Careful planning is crucial to the success of a private Grand Canyon rafting trip.
By Marcus Woolf
As the Colorado River winds through the Grand Canyon, it glides and roars through massive hallways of stone. Around each bend, nature creates a new masterpiece as the sun brushes across the red, rust, and golden walls of the canyon. The striking beauty and big water of the Grand Canyon make it a bucket-list destination for rafters and many others who love the outdoors.
If you want to go rafting in the Grand Canyon, you have two options. You can join a commercial trip where guides drive or row the boats, cook meals, and do most of the other heavy lifting. Or, you can do a private trip where you gather seven to 15 other people (depending on whether you do a standard trip or small trip) and spend two to three weeks navigating yourselves through the canyon. Much like an expedition, a private trip requires you to row your own boats, pick your own campsites, and do all the other necessary daily tasks.
Private trips are more strenuous, and the group must include people with serious rafting chops. But, a private party has more freedom than a commercial group. When you run your own trip, you choose who goes, pick your own campsites, create your own menu, and move at your own pace. For these and many other reasons, private trips are very popular. To limit impact on the canyon and create a better experience for paddlers, the National Park Service uses a lottery system to issue only XX private permits each year. And many people will wait decades to win a permit.
If you win the lottery or get invited on a private trip, you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime. But, to be safe and comfortable and really enjoy yourself, it’s crucial that you enter the canyon armed with some important knowledge and critical supplies and equipment. While the Grand Canyon is beautiful, it can be a harsh environment, and rafting the Colorado River can be more mentally and physically challenging than some other backcountry adventures. When you get the good news that you’re joining a private trip, consider these X things:
Tip #1 - The Duration of the Trip is the Real Challenge
Depending on the time of year, a private trip can last anywhere from two to 25 days, and many groups go for more than two weeks. Getting off the grid for that long is fantastic, but the length of the trip also poses significant challenges. Most folks aren’t used to spending more than a few days in the elements, so they might experience some degree of physical and mental strain. If you get bad blisters a few days into the journey, they probably won’t really heal until you’re off the river. So, you have to be prepared to live with aches and pains for several days.
A long backcountry trip can also be mentally and emotionally taxing. Pretty much anybody can be nice and put up a good front for a few days. But, after a week, the emotional walls come down, and people start to share their true feelings. If someone is annoyed, they’re going to let it be known. If you join a private trip, you need to pack plenty of patience and respect for others.
Tip #2 - Bring Knowledge of Group Dynamics
The quality of your trip will depend greatly on the people in the group. If you have a bunch of responsible, easygoing, levelheaded folks who like to have fun, you’ll probably have a wonderful trip. On the other hand, veterans of The Grand can tell you stories of outings that went sideways because of a few bad apples or warring factions in the group.
If you have any say in who will be invited, it’s wise to include people with a reputation for being easygoing. Also, it’s wise to balance the ratio of men and women to keep the testosterone level in check. Plus, it’s best to invite people who are hard workers, because everybody has to pitch in. (Some people advise against bringing children or young teenagers because they might not be physically or emotionally mature enough to pull their weight, and every hand is critical.)
Also, be ready to deal with people of different ages. If you’re in your 40s or older, you might see things differently than a millennial. Just be prepared to work with people of a different mindset.
Tip #3 - Don’t Pack Light
Whether you love kayaking or backpacking, most of your previous backcountry trips probably required you to pack light. But, that’s not the case with a Grand Canyon rafting trip. You’ll be riding in 18-foot-long boats that can carry tons of gear and supplies, so there’s no need to sacrifice comfort due to weight.
This is especially true when you’re putting together your sleep system. Your health and happiness on the river will be affected by your ability to get a good night’s sleep. So, go with what’s most comfortable, whether it’s a thick sleeping pad or a cot. If you have a favorite pillow, bring it. Some people bring a set of cotton sheets because they can be more comfortable that a sleeping bag on a warm night. Also, pack a tent in case it rains.
Tip #4 - Caring for Your Skin is Critical
Your skin will take a beating from being exposed to cold water and hot, dry air, as well as friction from rowing or pulling straps to rig boats. Over time, the skin on your hands can suddenly crack and develop sores. But, you can minimize the damage by using plenty of lotions and skin moisturizers. Of course, you’re going to wear sunscreen, but be sure to avoid aerosol sunscreen because it can dry your skin. Also, you can protect your hands by wearing durable gloves when you’re rigging boats.
Tip #5 - Prepare for a Wide Range of Temperatures
One minute you’re lounging on your boat like a lizard in the warm sun, and the next minute you’re shivering from a sudden shower or a cold blast of wind. On The Grand, conditions can change quickly and often throughout the day, so carry a full range of layers and protective clothing to stay warm and dry. That includes a few hats. You’ll probably want a wide-brimmed hat to shield you from the sun, a warm wool or fleece hat for cold temperatures, and a ball cap to wear when the wind is too strong for your wide-brimmed hat.
Tip #6 - Don’t Forget to Add a Closing Statement
While you’ll spend several hours sitting in a boat each day, you’ll also be on your feet quite a bit, so you need to choose your footwear carefully. Many people wear sandals in the boat, but you can also wear booties if you’d like to shield your feet from the sun.
Some people also wear sandals while loading and unloading boats. Just be sure that your feet are accustomed to sandals, because it’s easy to get blisters. As you carry loads between the boats and camp, you’ll walk up and down steep sand. This can cause sandal straps to rub your feet. If sand gets beneath the straps, it can do a real number on your skin. You might consider wearing a bootie or some type of shoe while loading and unloading.
Also, keep in mind that you can do some fantastic side hikes as you make your way down the river. Be sure to pack sandals or other sturdy footwear that will provide traction and you don’t mind getting wet. (Pro tip: Bring a daypack to use for the side hikes.)
Tip #7 - Bring Electrolytes
To purify water and prevent the spread of bacteria, members of the group will likely add bleach to drinking water as well as water used to clean dishes. Sometimes, exposure to so much bleach can affect a person’s gut bacteria and cause a stomachache and nausea. You can alleviate the symptoms by drinking Gatorade or water with some other type of electrolyte powder or solution.
Tip #8 - Embrace the Touch, the Feel of Cotton
Surely you’ve been warned that, in the backcountry, cotton kills. But, on The Grand, cotton can be a real comfort. While synthetic clothing has become much softer and more comfortable over the years, it can sill feel clammy after you’ve worn it several hours. So, many rafting guides will actually carry a favorite cotton T-shirt or button-down and other cotton clothes to wear in camp. As with cotton sheets, these super soft clothes will really help revive you after a long day in the harsh elements. Just be sure to keep cotton items stored in a drysack, and don’t remove them until you’re in camp.
Tip #9 - Have a Pre-Trip Meeting
Several weeks before the trip, have a pre-trip meeting (over the computer or phone if necessary) to address questions about gear, travel logistics, or any other issues. This is a great time to point out critical pieces of gear and talk about things people might not anticipate, such as strategies to care for skin. A pre-trip meeting will also give people a chance to connect with each other if they haven’t already met.
Tip #10 - Plan Parties and Games
One of the best parts of rafting The Grand is that you’re far from civilization, so everybody loosens up and goes a little wild. Encourage people to have fun and express themselves by throwing several theme parties. You could have a super hero party, a Cinco De Maya celebration, or even a formal night. As you invite people, you can inform them of the themes so they’ll have time to put together outfits.
Some groups also have contests where people gain points throughout the trip by doing certain challenges. They could get points for “riding the bull” (sitting on the front of the boat during a rapid) or having the best outfit at a party. As you’re planning the trip, you can put together booklets that have the activities and points and give one to each member of the group.
Some Key Personal Gear
Sand mat: Sand seems to get into everything when you’re in the canyon. When you get into camp, place your gear (including your tent or sleep system) on a mesh mat so the sand will fall through rather than invading your stuff. High-quality sand mats aren’t cheap, but they’re worth every dollar.
Eyewear: Bring more than one pair of sunglasses in case one goes in the river. Also, bring backup eyeglasses, and be aware that contact lenses are a challenge in the sandy environment.
Camp chair: You’ll spend hours sitting in camp eating and lounging, so invest in a good camp chair. Don’t be that person who forgets a chair and spends the rest of the trip borrowing seats from other people.
Multiple dry bags: Organize your clothing in multiple small dry bags, and then place these inside of a large dry bag. When your things are compartmentalized, you can pull out the small bag you need at the moment, rather than digging through a pile of stuff in a huge bag every time you need something.
Dish gloves: Pack the most heavy-duty dishwashing gloves you can find. You’ll be sterilizing dishes, and gloves will protect your hands from hot dishwater. If you wear wimpy gloves, they’ll be shredded in a few days.
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