OUT THERE IN THE GRAND CANYON | Arizona River Runners

Every Arizona River Runners Trip is Outstanding!

Arizona River Runners offers outstanding trips for you, your family and friends to choose from. Our current (no pun intended) schedule gives you choices of trip dates and trip lengths. You can choose

Arizona River Runners have outstanding Grand Canyon Raft Trips

whether you want to go oar-powered or get on an ARR motor-rig. We want to accomodate you on one of our Grand Canyon rafting tours - there are plenty for you to choose from.

What you need to consider is how much time you have. Are you interested in the wetter, wilder ride in an oar-rig or perhaps you may prefer a larger, motor-rig? Do you want to hike a lot or a little? Do you want to fish? Would you enjoy one of Perseus's comet's display of shooting stars? A meteor shower? Are you going with a group? Can you get out of town for a week or maybe even longer?

The answer to each of these questions and more will help you to choose a Grand Canyon whitewater rafting trip that suits you perfectly. On the flip side.....there is a lot to be said for the element of surprise. Many previous rafters have conveyed that some of their most memorable things from their Colorado River raft trip were quite unexpected; beyond any expectations might be another way to phrase it.

The truth is that every, single one of Arizona River Runners ' trips is outstanding. You can pick one from the proverbial hat and you will have a river rafting adventure of a lifetime. Yeah, you betcha!

Give us a call 1-800-477-7238, we'll get you on the ride of your life!

Now is the Time to Search and Find!

Friday, January 20, 2012 by Moira W

It's January. It's relatively cold in the Grand Canyon. There are lots of people who raft the Colorado River within the Grand Canyon throughout the winter season but most of them are working or studying there. They are repairing trails or creating riparian areas for the fish. Some are studying the wildlife, some are studying plant life. You just don't find too many recreational rafters on the Colorado River at the very bottom of the Grand Canyon during these colder months.

Now is the time for you to be doing your research while you are warm and cozy, seated at your computer. Time to check out schedules, rates and availability so that when things do warm up on the river you know what you want. It's time to search and find. Arizona River Runners is one of the best companies for your family rafting trip. White water rafting in the Grand canyon takes some time and some planning on your part. We can help you but you have to make the first move.

We want to help you make this the summer you take a trip that is going to change your life. Give us a call and we will walk you through the planning process for making whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon a reality for you.

NOW IS THE TIME TO SEARCH AND FIND. Find ARIZONA RIVER RUNNERS at 1.800.477.7238

Arizona River Runners - Rafting Remodel

Saturday, January 7, 2012 by Moira W

What are some things that you can think of, that we have now, that we didn't have in the past? For example....computers, e-Readers, cars, iPods, twist-top bottles, good boxed wine, shoes that light up when you walk, disposable diapers. These are just a few things that I can think of.

Colorado River raft trips in the Grand Canyon have new and improved gear and equipment that we enjoy today that we did not have in days gone by. Here are a few of those improvements/developments/additions:

+Cots +Inflatable rafts +Chairs +Tents +Toilet with a comfy seat   +Fresh fruit +Fresh veggies +Batteries for CPAP machines
+Life jackets that don't rub you raw
+Quick-drying clothing   +Breathable rain gear
+Ice (on motor trips) for your enjoyment +Helicopter ride at Whitmore Wash
+Potable water   +Umbrella for a shady lunch table +Satellite phones for emergencies

These are all things that will enhance your rafting experience. Grand Canyon raft trips of yesteryear have been remodeled and updated. The Grand Canyon is still - well - the Grand Canyon. It needs no improvement. But you can access its awesome, hidden wonders more safely and comfortably. Here is a case where technology supports Mother Nature. At Arizona River Runners we are grateful for the developments that make the Grand Canyon available and doable for more people.

We want to share all this with you. Call 1-800-477-7238 for your 2012 Grand Canyon rafting trip!

How Great Was That?!

Friday, December 30, 2011 by Moira W

Here are some of the comments we hear from people that have just gone on a Colorado River trip with Arizona River Runners. They are straight from questionnaires that have been returned to us.

~This trip was beyond my expectations.
~I wish we had more time down there.
~The food was amazing.
~ How great was that!!!??
~The scenery was humbling.
~My son and I spent the best week of our lives together.
~Getting to know fellow rafters was an unexpected treat.
~I've got a whole group of new friends.
~I've never seen so many stars.
~I'm not a camper but this was very easy.
~The crew was awesome. I loved all their stories and poems.
~Thank you for a trip of a lifetime.
~I want to work on the river for ARR.
~Why did I wait so long?
~I've traveled extensively and this was, by far, the best trip my family has ever done.
~Thank you for making this available to me and my family.

What comments can you add? Get yourself, your family, your friends out there on an Arizona rafting trip and create your own memories!

Take the Grand Canyon Challenge

Wednesday, December 28, 2011 by Moira W

When was the last time that you were pushed to do something challenging? Something a bit out of your comfort zone....but you pushed through, got it done and were rewarded by a feeling of accomplishment. It's a great feeling. One that you have to work for.

Going on a Grand Canyon raft trip is challenging for many. Some people wonder "Am I too old?" "Am I too out of shape?" "Do I need to have keen outdoors skills?" "Do I have to be a really good swimmer?"Arizona River Runners offers you the opportunity to take the challenge and feel the rewards of pushing your boundaries.

Whitewater rafting on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon is a wilderness experience where you can take the challenge, and still be safe and comfortable. There's not much glory in sitting on the couch watching a movie but in the Grand Canyon you can hike, climb, swagger and clamber in ways you never anticipated you could.

ARR crew members, friends and fellow rafters will be there to encourage and support your efforts. Your kids will come alongside you. One day the challenge may be a game in camp; another day it may be an uphill ascent to a waterfall, or maybe a jump into a clear pool below.

Arizona River Runners wants you to have all kinds of chances to engage the great outdoors and walk away a better person. Feel the achievement and enjoy your success (survival). So take the Grand Canyon Challenge. ARR makes it safe and exciting, you make it rewarding.

Grand Canyon is Your Ticket to Fun and Adventure

Friday, July 1, 2011 by Moira W

It’s a given that you go on a Grand Canyon raft trip to have as much fun and adventure as humanly possible. ARIZONA RIVER RUNNERS is set up to help you do just that. The Grand Canyon and theColorado River provide the setting, so undoubtedly beauty, grandeur and adventure are in your future.

ARR guides have diverse skills. They can navigate the foamy whitewater. They can lead you to a grotto or waterfall off river. ARR crews are great cooks, good doctors, psychologists, storytellers, geologists, biologists and archaeologists. They are also greatly talented at having fun AND making sure that you do too.

Let’s examine how you might have fun and adventure on your raft trip. A typical day might include a fabulous hike, a swim in a side creek or a ride through frothy waves that make you wonder if you are still seated on the boat. Each afternoon, after the fun of a day’s travel along the Colorado River, you and your fellow rafters will pull into camp, unload the rafts, set up your campsite for the night and then the “camp” fun begins.

Everybody has their own preference for fun but there are plenty of choices. Some read a book, some play cards or others just chill with a beverage. Others hoot and holler with goofy, camp games. There’s drawing in the sand, word games or just messing-with-your-mind games. Evenings are a great time to write in your journal, learn to juggle, catch a trout or listen to stories from the crew.

Fun and adventure abound on a Grand Canyon raft trip. You could spend a lifetime there and not see and do everything. The longer you spend in the Grand Canyon, the more fun and adventure you can fit in.

Are you ready for fun and adventure? Call Arizona River Runner - 1-800-477-7238 - we have your ticket!

Get Outside the Box on a Grand Canyon Raft Trip

Monday, June 27, 2011 by Moira W

On a Grand Canyon raft trip you do things that probably aren't everyday activities. Things like hiking up a hillside, scrambling across large boulders, or fording a stream. On your river rafting

Floating down the Little Colorado (Photo by Kerrick James)

adventure you may play some goofy camp games or sing around the campfire. You may chow down on some foods you would never try at home.....PayDay candy bars, Tootsie Roll Pops or maybe salmon grilled with feta.

Take the challenge. Get outside the box and go beyond your comfort zone. It is well worth the effort. You are among friends and crew that will keep you safe and help you all along. Colorado River raft trips open up a world of nature that is incredibly beautiful but sometimes challenging. This is not a theme park in California where everything is made easy.

Sometimes on your whitewater adventure things are downright difficult or scary.  Mostyly because you are unfamiliar or unaccustomed to the situation. No... that ring tail cat will not harm you, it only wants to steal your stuff. Yes...you can climb those rocks because everybody will help you. No...the bats will not even touch you because they are more interested in bugs. Yes...you can walk the narrow path if you just focus. Yes...you can climb on and off the boat no matter how klutzy you feel because we all feel the same way. No...you do not need a tent but you can have one if you want it. Sure...sing loud and proud nobody's recording this little sing-a-long.

Hiking and camping, I think, are often the most challenging activities. ARR crews will soothe your worries. You are not alone. Fellow rafters also provide support and solutions. There's always a helping hand or fresh batteries or extra sunscreen.

You can go beyond your comfort zone knowing that all the help and support you need is right there with you. ARR crews are professional and well-trained to take care of you and make your Grand Canyon raft trip every bit of an adventure that you desire.

You'll bask in your feeling of accomplishment. Guaranteed.

Call ARR for Grand Canyon rafting adventure - 1-800-477-7238!

ASK YOURSELF---WOULD I ENJOY A GRAND CANYON RAFT TRIP?

Friday, June 24, 2011 by Moira W

Ask yourself-----Where do your strengths and talents lie? Are you a great housekeeper, cook, outdoors person or maybe a great shopper. Do you excel at video games or have uber computer skills?

Maybe you are a great bowler.

So perhaps----camping and hiking in the great outdoors isn't first on your list of strengths and talents. But you enjoyed Mother Nature in Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts many, many years ago. Rafting in the Grand Canyon can sound a bit extreme but it is definitely NOT out of reach for a normal, typical city-dwelling person.

Arizona River Runners makes it easy for you to go on a Grand Canyon raft trip. We'll help you pack, we provide your gear, we will cook and feed you. ARR will show you how to put up a tent, string a fishing line, and the proper etiquette for using river "facilities." You don't even need to know how to swim. After all it's a Grand Canyon RAFT trip not a SWIM trip.

Ask yourself----Can I exist without cell phone service for a week? Can I gaze at blue skies and endless panoramic cliffs? Can I catch a trout and eat it for dinner? Swim under a waterfall? Meander through the narrows of a slot canyon? Sleep on the beach under a gazillion stars? Would I enjoy seeing some of the oldest exposed rock on the planet? Could I appreciate petroglyphs from days gone by? These are the questions to ask yourself.

You don't need special skills to enjoy Grand Canyon whitewater rafting nor do you need to be extremely athletic or fit. ARR office staff will help you plan and prepare your trip and then, once you are on the river, your guides and crew will show you the ropes. They are trained professionals to keep you safe and share with you the awesome beauty of the Grand Canyon.

You can be as adventurous and active as you like. You can do the long hikes or you can lounge in the shade of a Tamarisk tree; jump into the deep blue pool or laze alongside and dip your toes in. You've got choices, choices, choices. Arizona River Runners does all the tough stuff and you are along for the trip of a lifetime.

So, ask yourself----Would I enjoy a Grand Canyon raft trip? You betcha'!

Call ARR - 1-800-477-7238 today.

What I Like About a Grand Canyon Raft Trip with Arizona River Runners...

Wednesday, June 22, 2011 by Moira W

1. Spend time with family

Little Colorado on a Grand Canyon Raft Trip with Arizona River Runners

2.  Unbelievable hiking
3. Awesome scenery
4. Unparalleled geology
5. Make new friends
6. Learn canyon history
7. Hear stories
8. Shoot the rapids
9.  Get drenched
10. Gaze at a gazillion stars at night.
11.  Sleep by the river
12.  Yummy snacks
13.  Incredible food
14.  Get a great tan
15. Watch the sun come up
16. Watch the sun go down
17. No phone
18. No computer
19. No cooking
20. Count shooting stars

You should go on a river rafting adventure. You can make your own list and add on. There's plenty more things to like about a Grand Canyon raft trip. Call Arizona River Runners 1-800-477-7238, we'll find the perfect river rafting trip for you!

Take a Grand Canyon White Water Rafting Trip for Your Reunion!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011 by Moira W

Are your friends and family spread all over the planet? Or maybe they are just far enough away that it takes more than a turkey and some gravy to entice them into your presence. I have a fabulous suggestion for you.

Every summer, people willingly and eagerly come from the far ends of the earth to go on a Grand Canyon raft trip. They reconnect with children, parents, past classmates and fraternity or sorority brothers and sisters. Even long-lost cousins have made their separate ways from way out there to reunite with a part of their past, right there, at Lees Ferry.

At Arizona River Runners we are willing to let you use our Colorado River trips to lure your group together. Maybe you haven't seen your brother in 12 years, or perhaps it's been way too long since 3 generations have gotten together or thankfully, your grown children have jobs and families of their own which make it nearly impossible to gather the herd. A Grand Canyon raft trip is something that many people already have on their personal Bucket List so you can double dip and get together on a Grand Canyon raft trip.

A Grand Canyon whitewater adventure is the perfect setting for spending time together. Your professional ARR guides and crew do all the proverbial heavy lifting, make all the big decisions, choose each days activities especially suited for you and yours, while you have only to keep yourself hydrated and slathered with sunscreen. Your responsibilities are lifted and you are free to engage your friends and family. You needn't even worry about wearing your favorite old t-shirt. Your job is to have as much fun together as humanly possible.

The Grand Canyon minimizes distractions of your everyday life and gives you time to focus on friends and family. No phones, no pagers, no texting etc. Instead, you will have an outstanding choice of activities to create new memories and stories for future reunions. You can create your next generation of tales. Gut busters, tear jerkers or jaw droppers are all just waiting to happen when you get together with the people you love.

Oh....almost forgot. On your Colorado raft trip, ARR cooks... and you have a table with the best view every night.

Call Portugal, Buenos Aires, Norway or Chicago. Use ARR rafting in the Grand Canyon to beckon your people. We don't mind. We actually encourage it and would be glad to help you make your reunion happen.

Go ahead - do it - make those calls - then call us at 1-800-477-7238!

RISE AND SHINE ON FAMILY RAFTING TRIPS

Saturday, May 28, 2011 by Moira W

At Arizona River Runners we answer a lot of questions about whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon. We try to provide most of the information you need in written form....brochures, fliers, emails, etc.

It's always fun and interesting and, sometimes, surprising the worries and questions that we hear. We do love to talk about white water rafting trips.

A common question we get is "What is a typical day?" This is a very valid inquiry but there is no "typical" answer. Each day in the Grand Canyon has a mind of it's own. Your group will tint the choices and weave the way your rafting adventure progresses.

I would, however, like to take this opportunity to explore one, minor part of every day on the mighty Colorado River. That is...getting up in the morning. You know, rise and shine, roll out of bed, Revielle, start your day, greet the mornin'. This is more of a concern, typically, for families that include teens and pre-teens. Fact is, after a night sleeping under the starry sky, morning comes really early in the Grand Canyon. There are different approaches to this fact. One, might be that you have laid on your left hip as long as you can and you're more than happy to get up and get everything moving again if at all possible. An early start gives you purpose.

Another approach would be that the first offering in the morning, from your ARR crew, is fresh brewed coffee. I personally have seen people crawl/drag themselves to the coffee with the utmost anticipation of savoring that first cup'o joe to awaken their senses. Cowboy coffee never tasted so good.

Kids...they go one of two ways with early mornings. One, they can't wait to start another day of excitement. They're up and out of their sleeping bag with big smiles and eagerness to attack another day of discovery and adventure. They are already chasing lizards or sculpting sand. Two, you can hardly tell there is a body in their sleeping bag. They have become one with the bag in a single, rumpled heap. They could easily be mistaken for part of the duffel (and they like it that way). My daughter was one of these. She started rafting at a very early age and never really embraced those early hours. Now she works as part of an ARR crew, and is the one that gets up the earliest to make the coffee each glorious morning. She loves the Grand Canyon and is willing to rise and shine early in order to work in such a magnificent place.

After you get your coffee, breakfast is served! This is not Denny's. Breakfast is only served for a while. You have to rise and shine...get dressed....and get going.

Each morning, on your Grand Canyon raft trip, no matter how early you become active, portends a day of awesome beauty and exploration. In all my days on the river, I have never known a single person (including teens and pre-teens) to complain the whole week, about the early starts. Rise and shine on the river comes early but you are, after all, in the Grand Canyon and there are zillions of amazing things for you to do, to see, to explore. You may never pass this way again. You can sleep when you get home, but you cannot hike above Deer Creek or clamor back to Elves Chasm.

Your kids may not readily get out of bed in the morning at home but they will happily rise and shine on your Colorado River raft trip. It's a river miracle!

More questions? Call us at 1-800-477-7238, or email us at info@raftarizona.com!

Mud on Grand Canyon Raft Trips with Arizona River Runners

Thursday, May 26, 2011 by Moira W

Most of us don't spend too many precious moments contemplating mud. Especially in the deserts of Arizona, you don't find mud all that often. More often than not, it is a nuisance we'd rather avoid. It's

messy. It makes us messy. Mud messes up our plans. It bogs down our vehicles and makes a mess of things in general.

Transport your thinking to the Colorado River. More specifically, consider a Grand Canyon family vacation floating down the Colorado River. Mud can take many different forms. It can still be a mess but it can also be great fun and provide some real belly laughs.

Your Colorado River adventure with Arizona River Runners constantly provides the basic elements for mud in a very big way. There's always the river (the water source) and there's always the shore (the source for dirt). Here's where we can begin to define and specify different kinds of mud.

Some mud, on your white water rafting trip, is still a nuisance. That would be the mud that you and your fellow rafters get on your feet and bring onto the raft. You leave big footprints on the seats where you walked and now you're supposed to sit right there. That's annoying mud. There's annoying mud that gets on your soap and your shampoo bottle when you are trying to bathe. Or when you set your cup down and then tip it up to drink and it drips/dribbles on you. How about the mud that you sink into while you are trying to make your way to the beer bag?

BUT----some mud on your white water raft trip is great fun. Nothing like you've had in the big city. In the Grand Canyon, there are spots, when the conditions are just right, that make silky mud.  This is the stuff that expensive spas would charge the big bucks to rub on you. But here in the Grand Canyon you can enjoy a total-body mud bath.  Superb exfoliates and astringents in silky smooth, 100% organic Grand Canyon mud!

Occasionally, the shoreline creates what I call, sucky mud. When you walk in it, the mud wants to suck your shoes right off your feet. If you stand still, you can wiggle and waggle and sink up to your knees. (Think comedian Tim Conway here). You can lean to the right, lean to the left, or forward or back with no apparent support.  It is hysterical entertainment!

Good mud makes for good mud sculptures.  There are different techniques for this. There is the classic, drip method for building stalagmites or there is the carving method more like Michelangelo. Just the right mud can make mud balls for battle or a mud shoreline can be an empty canvas for mud drawings or a lively game of tic-tac-toe.

You see - mud on your Colorado River raft trip in the Grand Canyon can provide great enjoyment and entertainment. Don't let it mess you up.

To reserve you Grand Canyon family vacation call Arizona River Runners at 1-800-477-7238.

What do You Think About Arizona River Runners?

Tuesday, May 24, 2011 by Moira W

We want to know what you think of your Colorado River trip with us. We want to see things through your eyes and from your perspective. We want your feedback about what we, at Arizona River Runners

are doing and how it works for you. Really! It's true. We do want to hear from you.

After you have enjoyed a whitewater rafting trip in the Grand Canyon with Arizona River Runners, you will recieve a packet from us, and in it will be a questionnaire asking lots of questions about your recent Colorado River trip.

Your reactions and answers are important to us. You help us to know where things are really great and where things might need some improvements, adjustments or changes. After all, it is a wilderness trip. You were there. We weren't and we can learn from your experience.

At Arizona River Runners, we've all been on Grand Canyon raft trips but we were not on YOUR trip. The questionnaire is your way of letting us know what you think and how things were on your whitewater trip. So when you get your packet, please fill in the questionnaire, return it to us (mail or email) with your comments and even questions. We not only appreciate your feedback, we want it!

For more information, please visit Arizona River Runners, or call 1-800-477-7238.

ARIZONA RIVER RUNNERS - HOW WE ROLL!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 by Moira W

Of course we are thrilled when you choose ARIZONA RIVER RUNNERS for your Grand Canyon raft trip. We have been doing this for a long time (since 1970). We are experienced at all stages of making your Grand Canyon rafting trip safe, exciting and memorable. This requires lots of skills and coordination to make certain your river rafting adventure is flawless.

The staff in the office, which is in Phoenix, AZ, can help you through the zillions of choices and decisions to get ready for your adventure. They are knowledgeable and helpful with all aspects of preparations for your trip. They will help you to think of things you don't even realize need your attention. For some guests, rafting on the Colorado River within the Grand Canyon is a new experience. There are circumstances that are unknown and maybe even somewhat daunting. We can help. We'll explain and answer questions until you are very comfortable and ready for the action.

At the warehouse in Flagstaff, AZ, there is another group that works continually to put your trip together. They've got the equipment. All of it.....motors, rafts, oars, coolers, sleeping bags, tents, toilets,food, first aid kits, pots and pans, pumps, cots, chairs, life jackets...they've got it all. These are the people that make sure everything is clean, working properly and in tip-top shape for your use and enjoyment.

Also, there are trucks, trailers and drivers to transport everything to the launch site and then back again.

Last, but by no means least, there are ARIZONA RIVER RUNNERS guides. These fine men and women come from all over. They have all the skills needed to make your Grand Canyon whitewater rafting a marvelous, lifetime experience. ARR guides cook fab food, tend your blisters and owies, share the history and geology of the canyon, navigate the largest whitewater in the northern hemishpere, lead hikes, explain canyon lore and so much more.

ARIZONA RIVER RUNNERS, as an organization, is here to help you to fall in love with the Grand Canyon. We are priveleged to raft the Colorado River within the Grand Canyon and hope to share our love of this vast beauty with you.

And that is how we roll! Want to roll with us? Call ARR at 1-800-477-7238 for your river rafting adventure!

Your Grand Canyon Rafting Trip - the Longer - the Better!

Monday, May 16, 2011 by Moira W

You have lots of choices when you are booking your raft trip with Arizona River Runners. You want your Grand Canyon raft trip to be "outstanding" - "the ultimate" - "the greatest." We agree entirely. But getting out of town is difficult, at Arizona River Runners we understand that.

So you ask.."What's the difference between the 6-day and the 8-day or maybe even the 13-day trip?" In 25 words or less.....the longer your trip is, the more stops you can enjoy along the way. There are amazing hikes, waterfalls, caves, slot canyons and side streams to explore along the river corridor. It takes time to get to these places. Many incredible sites are easy hiking distance from the river. Some attractions demand more effort and more time before they disclose their beauty and magnificence.

Whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon is day after day of incredible views and activities. The longer your time on the river....the more you can explore.

Grand Canyon rafting offers the largest navigable whitewater in the northern hemisphere. Every raft trip will get that action. But the more time you spend in the Grand Canyon, the more you get to see.

Yes, the longer the better when it comes to planning your Grand Canyon rafting trip.

To make your reservations call Arizona River Runners at 1-800-477-7238, and take that family rafting trip you've always dreamed of!

Camping Just Isn't for Me - Not True with Arizona River Runners

Friday, May 13, 2011 by Moira W

Camping is just not for me. Camping is too rigorous. I can't camp any more. I've never camped before. Camping out is too scary. These excuses just don't hold water for your Colorado River raft trip.

Grand Canyon rafting Trip with Arizona River Runners

When you're whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon the camping is really easy. No need to be experienced or knowledgeable about camping and camping gear. Arizona River Runner guides make sure that you have all the equipment you need, and that you know how to use it. It's really pretty simple. Usually, your first day/night on your river rafting adventure can seem to be a bit unorganized. But it doesn't take long for everybody to understand what's up and get things under control.

Camping is easy. Arizona River Runners provides all your camping equipment, you throw in your personal stuff and you are set. Cots make for easy and comfy sleeping. Pillows, sheets and tarps give you options for your sweet dreams. A tent is available to those who would like one. My favorite technique is on my cot, on top of my sleeping bag, under my sheet, my head nestled on my pillow (I bring a regular pillow case so that I can stuff my fleece jacket in with my pillow). No tent. Just lying there under the Milky Way, a billion other stars and satellites, is a fabulous way to snooze.

If rain is threatening your evening under the stars, the tents are simple, simple, simple to put up. Even husbands and wives :) have made successful teams in putting up our tents. I've witnessed teenagers putting these tents up easily too. Past experience has proven that these tents can be assembled in the dark, in the wind, in the rain and in the wee hours of the morning. It's all good!

Don't let the thought of camping dampen your desire to go whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon. We've listened to a lot of past guests and taken their suggestions to heart so that you can have a great experience even if you are not "experienced."

I've gone on 50 or so Colorado River raft trips and camping out, under the stars is one my favorite parts.

Call Arizona River Runners for all your camping and rafting questions - we'll get you on a Grand Canyon family rafting trip! 1-800-477-7238.

Arizona River Runners Demystifies Grand Canyon Raft Trips

Monday, May 9, 2011 by Moira W

Let's just dispel some myths that pertain to Colorado River rafting in the Grand Canyon

MYTH #1: THERE IS A 1-YEAR WAITING LIST

ARR MYTHBUSTER: There is rarely a problem getting you on a raft trip at a time you'd like. Each summer there are spaces available opn rafting trips. If your availability is limited or you are part of a large group, these factors can present some challenges; but for the most part, if you want to go rafting, it's as easy as picking up the phone and calling ARR offices. (800-477-7238).

MYTH #2: IT'S TOO LATE TO BOOK A TRIP FOR THIS SUMMER

ARR MYTHBUSTER: It's never too late to book a trip, if there is space available for a trip the next day.....you could be the lucky late addition. You just need to be able to pack and get yourself to one of our meeting points in time to join up with the rest of your Grand Canyon whitewater rafting comrades. Also, cancellations might just open up a great opportunity for you at the last minute.

MYTH #3: YOU HAVE TO BE REALLY ATHLETIC - IN GOOD SHAPE

ARR MYTHBUSTER: Sure, you'd like to be able to clamor on and off the boat and take a couple hikes, but you don't need to be Jack LaLane to enjoy a Colorado River rafting trip. You can pick your own level of physical exertion ranging from just above a couch potato to extremely active and robust. It's totally up to you.

MYTH#4: I NEED TO BE AN EXPERT SWIMMER

ARR MYTHBUSTER: Truth is - you don't really plan to ever swim. After all, it's a raft trip not a swimming trip. You should be comfortably seated on the raft, holding on like crazy and screaming with delight. Professional Arizona River Runner guides navigate through the foamy whitewater with ease.

Other confusing thoughts that seem to have taken hold pertaining to Colorado River adventures are:

+You do not need to be an accomplished camper. ARR will provide all the equipment you need and the guides will show you how it all works.

+No need to bring your own snacks. ARR food is terrific! Meals are prepared fresh and snacks abound. No dehydrated, backpacking food pouches. There's lots of fresh fruits and veggies and even ice. Coffee too. It's an all inclusive trip!

+Rolling luggage is not your perfect solution for whitewater trips.

+Rain gear is not for fending off the rain. It is for warmth and protection against the cold water. BUY GOOD RAIN GEAR AND BRING IT.

+Yes you can bring bottled beverages. Just let ARR know so that we can save room to stash them for you.

+ This is not a Lazy River. The mighty Colorado River does not flow in a full circle so that you end up where you started. You will, however, be transported back to where you came from, which makes your Grand Canyon raft trip with ARR a complete package.

There's the truth, as I know it, pertaining to rafting in the Grand Canyon with Arizona River Runners. It's easy. It's fun. There is no comparison to this adventure for you and your family. Call Arizona River Runners now at 1-800-477-7238.

Cold Water on White Water Rafting Trips with Arizona River Runners

Thursday, May 5, 2011 by Moira W

When you choose Arizona River Runners to go on your Grand Canyon raft trip, you will probably be launching from Lee's Ferry. That's where the majority of ARR trips begin, and that's likely where you will have your first chance to get in the water.

You will get your first glimpse of the rafts and your first opportunity to dip your toes into that cool, clear water. COOL! It's downright cold. If you stand in the water for any amount of time, your feet are guaranteed to get numb.

This water makes its way to Lee's Ferry from Lake Powell, by way of Glen Canyon Dam. It comes from deep in the lake and has not been kissed by the sun in a long time. At your initial meeting, the water is in the upper 40's. That's Fahrenheit mind you. It's cold!

Thinking along the lines of "when you get lemons.....make lemonade".....this cold, cold water can definitely work to your advantage. Let us count the ways.

1) You can chill your beverage in the river water.  Every ARR raft has a drag bag for cans. Your beverages are handy and always chilled.

2) The breeze from across the water will help cool your campsite. Camp close to water and be cool. Camp close to rocks and be warmer. It's very direct.

3)  Cold water is better than Bactine for taking the sting out of an ant bite. Just submerge the affected body part in the river for instant relief.

4)   Trout love cold water. They are easy pickins and your ARR crew will cook them up. Yum!

5)   Submerge your bottle of wine in the water and it will be chilled for dinner.

6)   No worries that the air temperatures are upwards of 100 degrees. Hit those rapids and get instant relief from the heat .

7)  Wet your shirt, hat, bandanna, or parea for evaporative cooling when you set out on a hike.

8)  Wet your sleeping sheet for instant cooling on a hot night.

Those are just a few of the really great applications of the cold water you'll find on your Grand Canyon raft trip. The mighty Colorado River is kind. The water warms up as you travel down the river corridor. It gets way up into the low 50's by the end of your trip. That may not sound all that great to you now but it makes a huge difference when you are bathing in it regularly.

It's quite exhilirating in many ways. The coldness is only one aspect that the water will thrill you on your Grand Canyon raft trip. Call Arizona River Runners for your thrilling ride!

Get Out! (with Arizona River Runners)

Thursday, April 21, 2011 by Moira W

That's right. Get out....get out of your office, your room, your house, your building. Get out from behind that computer. Get off the phone. Leave your cubicle, your job. Get out of town, out of your routine.

Side Canyon Hikes on a Whitewater Rafting Trip

Get out of the county, your state and country. Get out of your rut, leave your comfort zone. Get outside, breathe fresh air and feel the spray of the white water.

Head for the Grand Canyon. Whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon can set you free. It is a natural, wilderness environment that is incredible to behold. It will allow you to breathe fresh air...feel the sun's rays on your skin. Get water splashed on your face. Soothe your feet in the cool water of the Colorado River, freshen up in a sidestream. Fish. Sleep on a sandy beach and watch the night sky. Ponder your very existence. Feel small. Feel tall. Pray to God as you know Him. Hear the creatures of the sky and the cute critters.

Marvel at it all. But first you must GET OUT. ARIZONA RIVER RUNNERS guides will set you up for the rest. Rafting in the Grand Canyon is better than any 3-D movie. Make your move and GET OUT.

Move, get the phone and call us at 1-800-477-7238 - your whitewater trip is in sight!

PRIMO WATER IN THE GRAND CANYON!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011 by Moira W

I would venture to say that one of the most frequently asked questions about whitewater rafting in the Grand canyon is "When is the water at its best level?" or something along those lines.

Arizona River Runners Colorado River Trip

The truth of the matter is that the Colorado River, as it flows through the Grand Canyon, is released from Glen Canyon Dam. It is coming from deep in Lake Powell where it is used to generate electricity within the dam and then is released to flow naturally and create Colorado River whitewater. This makes your Grand Canyon rafting trip with Arizona River Runners possible.

This water flowing into Lake Powell is from high in the snowy mountains of our great southwest region. Glen Canyon Dam causes it to "pool" and make one of our most majestic lakes, Lake Powell. According to lots of different demands and factors, the water is released and then it continues to flow as the mighty Colorado River.

It is not "seasonal." It is more related to electrical demand across the southwestern grid. But that doesn't sound very romantic. What this all means to you and your Grand Canyon whitewater rafting is that...the water is always great! It does fluctuate some but it does not have the great highs and lows of pre-dam, natural flow days.

It is, however, VERY CHILLY. For your Colorado River raft trip the water starts at about 48 degrees F. But be assured, it warms up as you move on down the river. It may get all the way up to 55 degrees or so. It still is plenty cold but it is a remarkable improvement and those few degrees warmer make an obvious, and much appreciated, difference.

To summarize....... all summer long, the water is PRIMO. Different levels offer differences in whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon. Some rapids get bigger and some rapids smooth out. I suggest you just "Go with the flow."

To book your Grand Canyon Family vacation call Arizona River Runners at 1-800-477-7238, and go on a river rafting adventure!