The Grand Canyon is one of the most unique landscapes in the world and a very popular rafting destination within Arizona. It was created as the Colorado river eroded the walls of the mountains surrounding it, and there are some great activities worth visiting. The rim hosts more than 5 million tourists each year looking at its edge and seeing the astonishing views of the landscape. Rafting trips are specifically popular in this area and the shoulder months of the commercial rafting season are a popular time to join. In today's guide, we are talking about white water rafting trips in the Grand Canyon and visiting this magnificent location during the commercial rafting season.
If you decide to visit the Grand Canyon in the early spring or fall, you need some preparation. Obviously, the first thing that comes to mind is packing some additional layers of clothes to keep you warm during your Grand Canyon rafting trip. However, you should also know that cold weather is great if you want to go hiking, hang out at camp, and explore the Grand Canyon national park from a different perspective.
Plus, experts believe that there is no such thing as bad weather. Temperatures do vary throughout the year, so the best way to go rafting Grand Canyon is in April and October. On the other hand, July and August are considered monsoon season months. If you decide to visit, there are some useful tips to help you with your cooler weather Grand Canyon trip.
The answer to the question above is yes. We encourage guests to participate in any Grand Canyon rafting adventure, regardless of the month. You will quickly realize that weather is no obstacle, and there are useful tips that can help you keep warm in every season.
The cold weather season has the primary benefit of not hosting a lot of people, which means that you won't see plenty of Grand Canyon rafting trips or groups of people visiting this magnificent location. The weather is chilly, which is why you'll need warm clothes.
In reality, there is no bad time to book a rafting trip down the Colorado River. The water flows are regulated, allowing for both motorized and non-motorized trips to operate throughout. A river trip in early spring or fall can be a unique experience for everyone – you'll see plenty of beauty and still be able to stay warm with the right gear.
Cold weather can allow for high water levels, which is nothing but good news for Grand Canyon rafters. The National Park Service workers are there day and night, and you can safely book a Grand Canyon rafting trip. Now, let's cut to the chase and show you some of the best tips for Grand Canyon rafting in colder weather.
In the spring and fall, the average temperatures plummet, and it's normal to see cooler weather (with highs in the 60s and 70s instead of the three-digit temperatures). The sun also hangs lower, there are huge rapids, and the cooler weather demands warm clothing and proper camp gear. Below, we are listing the must-dos for rafting during this time.
The first thing you need to consider for a cold-weather river rafting trip in the Grand Canyon is to stay warm; in fact, make sure that your extremities are warm. This should be something on your mind 24/7, both while rafting and while you are off the river.
To make sure your hands and feet are warm, invest in some neoprene gloves and pack some synthetic socks to keep your feet warm at night. A wool beanie can also keep your head warm, which is important, especially during the night.
Layering is something you should practice when outdoors. Your personal gear should consist of many clothes and layers. When getting dressed in the cold mornings, you should layer up. As the sun comes up and the weather warms up, you can easily strip off and store your items in dry bags that are easily accessible for when the temperatures drop again.
When talking about layers, it's important to note that camp layers and river layers are two entirely different things. So, your dry layers for camp should be different than the ones you'll wear while rafting. Since there are no guarantees that your river layers will stay dry throughout the day, make sure you get some rain gear as well. There is nothing worse than having no dry clothes and nothing but damp gear surrounding you.
If you plan to purchase new gear, know that there are clothes with different heat retention properties. Wool and synthetic materials should definitely be on your list – focus on finding clothes that can retain heat (even when wet) and avoid cotton clothing. The reason for that is simple – cotton loses its warmth properties and dries very slowly, which is why you should avoid it for your base layers.
A good rain jacket is a great way to stay dry, whether you are exploring the side hikes or rafting in the Grand Canyon during the monsoon season. It will act as a splash guard as you tackle rapids or as your armor when it rains. Expert rafters wear paddle jackets with neoprene gussets around the neck and wrists that are designed to keep the water out. When looking at such products, know that "waterproof" is always better than "water-resistant."
If you want to keep warm, you should get moving. Activity keeps the blood circulating and can help you stay warm in cold conditions. Activating your muscles is also great if you want to burn energy and produce heat to keep your body warm. So, even if you are lying in the tent in the evening, make sure to stretch your legs or participate in any activities that your rafting guides organize.
Don't be afraid to cozy up at night, and pack plenty of warm clothing for your Grand Canyon rafting trip.
Hot tea, coffee, or cocoa are all great ideas for the cold. Your Grand Canyon river trip checklist should include as many of these as possible so that you can enjoy each break on the river, as well as wake up to warm beverages in the morning but also the evening, making sure you stay hydrated before you go to sleep. Be aware of your caffeine intake, though – too much of your favorite coffee might lead to dehydration. The good thing is that the tour guides will provide warm water, so you won't have to worry about that.
The front of the raft is a popular choice and probably the most thrilling place to be. However, with all the splashes and the river tossing waves, it is also a wet place, which is why we recommend rotating seats for the best trip experience between the canyon walls. So, if you can't get enough of that front-seat rafting, save it for the sunny days in summer, and make sure to ask your guides whether you can rotate the seats in rafts multiple times.
Now that we covered some of the main tips for staying warm during your entire journey let's move on to planning the actual trip. Organizing a rafting adventure in the Grand Canyon is an experience for not just anyone, so make sure you are prepared to face the thrill of the adventure. First on the list are permits.
There is a policy designed by the National Park Service stating that no individual may make more than one trip per year. Also, going with a group is a better way to experience the Grand Canyon in the cold weather, as they have all the permits for camping, rafting, and everything in between.
A commercial trip is among the easiest options to witness the wilderness of the canyon and see everything that the Colorado River has to offer without creating a custom itinerary. Your entire trip of a lifetime is one call away, and you don't have to worry about any permits. Plus, you don't have to declare any camps ahead as all of the adventure is planned by the team, located at river mile.
While a cold weather float is not among the most popular options, as most people want to see the slot canyons in milder weather, it is a time when you can see fewer people and experience something unique. The park service is less crowded at that time, so you'll witness how peaceful the canyon can be at every time of the day.
The rapids at the Colorado River are truly something special. You probably know the stories about the river and all of its rapids, waves, high consequence, and everything the Canyon has to offer. These rapids get difficulty ratings of 1-10, making a system that is used only on this river and one that fulfills the standard Class 1-V ratings used elsewhere. Lava Falls, for instance, is considered a class 9 normal rapid, and Class 10 is theoretically the most difficult a rapid can be.
The entire adventure spans almost 300 miles from Lee's Ferry and ends at Lake Mead. The first chance to take out a raft is 188 miles downstream of Whitmore Wash, followed by Diamond Creek at mile 225, and Pearce Ferry at Mile 280.
The river itinerary includes infamous rapids that settle for ratings of 7 and 8. Additionally, the storied rapid of Crystal (8) and Bedrock (7) are known for flipping more rafts than any other, but even the ones with ratings 5 or lower can deliver a beating to beginner and experienced boaters. You may book rafting trips from one day all the way to adventures spanning multiple weeks.
Besides rafting, you can also go hiking, which is a top activity at the Canyon in winter. You can take the Bright Angel trail, a hike of 4,500 in elevation, where you reach the South Rim. There are areas at Little Colorado River that are also great for hiking.
The full itinerary is organized by the crew and orchestrated by the trip leader, from the start of the river at Lees Ferry until the end at Lake Mead.
In the end, a big whitewater rafting trip in the cold river is a unique experience on its own, but not for everyone. You should always ask yourself whether you have the experience and mindset needed for something like this. The good thing is that you don't need to organize anything yourself – our team at Advantage Grand Canyon will help you with all the details of this unique Grand Canyon holiday. You will see why people love spending time n the river, even in winter, and how a rafting adventure like this is going to make you a better person, helping you overcome stress, discomfort, and fear.
