Arizona · Colorado River
Grand Canyon rafting trips
Every outfitter with a Park Service contract, side by side. Book a seat directly and skip the private permit lottery.
3 to 18 days / 2 to 17 nightsQuick answer
Guided Grand Canyon rafting trips run 3 to 18 days on motor, oar, paddle or dory boats, with outfitters holding contracts with the National Park Service. You book directly and skip the lottery. The park says trips are often reserved a year or two ahead. Listed prices start near $1,775 per person (checked September 2026).
The route
Lees Ferry to Lake Mead
Full canyon trips launch at Lees Ferry. Half trips swap guests at Phantom Ranch by trail, and some trips fly out by helicopter from Whitmore Wash.
- Mile 0Lees FerryAll full and upper trips launch
- Half trip exchangePhantom RanchHike out or hike in
- Mile 188Whitmore WashHelicopter out on some trips
- Mile 226Diamond CreekTake out
- Lake MeadPearce FerryTake out
Miles for Lees Ferry, Whitmore Wash and Diamond Creek are from the Park Service. The positions of Phantom Ranch and Pearce Ferry are approximate. Camps are assigned at launch, so nights are not marked.
Compare outfitters
Every Grand Canyon rafting outfitter, side by side
These are the companies on the Park Service's list of river concessioners, listed alphabetically. Trip lengths, boats, seasons, minimum ages and prices come from each outfitter's own site.
| Outfitter | Trip lengths | Boats | Season | Min age | From, per adult | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Raft Adventures | 6 days, 5 nights to 16 days, 15 nights | Oar, paddle, dory, motor | Not listed | 12 (10 recommended on motor trips) | $4,365Lower Canyon trip, 2026 rate. Lowest trip price not confirmed. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with AZRA |
| Arizona River Runners | 3 days, 2 nights to 15 days, 14 nights | Motor, oar | Not listed | Not listed | $1,775Low end of the range on its site. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Arizona River Runners |
| Canyon Explorations | 6 days, 5 nights to 16 days, 15 nights | Oar, paddle, dory, inflatable kayak | April to October | Not listed | $3,1252026 rate; from $3,185 in 2027. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Canyon Explorations |
| Canyoneers | 4 days, 3 nights to 15 days, 14 nights | Motor, oar, paddle | April to October | Not listed | $2,1254 day, 3 night upper canyon motor trip. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Canyoneers |
| CRATE (Colorado River & Trail Expeditions) | 3 days, 2 nights to 11 days, 10 nights | Motor, oar, paddle | April to September | 12 (14 to 16 on paddle trips) | $2,0803 day, 2 night ranch and raft trip. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with CRATE |
| Grand Canyon Expeditions | 8 days, 7 nights to 9 days, 8 nights on motor trips; dory trips also run | Motor, dory | April to September | 8 (12 on dory trips) | $3,5008 or 9 day motor trip (7 or 8 nights). Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Grand Canyon Expeditions |
| Grand Canyon Whitewater | 4 days, 3 nights to 15 days, 14 nights | Motor, oar | Not listed | Not listed | Prices not shown on the trip pages we checked. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Grand Canyon Whitewater |
| Hatch River Expeditions | 4 days, 3 nights to 12 days, 11 nights | Motor, oar | Not listed | 8 (12 on 4 day, 3 night trips) | $3,6777 day, 6 night motor trip, 2026; $3,746 in 2027. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Hatch River Expeditions |
| OARS and Grand Canyon Dories | 5 days, 4 nights to 18 days, 17 nights | Oar, dory | April to October | 12 (7 on the 5 day, 4 night lower trip) | $3,7995 day, 4 night lower canyon trip. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with OARS |
| Outdoors Unlimited | 5 days, 4 nights to 15 days, 14 nights | Oar, paddle | April to September | Not listed | $2,7355 day, 4 night upper canyon trip, 2027. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Outdoors Unlimited |
| Tour West | 4 days, 3 nights to 13 days, 12 nights | Motor, oar | April to September | Not listed | $1,995Plus park fee, 2026; $2,045 in 2027. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Tour West |
| Western River Expeditions | 3 days, 2 nights to 7 days, 6 nights | Motor | April to September | 9 (12 on trips of 6 days or more) | $2,0153 day, 2 night trip, 2026. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Western River Expeditions |
| Wilderness River Adventures | 3 days, 2 nights to 12 days, 11 nights | Motor, oar | May to September | Not listed | $3,4206 day, 5 night motor trip, 2025 rate shown on site. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Wilderness River Adventures |
"Not listed" means we could not find it on the outfitter's site in September 2026. Nights are counted as days minus one where an outfitter lists days only. Prices are the lowest adult rate we found on each site on the date shown and may not include park fees. Confirm when booking.
The Park Service list also names Grand Canyon Raft Adventures and Grand Canyon Discovery, LLC. Both show Arizona Raft Adventures' phone number, and Grand Canyon Raft Adventures lists the same website, so they are covered by the Arizona Raft Adventures row.
The no lottery way in
Guided trip or private permit?
The park gives out private launch dates through a weighted lottery. A guided trip skips it: you book a seat with an outfitter.
No lottery
Book a guided trip
- How you get a spot
- Pick a date with one of the outfitters above and book it.
- When to act
- The park says commercial trips are "often reserved a year or two in advance."
- Trip length
- 3 to 18 days, according to the park.
- Boats and food
- The outfitter brings the boats, guides, meals and camp.
Private permit
Enter the weighted lottery
- How you get a spot
- Apply in the park's weighted lottery and hope your date is drawn.
- When to act
- The main lottery takes applications for the first three weeks of February, for trips the following year.
- Trip length
- Self guided trips run 12 to 25 days.
- Boats and food
- Your group brings and runs everything.
Sources: Grand Canyon National Park river trips page and weighted lottery page.
On the river
What a day on a Grand Canyon rafting trip looks like
The pace depends on the boat. Motor trips cover more miles each day, so they reach the end sooner. Oar and dory trips move slower and leave more time for side hikes.
- Morning
Coffee and breakfast at camp, then everything packs back onto the boats.
- Midday
Rapids and flat water, with lunch set out on a beach.
- Afternoon
A side canyon hike or swim stop on many days, then on to camp.
- Evening
Camp on a river beach, dinner cooked by the guides, the night under the canyon walls.
What outfitters list as included
- Guides, boats and life jackets
- All meals on the river
- Tents, and sleeping gear on some trips
- Waterproof bags for your things
Examples from Wilderness River Adventures, which lists a sleeping bag, cot, tent, camp chair, dry bags, all meals and a helicopter flight out. Canyon Explorations says its fares cover transportation, gear and a tent. Check each outfitter's list.
Worth checking before you book
- Park fees, which some prices exclude
- Travel to Lees Ferry and home from the take out
- The hike on half trips, from the river to the South Rim or back
- Guide tips
More on camp life, meals and the toilet in river camping, and on tips in tipping your guides.
When to go
The Grand Canyon rafting season
The outfitters we checked run from April through September, and some continue into October. Canyon Explorations calls April and May and September and October its peak seasons.
Dates fill early, and several outfitters already list 2027 trips. See when to go rafting for how seasons compare across western rivers.
Who it suits
Which Grand Canyon trip fits you
Families
Where outfitters list them, minimum ages run from 7 to 16, and many are 12. Shorter lower canyon trips set some of the lowest. Compare the Min age column above, or see family rafting trips.
First timers short on time
Motor trips reach the end in fewer days, and lower canyon trips of 3 or 4 days (2 or 3 nights) are the shortest way on the river. See motorized trips and motor vs oar.
People who want the full canyon slowly
Oar and dory trips of 12 days or more give you the most camps and side hikes. Paddle trips put you to work in the rapids. See dory trips and week long trips.
Questions
Grand Canyon rafting trip questions
How much does a Grand Canyon rafting trip cost?
On the outfitters' own sites, checked in September 2026, the lowest listed prices start near $1,775 per person for short lower canyon trips. Full canyon oar and dory trips start from about $5,300 at Canyon Explorations (2026) and reach $9,999 at OARS. Every price in the table above is dated. Confirm when booking.
How far in advance do I need to book?
Early. Grand Canyon National Park says commercial trips are often reserved a year or two in advance. Several outfitters already list 2027 dates and prices.
Do I need a permit or a lottery win to raft the Grand Canyon?
Not on a guided trip. The park's weighted lottery is for self guided, noncommercial trips, and the park says people who want a guided trip should not apply through the lottery but should request space on a commercial trip. You book a seat directly with an outfitter.
Should I choose a motor or an oar trip?
Motor trips cover more miles per day. The park says motor trips usually take at least 7 days to reach Diamond Creek, while full canyon oar and dory trips listed by outfitters run about 12 to 18 days. Oar trips are quieter and slower. Paddle trips put you to work.
What is the minimum age for a Grand Canyon rafting trip?
It depends on the outfitter and the trip. On the sites we checked, minimums run from 7 on one short lower canyon trip to 16 on some paddle trips. Many trips set 12.
What is a half trip?
The park allows half trips that hike in or out at Phantom Ranch. An upper canyon trip runs from Lees Ferry and ends with a hike up to the South Rim. A lower canyon trip starts with that hike down.
How long is a Grand Canyon rafting trip?
Guided trips run 3 to 18 days, according to the park. The river from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek is 226 miles.
Where do Grand Canyon rafting trips start and end?
Full canyon trips launch at Lees Ferry. Depending on the trip, they end at Diamond Creek, at Pearce Ferry on Lake Mead, or at Whitmore Wash, where several outfitters fly guests out by helicopter.
When is the Grand Canyon rafting season?
The outfitters we checked run trips from April to September or October. Canyon Explorations calls April to May and September to October its peak seasons.
How many people raft the Grand Canyon with an outfitter?
The park put the figure at roughly 22,000 commercial passengers a year when it awarded the current contracts in 2023.
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Pick your Grand Canyon outfitter
Compare trip lengths, boats and minimum ages, then check dates directly with the outfitter.