5.5-Day Upper Grand Canyon Rafting Trip

Upper Grand Canyon Rafting Trip Itinerary

Lees Ferry to Phantom Ranch – 88 Miles Start: Las Vegas → Page, AZ → Lees Ferry (Las Vegas optional) End: Phantom Ranch → Hike Out of the Canyon → Grand Canyon Village / South Rim

Day 0 – Pre-Trip Meeting in Page, AZ

Arrive in Page, AZ the night before your trip. In the evening, meet your guides and fellow guests for a mandatory pre-trip orientation. You’ll receive your dry bags, review packing tips, ask last-minute questions, and learn what to expect on the river.

Day 1 – Launch from Lees Ferry

After breakfast, hop on a bus for the 2-hour scenic ride to Lees Ferry, your launch point at the base of Glen Canyon Dam. Meet the full guide team, pack your gear into the rafts, and begin your descent into Marble Canyon. After a short day on the water, set up your first riverside camp under towering sandstone cliffs.

River Days – Raft, Hike, and Explore the Canyon

Spend your days navigating exciting whitewater and exploring iconic Grand Canyon side canyons. Highlights may include:

• Redwall Cavern, a massive amphitheater carved into the canyon wall
• The striking geology of the Kaibab and Tapeats formations
• Side hikes to ancestral Puebloan granaries at Nankoweap
• Peaceful moments drifting through calm stretches beneath towering cliffs
• Rapids like House Rock, Unkar, Nevills, and Hance

Evenings are spent camping on sandy beaches, enjoying delicious guide-prepared meals, and soaking in the peaceful solitude of the canyon.

Final Day – Hike Out via Bright Angel Trail

Arrive at Boat Beach near Phantom Ranch (Mile 88), where your rafting journey ends. After saying goodbye to your river guides, begin your 9.5-mile hike out of the Grand Canyon via the Bright Angel Trail, gaining over 4,500 feet in elevation. This strenuous but rewarding climb leads to the South Rim at Grand Canyon Village, where your adventure concludes.

Note: We recommend staying overnight at the South Rim (such as Bright Angel Lodge) before traveling onward the next day. Shuttle and flight options are available to Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Flagstaff.

Your guides will provide all group gear, including tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, dry bags, kitchen equipment, and safety gear. Below is your personal packing list, including essentials for both the river and your hike out.

River Gear (Provided to You)

• Large dry bag (for clothing and sleeping gear)
• Small day dry bag (for on-river essentials)
• Camp chair
• Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad

Clothing for the River

Plan for sun, water, and a wide range of temperatures (from 50°F mornings to 100°F afternoons).

Riverwear (Quick-drying and sun-protective):

• 2–3 long-sleeve sun shirts (UPF-rated)
• 2–3 pairs of river shorts or quick-dry pants
• 1–2 swimsuits or sport bras/underwear for wearing under clothes
• Wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap with chin strap
• Buff or neck gaiter for sun protection
• Lightweight rain jacket (for splashy rapids or weather)
• Lightweight fleece or long-sleeve layer (mornings and evenings)
• 1 pair of sturdy river sandals (e.g., Chaco, Teva) with heel strap
• Optional: gloves for paddling or sun protection

Campwear:

• 1 set of comfortable clothes for camp (lightweight pants/shorts and shirt)
• Light fleece or down jacket (especially for early-season trips)
• Warm hat and socks for cool nights
• Comfortable camp shoes (e.g., sneakers or slip-ons)

Hike-Out Gear (Bright Angel Trail – 9.5 miles, 4,500’ elevation gain)

You’ll carry this gear in your daypack on the final day. Guides will advise you the night before and help you prepare.

• Lightweight, broken-in hiking shoes or trail runners
• Daypack with hip belt (you’ll pack this into your dry bag during the trip)
• 2–3 liters of water capacity (hydration bladder or bottles)
• Lightweight, wicking shirt and hiking shorts or pants
• Hat and sunglasses
• Sunscreen and lip balm (high SPF)
• Electrolyte tabs or drink mix
• Personal snacks (your guide will also provide some)
• Hiking socks (wearing and one backup pair)
• Hiking poles (optional but helpful)
• Lightweight rain shell or windbreaker

Personal Items

• Toiletries (travel-size biodegradable soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
• Small quick-dry towel or bandana
• Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries
• Personal medications (bring extra in waterproof packaging)
• Moisturizer and lip balm (it’s dry out there)
• Baby wipes (unscented), menstrual products, hand sanitizer
• Small zippered bag or pouch for trash (for hygiene products)

Optional but Nice to Have

• Waterproof camera or phone with dry case
• Journal and pen
• Book or Kindle (in waterproof bag)
• Lightweight sarong or camp towel (versatile)
• Extra snacks if you have dietary preferences

What Not to Bring

• Cotton clothing (stays wet and uncomfortable)
• Valuables or jewelry
• Large suitcases or roller bags
• Hard-shell suitcases (soft duffels pack best)

The Day Before Trip Departure

Please plan to arrive at Page, Arizona the day before your trip departure. As such, you will require accommodations in Page, AZ. If desired, Wilderness River Adventures will arrange your stay at Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas for an additional cost. Resort confirmations will be sent along with your trip instructions. You will be charged for your stay at the time of booking.

The Evening Before Trip Departure

The evening before your trip departure you will need to attend our “Meet & Greet” orientation at WRA Headquarters, 199 S. Kaibab Rd, Page, Arizona 86040 at 5:00 pm.

Your river trip ends with a challenging 9.5-mile hike up the Bright Angel Trail to Grand Canyon Village. Once you reach the South Rim, you’ll collect your gear and have time to rest and refuel. From here, onward transportation is not included, but several options are available:

• Add a scenic flight to Las Vegas (additional cost)
• Arrange ground transportation to other regional destinations (National Park Express offers daily one-way shuttles from Grand Canyon Village to Las Vegas and Page, AZ.)
• If you’re driving and parked in Page, car shuttle services can bring your vehicle to Grand Canyon Village for post-trip pickup

We highly recommend booking a night at Bright Angel Lodge or another South Rim hotel after your trip. After a long hike out of the canyon, it's the most convenient and comfortable way to relax and recover before traveling home, and allow for any delays.

Yes. We provide Coast Guard approved life jackets. These are required to be worn by everyone at all times on the river.

Our oar-powered rafts are 6' X 18' rafts made of Class VI base fabric with a Urethane coating. They are rowed by one of our qualified guides and are capable of carrying five passengers per raft. On our oar trips as many as five rafts and 24 passengers can be on one trip, which offers a more intimate canyon experience. We also utilize a Motor Support raft to carry gear, food, and equipment on our summer adventures.

Each of our 18' oar-powered rafts safely transports up to five passengers, and is usually accompanied by five or six other oar-powered rafts in the group. Powered by the mighty currents of the Colorado River and expertly navigated by your guide, you'll feel all that the river has to offer as you traverse miles of spectacular canyons, camp out under the stars and enjoy spectacular riverside meals.

Because oar-powered rafts accommodate only four or five guests, people often choose to diversify their trip by riding with new friends each day. You'll also have the opportunity to be a passenger with a variety of guides, each with a distinctly different personality and unique knowledge of the Colorado River. By late afternoon, all the oar-powered rafts in your group will be nestled on the beach as you settle in for an evening of storytelling, relaxing, and reflecting upon your day.

We also offer a "Hybrid Option" - Our oar-powered "hybrid" raft, also known as a stern-mount, holds six guests who paddle down the Colorado River, guided by our paddle captain. With our hybrid-rafting trips, each day you'll have the choice of riding in the paddle raft and putting your paddling skills to the test, or riding as a passenger in one of the other oar-powered rafts accompanying the trip. Paddle rafting is a team effort enjoyed by all and a true rush of adrenaline for the paddlers, as well as onlookers.

Unlike other rivers that use a scale of I-V, the rapids in Grand Canyon are rated on a scale of 1-10. A "1" is flat water and a "10" is the most difficult rapid to navigate, although still considered “runnable.” The river is a pool drop river, which means before and after each rapid, there is calm water. The river itself is dam-controlled. During your trip, you will see some fluctuations in the river levels. This change in water levels can change the ratings of rapids.

Our rafts are rugged, designed for safety and equipped with complete first-aid kits and emergency communication equipment. Also, on our rafts, there's always a spare outboard motor, plenty of extra fuel and tools stored safely below—just in case replacement or repairs are needed.

All passengers and guides will wear a comfortable Class V life jacket at all times while on the raft.

Wilderness River Adventures guides are highly experienced. Not only are these exceptional men and women trained to take you safely through the most challenging rapids, your trip leaders and guides are also required by Wilderness River Adventures and the National Park Service to:

• Be capable of safely navigating the river.
• Be capable of operating the emergency communications equipment carried and know the evacuation procedures.
• Be knowledgeable of State, U.S. Coast Guard and National Park Service regulations applicable to rafts carrying passengers for hire.
• Must possess a current certification in Wilderness First Responder or a current certification in Emergency Medical Technician credentials.
• Must possess a current certification in CPR.
• Must possess a current Food Handlers Certification.

Out on the river the sun can be intense. Prepare by bringing plenty of sunscreen, bring clothing that will let you dress in layers—including lightweight long pants and lightweight long-sleeved shirt. Be sure to bring a hat.

You’re sleeping under the stars, lulled to perfect relaxation by the sounds of the nearby river! To ensure a comfortable night’s sleep we provide you with a cot and sleeping bag. Tents are available, but our guests love the experience of falling asleep under a canopy of shining stars.

During the day, you will urinate in the river per National Park Service regulations. Each evening when we arrive in camp, a sanitary portable toilet is set up just outside of camp in a scenic location along with a hand washing system.

For oar raft trips the minimum age is 12. We encourage family rafting trips—being together on these adventures is exciting for both parents and kids, and sharing the beauty and thrill of being on the river is an awesome family experience.

You'll enjoy three hearty meals a day with a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat. Meals are prepared by your guides; cooked in Dutch Ovens, Griddles, and BBQ Grills. Due to the limitations and nature of our buffet-style meals, we are unable to accommodate dietary requests such as Kosher meals. We do accommodate Vegetarian and Gluten Free. If you or any participant in your group have any special dietary requirements, please notify our office 4 weeks prior to trip departure.

We provide sleeping bags, a cot, ground tarp, tent, waterproof gear bags, (one for your clothing and one for your sleeping bag) a waterproof box and dry bag for your day gear, and a folding camp chair. You’ll also receive a logo drinking cup. We include all eating utensils, water, soft drinks, snacks and food.

If desired, Wilderness River Adventures will arrange your stay at Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas for an additional cost. Resort confirmations will be sent along with your trip instructions. You will be charged for your stay at the time of booking.

Which trip length should I choose for the Upper Grand Canyon? The 5.5-day and 6.5-day Upper Grand Canyon trips both offer an unforgettable rafting experience through 88 miles of the Colorado River, beginning at Lees Ferry and ending with a hike out at Phantom Ranch. The difference lies in the pace of the trip and the amount of time you'll have to explore the side canyons and relax at camp.

If you're looking for a slightly faster-paced trip that still covers the same section of river, the 5.5-day option is a great choice. You'll still enjoy incredible rapids, scenic hikes, and starry nights—but with a more efficient travel schedule.

If you prefer a more relaxed pace with extra time for hiking, photography, and soaking in the surroundings, we recommend the 6.5-day trip. That extra day allows for longer stops and more side canyon exploration, making it ideal for guests who want a deeper connection with the canyon’s hidden wonders.

No matter which you choose, both trips deliver the full Upper Grand Canyon experience—stunning geology, thrilling whitewater, and lifelong memories.