Unveiling Grand Canyon’s Secrets: Day Hiking Overview of Our Raft Adventures
Hiking and Exploring on Our Grand Canyon Rafting Adventures
Hiking is an integral part of all our rafting adventures. In fact, you might say the rafts are just a way to get from one hike to the next, as exploring the Grand Canyon on foot is one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience. Every trip is designed with the intention of maximizing hiking time, as side canyon hikes are often the highlight of the journey. For many participants, the hikes quickly become their favorite part of the adventure.
North Canyon Hike
Daily Hiking Adventures
Each full day of your rafting trip will include stops for hiking and exploration. These hikes can take place during the river journey, as well as from camp or lunch stops. Your experienced guides will tailor the hiking plan based on several factors, including the group’s hiking abilities and speed, the weather conditions (wind, rain, heat, or cold), the river’s flow levels, and the presence of other groups.
On average, you’ll spend about 4-5 hours per day on the river, with the rest of the day dedicated to hiking and a lunch break. However, this can vary depending on water flow, winds, and other factors. Low water flow and upstream winds can slow down rafting the speed of the rafts, which might reduce the available hiking time. Motorized rafts are less affected by this, but oar-powered trips may experience slower speeds. To maximize hiking opportunities, most trips aim to leave camp early, as winds typically pick up later in the day. Learn more about the trip itinerary.
Nankoweap view. Photo by Mark Taylor
Flexible Hiking Plans
Your guides will continuously assess the group’s preferences, abilities, speed and the day’s conditions to choose the best hikes. They typically have a Plan A, B, and C, in case another group is already on the planned trail or if the weather turns unfavorable. Don’t worry if you miss a hike you were expecting — you’ll have plenty of time for more amazing hikes further down the river.
Seasonal Variations
The season can influence the types of hikes selected. During the cooler months of April, early May, and late September through October, guides may opt for longer hikes with expansive vistas and sunshine—ideal for cooler weather but too harsh during summer’s heat. Conversely, on a hot summer day, shorter, or shady hikes with cool water features are preferred to beat the heat. There is still plenty of hiking on the warmer trips and jumping into those cold shady pools at the end of a hike is more fun when it’s hot out versus when it is cooler!
What to Expect on the Hikes
Before each hike, your guides will provide a brief description, including the approximate distance, elevation gain, exposure, and difficulty level. If you don’t receive this information, don’t hesitate to ask your guides for details. Hikes can vary widely, from thundering waterfalls to peaceful ponds, archaeological sites, narrow slot canyons, shady alcoves, or even unexplored terrain. One thing is certain: every hike begins with an uphill climb, often steep, and ends with a downhill return to the rafts.
Expect uneven, rocky terrain, narrow trails, and sometimes high exposure along cliff edges. You may even find yourself wading through water or using your hands to scramble over rocks. Most hikes are out-and-back, but some may start at one point and end further down the river (a point A to point B hike), where the rafts will pick up hikers downstream.
Shinumo waterfall by Johnathan P
Tailored Hiking for Every Ability
From the very start of the trip, guides will observe the group’s hiking abilities and adjust the pace and difficulty of subsequent hikes accordingly. Pay attention to the guide’s description of the first hikes to gauge whether a particular hike is a good fit for you. If an early hike is described as easy and you find it challenging, you may want to choose easier hikes in the future.
For slower hikers, rest assured that the group will maintain a steady pace, with those in the front waiting for others at the destination. However, if the hike is more challenging or longer, you might have less time to explore, or you may need to return earlier than others once at the destination. Or choose an alternative destination, which is always an option on the A to B hikes.
Commonly Hiked Locations
While no trip can do every hike listed below due to time constraints, there are a few popular stops that are typically doable for most participants. These are often shorter, accessible hikes, and they can range from a short stroll or up to about 1.5 miles each way.
Common Upper Canyon Hikes:
North Canyon
South Canyon Archaeology Site
Redwall Cavern
Nankoweap Granaries
Nankoweap Delta
Little Colorado River Confluence
Hilltop Ruin/Cardenas/Unkar Overlook
Unkar Delta
Escalante to 75 Mile Canyon (A-B)
75 Mile Canyon
Clear Creek
Common Lower Canyon Hikes:
Shinumo Creek
Elves Chasm
Blacktail Canyon
Stone Creek
Deer Creek
Matkatamiba
Havasu Canyon
Fern Glen
National Canyon
Pumpkin Springs
Three Springs
Blacktail Canyon by Donna B
More Challenging Hikes That Could be Offered
For those looking for more challenging or longer hikes, one or more of the following options might be offered on your trip. The hikes listed below may involve steeper trails, higher exposure, or longer distances. Usually, all three! Some of the hikes below are rarely done, while others are more common on specific trips. Some may be as long as 3 miles each way or even require swimming pools of water! A couple below might have ropes set for extra security. The longer hikes might require packing a sack lunch and take most of the day to complete. Keep in mind that Grand Canyon mile will feel like 2 miles due to the ruggedness and steepness of the trails.
Upper Canyon:
Silver Grotto
Sheerwall Canyon
Nautoloid Canyon
Martha’s Crack
Eminence Break
50 Mile to Little Nankoweap (A-B)
Nankoweap to Kwagunt (A-B)
Carbon to Lava/Chuar (A-B)
Tabernacle Summit
Lower Canyon:
Monument Canyon
Bass Trail to Shinumo Creek
Upper Elves Chasm
Stone Creek Upper Falls
Stone Creek Galloway Canyon Hardy Boy Crack (A-B)
Thunder River Falls/Tapeats Creek
Tapeats Creek to Surprise Valley to Deer Creek (A-B)
Deer Creek to the Springs
Piano Hike to Deer Creek (A-B)
Kanab Creek to Whispering Falls
Tuckup Canyon
Spring Canyon
Deer Creek hike by Terry O’Laughlin
Guides’ Expertise
There are countless hikes, both easy and challenging, that guides can choose from depending on the group’s abilities and the conditions of the day. The lists above are not nearly a complete list of all the possible day hikes in the canyon! Guides have the experience to determine which hikes to prioritize and adapt to changes in weather, river conditions, and group dynamics. They aim to provide the best possible experience for everyone on the trip.
Hiking Discovery Classic Trips
AzRA offers 16-day Hiking Discovery Classic trips in both spring and fall. These trips are two days longer than our standard 14-day Classic Adventures, allowing extra time for hiking. However, the actual hiking time may not differ significantly from the standard trips, as it depends on the group’s abilities and pace. The extra days are intended to offer more hiking opportunities, but since the experience is tailored to the group’s skill level. Therefore a 16-day standard Classic trip could hike as much or even more than the 16-day ‘hiking” trip.
50 Mile Hike by Aslaug W
Tips for Maximizing Hiking Time
To increase your hiking time, getting an early start is essential. Additionally, staying efficient when loading and unloading rafts can make a significant difference. By having your hiking gear ready and organized when you hit the beach and when reboarding the rafts, you’ll ensure more time for hiking and exploration.
The Grand Canyon offers endless opportunities for adventure, and with the right preparation and a great group, your rafting and hiking experience will be unforgettable!