Guest Reviews

It was the best vacation of my life! A true bucket-list trip - the team at Grand Canyon Whitewater were amazing in making this first time camper and whitewater rafter feel comfortable and safe. It is a physical trip so be prepared but it will be worth it!!!

Trip of a lifetime. The eight day motor rafting trip was a trip of a lifetime for this 75 year old. Patient, knowledgable, incredible guides. Being able to experience the beauty of Mother Nature in places I would never see without this trip. The menu and quality of food can't be matched. The trip is physically taxing so either be in some modicum of physical shape or go with someone who is. And for all that I got on this trip, the cost is underpriced.

Best trip ever!! I enjoyed a trip of a lifetime! It was true camping. Roughing it but enjoying every minute!!
Sleeping under the stars priceless!! The food being cooked outdoors was truely fantastic! I think I had the best and friendliest group of people! They made the whole trip special!
I would definitely do this trip again!!
AnnaMarie

Two days later and I am mentally stiil on river time.Such an amazing experience that words do do it justice. An experience of a lifetime.Everyone with Grand Canyon Whitewater was outstanding. I would not go with any other company .

Our favorite trip in our 58 years! UNREAL! The friends you make from strangers as you bond over your filth and the new toileting procedure procedures, the unbelievable beauty of the Colorado river, and the canyon and the life within it, the delicious and abundant food, the attentive and wonderful crew who take care of your every need and are funny and informative and knowledgeable – – all together, I would recommend this trip to most everyone I know!

UNREAL! The friends you make from strangers as you bond over your filth and the new toileting procedure procedures, the unbelievable beauty of the Colorado River and the canyon and the life within it, the delicious and abundant food prepared with your dietary needs in mind,, the attentive and wonderful crew who take care of your every need and are funny and informative and knowledgeable – – all together, I would recommend this trip to most everyone I know!

My 13 day, 225 mile trip down the Colorado River with GCW was a exceptional experience in every way. Our 8 Guides (for 23 guests) were a total joy to be with. They made all of the guests feel as we were a strong part of their team and river family. They busted their butts for us everyday, from before dawn until well after dark, and worked together in obvious fondness and respect for each other and their love for the river and canyon. The food was plentiful and amazing and was prepared entirely by the Guides and presented with genuine joy. The majestic grandeur of the canyon is difficult to put in words and this trip ranks near the top in a long list of great lifetime adventures!

Grand Canyon Whitewater provides a flawless rafting experience from sign-up to take-out Grand Canyon Whitewater did a terrific job in all aspects of the trip.

The mid June raft trip was a seven day motorized raft trip covering 187 river miles with two rafts carrying 28 guests and four crew.

In terms of guest preparation before the trip, their website is clear and videos/blogs about what to expect are short and direct to the point. Their home office was quick to answer phone when I had question and gave knowledgeable answers. I did purchase some of their rain gear, river shirts, map and they all were sturdy and tailored to the river use.

I was impressed with their logistical coordination to get all the guests from starting points in Las Vegas, AZ and Page, AZ on their planes, and busses on schedule without delay or confusion. Rafts were ready at Lee's Ferry, we received our safety talk and gear distribution efficiently, so we were on the river quickly. Similarly the take-out by helicopter, to Bar 10 ranch for showers and food, and flights to origins were flawless without undo waiting or confusion.

Similarly on the river and camp sites, the crew was very efficient in getting raft unloaded and loaded with guest fire-line assistance. Camps were set up quickly for appetizers and socializing with other guest and then dinner. Cots and sleeping gear was what was needed and not more. Although tents were available, after the first night everyone slept on cots under the stars. Stars are amazing and milky way with all its arms are fully visible. Coffee call was 5AM followed by hot breakfast and breaking camp. We were back on river at 7AM to 7:30 AM. Very efficient.

The crew was great. They are multi talented, friendly and helpful. On river they are skilled in going through the rapids. Guests interact extensively in circle of chairs in evening and morning. All were good people to interact with and get to know since there is a wide variety in backgrounds. Guests ranged from 8 to 79 years old (crew made cake for him).

Food was good. Hot breakfasts and hot dinners of wide selection. Appetizers are put out before dinner. Snacks are put out on day hikes or stops. Lunch is usually sandwiches made on a sandbar to avoid long time with setup and clean up. There was no shortage of food.

The Grand Canyon Park practices "Leave No Trace" and I was amazed that I didn't see one piece of plastic, can, cigarette butt, charcoal fire pit, or carved rock in seven days. This is remarkable considering the wind. GCW and the crew have minimized the opportunity for garbage, and are totally compliant.

Animal life included condors, fox, big horn sheep with enormous horns, deer and antelopes, ravens especially raiding camp belongings. And of course lizards.

We took side canyon hiking trips to waterfalls, ancient farming site, proposed dam site stopped by Sierra Club, and swam and floated down some delightful streams.

Water flow was low due to the drought. But that made the water clear with green tint rather than muddy. Another advantage of low flow was the rapids were more fun than scary. The raft was much bigger than the rapids we encountered and guides kept us away from the rocks. There was plenty of waves splashing for those up front none-the-less. Water was about 70 degrees F so in early morning the splashes were cold, but by midday they were welcomed to cool off. By motoring, it is not long before you encounter the next rapid minimizing boredom.

The rafts were comfortable. Crew packed the raft so that your soft sleeping gear in waterproof bags covered with a tarp became your backrest. You're on the raft for hours, so this is an important feature. Not all the rafts we saw on river from other companies were configured with backrest option.

There is a lot of rock in the Canyon. I repeat a lot of rock with steep cliffs at waterside.

GCW did a great job, Everything is well thought out and tested. Crew knows what they are doing. You won't go wrong using GCW.

Hiker’s Special was special! I went on the 15-day Hiker’s Special with 22 other guests (I was among 10 who did the whole 15 days) and nine guides. With the info provided, I was very well prepared. We were fortunate to enjoy perfect weather the whole time. I slept under the stars each night. I had backpacked GC a number of times, including some nights along the river, but this trip allowed me to see so much more. The planning was great; Erica was a fantastic trip leader. The other guides were also great; they were all knowledgeable and fun to be with. They worked very hard to make the experience great. The food was varied and very good, and plentiful. The side hikes were awesome, often to a waterfall. Guides supported the hikes with snacks, extra water, whatever we needed. Overall, this trip was everything I hoped for and really more. If I could give 6 stars I would!

Fantastic Trip with GCWW Just returned from an absolutely fabulous 7 Day motorized trip with GCWW. If you are sitting on the fence of going on the trip you will not regret doing it. This was my second time rafting through the Grand Canyon (the first was 25+ years ago) and the first for my family. It was a welcomed disconnect from work with no cell service and provided plenty of family bonding time. My wife is a girly girl (her view of camping is staying at a Holiday Inn) and was apprehensive about going. She walked away saying it pushed her beyond what she thought she could ever see herself doing and loved the trip. Leading up to the trip GCCW provide packing lists, tips and tricks, email updates, and the ability to talk to folks at their headquarters to answer any questions. Our trip guides of Cora, Blake, Sam, and Tanner were outstanding ambassadors to one of the seven natural wonders of the world. They navigated the rapids, led side hikes to secluded waterfalls, educated us on the geology and history of the canyon, prepared great meals, had fun right along with us, and helped us make the canyon our home away from home for us and our 24 other travel companions (ranging in age from 11 to 78). The beauty of the canyon showed wherever you turned with the added benefit of sleeping under the stars which put on a show every night. If you are considering a trip, I highly recommend going with Grand Canyon Whitewater. A few recommendations: Buy a Belknap Grand Canyon River Guide which has a built in flip book map with mile numbers; It sounds counter intuitive but long sleeve quick drying hood shirts that you can get wet are natural air conditioning (a sarong is also good to help cover your legs on stretches of the river when exposed to the sun); Use the electrolytes in your water to stay hydrated (GCCW provides but you can also bring your own); and do some conditioning and training leading up to the trip to ensure you can experience all of the hikes and some of the physical needs of the trip.

We had a fantastic 7 day trip rafting down the Colorado River! The guides were knowledgeable and a pleasure to spend time with and we quickly became friends with the other guests. Seeing the canyon, in all its beauty, and riding the rapids is an experience not to be forgotten.The food and the snacks were great too.

5 star bucket list experience. sleeping under the stars, rafting the GC, meeting incredible people, talented guides and eating delicious foods. what else could you ask for?