Grand Canyon river rafting trip suggestions?

[Shine]

any of y'all got tips and/or websites to suggest? I'm considering different river rafting trip options for this summer, for our family of 4, with two kids, ages 9 and 12. The best scenario would be a week long trip, where all the food, etc, is taken care of.

I guess the conventional wisdom is that these sorts of trips need to be booked at least a YEAR in advance, but I was just able to put our names down on a 10day hold for a 6 day trip in late August. I'd like to research other options during that time.....

so, I'd be most grateful to know of any reputable businesses that you could kindly recommend. Any other tips or ideas are welcome, too!

Thanks, friends! :hi: We've never been to the Grand Canyon before and I'm so excited about seeing it via the river. :woohoo:


Shine

[Squatch]

1. Check out the GCPBA for a community of GC boaters

They can really help you out.

[Shine]

2. That's cool, Squatch! Thanks, what an interesting website.

:hi:

[Squatch]

3. Sure thing...

I've been on the permit waiting list for 4 years...only 7 more to go.

The NPS just revamped the GC access plan, which might interest you. Affects the number of private and commercial trips per day down the river.

[Shine]

4. hmmmm....I hadn't heard that yet.

are you a river guide? I don't get what you mean about the waiting list for a permit. Permit for what? Guiding trips? Why such a long wait? :shrug:

[Squatch]

5. GC 101

There are 2 types of trips down the river: those that are conducted by private individuals without a guide and those that use a guide or commercial company.

To control the number of people on the river at any given time, the NPS issues bothe private and commercial permits. Previous to 2005, the permit system was heavily weighted in favor of commercial trips, meaning people like myself get the short end of the stick. As a result, the waiting list for private boaters grew until it was over 11 years long.

Last year, the NPS, local citizens, the GCPBA, and commercial companies re-drafted the Colorado River Management Plan (CRMP) so that there is a more equitable distribution of river permits between commercial and private companies.

I would suggest getting into the private boating community as opposed to the commercial one. You can get onto a private permit, if you can find a group willing to take you on. It's a more intimate experience than blasting down the river on motorized rubber battleships.

Check out americanwhitewater.org and boatertalk.com for a couple good info sites.

I used to be a river guide (for kayak trips) back in my college days: San Juan, Salmon, Lochsa, Selway

[Shine]

6. Cool, thanks again, Squatch. I really appreciate your input.

How fun to be a river guide! Good times, eh?

:hi:

[Benfea]

7. Make a canoe out of Brill-O pads

Oh, wait. Did you want useful suggestions?

My bad.

;)

[Shine]

8. You silly.

welcome to DU, btw, Benfea! :toast:

hope you have fun here in the lounge....

:hi: