Camping and White Water Rafting

The Grand Canyon in Arizona is a fantastic place to visit, whether you are there for the view along the south rim of the canyon, to hike on one of the many trails to white water rafting down the Colorado river. This post will provide some information about Grand Canyon White Water Rafting.  Check out a previous post about the Top 10 White Water Rafting Locations World Wide for other locations you may be interested in.

Rafting Trip – Grand Canyon from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek

Description- The Grand Canyon is an amazing place to visit. Every year, thousands of visitors from around the world gather at the Canyon’s south rim to look down into its magnificent vastness. Many also travel through it, via the Colorado River observing subtle and dramatic changes as the canyon walls climb towards the sky illustrating untold years of geological history. Terrific side hikes are also possible for the more adventurous.

Visit Marble Canyon, the Inner Gorge, terrific side hikes and Indian ruins, crystalline creeks and waterfalls, cactus gardens and whitewater galore.

The two most noted of the Colorado’s rapids, Crystal and Lava Falls, are both rated a 10. The intensity of all rapids naturally depends on the water level, so readings for low and high water levels may vary slightly.

River Rating – Depending on water flow Grand Canyon White water rafting rapids can be rated from 1 to 10. A 10 is the same as a Class IV on the standard river rafting scale. Check with a white water tour company for current conditions based on time of year and weather conditions. The two most noted of the Colorado’s white water rapids, Crystal and Lava Falls, are both rated a 10.

Number of Rapids – There are 47 white water rapids rated 5 or higher on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, however this does vary by time of year as previously mentioned.

Minimum Age – The minimum age varies by white water tour company, however many limited kids under 8 for motorized rafting trips and 12 years old for an oar powered trip.  In addition, you may also want to inquire about the rating of the rapids that you will be traversing to confirm age requirements and safety issues.

Departure Dates – Rafting season typically runs from April to October depending on local conditions. check with a whitewater rafting tour company for specifics. We also recommend that you reserve in advance, particularly if you need specific dates.

Boat Type – Boat types can be motorized or oar driven boats and they will vary by size. Each comes with a guide and the oar driven trips are usually longer since you drift with the current. A full trip can take 7 days for a motorized trip and as much as 18 days for the oar driven trip.

What to Bring – Most tour companies will provide you with a complete list of what to bring on your white water rafting tour. You will need the essentials and you will need both warm and cool clothing due to the temperature extremes in the desert. Waterproof bags are ideal.  Here is a short list of possible things you may want to bring, however check with your tour company first:

Here is a quick list of items that you may want to consider for your next trip. If you are unsure of what you will need, speak to the organizer or guide for your white water trip to make sure that you are well prepared.

• Bags
• Padding and clothing
• Dry suits and wet suits
• Plastic Cases & Boxes
• Footwear
• Men’s & women’s casuals
• Insulation and Underwear
• Sunglasses
• Hats & Gloves
• Rain wear
• Kid’s Clothing
• Swimsuits

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Reviews – The best rapids for whitewater rafting are House Rock, Unkar, Horn Creek, Granite, Hermit, Crystal, Lava Falls. The length is 225 miles miles; 364 KM. There are also lots of hiking trails available that are easy as well as difficult. Some tour companies plan short hikes as well as part of their tours. If you are interested in doing some hiking, check with your tour company before you reserve.

Comments are appreciated, especially those people who have traveled the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. We will approve all constructive and helpful comments including a link to your site for those comments that meet our criteria.

Tonto Creek is one set of rapids that is only for experts and only at certain times of the year. This creek is really only navigable just after a major rain storm in the surrounding mountains and even then there are many natural obstacles as well as man made obstacles to watch out for.

With a class IV / V set of rapids with massive boulders to navigate around and a narrow water way, this is really only for experts.

Additionally there can be barb wire strung across the creek by ranchers to stop their cattle from roaming too far. You need to watch out for this and other items that can ruin your trip in a big way.

Rafting Trip - There are no rafters offering trips on this creek and you must bring in everything that you need.

Access can be gained at SH 260 crossing just east of Payson; Rye Creek confluence just east of the SH 188/SH 87 intersection; Any USFS park on the banks of Roosevelt Lake .

Description – Hazards may include, barbed wire fences strung across the creek, dead-fall strainers in the channel, live tree strainers overhanging the creek along its banks, boulder garden rapids dropping into keeper holes, ample opportunities for pinning and wrapping, narrow slot drops of 8-10 feet, or more, rattlesnakes and copperheads hiding in the rocks alongside the creek, and very difficult access for emergency personnel in the event of an accident.

Christopher Creek (USFS) and Ponderosa (USFS) Campgrounds, both primitive forest campsites, are located between Tonto Creek and SH 260 just east of Payson. There are no other campgrounds located along or near Tonto Creek.

The best time to run Tonto Creek is right after a heavy rainfall in its drainage basin. There is a short window of opportunity unless in the midst of a prolonged period of rainfall.

River Rating – Class IV / V

Number of Rapids – Varies based on amount of rain and the time you go. Water flow does not last very long, depending on the amount of rain that has fallen in surrounding mountains.

Minimum Age – Experts only

Departure Dates – No scheduled trips, you are on your own.

Boat Type – Kayaks are apparently the best for this, with experts who can exert perfect control

What to Bring – Everything you are going to need. Note if you catch the runoff late, you could end up walking out. The water flow falls as fast as it rises.

Reviews – None that we found

Outfitters – None offered

Rafting Trip – Perkinsville to Beasley Flat – 55 miles

Description – White water rafters can put in their rafts at Perkinsville Rd and the last take out is at Beasley Flats. There is  about 55 miles of gorgeous river flowing through a beautiful and scenic river valley, between Perkinsville and Beasley Flat, characterized by desert riverbanks, willow and cottonwood trees, ocotillo, Saguaro cactus and a verdant ground cover of desert scrub. The river flows as a Class I to II stream with usually gentle currents and a moderate gradient.

Paddle trips can be taken year-round if there has been sufficient recent rainfall around Sullivan Lake to keep the river flowing, or not at all during drought years. Check ahead to confirm sufficient water flow. This reach of the river flows past the confluence of Sycamore Creek on river left, the towns of Clarkdale, Cottonwood and Camp Verde, Dead Horse Ranch State Park and Camp Verde State Historical Park, ending in the “scenic” portion of the river that has been designated as “Wild and Scenic”. Adjoining land along this reach is private property, and care should be exercised to avoid trespassing without advance permission.

The river is very remote, though access at the small towns is good where paddlers can find places to stay (other than the usual riverside camping, if so inclined), food and supplies, restaurants and other services and amenities. Dead Horse Ranch State Park offers an excellent place to stop and explore the surrounding area. Permits are not required for private, non-commercial groups, but upon entering the “Wild” section of the “Wild and Scenic” area group size is limited to a maximum of 15 persons and no more than 15 horses, cattle or other livestock per group.

The area is popular for many outdoors recreational activities including horseback riding, camping, hiking, mountain biking, bird and animal viewing, nature photography, hunting, fishing and other activities. Be sure to pack the camera, because there is much to see and photograph along this river that is a green oasis in the midst of a large desert state.

River Rating – I to II

Number of Rapids – Gentle rapids throughout

Minimum Age – all ages

Departure Dates – January through April and August through December

Boat Type – Canoes, Kayaks or rafts since this is only a class I or II rated river.

What to Bring – Standard rafting can camping gear if you plan to camp along the river.

Reviews – None yet

Outfitters – Permits are not required, there are no none outfitters along this river

Rafting Trip -Full Day 10am – 4/5pm; 3,4,5 Day Trips (52 mile Wilderness Bridge to Bridge Trip); Overnight trips ; Two Day 10am – 4/5pm the next day; Half Day 10am – 1/2pm; and Custom and Charter Trips

Description -This Salt River watershed contains approximately 32,100 very rugged acres and was established in 1984. The Salt River and its spectacular canyon bisect the wilderness for its entire length. Elevations range from 2,200 feet at the canyon’s lower end to 4,200 feet on White Ledge Mountain. This area can be visited practically any time; however, there are no maintained trails within the entire wilderness. Travel is basically done by raft or kayak during the short and dangerous river-running season.

Mandatory Visitor Permits for river-running are required between March 1 and May 15.

River Rating - The Upper Salt River of Arizona rapids are rated class III.

Number of Rapids - number of rapids vary with the trip taken depending on half day, full day and multi day trips.

Minimum Age - Depending on the flow rate some outfitters will allow children as young as 7 years of age.

Departure Dates – Mandatory Visitor Permits for river-running are required between March 1 and May 15.

Boat Type – White water rafts suitable for one to 12 people.

What to Bring - Temperatures vary quite a bit in the spring time in Arizona, requiring different gear for different days, even hours.Check with your outfitter to confirm what you need to bring. Bring a swimsuit to wear under a wetsuit. Cotton t-shirts, sweatshirts and denim keep you cold once wet and does not belong on the river. Tops and bottoms made of synthetics such as poly-pro, capilene, fleece, silk or wool are designed to keep you warm when wet.Bring or rent wet suit booties, Extra clothing, Sunscreen, Water, Restraining Strap for Glasses, and Waterproof Cameras as needed!

Gear required for day trips is much different from what is required on camping trips. Some have car access while others do not. Your outfitter will provide details based on specific trips that you sign up for.

Outfitters - There are numerous outfitters providing white water rafting trips on the Upper Salt River.

Rafting Trip – Grand Canyon by Raft – Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek

Description - The Grand Canyon is one of the earths true natural wonders – a place with profound beauty, history, geology, and ecology. Each year, thousands of visitors from around the world gather at the Canyon’s rim to look down into its magnificent vastness, many will also hike or ride a donkey along the trail to the canyon’s bottom, but there’s no better way to really see the Canyon than to travel through it, via the Colorado River.

Journeying through the Grand Canyon on your watery pathway, you will see dramatic changes as the canyon walls climb towards the sky, mesmerizing you with awesome beauty and untold years of geological history. There are  side hikes, crystalline creeks and waterfalls, Native American history, and breathtaking scenery that can  enrich this amazing adventure.

This is one of the longest rafting trips in the US. Covering 225 river miles, this trip offers all the scenery, side canyons and whitewater excitement of canyon trip with the glories of Marble Canyon, the mysteries of the Inner Gorge, terrific side hikes and Indian ruins, crystalline creeks and waterfalls, cactus gardens and whitewater galore. You can  explore the numerous side canyons, which crisscross this magnificent region, each having it’s own unique attractions, just waiting to be discovered.

River Rating - 42 major rapids rated 5 or above on a scale of 1 to 10

Number of Rapids - 42,  The two most noted of the Colorado’s rapids, Crystal and Lava Falls, are both rated a 10. The intensity of all rapids naturally depends on the water level, so readings for low and high water levels may vary slightly.

Minimum Age – 12 years

Departure Dates – Dates vary by year, 2011 – May 21 until October 10

Boat Type -  Varies by outfitter, most are 18 feet inflatable rafts, holding 4 passengers and a guide.

What to Bring -

• Pre- and post-trip accommodations and meals
• Grand Canyon National Park Entrance Fee
• Items of a personal nature (an equipment list will be provided)
• Sleeping bags and pads (these items often can be rented from your outfitter)
• Insurance of any kind, including travel insurance
• Alcoholic beverages

What’s Usually Included?

• Transportation by van from meeting point to put-in at Lees Ferry and return from Diamond Creek
• Expedition equipment, including highest quality rafts, 2 person shared tent, personal flotation device (PFD, waterproof bags, camp chair as well as eating utensils, plates and cups for overnight trips
• Skilled, professional, experienced guides
• Meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on your last day

Reviews – Feel free to post a review of this trip and white water rafting adventure.

Outfitters – O.A.R.S. is one of the outfitters we have reviewed and  has been in business since 1969 . Great trips on some of the world’s best rivers, coastlines and mountains are the recipe for this success. Always focused on our clients and their vacations, it is our genuine—if not biased—belief that river trips and wilderness vacations are extremely valuable life experiences.

EXPERIENCE

• In 1969, O.A.R.S. became the first exclusively oar-powered rafting outfitter to offer river trips through the Grand Canyon. The immediate success of these trips inspired founder and President George Wendt to expand his business into the largest and most geographically diverse rafting, sea kayaking, and multi-sport company in North America.

Since 1969, the family-owned and operated company has shared in the world’s waterways with more than 450,000 guests. With more than 75 itineraries on over 35 rivers and coastlines worldwide, four decades of experience in the industry, and some staff members who have been with the company since nearly the beginning, O.A.R.S. is routinely recognized for serving up some of the “Best Trips on the Planet,”