types of trips for the Western section of Grand Canyon: oar and motorized. Oar rafts can carry up to 4 people and a guide who maneuvers the boat with a pair of oars. There is also a motor raft, which is 36-38 feet long depending on the outfitter and powered by four-cycle motors, which enable them to traverse the canyon in a shorter amount of time. The environmentally friendly motors are low-emissions and quiet (one can even sit next to the motor and have a conversation using a normal tone of voice). There are trip options for those who wish to have a more active role (hybrid, all paddle) and there are a couple of outfitters who offer dory trips (hard hulled boats).

Group Size

Oar trips will have 5 to 7 boats, each carrying up to 4 participants with no more than 22 in the group. Motor trips will have 1 to 2 boats, each carrying up to 14 participants with no more than 28 in the group.

Camp Life

Whether you’re an experienced camper or it’s your first time under the stars, our outfitters are specialists in facilitating an enjoyable and relaxing camping experience. You will be provided a full sleep kit with sleeping bag, inflatable pad and ground tarp. Tents are available in case of rain, and some outfitters provide cots and camp chairs for additional comfort. Everyone participates in setting up and breaking down camp. A clean, private camp toilet is set up first thing upon arrival at camp and it is the last thing to be dismantled the next morning.

Meals

One thing is certain on a Grand Canyon rafting trip: There will be plenty of food! A full, hearty breakfast with cowboy coffee gets the day going. A riverside picnic sets the scene for lunch where you create your own sandwich. Dinners can be anything from a New York steak, grilled filet of salmon, or a Mexican feast followed by a hot, Dutch oven dessert. There are plenty of snacks and beverages offered throughout the day. Alcoholic beverages are not included, but you are welcome to bring your own. With advance notice, all outfitters are able to accommodate for special dietary requirements.

Find Your Adventure…

Download Grand Canyon Trip Planner

Call Us!

Ask us anything.
We’re here to help.

928.526.4575

Email

We’ll get back to you with the answers.

Contact

Trip Reviews

5.0 rating
5 out of 5 stars (based on 2 reviews)

Thank you

5.0 rating
September 26, 2020

Amazing trip and great people to work with.

Trevor B

Very family friendly

5.0 rating
July 10, 2020

We highly recommend Rivers & Oceans if you are considering a raft trip in the Grand Canyon.

Shirley

Add Your Review

Further Adventures

2-day-grand-canyon-rafting-paddle-raft-1370466

Grand Canyon
2-day Trips

Have a little more time? Experience 2 amazing days and a night under the stars in the Grand Canyon.

Continue Reading

Grand Canyon
Multi-day Trips

Experience America’s great adventure. Spend 3 to 18 days on this amazing stretch of river.

Continue Reading

More Rafting
Trip Options

Oregon, Idaho, Utah, 3-10 Day journeys on the Salmon, Green, Rogue and other great Western rivers.

Continue Reading

Custom &
Charter Trips

Adventure connects people. We can customize your vacation adventure from start to finish. Call Us

Continue Reading

Footer

Rivers & Oceans

Hours: M-F, 9 am – 4 pm
info@riversandoceans.com
928-526-4575
1500 E Cedar Ave #86
Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Site Menu

  • Grand Canyon Rafting Trips
  • Custom Tours
  • Rafting
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Cruises
  • About R&O
  • Gear
  • The Water Blog
  • Contact

E-Newsletter



Follow Us!

  trip-advisor-finalbbb-final-2

Copyright © 2020–2021 Rivers & Oceans · Terms & Conditions · Privacy Policy · Site by Webdancers · Log in