Big Matt added his special sense of humor and fun along with his expertise. info@grandcanyonwhitewater.com John Doyle Lee was sent by the Mormon Church in 1872 to establish a Ferry crossing on the Colorado River. I had hiked down to the Colorado-Havasupai creek confluence with friends but was running low on water and not trusting my water filter. Lees Ferry sits at the base of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in one of the Western United States’ most spectacular settings. Dal 1995 ( data di costruzione del ponte gemello nuovo) è diventato pedonale e offre vedute fantastiche sulla gola, sul fiume e sul paesaggio. Food was wonderful, hikes were spectacular, and knowledge of guides on history, geology, and folklore of the Grand Canyon made for entertaining and meaningful experience. Colorado River Discovery: Our smooth water raft trip from Page to Lee's Ferry was fun and interesting! This 87-mile section of the Colorado River is an excellent introduction to the Grand Canyon as the rapids progress from moderate to extra large and the cliffs and rock layers rise higher and higher. The really cool thing about going motorized, is the speed you can travel the canyon. This service is operated by Grand Canyon Whitewater, LLC., a Concessioner under contract with the U.S. Government and administered by the National Park Service. Johnson and his sons continued operating the Ferry from 1873 to 1896, and the Ferry continued to operate till 1928. Come prepared to have an experience that moves you to the core. How can you provide such qualify and variety on a river, in the middle of the Grand Canyon? Grand Canyon Raft Launch At Lees Ferry, Grand Canyon rafting expeditions start from this beach at Lees Ferry, Marble Canyon, United States, June 05, 2014. Interaction with the other travelers added to the enjoyment of the trip. The Concessioner is responsible for conducting these operations in a satisfactory manner. Every aspect of the trip was great. Puoi localizzare la posizione esatta dell’ufficio di Wilderness River Adventures, oltre che della Glen Canyon Dam, di Lees Ferry e di tutti i luoghi di interesse descritti all’interno di questo post, anche per il paragrafo successivo dedicato alle più impegnative rafting expeditions, sulla mappa contenuta all’interno dell’articolo Page: Come Arrivare, Cosa Fare, il Clima. That's about all I feel like sharing because the rest is just for me, to be kept like a secret treasure shared only by those who have chosen to embark on this greatest of adventures. If you meander up the Paria River from the Ferry you will eventually run into Lonely Dell Ranch. Total JOY. 2. Grand Canyon Whitewater is a great company to travel the Grand Canyon with. As one of the very first trips on the river for the year, we were able to get A+ camping sites every night and visit all the top side-trip locations without encountering other raft "crowds". Great rigs that are safe and comfortable. This historic river crossing is full of timeworn structures and relics, which can attest to the vital role it played in history. Our Grand Canyon rafting trip concludes with a strenuous hike up the Bright Angel Trail, ascending almost 4500 feet in elevation. They actually talked me out of a trip! Our initial trip was cancelled due to COVID, but the office staff worked to find another opening for us. With increasing traffic and a realization of how important the Ferry was to early Mormon settlers, the Church decided to purchase the Ferry from Emma. Hands down the coolest volleyball court ever. Unbelievably fresh and healthy meals. We begin our Grand Canyon journey by raft with our put-in at Lees Ferry, below Glen Canyon Dam. The raft guides were exceptional. Because of its location, millions of tourists head over here to begin their rafting trip down the Colorado River and into the heart of the Grand Canyon. Food was better in the Canyon than it is when I cook at home. Professional, FUN, knowledgeable, humble and oh so skillful on the rapids. The guides are top notch and prepared for anything. Our guides worked from sun-up to sun-down to makes sure our experience was beyond measure, and we truly appreciate them. The guides were there for us along the whole hike into the canyon. From our first encounter with the reservation staff to the guides and rafts on the river! The website is full of information and videos that give accurate and helpful information about preparation and what you can expect. It is about 110 miles from Flagstaff, Arizona by way of U.S. 89, which runs north to Page. The official beginning for most Grand Canyon rafting trips is at Lees Ferry (also commonly referred to as Lee’s Ferry or Lee Ferry) in Marble Canyon which gives a wonderful preview of what’s to come with the Colorado River surrounded by magnificent canyon scenery:. It begins and ends in Page, Arizona…you go to the bottom of Glen Canyon Dam and float down the Colorado River for 15 Miles to Lees Ferry where the same bus that dropped you off at the base of Glen Canyon Dam picks you up. The guides are top notch- constantly sharing their passion for and countless stories of the river. I can say those rafts are nearly bomb-proof, especially with the experienced and knowledgeable guides. We had the best mix of opportunities for peaceful solitude and contemplation, white knuckle adventure and laughing our booties off too! This was my first river trip so I don't have a starting point to rate GCW with other rafting companies, but I highly recommend them. Tons of stories; although, they may not all be true. Most fun I’ve ever had! Book a trip with this company and I promise you won't regret it!!!!! Live the adventure. Stranded and with the radio on one of the deviant boats, we were kinda SOL. Upon arriving at Lee's Ferry we received a warm greeting from our guides and they got us started with our dry bags and gear. I loved every second of the 8 day trip and I can’t wait to go back!!! Lees Ferry sits at the base of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in one of the Western United States’ most spectacular settings. I can't imagine what they could have done to improve on their care for group. It was a wonderful bucket list trip! Seriously, the best company to use is Grand Canyon Whitewater. The guides are extremely knowledgeable about the river history, every rapid, every mile. Now, this is actually the smoothest portion of the whole river through the Grand Canyon. The man whom Lee's Ferry was named after had a sordid past. I’d heard the food was very good but that was an enormous understatement! I just finished my 8-day rafting trip with Grand Canyon Whitewater last Saturday, and am still in mourning that I had to leave that beautiful river. We loved our four guides- Troy, Calvin, Brock & Stacy- who did a fantastic job throughout the trip-- navigating the river, sharing knowledge of the canyon, cooking delicious meals, and sharing the highlights of the canyon such as waterfalls and the little Colorado river. These visitors are enjoying the only half-day rafting trip on the Colorado River from the … For most Grand Canyon river runners, Lees Ferry is where the river rafting adventure begins! Prices are approved by the National Park Service. Prior to going- I was nervous about how it would go. Excellent guides. Grand Canyon Whitewater (GCW) did an outstanding job. He had a wealth of knowledge that comes with the years and love of the canyon. I very highly recommend them. I can't envision how anyone could not enjoy their trip, you'd have to try hard not to! - See 2,188 traveler reviews, 1,455 candid photos, and great deals for … Different ferryboats and pioneers, miners, Indians, and tourists crossed here from 1872 until 1928. One of the great experiences of a lifetime! On this rafting adventure, motor coach transportation is provided from Las Vegas to the put-in at Lees Ferry. Grand Canyon Whitewater facilitated an opportunity of a lifetime! A great team for a great trip. Food was also great 3 meals a day made for you. The tannins in the fish’s food source cause them to exhibit magnificent spawning colors which have become synonymous with Lees Ferry. If you're thinking about using a differnt rafting company for your vacation of a lifetime, stop right here. Well planned and executed. Hiking in and rafting out was perfect to experience both aspects of the Grand Canyon. Lee’s Ferry. It was an awesome way to connect with the family and also meet new people. The buildings are still standing and the orchard is still producing juicy peaches to this day. My simple recommendations are few but precious. See the Canyon from the River – Horseshoe Bend Rafting Trip When you are standing on the edge of Horseshoe Bend, you may notice some tan or brown rafts floating down the river. They were really fun too. I can't believe how prepared they were in planning and preparing 3 meals a day for us and nothing was "from a can"...other then the yummy fruit cocktail one morning! They are all fun too. With its 1,000-foot tall Navajo Sandstone cliffs and crystal clear water, the Colorado River is a desert refuge destined to capture the … The guides really did a fantastic job ensuring everyone got to truly experience the canyon and set a great example of people helping people which our group instantly adopted. Thanks so much guys!!! I just returned from an exceptional 8 day motorized trip through the Grand Canyon with this outfitter. The pre-trip information and videos helped us prepare. The first part of our great spring rafting trip. Our guides, Brian D, Jeff P and John D were the very best at everything they did. The guides were/are friendly, funny, caring, cool under pressure and just great individuals. We've rafted on several rivers with good rapids, but nothing compares to the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. A little more training on my part beforehand would have made hiking (aka scrambling)a little easier and you don't want to miss the amazing waterfalls and vistas. Their passion for the Canyon was infectious and they took care of every tiny detail to make our trip truly perfect! Lees Ferry is considered the official beginning of Grand Canyon National Park on the Colorado River and is used as a fishing area and river rafting launch site. Priceless! Guides are amazing and knowledgeable. When else would you ever get to sleep under the most magnificent display of heavenly bodies? well as the place you put in your rafts for the once in a lifetime raft trip down the Colorado River. Grand Canyon rafting Lees Ferry to Phantom Ranch is simply one phase of a 3-phase Grand Canyon experience. Thank you GCW for taking us on hikes to hidden gems we’d never have access to otherwise and the opportunity to see so much of beauty and grandeur of this amazing natural wonder. Your Colorado River Rafting voyage through the Upper Grand Canyon soon takes you down Marble Canyon and under the Navajo Bridge. Wilderness River Adventures, managed by Aramark, is an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Grand Canyon Whitewater The staff and crew of Grand Canyon Whitewater are true professionals who go above and beyond to provide the best possible experience. They really live out the credo of my recent trip- people helping people- on and off the river. We soon were off and I spent the most wonderful, exhilarating 8 days in one of the most beautiful places on earth. My husband and I celebrated 20 years of adventure with this amazing adventure! Just off scenic highway 89A connecting the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon, Cliff Dwellers Lodge & Lees Ferry Anglers are … Our leaders, Bri and Jason along with guides Johnny and Holly never ceased to amaze. Easy tents, warm sleeping bags and endless activities. Unspoiled Colorado River and the Grand Canyon. Of special interest is Charles H. Spencer’s attempt to extract gold from the clay hills here in 1910. They worked tirelessly to provide delicious meals, endless snacks, knowledge and folklore about the river and canyon. A paddle/oar raft would have taken days longer and would have been a lot more effort. To fish with us at Lees Ferry… We took a trip with Grand Canyon Whitewater and were thoroughly impressed by the knowledgeable and skilled guides and how well thought out the entire experience was. We were well fed and cared for in every way. Although this crossing was vital to early Mormon settlers, many speculate the real reason Lee was sent to this remote location was to avoid the law. Then, set up camp on a nice beach and eat an awesome hot cooked meal as you watch the sun go down on the river and wonder what the next day has in store. This was the BEST TRIP EVER!!! Oh and 5. Little Matt obviously has the passion of his youth on the river and it was a delight to spend time with him. The trip ends at Whitmore Wash with a helicopter ride from the river to the Bar Ten Ranch on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I have nothing but great things to say about GCW. I am super grateful to have gone on this trip with you guys! PO Box 2848, Flagstaff, Arizona 86003 Grand Canyon Whitewater could write the book on the customer experience! Interacting prior to the trip with the office staff was a pleasure and they were only too helpful to answer questions about the trip. Then there's the food! It has been one of my best life experiences (so far) rafting the Grand Canyon with GCW. Best trip ever! All I can say is WOW! Our guides were beyond amazing! After I asked Jason if he could filter a few liters of water for me just to be good to get back to Havasupai he readily donated water to me. You guys created an experience that my family will never forget and we all really appreciate it!) The love these guides have for the river and the canyon is contagious in the best possible way. 10 minute (max I can get here) to show your friends of our trip July 18-Aug 2 We called it, “all inclusive camping!” I’m ready to go again. Cheers--. Thanks Bill, Riley and Cora, Brad and Grand Canyon Whitewater for a most amazing adventure I will never forget. The side trips really added to the experience. Transportation to and from the canyon was timely and comfortable. Lees Ferry Anglers also includes Cliff Dwellers Lodge and The Cliff restaurant, offering a complete fishing lodge experience. Exceeded all expectations. Life changing! We did the 7 day motor trip and everything about it was awesome. We drove through & not many open sites. Full River Grand Canyon Rafting Trips If you are flying into the area: Charter flight from Las Vegas to Marble Canyon via Bar 10 Transportation ; Overnight accommodations at Marble Canyon Lodge, which includes van transportation to Lees Ferry on the morning of your trip (available as a trip option, see Schedule and Prices) Fantastic experience on the Upper Canyon trip with GCW in May of 2019! At the time, this chosen spot at the confluence of the Paria River, was the only point where one could cross the Colorado River for over 260 miles in either direction. GCW is a well run outfit with constant communication and wonderful staff. Once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Grand Canyon from another perspective! 4. You won't regret it. By far the most qualified, knowledgeable, and most fun staff I've ever had the pleasure of rafting with. Lees Ferry: Where Your Rafting Adventure Begins! Our Grand Canyon Whitewater vacation was EXTRAORDINARY! Everything about our trip was SPECTACULAR!!!! Email WRAFloats@aramark.com for backhaul service inquiries.. We provide backhauling services from Lees Ferry upriver to just below the Glen Canyon Dam. From Lees Ferry, the Upper Grand Canyon river rafting section takes about 4 – 6 days and cover 87 miles. Do not miss out on this trip! Ohh, the food was amazing! Lees Ferry is officially the border between Glen Canyon and the Grand Canyon, as well as a natural border splitting Northern Arizona and Utah. Oltre al Lee Ferry ci aspetta una nuova sorpresa: il ponte pedonabile sul Colorado al Marble canyon, costruito nel 1929, alto 142 metri e lungo 254 metri. The guides were THE BEST. There were frequent updates and reminders as our trip got closer and it was very much appreciated! I don’t want to give away any surprises but days later I’m still thinking about those delicious meals! Blisters suck. All logistics of traveling to and from the river were smooth and easy. The teenagers went for nearly a week without a phone and never even thought about it because they were having so much fun. They work tirelessly to make this trip absolutely seamless- safe- (did I mention magical) and still adventurous. Raft 19 major rapids like Unkar, Hance, Sockdolager & Grapevine. Incredible scenery (which seems to get better and better at each turn), awesome short and accessible hikes to unique and amazing natural features (waterfalls, streams, floating down the Little Colorado and more) and, of course, blasting through gnarly rapids and loving every second of it. The campground is primitive, but very popular. They made it a memorable trip; one I would like to repeat. Will definitely be coming back to do the south rim. The river trip was spectacular! Highly professional guides who maintained their courtesy, friendliness, and composure 24/7 for 5 days, and this is beyond their navigating us safely through impressive rapids. Never did I expect to make so many incredible memories. The river guides were amazing and the food was great too. Food was above outstanding. Rafting Upper Grand Canyon. Best trip I’ve ever had. Amanda in the office was very friendly and able to answer any questions that came up. The preparation information was perfect for packing and getting ready. Starting out in the more moderate rapids of the Colorado River we eventually meet up with the biggest whitewater of the Grand Canyon, including the infamous Crystal Rapid and Lava Falls. Our raft guides were extremely knowledgeable about the river and the canyon, providing insights on a multitude of topics. I will absolutely be using GCW for a future rafting trip! GCW guides Matt, Matt, Sean, and Cora were absolutely wonderful and picked up our whole 14 person crew, even spending the extra time to find one member who was missing. This was the homestead for Lee and 2 of his 19 wives. Will do this, or another GCW trip, again! This was the most amazing trio of a lifetime and made even better by the caring and informative staff and guides of Grand Canyon Whitewater. Box 717 Page, AZ 86040 | 800.992.8022 Photography © Blaine Harrington • Photography © Tony Garcia • Photography © Steven Law. I did the 7 day-6 nite motorized trip. I have not used Grand Canyon Whitewater rafting yet but I can attest to how much fun the people were having that I saw this past weekend and on how great their guides are. I always felt safe with them on the river. We felt safe in their hands and also that they truly cared about each one of us and in delivering the most unforgettable trip possible. And we owe it to this outfitter! Spectacular guides that made the trip, for this 71 year old woman who had never been camping and on her own, doable. This 8 Day Motor rafting adventure will lead you down 225 river miles from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek and is a great round-trip vacation. Twenty wonderful companions in adventure. I am a real person, and not a paid reviewer. I thought I would miss my phone and social media but that was the last thing on my mind. They sent Warren Johnson and his family to take over operations. Every single part of the journey (8-day motor from Lee's Ferry to Diamond Creek) was beyond incredible. We would, without a doubt, travel with Grand Canyon Whitewater again. The 8 Day Motor is special in that it is one of our longest whitewater rafting trips in a motorized raft on the Colorado River. The crew went out of their way to make everyone feel special--especially the ones celebrating milestones like birthdays! Our trip included guests from a wide age range with different dietary needs and I thought the staff did an excellent job accommodating everyone's needs while also encouraging the more adventurous guests to take advantage of all the Grand Canyon has to offer. Pack very light and bring a waterproof camera. We were fortunate to have Chris along on the trip, who added his own fun and knowledge (Loved the "heart arch") and hope he gets to spend more time with this fabulous team. Visitors hoping to enjoy a Grand Canyon rafting trip or guided fishing excursion should make reservations well in … WOW!!! I can’t recommend Grand Canyon White Water enough, of you are going to go, go with them! I was surprised at the amount of flat water between the rapids. Sometimes, my cell phone got too hot during the day and turned off. The team from Grand Canyon Whitewater (GCW) were professional in every aspect of the trip, from pre-planning through their on-river team, they treated every guest with the utmost respect and ensured they had a great time. The food was fresh and delicious. Everything is provided for you. All you need is clothes, toiletries, willingness to go with the flow (literally) and be in reasonably good shape. You will see nature at its most beautiful in a way that most people will never see. Eventually Lee fled this location to avoid the law once again, leaving his wife Emma to operate the ferry. Thank you GCWW for bringing so much joy into our life. All were experienced experts in their craft plus all had detailed knowledge of the canyon's geology, history, plant, and wildlife. We bonded even closer as a family on this trip! Chris, Cloe, Joe, and Rachael are the best guides this company has!!! If you are on the fence about taking a white water trip just do it- you won't regret it. My mind was blown at the culinary masterpieces on this trip. This trip exceeded my expectations in every way - and I expected a lot! Most outfitters allow singles or couples to sign up for group trips; or you can spend your time in the canyon with friends and family on charter trips. Do NOT forget the rain gear and go for the front left! COVID-19 UPDATES: Please read for the latest information,Â. Raft the first 88 miles of the the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. From their knowledge of the river, their work ethic, their sense of humor and taking care of some special dietary needs at meal times. This was an amazing trip. Pictures can not describe the grandeur of seeing the Grand Canyon from the bottom up. Honestly, I can not recommend a Grand Canyon Whitewater vacation highly enough. The crew we went with ( Brie, Cora, Johnny and Chayse) were amazing. The simplest and most affordable way of running the river is with one of the local rafting outfits. I am keeping these guys in my close contacts when I do eventually plan that Grand Canyon trip of a lifetime. Kayak Horseshoe Bend is a kayak, canoe, paddleboard and inflatable watercraft backhaul service. We felt completely safe going through the big water, especially with the expertise of the guides! The crew puts safety first without being bossy, and they work incredibly hard to help people get the most from their experiences. The food was amazing. Colorado River Rafting Trip Planning Guide. I would not hesitate to recommend or rebook with Grand Canyon Whitewater again. 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