Grand Canyon Whitewater is dedicated to (1) providing a safety-focused, interpretive, multi-day Grand Canyon whitewater adventure, (2) delivering a memorable and approachable river experience to the public, (3) protecting the natural resource through education, and (4) creating a respectful and inclusive environment for guides and guests. As river expeditions are a shared experience, individual actions affect the whole group. Each person is a valued part of the trip; therefore, all guides and guests agree to the following Code of Conduct: Respect for Yourself Take care of yourself. Wear cloth ..read more

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the physical aspects of a Grand Canyon Whitewater trip. The truth is that most people find themselves being physically challenged at some point on their trip. Everything from the weather to getting on and off the rafts makes this adventure unique. A river trip is so much more than a whitewater adventure. Each day you’ll travel into the depths of the canyon to raft the wild Colorado River, hike to otherwise inaccessible wonders, and camp under a sea of stars.  We’re here to help make Grand Canyon accessible by providing experienced guides ..read more

Wearing gloves can help protect hands from the tough desert environment. The sun, sand, water, and dry Arizona air in the Grand Canyon can take a toll on the skin. Some travelers may benefit from bringing light gloves to use throughout the trip. Gloves are not required, but here are some situations you’ll encounter while on the river where you may wear gloves. Sun Protection We recommend covering up. A sun shirt, light pants, a hat, and a sarong. These items protect your skin from the sun and dramatically limit the amount of sunscreen you need and the hassle of remembering to reapply. When d ..read more

GCW guide Joe reading on the river. The Grand Canyon is a source of inspiration for many, meaning there is no shortage of literature about it! We’ve put together a list of some staff favorites for you to read before your trip. The following books focus on river running through the canyon and are sure to add a whole new perspective to your Grand Canyon adventure! The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko This action-packed historical novel is a double whammy: It details blunders and outrageous details of the infamous ..read more

Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke You may have seen “Excessive Heat Warnings” for the Grand Canyon region. Rain or shine, hot or cold, Grand Canyon raft trips and hikes run as scheduled. Grand Canyon is a place of extremes, and always has been. It is fairly typical for the region to be pretty darn hot this time of year. The most important thing is to be prepared for the “excessive” heat. Our guides will help you figure this out, but you should make sure to take good care and notice of yourself and your family/friends. Here are a few tips to help prepare you for rafting/hiking/camping in the Gr ..read more

When you’re going on a “once in a lifetime” trip, it makes sense that you want to take pictures to commemorate the event! But what type of camera should you bring?! Here are some options recommended by a former professional photographer and Grand Canyon team member, Dean. Cell Phone Guests often choose to use their phones as a camera on their river trip. You will not have cell reception in the canyon. We recommend placing your phone on Airplane Mode, switching it to run on Low Power, and turning off your WIFI and GPS features. We know it can be tempting but resist the urge to look through and ..read more

“We are still here. We are our ancestors. We will not be forgotten.” (Quote from Breath of this Land video) The story of Grand Canyon cannot be told without acknowledging and celebrating the importance of the canyon and the river that runs through it to the native peoples of the southwest. Connections to the canyon run deep in native cultures, with numerous tribes tracing the origin of their people – their literal emergence into this world – to specific locations in the Grand Canyon. Elements of westward expansion and public land acquisition are difficult to bear. Native peoples were wronged ..read more

We are so happy to announce that we are the 2023 Leave No Trace Community Partner of the Year winner! We applied with our sister company, Arizona River Runners. From Leave No Trace: “Arizona River Runners and Grand Canyon Whitewater are proud and committed stewards of the Leave No Trace principles. Running multi-day river trips through the Grand Canyon, ARR and GCW have gone above and beyond to ensure that all of their guests learn about essential Leave No Trace practices that will help protect the delicate canyon ecosystem for generations to come. These companies include Leave No Trace messag ..read more

The Goal Zero has both USB and wall plugs to charge your electronics, but is limited in its capacity. Access to power sources at the remote depths of the Grand Canyon presents a challenge for charging your camera. Portable chargers offer a practical solution in this off-grid environment, with a range of styles and brands available. Among these, we recommend the Anker charger. A few essential tips to consider: Conserve battery life by switching off your camera or phone whenever possible. Although it might be tempting to review or edit your photos at day’s end, relish your time amidst the can ..read more

Plenty of people have anxiety about going to the restroom while on their river trip but here is the good news: it’s not that hard or different from what you’re used to. There’s nothing to be shy about — everybody goes to the bathroom — and it’s the last thing you should allow to impede your trip of a lifetime. Let’s break it down: HOW TO PEE AND POOP ON A RIVER TRIP #1 (pee): In Grand Canyon, all urine MUST make it into the river. This means you can’t sneak behind a bush while we’re in camp; again, all urine must make it into the river. Some 20,000+ people raft every year in Grand Canyon and ..read more