subject: Discovering One-day Grand Canyon Rafting Trips [print this page] Although most people see the Grand Canyon by helicopter or airplane, one-day Grand Canyon rafting tours give you another option. Rafting tours are now available through multiple tour outfits in the area. Rafting is a wonderful way to see the Colorado River and the awe-inspiring canyon it created over the millennia.
You may not have time on your vacation for a multiple day tour of the river, but you can always squeeze in a single day tour. So, unless you're coming to the area specifically for river rafting, you'll probably want to choose the one-day excursion. If you want to see all areas of the canyon, a day on the raft leaves plenty of time to explore other areas. You may want to come back on another trip specifically to enjoy a longer rafting adventure on the Colorado River.
1-day Grand Canyon rafting tours are typically less expensive than tours by helicopter and airplane. Tour operators in Las Vegas can organize your entire trip, including transportation to your raft's launch site. It is important to read all of the details so you know what you are agreeing to and what you get with your purchase of the tour.
Single-day smooth-water float tours can be taken from the South Rim or the West Rim. If you depart from the West Rim, you will first enjoy a ride down to the floor of the Canyon. Your raft will be ready to board once you travel down to the base of the Hoover Dam. You will end your tour at Willow Beach in Arizona, but only after venturing through Black Canyon. You will enjoy eleven miles of the river over the course of the tour.
Two types of smooth-water float tours originate at the South Rim. No matter which tour you pick, you will start your adventure with Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park Airport. The most popular tour happens to also be the most affordable option, and it leads you to Page, Arizona via motor coach for the first leg of the trip. From there you'll make your way to the base of Glen Canyon Dam. That's where you'll board your raft and begin your 15-mile float down the calm waters of the river. Your rafting tour will end when you arrive at Lee's Ferry. If you want some added adventure, the second tour from the South Rim flies you out to Page and then puts you on a 4x4 to head into Antelope Canyon. Your boat will be an adventure-grade pontoon raft that can seat as many as 19 people.
You'll float down the river on calm water on all of these trips as there aren't any white-water rapids along your route. That makes these tours suitable for the entire family. The minimum age limit for children is four-years-old.
The summer months are peak for these tours. Book your seats as soon as you know what days you want to enjoy your tour, since they can sell out quickly. You must book ahead of time if you want to secure your tickets. The best way to determine the tour that suits you best and get a great price is to shop online. Some of the deals I've found online have been almost embarrassingly good.
Shop around between the various tour companies and you will always find a great deal. The one-day float tour will give you plenty of time on the Colorado River without taking up too much of your vacation.
