Canoeing the grand canyon can be a fantastic experience, but it is not for everyone. This blog post will answer all of your questions about this unique and special place that you should only attempt if you are in good physical condition. If you have any doubts about whether this trip is right for you, then read on to learn more!
What Part Of The Canyon Do You Canoe?
We canoe the Colorado River from Lee’s Ferry to Pearce Ferry. There are no rapids, and it is a leisurely, scenic paddle. The river averages about six miles per hour, so you can cover a lot of ground in a day if desired.
What Time Of Year Is Best To Go?
The best time of year for this stretch would be late spring or early summer, which will eliminate any chance of flash floods or extreme heat during your trip through the canyon. We recommend avoiding winter due to potential ice buildup on the rocks, even though it makes great pictures!
What Gear Do You Need To Bring With You?
The gear you need to bring yourself to the Grand Canyon includes a life jacket, a dry bag to store equipment that you don’t want wet, and your clothes.
What Gear Is Supplied?
We provide all necessary equipment, including paddles, inflatable boats with seats for six passengers each, oars, water jugs (to be filled up at camp), stove/cooking pot set-up complete with utensils. All food is provided in meals ready to eat, packaged into zip lock bags, or vacuum-sealed pouches for more extended storage.
What Wildlife Can You See On The Canoe Trip?
When canoeing the Grand Canyon, you can see many forms of wildlife, including various types of birds. The Grand Canyon is home to the only bald eagle population in California, and during your trip, it’s not uncommon for an eagle or two to fly by!
What Part Of The River Do You Canoe?
The river trips are divided into Upper Marble Canyon (the most scenic), Middle Granite Gorge, Lower Bright Angel Creek. All these sections offer exceptional beauty that changes with every bend in the canyon. Still, they also have different qualities based on location, difficulty level, and wildlife sightings, so we recommend choosing a section appropriate for skill level as well as interests.
How Long Is A Trip On Average And How Much Does It Cost?
A typical canoeing trip at the Grand Canyon can take anywhere from less than a day to three days, depending on the difficulty level you choose. A family of four or more people can canoe one section in two days if they are new paddlers and don’t mind camping out at night. A typical trip costs $700 per person plus equipment rental fees, including transportation from Flagstaff, AZ, meals (including breakfast each morning), guide services, campsite set up with tents and pads, cooking gear, and snacks throughout your journey.
How Often Does The WaitList Open?
We only offer trips when there’s availability. Typically, it opens up once every few weeks though sometimes we have cancellations due to weather conditions that might make our river too dangerous for paddling. If you want to get access to the waitlist and our cancellation list, you can do so.
How Dangerous Is It?
The canyon is a vast wilderness area with many different dangers that can make the trip very dangerous. The most common threat is getting too tired or dehydrated to continue and spending time in the sun, which we try to prevent by offering food breaks every few hours and plenty of shade on our trips. We also have guides that help you navigate the rapids if needed, so this should never be an issue. Other possible dangers include wildlife such as rattlesnakes and scorpions, picking up heat-related illnesses from being outside for extended periods without proper hydration like heat strokes or cramps, falling off your boat into potentially deep water (though there are no known accidents while canoeing)
Where Do You Camp At Night?
When you are done canoeing for the day, you can camp either at the campground or in your boat–camping on land is much more popular. If you choose to camp in a tent, please bring one that accommodates multiple people because tents are scarce and we do not provide them for our trips.
How Much Does It Cost?
It costs $200-$350 per person (depending on how early you sign up) plus transportation from Flagstaff airport, which can be done via shuttle service or rental car ($50-100). The trip takes anywhere from four days to eight weeks, depending on what day of the week you start it, with the earliest starting date being Thursday, March 31st. We will pick up participants who have signed up for these dates, but if they happen to change their minds, this is where we will make use of our cancellation list on a first-come, first service basis.
Can Beginner Canoers Handle This Trip?
The Grand Canyon is the most popular place to canoe, and many of our participants are novice canoers. We do have gentle water trips for beginners who want a more relaxing time in nature and intermediate-level difficulty trips where you will be challenged with rapids, sandbars, and miles of flat water. A lot depends on your goals, but it’s possible that this trip isn’t suitable for everyone.If five people sign up, we will bring one boat down, leaving four seats per day or two passengers per seat each day. If there were ten signed up, then we would get both boats down so all participants can enjoy the experience.
Ouch! Does it seem like I got bit by something? What should I do?
If you happen to get bit by something on the trip, then it’s essential to stay calm, remember the name of what bit you, and then tell our guide. You’ll want to keep an eye on where the bite is located so if we have first aid gear with a doctor or us nearby that can help clean off any bacteria and administer antibiotics for infections.If you had some allergic reaction after being bitten by something in nature like bee stings (bee venom), oak trees (oak pollen), or plant life such as poison ivy, poison sumac, or even bugs, then make sure to let your group know immediately because they might be experiencing the same thing!
In Conclusion:
Traveling the Grand Canyon by canoe can be an enriching experience. Remember to follow all of the guidelines your guides provide so that you can have an enjoyable, safe experience. Enjoy your trip!