Rapids can change season to season in the Grand Canyon.

Rafting through the Grand Canyon appeals to many people for different reasons. Some are looking for thrilling whitewater and others want scenic beauty. The Grand Canyon doesn’t disappoint on either account, providing a nice balance between adventure and serenity. There are peaceful floats in between rapids to catch your breath after the excitement of crashing through cold, big waves.

We’re sure you will enjoy what the canyon has to offer regardless of your level of rafting experience. All our trips contain a variety of rapids.

Speaking technically, just how are the Grand Canyon rapids rated? Most people are familiar with the international 1-6 river classification scale, as nearly every river in the world is rated on this scale. Grand Canyon is one of the only exceptions, using a scale from 1 to 10. Regardless of which scale you use, rapid ratings refer to the level of technical ability needed to get through with 1 being the easiest. A class 9-10 rapid in Grand Canyon is equivalent to a class 5 rapid on the international scale, and in Grand Canyon, all the rapids are passable. If a rapid is rated high (say, 8 through 10), it just means it is more technically challenging for our guides to navigate. There might be some “sleeper” rocks hiding underwater, or there might be boulders jutting out above the water. Your boatmen might have to execute some fancy turns and quick maneuvers to get through the rapid.

A rapid’s rating can change depending on river conditions. Tributaries flush silt and rocks and logs into the Colorado River and jam it up. Rocks also tumble into the river from canyon walls and restrict its flow. Minor seasonal fluctuations in the river flow can diminish or intensify a rapid, but for the most part, the Glen Canyon dam regulates the flow of the river and makes things more predictable for us. Some of my personal favorite rapids are in the Roaring 20s where you’ll hit a bunch of small-ish rapids (mostly 3s and 4s) right in a row. Another crowd-pleaser, Hermit Rapid, is usually rated a 7 or an 8.

Guests and guides scout Lava Falls rapid.

For you, the passenger, the rating won’t really mean much. Several favorite rapids don’t rate highly on the technical scale but provide big fun! Guides often give rapids a different rating in terms of their “fun factor”. Your job is to hang on and have a blast! The guides are there to show you the way.

How many rapids will I encounter on my Grand Canyon raft trip? LOTS! Grand Canyon Whitewater rafts always launch from Lees Ferry which marks river mile 0 and the beginning of the Grand Canyon National Park. All of our rafts then go at least 225 miles downstream, some even a bit farther to another take-out point called Pearce Ferry.  Along the way, the Colorado River boasts over 80 big water rapids! Below is a list of the rapids by river mile. Enjoy!

*Insider Tip: Belknap’s Grand Canyon River Guide is a great way to track your progress down the river and take notes about your adventure. It contains topographical maps of the canyon and has information on rapid ratings, campsites, and details about the canyon’s geological and human history. The ratings for each rapid are listed in parentheses below and taken directly from the Belknap’s guide.