Grand Canyon 6-Day Rafting Trip

You don’t need previous rafting experience or exceptional fitness for this trip, but you should be comfortable being active throughout the day. You’ll climb on and off the raft, walk across sand and uneven terrain, carry your personal gear short distances at camp, and hold on securely through rapids.

You should be steady on your feet and able to follow guide instructions. If you have medical or mobility concerns, please consult your doctor and call us before booking.

Side hikes are an important part of the Grand Canyon experience, but participation is optional. Depending on conditions, stops may include waterfalls, side canyons, cultural sites, and viewpoints. Hikes vary from short walks to more challenging routes over rocks, sand, uneven terrain, or through water.

Your guides explain what each hike involves before you begin so you can decide whether it is right for you. You are welcome to remain near the raft when a particular hike doesn’t feel like a good fit.

For guest safety at some locations you may need to hike a short distance from the river's edge.

You’ll run more than 60 Grand Canyon rapids during the trip, ranging from smaller waves to major whitewater such as Hance and Lava Falls. Before significant rapids, your guides explain what’s ahead, where and how to hold on, and what they need you to do.

Everyone wears a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on the river. Strong swimming skills are not required, however, if you unexpectedly enter the water, you should be able to move your arms and legs, help position yourself around obstacles, and follow guide instructions.

Western’s J-Rig also offers several seating areas, so you can choose a wetter, more active position toward the front or sit farther back from the biggest splashes.

Each afternoon, the rafts pull onto a riverside beach and camp takes shape. You’ll help move personal and camp gear from the boats, choose a sleeping spot, and settle in while your guides prepare dinner.

Western provides a cot, sleeping bag with sheets, tent, and camp chair. Many guests choose to sleep outside beneath the stars, although tents are available. Expect sand, early mornings, changing temperatures, and no cell service or electrical outlets.

You do not need previous camping experience. Most guests learn the camp routine quickly, and guides show you how the equipment works when you arrive.

A portable toilet is set up in a private location each evening at camp and remains available until the group leaves the following morning. Your guides explain the system clearly at the beginning of the trip.

During the day, guides provide the necessary supplies and instructions if you need to use the bathroom away from camp. There are no showers on the river, so guests use the Colorado River and personal hygiene items to stay clean during the trip.

Grand Canyon conditions can change quickly. Summer days can be very hot, mornings may be cool, and the Colorado River remains cold throughout the season. Sun, wind, rain, and getting wet in the rapids are all normal parts of the experience.

Your guides adjust the daily rhythm as conditions change, but preparation matters. Follow the packing list carefully, bring the recommended layers and sun protection, stay hydrated, and expect your clothing to get wet.

See the Weather page for Grand Canyon

Trips typically include up to 28 guests traveling on two J-Rigs, with a mix of couples, families, friends, and solo travelers.

Camp life is shared. Guests eat together, help move gear on and off the rafts, explore side canyons together, and spend several days without phones or everyday distractions competing for attention. 

There is still room for quiet time, but many guests say getting to know the people they travel with becomes an unexpected highlight.

Private trips are also available if you have a group of 18 or 28 and you'd rather travel with just the members of your group. 

Western River guests may book rooms at the Las Vegas Marriott (325 Convention Center Drive, Las Vegas, NV) at our exclusive 2027 Western River block rate.  Please do not call the Las Vegas Marriott.  Our discounted rate is only available to guests who use the booking link.

Parking and luggage storage are available through the Marriott. Current rates are listed as you make your online hotel reservation.  We recommend booking early, as availability can be limited during peak seasons.

If you are unable to reserve using our online link, contact Kristy, our specialist at the Marriott, directly at  301.380.7030 or direct email: Kristy.Fukuda@marriott.com. Please allow a 72-hour response window for messages. Be sure to mention the Western River Expeditions Block.

All guests meeting in Las Vegas must meet in the Las Vegas Marriott lobby at 4:30 AM for a grab-and-go breakfast before your scheduled departure at 4:45 AM.  

2028 Guests- Please note that our 2028 season block will be released in the fall of 2027.

Our morning begins early — but the process is smooth and well-paced.

• 4:30 AM - Meet in the Las Vegas Marriott lobby for a grab-and-go breakfast.
•  4:45 AM - Charter bus departs for Boulder Municipal Airport, approximately 40 minutes away.  

Restrooms are available in the Marriott lobby and again at the Boulder airport before boarding.

After a scenic one-hour flight to Page, Arizona, you’ll transfer to a ground shuttle for the drive to Lees Ferry. 

Restrooms are available at the Marriott, Boulder Municipal Airport, Page Municipal Airport, and again at Lees Ferry before launch.

A brief stop is made along the way for guests who want to purchase beverages for the river trip.

You’ll arrive at Lees Ferry mid-morning, where your guides will help organize your gear and provide a safety orientation before launching downstream.

Important: Guests age 18 and older must bring a valid photo ID.

Dress ready for the river on departure morning. Wear comfortable layers appropriate for the forecast; detailed clothing and packing recommendations will be provided before your trip.

Pack your river clothing and personal gear in a small, soft-sided duffel clearly labeled with your name. Hard-sided luggage cannot go on the river and may be stored in your vehicle or at your hotel.

At Lees Ferry, your guides will help you transfer your duffel into the waterproof river bag provided by Western River and provide a small rubber daytime bag for access to personal items like sunscreen, rain gear, etc.

Your river trip concludes at the Whitmore Wash helipad at river mile 188 on the final morning. From there, you’ll take an included helicopter flight to Bar 10 Ranch, where showers and a light lunch are available.

Once you are back at the Boulder Airport, just head to the front counter to check in for the charter bus that will take you back to the Las Vegas Marriott, the expected arrival time is approximately 3:00 PM Pacific Time 

We recommend scheduling departing flights after 7:00 PM or staying an additional night in Las Vegas.

Plan to arrive in Page at least one day before your trip. On departure morning, meet at 7:30 AM Mountain Standard Time at Wilderness River Shuttle, 199 Kaibab Road, Page, Arizona.

Look for the yellow “Guest Parking” sign and park inside the gated lot along the brown fence parallel to Haul Road. Parking is free. Bring all river gear with you when you board the shuttle.

If you leave luggage or electronics in your vehicle, keep Page’s high-desert heat in mind. We recommend leaving heat-sensitive items at your hotel whenever possible.

If you are flying directly into Page, meet at 7:55 AM Mountain Standard Time at Page Municipal Airport on the morning of departure. 

See Page Airport 

Guests meeting in Page will join the transfer to Lees Ferry after the driving and airport meeting groups are collected. The drive to Lees Ferry takes approximately one hour.

Along the way, the group stops at a convenience store where you may purchase canned soda, beer, or other permitted beverages to bring on the trip. Restrooms are available at this stop and again at Lees Ferry before launch.

At Lees Ferry, your guides will help organize your gear and provide a safety orientation before the trip launches mid-morning.

Dress ready for the river on departure morning. Wear comfortable layers appropriate for the forecast; detailed clothing and packing recommendations will be provided before your trip.

Pack your river clothing and personal gear in a small, soft-sided duffel clearly labeled with your name. Hard-sided luggage cannot go on the river and should remain at your hotel or in your locked vehicle. If leaving belongings in a vehicle, keep Page’s high-desert heat in mind, particularly with electronics and canned beverages.

At Lees Ferry, your guides will help transfer the contents of your duffel into the waterproof river bag provided by Western River.

Your expedition concludes at the Whitmore Wash helipad at river mile 188 on the final morning. From there, you’ll take an included helicopter flight to Bar 10 Ranch, where showers and a light lunch are available. 

You’ll then board an included flight back to Page, arriving at approximately 3:00 PM Mountain Standard Time. Check in at the front counter for your shuttle back to the Wilderness parking lot.

If you are flying home from Page that day, we recommend scheduling your departure no earlier than 7:00 PM or staying an additional night before continuing home.