Guest Reviews

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?

Five Stars in Every Way Wow, wow, wow. I just returned from the 7-day motor trip with GCW over Memorial Day weekend and the trip exceeded every expectation.

The team does a great job providing info on their site on what to expect on the trip, but I thought I’d share my experience as well in case it’s helpful.

Our guides, Teddy and Paige, were outstanding—always preparing us for what was ahead each day, prioritizing safety, sharing the history and geology of the canyon and knowing when to simply let the beauty of the Grand Canyon speak for itself.

The food was fresh and spectacular: salmon, lasagna, fajitas, pork chops, excellent coffee, and dessert every night. Snacks were available throughout the day from apples to Oreos, Pringles, Snickers, granola bars, and more, and there was always plenty to go around. Everyone also received an insulated mug to use for drinks or snacks.

I was particularly drawn to this company for their style of motor boats. With only seven passengers per side, everyone could face outward toward the canyon, had plenty of personal space, and could easily access their gear throughout the day.

The campgrounds were fantastic and even as a solo traveler, I had no trouble finding a little privacy each night.

A typical day for our group started with coffee at 5AM, breakfast at 6AM, boat loading around 6:45AM and then on the river by 7AM. We'd spend the day exploring side canyons, hiking (usually 1–2 hikes per day with options for shorter or longer routes depending on preference), and running rapids before arriving at camp in the afternoon around 3 or 4PM. Little Colorado and Havasu Creek were a true highlight.

If you're considering a Grand Canyon rafting trip, don’t hesitate to book with GCW who have this experience down to a science. It truly is a trip of a lifetime and the camaraderie you’ll experience with your fellow rafters is amazing. I’m grateful for companies like GCW who are committed to helping people respectfully experience such a beautiful place. Book it, it’s worth every single penny.

Pro tips: Bring neoprene socks and gloves to give you a little extra warmth in the morning and sun protection throughout the day. A small towel or sarong you can dip into the water is also a great way to cool down during the day.

Grand Canyon Whitewater River Rafting Our experience with Grand Canyon Whitewater was absolutely fantastic. From beginning to end, we were treated as active participants in a magnificent adventure through a truly awe inspiring place, the Grand Canyon. Our guides educated us with historical and scientific details as well as showing us, the places they have found to be both stunningly beautiful and fragile environmental treasures. Our guides, Rachel, Page, Gabe and Maya were so helpful, kind and understanding with each guests needs. This created a family of adventurers from the start and made this trip fantastic for everyone.

Meals were incredible and varied. It was truly amazing how the guides worked seamlessly in preparation and breakdown of every meal! Absolutely fantastic and delicious!!

Rachel and Page navigated the river and its' rapids impeccably! Gabe was knowledgeable and caring and insured that each guest was comfortable and safe. Each guide shared their awareness of the magnificence of the canyon and our responsibility to insure its protection. Maya, our intern, jumped into this experience like she was born into it!!! All guides shared their experiences and knowledge of the canyon with care and sense of awe. This was a stellar experience and one everyone should should experience in their lifetime!

Wet and Wild on the river with Johnny. I have been to the Grand Canyon many many times. I’ve hiked in and out, rode mules ou, stayed a phantom ranch, I’ve been all over both rims and camped everywhere around the canyon. This rafting trip was like none of those experiences. I’ve been white water rafting so I knew what to expect.
I had a blast! I slept like a baby, worked hard to load and unload, and had a poo with a view every day.
The scenery between those walls is ever changing.
It’s truly magnificent. The river water was cold and the sun was warm. A beautiful balance. The crew of four were all young, strong, experienced and friendly. Johnny the main guide handled things with a cool head and a professionalism that made me at feel at ease. Bryce and Savanah were a cute couple that clearly loved what they do. Tyler a friend of theirs worked so hard you’d think he was a paid employee. At the end of each day they took well deserved time for themselves before cooking our dinner. They read stories, told jokes and wore silly clothes sometimes. They led hikes and talked about the rivers history geography, and some folklore.
They meals were delicious and made with quality ingredients every day. There was tons of healthy and junky snacks available anytime. You won’t go hungry. There is always some patience required when traveling, working beside and camping with 24 strangers but for me it was all good. The hikes were not easy, the loading and unloading was heavy at times but the satisfaction of a job well done was worth the effort. I think the trip was well worth the money. I would get wet and wild on the river with Johnny anytime!

Bucket List trip exceeds all expectations The entire experience exceeded expectations; the quality and setup of the boat (back support all day!!), the guides, the food, the camp site locations, the number of big horn sheep spotted, and the depth and variety of the rock walls to been seen down in the canyon. Our guides and cooks, Rachel, Paige, Gabe and Mya were exceptional hosts, taking care of us both in the boat and at the campsites and hike outings. Highly recommended experience!!

Incredible Grand Canyon Whitewater 7 day hiker’s special oar trip with hike out on the Bright Angel Trail 4-30-26 - 5-6-26This was our first trip to the Grand Canyon and my husband and I can’t say enough good things about it. From the inception of the idea, to the reservation experience, and then the actual trip—All positive thoughts.It is beyond fantastic the way everything worked on the trip—from the orientation before putting in the water, to the drop off at the Bright Angel for the hike out.All the guides were knowledgeable, personable, fun, and did their jobs with expertise and our every need in mind. There wasn’t anything they could have done better. And the food! Wow. It’s unbelievable how they could provide us with so many delicious, fresh meals. The only thing that could have been better for me personally, is to have had more than veggie burgers to substitutes when the others ate steak or other red meat, etc. Three meals of veggie burgers was a bit much. Maybe they could have thrown in a chicken breast or fish for those of us who don’t eat red meat. But we did enjoy a delicious salmon dinner one night and the rest of the food was heathy and delicious; and more than sufficient in amount.Grand Canyon Whitewater has thought of everything to make this a trip of a lifetime. The experience was otherworldly, and the guides provided us with everything (and I mean everything) we could have wanted, including humor, providing information, and making us feel a part of the group. We had so much fun. Plus we have a whole lot of new friends from the trip.Well done, Grand Canyon Whitewater. Thank you.We want to come back again next year and do the 15 day hikers special.Susie and Greg

The entire trip was planned and executed exceptionally by our guides. This was a 7-day rafting trip and there were lots of side activities (hikes, scrambles, swimming) to do along the way. The crew (Rachel, Paige, Gabe, Mya) were very attentive, prepared really great food, and allowed us to experience a lot of what the Canyon has to offer. The sights and stories were incredible and the rapids were a lot of fun. It was nice to see how well our group (~30) got along in such a short time. The provided equipment was in good shape and was better than expected - never have I thought a cot was comfortable to sleep on but this one was.Some things to keep in mind-The water is cold. If you want to be warm all the time it will be challenging. Even with the blazing sun, many spots on the canyon provide shade so you will get cold.-Position in the boat changes the above quite a bit. Sitting near the back lets you stay mostly dry. It will be hot during some longer boating only sections.-Sand is going to get everywhere. You have to accept it. You can spend 10 minutes meticulously cleaning your feet at night to lotion up and it will still feel gritty.-You will be sleeping in close quarters with others. Not touching but a few feet away and chances are you won't be sleeping in a tent. Tents make it warmer and the breeze really helps stay cool at night. Plus the nighttime stars are awesome.-You do help assemble/disassemble camp each day. It is not hard work as long as everyone participates.-Pack lighter than you expect. Your clothes are not going to feel dirty with how often you are getting in the river from rafting, to cool off, or swimming. Clean socks/underwear each day is nice but everything else is multi-day use. Baby wipes are a great way to clean off.