Trip type · Motorized
Motorized rafting trips: more canyon in fewer days
Every outfitter we found running motor trips in the Grand Canyon and Cataract Canyon, side by side.
2 to 11 days / 1 to 10 nightsQuick answer
Motorized rafting trips use large rafts with outboard motors to cover more river each day. On the rivers we compare, 10 Grand Canyon outfitters and 9 on Cataract Canyon run them. In the Grand Canyon, motors are allowed from April 1 to September 15, and the Park Service says motor trips usually take at least 7 days to reach Diamond Creek.
Trips by river
Motor trips by river
One featured motor trip on each river. The table below lists every motor outfitter.
Utah · Canyonlands National Park
Cataract Canyon
From $989per person with Mild to Wild Rafting: 2 day, 1 night trip; year not shown; about 9% fees extra. Checked Sep 2026. Confirm when booking.
Arizona · Colorado River
Grand Canyon
From $2,015per person with Western River Expeditions: 3 day, 2 night trip, 2026. Checked Sep 2026. Confirm when booking.
Each card shows a motor trip from the outfitter's own site: Mild to Wild's 2 day, 1 night Cataract trip runs on motor rafts, and every Western Grand Canyon trip runs on a motor rig. Checked September 2026.
Side by side
The two motor rivers side by side
| River | Trip length | Whitewater | Season | Private permit | Outfitters | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cataract Canyon | 2 to 6 days, 1 to 5 nights | Class III to V, per the Park Service | March to November, by outfitter | Reserved, no lottery | 11 | $989 |
| Grand Canyon | 3 to 7 days, 2 to 6 nights | April to October, by outfitter | 13 | $2,015 |
Prices are per person on outfitters' own sites, checked September 2026, and each river page shows the year and trip behind them. Confirm when booking.
Every trip
Every motor outfitter we found
Grand Canyon first, then Cataract. Each link goes to the outfitter's own page to check dates.
| Outfitter | River | Trip lengths | Motor trips | Min age | From, per person | Check dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Raft Adventures | Grand Canyon | 6 days, 5 nights to 16 days, 15 nights | Motor trips of 8 or 10 days; oar, paddle and dory trips too | 12 (10 recommended on motor trips) | $4,365Lower Canyon trip, 2026 rate. Lowest trip price not confirmed. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Arizona Raft Adventures |
| Arizona River Runners | Grand Canyon | 3 days, 2 nights to 15 days, 14 nights | Motor trips of 6, 7 or 8 days, plus 3 and 4 day lower canyon trips | Not listed | $1,775Low end of the range on its site. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Arizona River Runners |
| Canyoneers | Grand Canyon | 4 days, 3 nights to 15 days, 14 nights | Motor trips of 4, 5, 6, 8 or 10 days | Not listed | $2,1254 day, 3 night upper canyon motor trip. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Canyoneers |
| CRATE (Colorado River & Trail Expeditions) | Grand Canyon | 3 days, 2 nights to 11 days, 10 nights | Motor trips, including its 3 day, 2 night ranch and raft trip | 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 | Grand Canyon | 8 days, 7 nights to 9 days, 8 nights on motor trips; dory trips also run | 8 or 9 day motor trip, 277 miles from Lees Ferry to Pearce Ferry | 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 | Grand Canyon | 4 days, 3 nights to 15 days, 14 nights | Motor trips of 4, 5, 7, 8 or 11 days | Not listed | Prices not shown on the trip pages we checked. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Grand Canyon Whitewater |
| Hatch River Expeditions | Grand Canyon | 4 days, 3 nights to 12 days, 11 nights | 4 day upper, 4 day lower and 7 day motor trips | 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 |
| Tour West | Grand Canyon | 4 days, 3 nights to 13 days, 12 nights | Motor trips of 3, 6 or 8 nights, May to September | Not listed | $1,995Plus park fee, 2026; $2,045 in 2027. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Tour West |
| Western River Expeditions | Grand Canyon | 3 days, 2 nights to 7 days, 6 nights | Every trip on a motor rig: 3, 4, 6 or 7 days | 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 | Grand Canyon | 3 days, 2 nights to 12 days, 11 nights | Motor trips of 6, 7 or 8 days | Not listed | $3,4206 day, 5 night motor trip, 2025 rate shown on site. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Wilderness River Adventures |
| Adrift Adventures | Cataract Canyon | 2 days, 1 night express (jet boat and raft) to 6 days, 5 nights rowing | 2 day Express with a jet boat leg; 3 day motor trip from $900 | 10 (16 in May and June) | $5642 day Express with a jet boat leg; 3 day motor trip from $900; year not shown; 4% access fee extra. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Adrift Adventures |
| Colorado River & Trail Expeditions | Cataract Canyon | 4 days, 3 nights to 7 days, 6 nights | Motor on its 4 day, 3 night and 5 day, 4 night trips | 12 | $1,7954 day, 3 night trip; year not shown; scenic flight back. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Colorado River & Trail Expeditions |
| Mild to Wild Rafting | Cataract Canyon | 2 days, 1 night to 6 days, 5 nights | Motor rafts; a paddle raft option on trips of 4 days, 3 nights or longer | 10 (14 at high water) | $9892 day, 1 night trip; year not shown; about 9% fees extra. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Mild to Wild Rafting |
| NAVTEC Expeditions | Cataract Canyon | 2 days, 1 night to 5 days, 4 nights | Motor and oar trips | Not listed (youth rate 16 and under) | $9252 day, 1 night trip on its main page, year not shown; trip pages show 2017 and 2024 rates. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with NAVTEC Expeditions |
| OARS | Cataract Canyon | 4 days, 3 nights to 6 days, 5 nights | Motor, oar and paddle; scenic flight back included | 9 (12 to 16 at high water) | $2,0494 day, 3 night trip, October 2026; $2,199 in 2027; scenic flight included. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with OARS |
| Sheri Griffith River Expeditions | Cataract Canyon | 2 days, 1 night to 6 days, 5 nights | Motor and oar; paddle from July to September | 10 (12 for the 2 day) | $1,3992 day, 1 night high water trip, 2026; scenic flight included; about 9% fees extra. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Sheri Griffith River Expeditions |
| Tour West | Cataract Canyon | 4 days, 3 nights motor; 5 days, 4 nights rowing | 4 days, 3 nights by motor; 5 days, 4 nights rowing | Not listed | $1,5553 night motor trip, 2026, plus tax; $1,600 in 2027. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Tour West |
| Western River Expeditions | Cataract Canyon | 4 days, 3 nights | Motor at high water; oar or paddle later in the season | 12 | $1,975Labeled 2025; the page also shows $2,050; scenic flight included. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Western River Expeditions |
| World Wide River Expeditions | Cataract Canyon | 4 days, 3 nights | Motor in spring; oar and paddle later | 8 to 16, by water level | $1,3504 day, 3 night trip; year not shown; flight back $300 or van $50. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with World Wide River Expeditions |
Prices are each outfitter's lowest listed price on that river, from its own site, checked September 2026; not every lowest price is a motor trip. Confirm when booking.
Why motor
What a motor trip changes
More miles a day, so more canyon in fewer days.
Shorter trips for the same river. The Park Service says motor trips usually take at least 7 days to reach Diamond Creek in the Grand Canyon (NPS). Full canyon oar and dory trips listed by outfitters run about 12 to 18 days.
A set season in the Grand Canyon. Under the park's 2006 Colorado River Management Plan, motors are allowed from April 1 to September 15, and September 16 to March 31 is the no motor season. Commercial motor trips from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek are capped at 10 days in summer and 12 in the shoulder months (NPS record of decision).
Lower minimum ages on some trips. Grand Canyon Expeditions takes kids from 8 on motor trips and 12 on dory trips, and Western from 9 on its 3 and 4 day motor trips.
High water on Cataract. Western runs Cataract by motor at high water and World Wide in spring, and use oar and paddle boats later in the season.
Part motor
Jet boat legs on other rivers
Some trips row the rapids and ride a jet boat for the flat miles home.
On the Lower Salmon, several outfitters end with a jet boat ride: Mountain River Outfitters on its return, Oregon River Experiences to Lewiston, Ouzel Outfitters to Clarkston and Hughes River Expeditions to Hells Gate State Park. In Hells Canyon, Tributary adds a $100 jet boat shuttle.
On Cataract Canyon, Adrift's 2 day Express uses a jet boat leg to fit the canyon into one night. See 2 day rafting trips.
How to choose
How to choose a motor trip
How many days do you have?
Grand Canyon motor trips run 3 to 11 days, and Cataract motor trips 2 to 5. Grand Canyon Expeditions covers 277 miles to Pearce Ferry in 8 or 9 days.
Grand Canyon motor vs oarWhen can you go?
Grand Canyon motors run April 1 to September 15. On Cataract, Western and World Wide use motors at high water and in spring.
Best time to go raftingBringing kids?
Some motor trips take younger kids: Grand Canyon Expeditions and Hatch from 8, Western from 9 on short trips.
Family rafting tripsQuestions
Motorized rafting trip questions
What is a motorized rafting trip?
A guided river trip on large rafts with an outboard motor. The Park Service lists large motorized rafts among the boats Grand Canyon outfitters use, alongside oared rafts, paddle rafts and dories.
Where can I take a motorized overnight rafting trip?
On the rivers we compare, outfitters run motor trips in the Grand Canyon and Cataract Canyon. Ten of the Grand Canyon's outfitters and nine on Cataract list motor trips.
Is a motor trip faster than an oar trip?
Yes. The Park Service says motor trips usually take at least 7 days to reach Diamond Creek. Full canyon oar trips run about 12 to 18 days on outfitters' sites.
When can you take a motor trip in the Grand Canyon?
From April 1 to September 15, under the 2006 Colorado River Management Plan. September 16 to March 31 is the no motor season.
How much does a motorized Grand Canyon trip cost?
Western lists its 3 day, 2 night motor trip from $2,015 (2026), Wilderness River Adventures a 6 day motor trip from $3,420 (2025 rate), Grand Canyon Expeditions an 8 or 9 day motor trip from $3,500 and Hatch a 7 day motor trip from $3,677 (2026). Checked September 2026.
Are motor trips better for kids?
Some take younger kids. Grand Canyon Expeditions sets 8 on motor trips and 12 on dory trips, Hatch 8 on its 7 day motor trip and Western 9 on its 3 and 4 day trips.
Can I get a motor trip on Cataract Canyon?
Yes. Mild to Wild lists a 2 day, 1 night motor trip from $989, and Western and World Wide run motor trips at high water or in spring.
Do I need a permit?
No. The outfitter holds the permit. The Grand Canyon rations private trips by lottery, and a guided trip skips it. See the lottery calendar.
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