3–18 Day Whitewater Adventures
Multi-Day Grand Canyon Rafting Trips
Glen Canyon Day Raft Trips
Half-Day to 2-Day Smooth Water Trips on the Colorado River
A multi-day Grand Canyon rafting trip takes you far beyond the overlooks and into one of the most remote and remarkable landscapes in North America.
Days are spent rafting the Colorado River, running legendary rapids, exploring side canyons, and visiting places that cannot be reached by road. Nights are spent camping on secluded beaches beneath the canyon walls.
Trips generally range from 3 to 18 days. Your options vary by canyon section, trip length, raft type, pace, river access, and hiking requirements.
Looking for a shorter experience? Explore our Half-Day to 2-Day Grand Canyon Rafting Trips.
Advantage Grand Canyon brings together scheduled departures from all 16 Grand Canyon rafting outfitters, making it easier to compare your choices and find a trip that fits your dates, interests, activity level, and travel preferences.
ADVANTAGE GRAND CANYON
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ADVANTAGE GRAND CANYON
Multi-Day Grand Canyon Trips at a Glance
| Trip Option | Typical Duration | Bright Angel Trail | General Experience | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Full Canyon — Motorized |
6–8 day |
No |
Complete canyon journey in approximately one week |
||||
|
Full Canyon — Non-Motorized |
12–18 day |
No |
Slower, quieter, and more immersive complete journey |
||||
|
Upper Canyon |
3–7 day |
Hike out |
Lees Ferry through the first major canyon section |
||||
|
Lower Canyon |
5–9 day |
Hike in |
Deeper inner-canyon scenery and major whitewater |
||||
|
Western Canyon |
3–5 day |
No |
Shorter adventure with convenient Las Vegas-area logistics |
ADVANTAGE GRAND CANYON
Choose Your Canyon Section
Full Canyon Rafting Trips
Upper Canyon Rafting Trips
Lower Canyon Rafting Trips
Begin by hiking from the South Rim to the Colorado River before joining the rafting trip near the Phantom Ranch area.
Lower Canyon trips generally range from approximately 5–9 days and travel through the canyon’s deeper inner gorge and major whitewater.
Guests must complete a strenuous hike into the canyon before the rafting portion begins.
Western Canyon Rafting Trips
Western Canyon trips generally range from approximately 3–5 days and begin near Whitmore Wash in the western portion of the Grand Canyon.
Depending on the itinerary, transportation may include flights from the Las Vegas area, time at Bar 10 Ranch, and a helicopter flight into the canyon near Whitmore Wash.
These trips do not require guests to hike the Bright Angel Trail.
Which Trips Require the Bright Angel Trail?
The Bright Angel Trail is one of the most important differences among multi-day Grand Canyon rafting routes.
- Upper Canyon trips: Require guests to hike out of the canyon at the end of the rafting portion.
- Lower Canyon trips: Require guests to hike into the canyon before joining the rafting trip.
- Full Canyon trips: Do not require the Bright Angel Trail.
- Western Canyon trips: Do not require the Bright Angel Trail.
The Bright Angel Trail involves substantial elevation change, steep grades, uneven terrain, and potentially extreme temperatures. Travelers considering an Upper or Lower Canyon trip should understand the trail conditions, honestly evaluate their abilities, and prepare well in advance.
Even trips that avoid the Bright Angel Trail involve walking on uneven terrain, climbing on and off rafts, carrying personal gear short distances, and camping in a remote environment.
ADVANTAGE GRAND CANYON
Choose by Trip Length
3–5 Day Trips
6–9 Day Trips
12–18 Day Trips
Motorized or Non-Motorized?
Raft type affects how quickly you travel, how much time you spend in the canyon, the level of participation available, and the overall rhythm of your trip.
Motorized rafts cover more river miles each day. A motorized Full Canyon trip generally lasts approximately 6–8 days, allowing travelers to experience the complete canyon in about one week.
Non-motorized trips use oar boats, paddle rafts, hybrid boats, or dories. They travel at a slower pace, and a Full Canyon expedition generally lasts approximately 12–18 days.
Paddle and hybrid itineraries can provide a more active, participatory rafting experience, while guests on oar and dory trips generally ride as professional guides operate the boats.
Upper and Lower Canyon routes also offer shorter non-motorized options, but these trips require guests to hike the Bright Angel Trail.
Why Plan Through Advantage Grand Canyon?
With 16 outfitters, several canyon sections, multiple raft styles, and trips ranging from a few days to more than two weeks, comparing Grand Canyon rafting trips can quickly become overwhelming.
Advantage Grand Canyon helps simplify the process.
Through one central resource, you can:
- Compare scheduled trips from all 16 Grand Canyon rafting outfitters
- Search departures by date, duration, canyon section, and raft type
- Understand the differences among Full, Upper, Lower, and Western Canyon trips
- Identify trips that do or do not require the Bright Angel Trail
- Compare motorized and non-motorized rafting experiences
- Receive personalized guidance from a Grand Canyon rafting specialist
Multi-Day Grand Canyon Rafting Trips
Ready to Find Your Multi-Day Grand Canyon Trip?
The right trip depends on more than the number of days. Your preferred pace, rafting style, hiking ability, travel dates, and desired canyon section all play an important role. Search scheduled departures independently, take the three-step quiz, or have our team curate trip options based on your preferences.
Questions? Call 888-244-2224.
