Contrary to popular belief, a full Grand Canyon rafting experience doesn’t require weeks of hiking and riverside camping. For those that have the time and inclination, that sounds like an awesome trip! But we understand that many people may only be able to devote a few days to rafting when visiting the Grand Canyon. Fortunately, a short 3 day tour will give you more than enough time to experience the beating heart of the Grand Canyon, from its thrilling white water rapids to its towering vermillion walls.
The first and most obvious benefit of a 3 day rafting trip is that it’s one of the most time-effective ways to experience the Grand Canyon. With convenient return transportation options, you can be relaxing back at your hotel in Las Vegas or checking in to your flight at McCarran Airport by 2:00 pm on the final day.
Despite only running over a handful of days, 3 day canyon rafting trips manage to pack a lot of activities in over this time. This means there’s something to suit every adventurer, from family horseback riding at Bar 10 Ranch to exhilarating rapids rafting at the mouth of Lake Mead.
When it comes to 3 day trips, there’s simply no time to spare for trekking in and out of the Grand Canyon National Park on foot. While we do offer optional side canyon hikes, you won’t need to worry about any mandatory trail hikes. What’s more, if you’re a traveler who likes to holiday in style, you’ll be happy to know that our 3 day trip transportation options include both a helicopter ride into the Grand Canyon near Whitmore Wash and a jetboat ride out of the Grand Canyon via Lake Mead.
In addition to being a convenient way for families and working professionals to visit the Grand Canyon, 3 day white water rafting trips are also a fantastic option for thrill-seeking adventurers who are looking for a quick yet affordable long weekend holiday. While spending your day on the river, you’ll traverse no less than 5 major rapid systems, each of which is rated at least 5+ on the Grand Canyon rapids rating system. This is to say nothing for the breathtaking Lake Mead jetboat ride that awaits you at the end of your route.
At this point in time, the only 3 day outfitter-run raft Grand Canyon trips on offer are located in the westernmost section of the Grand Canyon. However, if you want to raft between Lees Ferry and Phantom Ranch or Lees Ferry and Whitmore Wash, check out our trip options for the Upper Canyon and full Grand Canyon routes.
In most cases, the group size for 3 day Western Canyon tours is between 12 and 14 passengers. Please note, due to time constraints on shorter trips, 3 day Western Canyon tours are only available via motorized raft.
Our 3 day Grand Canyon rafting trips begin at 10:15 am with a quick briefing at Desert Rose Resort. From here, we take you and your raft mates via air-conditioned coach to Boulder Airport. After a quick flight, you'll land at Bar 10 Ranch, an old school family-run cattle lodge bordering the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. While at Bar 10 Ranch, you’ll have the opportunity to mingle with any other raft groups staying there before their adventure. However, when it’s time to depart in the morning, rafters will need to gather in their designated raft group.
After a local lunch, you and your raft mates will have an opportunity to explore the ranch, listen in on cowboy lore presentations, or try some activities. Please note, Bar 10's ATV ranch tours are not covered by the cost of outfitter-run trips. After a packed day of activities, you'll enjoy a hearty ranch dinner and settle in for a memorable night's sleep under the stars.
By far the most action-packed day in the trip, day 2 starts with a bang! After waking up to the comforting sounds of cattle on the ranch, you and your raft group will board a helicopter to be taken down to the Grand Canyon river. As the helicopter begins to descend towards the river, you'll be met with the stunning twin views of distant Las Vegas and the fast-approaching scenery of Grand Canyon National Park.
Upon disembarking the helicopter, the rafting stage of the trip will finally begin! Starting at Whitmore Wash and terminating at Lake Mead, the Western Canyon route stretches for approximately 92 river miles. Over the course of 2 days of rafting, passengers will encounter 13 distinct rapids systems, including at least five major 5+ rated rapids. When it’s time to maneuver through the rapids (don’t worry, our experienced guides will handle the steering of the raft), you and your raft mates will need to hold on tight as the raft bumps and sprays through the icy white water of the Colorado River.
In between the adrenaline rush of the rapids, passengers can relax as their raft gently floats downriver. During this time, our professional river guide will be happy to answer any questions about the canyon’s history, geography, geology, or ecology. Once all your questions are answered, some passengers use this moment to sit back and rest while admiring the stunning canyon scenery.
After traversing some of the most exciting rapids in Grand Canyon National Park, the tour will stop in at a suitable sandy beach and you and your raft mates will get ready for a delicious lunch. Prepared riverside by our professional guides, expect gourmet deli-style sandwiches, fresh salads, and delicious baked goods.
After lunch, it’s time to get back out on the river! Following a jam-packed afternoon of rapids, rafters can look forward to an optional side canyon hike and a mouth-watering campfire dinner.
On the final day of your trip, you and your raft mates will wake up to freshly brewed coffee, steaming hot tea, and ice-cold juice. After a scrumptious hot breakfast, you’ll spend the morning tackling more rapids and, if time allows, additional side canyon hikes. Early in the afternoon, 3 day Grand Canyon trips conclude with a scenic jet boat ride across the calm waters of Lake Mead. After crossing Lake Mead, we’ll have air-conditioned transportation ready to take you back to Las Vegas via Desert Rose Resort or McCarran Airport. Please note, if you're flying out from McCarran Airport on the final evening of your trip, make sure to only book flights that depart after 6:30 pm.
3 day Grand Canyon rafting trips are a great way to see the Grand Canyon without breaking the bank. With the help of the Advantage Grand Canyon trip planner, you can access the best year-round deals from all 16 outfitters operating along the Grand Canyon and Colorado River. While specific prices will depend on seasonal demand and outfitter availability, 3 day Western Canyon river rafting trips typically cost between $1,400 and $1,600. This fare covers the cost of transportation between Desert Rose Resort and Boulder Airport, a flight to Bar 10 Ranch, a helicopter ride to the canyon floor, and air-conditioned shuttle return transport at the end of your trip.
While this may still seem like a hefty price for such a short trip, keep in mind that your outfitter also covers the cost of all food, camping, and rafting equipment, meaning you don't need to worry about any surprise expenses or extra costs. Please note, the cost of a 3 day canyon rafting trip does not cover optional pre-tour lodging at the Desert Rose Resort.
Like any adventure sport, there is some element of danger to white water rafting in the Grand Canyon National Park. The two main hazards to rafting the Grand Canyon are, as you might expect, the rapids themselves and the extremely cold average temperatures of the Colorado River. One of the most enjoyable features of Grand Canyon rafting is riding the bumpy rapids of the Colorado River. However, appropriate care should be taken to ensure you remain safe and stable in your raft. To avoid a dip in the chilly water, remain seated when riding rapids, follow the instruction of river guides, and always wear a life vest.
Another potentially hazardous aspect of rafting at Grand Canyon National Park can be the low water temperatures in the river. With the water sitting at a maximum of 58 degrees Fahrenheit at any given point, prolonged exposure in the river can pose a danger to guests with pre-existing health conditions. If you do decide to take a dip, be sure to swim with your raft mates and under the supervision of your river guide.
While potential hazards may be frightening, it's important to remember that accidents in the Grand Canyon and Grand Canyon river are extremely rare. All outfitter river guides are highly experienced and trained for a wide range of first aid scenarios. In the unlikely event of an emergency, your river guide is equipped with a satellite phone and can contact help from the Grand Canyon National Park Service.
There is a tremendous amount of activities that rafters can take advantage of when visiting Grand Canyon National Park, even if they’re only able to stay for a handful of days. While on a 3 day Grand Canyon raft trip, rafters will experience white water rapids, float by ancient geological formations, participate in team games with raft mates, hike winding canyon trails, and explore the untouched walls and turquoise waters of side canyons and tributary river systems.
In addition to our 3 day canyon rafting trips, visitors from Las Vegas or further abroad will also have the option of exploring the North Rim and South Rim of the Grand Canyon via mule ride. Other historical sites include Lees Ferry, Phantom Ranch, and Whitmore Wash. Alternatively, rafters can admire the stunning vistas of the canyon river at the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a unique cantilever bridge with a see-through glass walkway.
While it may be tempting to visit the Grand Canyon in the peak of summer, visiting in the off-peak season will often afford a much better holiday. In addition to running into fewer tourists, visitors will be able to take advantage of more temperate weather, improved accommodation availability, and more spots on canyon rafting trips. The best months for rafting on the Grand Canyon are March through to May or September through to November. The entirety of the Grand Canyon National Park is open during these months, giving guests the chance to check out all the attractions and sights the Grand Canyon has to offer.
Please note, while a select few outfitters still run rafting trips during the early winter months, much of the National Park (including the entire North Rim) will be closed due to heavy snowfall.
Incorporating a mixture of local activities, side canyon exploration, and white water rafting, a 3 day Grand Canyon trip is a fantastic way to get a feel for the diverse range of experiences on offer in and around the Grand Canyon National Park. On day 1, we fly rafters from Las Vegas to Bar 10 Ranch, giving them the chance to experience life on a working 10,000-acre cattle ranch. While at Bar 10, you and your raft mates will be able to take part in a wide range of local themed activities, including horseback riding, skeet shooting, Hualapai dancing, and ranching demonstrations.
Next comes two full days on the river in the westernmost canyon. You and your raft mates will not only have the chance to take on some of the Colorado River’s best white water rapids, but you'll also have the option to partake in at least two side canyon hikes. In addition to the stunning views, side canyon hikes are a great opportunity to visit ancient Native American cultural sites and learn more about the geology and ecological history of the Las Vegas region.
Each night, guests can enjoy their meal by the picturesque canyon river before falling asleep under the clear night sky and towering walls of Grand Canyon National Park. Although it is one of our shortest trips, we like to think we pack in enough classic Grand Canyon experiences in 3 days to last a lifetime — or at least until your next visit!
