A good friend of mine came with me on a 7 Day Motor trip recently. She’s a busy lady – a caring daughter/sister/wife/mom, a dedicated school teacher, and an all-around great human with a ton of responsibilities. At one waterfall and stream, she floated down the “lazy river” and then hiked back up to do it again, and again, and again. She went dozens of times, and each time, her smile grew bigger. She was free to play, to be a kid. Her responsibilities were worlds away. It’s magic. I can’t explain it. Photos don’t do it justice. You just have to come experience it for yourself.
Grand Canyon rafting trips feature towering canyon walls, the exhilarating spray of whitewater, and spectacular starry skies, but one of my favorite things is the time spent at waterfalls. Almost every trip will find a way to visit at least one. Most of the waterfalls are hidden from view from the rafts, but don’t worry, your river guides know where to go!
Summertime is the perfect time to explore the many waterfalls tucked away in shady side canyons – a delightful respite from the midday sun. The water is typically warmer and clearer than the main channel of the Colorado River, so you can comfortably swim and soak in these natural playgrounds.
Some waterfalls, like Deer Creek Falls, are tall and powerful, with pristine pools to swim in at the bottom. Others are a series of cascading trickles that create unique ecosystems with plants like maidenhair ferns and red monkey flowers. You may even stop at the Little Colorado River or Havasu Creek—these larger streams often have surreal blue water and natural rock slides (a guest favorite!).
No two waterfalls are the same, but each one feels a little magical. There’s just something about them that transforms adults into kids again. We laugh and splash, we test ourselves to see how long we can stand under the powerful torrent, or sometimes we just bob like a cork – weightless in our lifejackets as the stress of daily life washes away.
At camp, we often busy ourselves with finding the perfect spot to set up our cot, drying our river clothes, rearranging our duffel bag (again), or other menial tasks. But when we stop at the waterfalls during the day, there are no chores to be done. We can be fully present. The only “chore” we have is to enjoy this wonderland in whatever way we choose.
“I highly recommend stepping out of your urban world and go on the adventure… explore side canyons with beautiful waterfalls and fresh spring waters. Slot-canyons can be found as well as silhouettes of ancient hands on the rocks! SO MUCH to be discovered along the way!” – Barbara S., Phoenix, AZ
“This was my fourth trip and it gets better every time! After a monsoon came through we were treated to an incredible waterfall that sprung up directly off the canyon wall into the river, and even the guides had never seen that before.” – Lindsey U., Phoenix, AZ
“The rapids were great and exciting – but truly loved standing in a waterfall and watching the stars at night.” – Celine O., Santa Ana, CA
