(800) 786-7238 (RAFT)
info@azraft.com
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
Pinterest
Tripadvisor

A Decrease font size. A Reset font size. A Increase font size.

  • ADVENTURES
    • CLASSIC ADVENTURE
    • MOTOR ADVENTURE
    • ALL-PADDLE ADVENTURE
    • SPECIALTY ADVENTURES
  • RISKS & REWARDS
    • THE BIG PICTURE
    • RAFTING
    • HIKING
    • CAMPING
  • MORE
    • CHOOSING & RESERVING AN ADVENTURE
    • RESERVATION & CANCELLATION POLICIES
    • CONTACT US
    • REQUEST A BROCHURE
    • FAQ
    • BLOG
    • REPEAT ADVENTURERS
    • OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • PHOTOS & VIDEOS
    • NEWSLETTER
Shop

null

CLASSIC ADVENTURE

null

MOTOR ADVENTURE

null

ALL PADDLE ADVENTURE

null

SPECIALTY ADVENTURES

read our covid-19 plan here

Share the experience of a lifetime with us!

Under third-generation family operation, we take pride in our long-standing history of providing high quality and experiential Colorado River rafting adventures in Grand Canyon. You will see places you have never seen before, do things you’ve never done before and awake every morning to beauty so breathtaking the images will last a lifetime. With an emphasis on adventure, hiking, education, safety and fun, our guides have an average 14 years experience and come from diverse backgrounds.

Photo ©Ralph Hopkins

Where are we Wednesday? This is one of the longer Where are we Wednesday? This is one of the longer  hikes from the river. How many people are in photo?

📷: Jan Crider #wherearewewednesday #gcnp #sidehikes #grandcanyonhiking #hiking #sidecanyons #azrafthiking #grandcanyonrafting #adventure #adventureawaits #arizona #optoutside
AzRA has a brand new dory for 2021 trips! She's g AzRA has a brand new dory for 2021 trips!  She's getting polished up, painted and trimmed for the season. All our Classic Adventures have a dory on them now, along with a paddle raft and 4 standard oar rafts.  All great options for rides on your rafting adventure!

📷: Scott Frost #azraftdory #dory #grandcanyondory #azraftclassicadventure #rafting #dories #boats #classicboats #grandcanyondories #grandcanyon #azraftwarehouse #grandcanyonrafting #gcnp #adventureawaits #azraft2021season #adventure #aluminumboats
Black History Month and the Grand Canyon. Most fo Black History Month and the Grand Canyon.  Most folks are aware of the earliest explorers of the Colorado River, Major Powell, Robert Stanton, Frank Mason Brown and perhaps a few of their crew members may come to mind.  But most folks are not aware that there were Black crew members of the Brown/Stanton 1889 railroad mapping expedition. While much is known about the leaders of these earliest expeditions and a few of their crew, the Black members have faded into obscurity. The Brown/Stanton expedition had two Black members on their team. Henry C. Richards and George Washington Gibson are the first known Black explorers of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.  These two intrepid men would have surely been capable, brave, and industrious to be part of this early expedition crew.  Henry Richards (who was listed as a steward) unfortunately drowned below Mile 25 rapid in a tragic accident, along with crew member Peter Hansbrough. The expedition leader, Brown, also drowned earlier in a small rapid just upstream. Brown had chosen to not use life-jackets for his expedition. After Brown drowned, Stanton, the engineer, became the de facto leader. Faced with Richards’ and Hansbrough’s deaths, he elected to abandon the trip.  Gibson (who was listed as cook) along with the remaining team stored their gear in a cave and hiked out at South Canyon.  Stanton did successfully complete the course of Grand Canyon the following year - with lifejackets. 

If anyone reading this post has more information on the Black crew members Richards and Gibson, or knows of descendants, it would be very interesting to hear more of their lives, as they were important members of the earliest explorers of the Grand Canyon. Gibson and Richards were probably the first Black men to explore the Colorado River above Grand Canyon, although those sections were more frequented by explorers and trappers than Grand Canyon.

Photo of George Gibson courtesy of Huntington Library.
Photo of Brown Inscription NAU Library 

#blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #grancanyonhistory #gcnp #coloradoriverhistory #grandcanyonexplorers #grandcanyonrafting #blackexplorers
This bobcat was spotted swimming across the river This bobcat was spotted swimming across the river at river mile 33. He had climbed out and was resting when this photo was snapped. Not something you see every day.  Bobcats and cougars reside in the canyon but are rarely seen.

📷:Charles S. #grandcanyonrafting #bobcat #feline #grandcanyonaimals #grandcanyonnature #nature #coloradoriver #gcnp #wildcats #grandcanyonnps
Savory Saturday! Fresh baked Shortcake served with Savory Saturday! Fresh baked Shortcake served with berries and whipped cream on top! Scrumptious! Most folks gain weight on their rafting adventures the food is that good!

📷: Ed Ettel #strawberryshortcake #azraftmeals #azraftdesserts #grandcanyoncamping #campfood #grandcanyonrafting #dutchovendesserts #gcnp #adventure #dutchovenbaking  #dutchoven #bakedcake #optoutside #adventureawaits #SavorySaturday

QUESTIONS? CURIOUS?

THINKING ABOUT IT?

GIVE US A CALL!

800-786-7238

My life’s work is the care for, and protection of, our nation’s wealth, it’s natural resources. I am so very impressed by your company’s, and your guide’s diligent care and stewardship for the long term health of the Grand Canyon ecosystem and river corridor. Indeed, I feel very good about booking with your company and am confident that the future of this precious place is in great hands as long as your company and personnel are caring for it and working within it.
Robert P.Lower Canyon Classic Adventure 2019
Wow-our river guides were amazing. Very personable, and clearly focused on our group safety at all times. I appreciated that two of them were women as well...great role models for the teenage girls in our trip! I know they were stressed about the uncertainty of the COVID world, but I think they adapted to new protocols well, and as a result, our trip was an awesome experience, and a relief from the stress of the current world.
Dave S.Motor Adventure-June 2020
I couldn't have asked for a better time. Ever. This was 14 days of pure joy and adventure. It went by so fast, too. I wish it never ended. There were so many highlights from the river, guides, stories, Little Colorado River being so blue, the stars at night so bright, the moon at night, the critters, the hikes were AMAZING, the waterfalls, the other customers, the food, the good times at night in camp eating and telling stories and having fun. I could go on and on
Gary B. Full Canyon Classic Adventure 2020
I was apprehensive before this trip, but once I arrived the experience was fantastic. The highlight, for me, was breaking through my fear on both the water and the hikes. I could not have done this without the care and expertise of the guides! I especially appreciated Lorna's vast experience and quiet guidance, Chad's support on the scary hikes (I could not have done them without him), Colin's joie de vivre and his encouragement on my one experience on the back of his dory, Somer's eternal positive attitude, John's music and love of the river (and the flowers), Jim's excellent food management and my peaceful experience with him on our final float on the river. I really did not know what to expect.....but my experience could not have been more positive. We are so happy we chose AZRA (recommended to us by my husband John's connections with Wildland Trekking). The experience and expertise of the guides made all the difference for me. Gently, they helped me get beyond my fear of the rapids and the scary hikes. This was quite transformational for me! I absolutely loved being on the river for 16 days, away from civilization, news, internet, to do lists, obligations etc.
Holly H.Classic Adventure 2019

Photo ©Ralph Hopkins

ABOUT ARIZONA RAFT ADVENTURES

About Us
Our Guiding Principles
Privacy Policy
Jobs
Contact Us
AzRA’s Code of Conduct
COVID-19 Operations Plan
Employee Login

USEFUL ADVENTURE TOOLS

Request a Brochure
Red River Sports Retail Store
Blog
Area Maps

Bright Angel Trail: Upper | Lower
Rates/Dates: 2021 | 2022
Useful Links

Southwest Guide – What to do in the Area

Free Grand Canyon Trust Membership
MORE INFORMATION

Choosing and Reserving an Adventure
Reservation and Cancellation Policies
Emergency Preparedness & Evacuations
Travel Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Disabilities
Repeat Adventurers
Charter Adventures
Fishing
Trips on Sale
Photo/Video Gallery
Testimonials
E-Newsletters
2023 Opening Day List

Arizona Raft Adventures Trip Advisor 2019 Certificate of Excellence
Email
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
Pinterest
Tripadvisor
Phone

© Arizona Raft Adventures Grand Canyon. All Rights Reserved.