"This is not a vacation...this is an expedition!" was the first thing our fearless captain Josh…read moresaid to us during our orientation - and that's when I knew this was going to be an epic adventure. The week I spent rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon National Park with Hatch was one of the most epic and incredible experiences OF MY LIFE. Firstly - our awesome boatman Josh and his amazing "swamper" (aka second in command) Jeremiah were just all around wonderful human beings - helpful, extremely knowledgeable river/backcountry experts with kind, happy hearts and a deep love and respect for the river and the canyon. They kept us safe, happy, entertained, and surprisingly well fed all week. So, a huge TY to Josh and Jeremiah for giving our group such an epic adventure! Our days would start with delicious coffee around 530am, followed by a substantial breakfast. The options varied each day but included bacon, ham, or sausage, pancakes, French toast, breads, cheeses, fruits, and Jeremiah even cooked our eggs to order each day - however you liked them! He was a phenomenal chef! Then we'd pack up camp and hit the river for a day of running rapids, sightseeing, and side hikes. In between the rapids and adventures, we'd find a magnificent spot to stop for lunch where we'd unload part of the "kitchen" and have various sandwiches, chips, and cookies after exploring the canyon for a bit. By 330-4pm everyday we'd find our camp for the night, unload the boat, and our guides would get to work on dinner while we set up our tents and cots. Dinners were just mind blowing - we had something different every night and the spreads were impressive. They'd start us off with hors d'oeurves of various cheeses, crackers, and accompaniments to hold us over until the main show - Steak, carnitas, pork roast, tortellini, burgers, salmon, and all manner of veggies, salads, and sides. And each night we even had desserts like cakes and puddings! Josh wasn't lying when he said this trip was an expedition. In between all the fabulous meals, our days consisted of loading/unloading all the gear off the boats (and it was a TON of gear), barreling through intense whitewater rapids in water less than 60°F off and on for 6-8 hours, hiking, swimming, setting up camp, and sleeping under the stars! It was one of the most challenging - things I've ever done. And even though Hatch and our guides did a substantial amount of the hard work, I highly recommend you take their preparation suggestions seriously - especially planning ahead for the physical requirements bc this trip is extremely taxing. For almost 8 months ahead of my trip, I did hikes 4-5 days a week with at least 450 feet elevation gain, a mile swim once a week, weight training 3x/week, and once a week I tried to hike close to 1000 feet gain for conditioning. It paid off tremendously on this trip - and helped me to enjoy the experience so much more than if I hadn't prepared. That being said, the hiking they offer is optional and most of your boat-mates will do the heavy lifting if you aren't able. It was impressive how everyone pulled together as a team to help each other out in these extreme backcountry environments. Our camp environments changed each day ranging from sandy beaches to steep rocky ledges right next to the river. The further down into the canyon we ventured, the hotter it got, so sleeping inside the tent was pretty unbearable. Daytime temps ran from mid-90s to low 100s. I ended up sleeping outside under the stars on my cot every night. We did encounter a few rainstorms so we always set up our tent anyway just in case we had to jump in it if the rain was too heavy (which only happened twice). And as for the toilet/bathing situation- this is probably one of the most anxiety-inducing aspects of this extreme backcountry camping for most people. There is no "bathing" really - I brought lots of bath "wipes" and wiped down once or twice a day - and would swim in the river when I could, using an eco-friendly soap if river bathing was available. Sometimes it wasn't based on the extreme topography of the campsite and the dangerous currents/rapids of the river. Toileting is interesting haha! All urine must go into the river (it's the law actually and they take it seriously). So we'd either cop-a-squat in the water or use the pee bucket by the "groover" (aka the poop toilet lol) and then rinse it out in the river. The groover is exclusively for going #2. It's a chemical toilet container fitted with a toilet seat and was relatively comfortable - and always had incredible views of the river haha! Can't be shy on an expedition like this! I learned so much about myself and about one of the world's most dramatic and beautiful natural wonders - tysm to Hatch, Josh, and Jeremiah (and our photography workshop leader Colleen Miniuk) for the adventure of a lifetime!! My goal is to take my son on this incredible journey someday so hopefully I'll get to see you all again!

Great rafting trip in the Grand Canyon. Food, staff and camping were excellent. Side hikes were…read morenot to be missed.

Used as a base for a day trip to the North Rim of the GC. The proprietors, Janet and Bobby, are…read morecharming hosts and provide excellent guest services. They recently purchased the lodge and are updating it with charm and vigor. The restaurant was closed for renovation, but our room was clean, comfortable and decorated with appealing furnishings and art. The locale creates a first impression of isolation, and it's true there is very limited shopping and just two local restaurants (not bad). However, just outside your room is a level path which you can walk to the base of the Vermillion Cliffs . Just across the road is Badger Point, a Colorado River overlook with a dramatic view of the first rapids downstream of the dam. It's a view of the Grand Canyon that few see, and it's accessible via a nearby gated road. Nearby the Glen Canyon Recreation Area is a must see. It's easily accessible on paved roads and contains Paria Beach (where you can wade in and watch river boats launch) , the Lonely Dell Ranch (free pick orchard of delicious fruit), up close access to dramatic rock formations and the Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center---all with a backdrop of the beautiful Vermillion Cliffs. Interested in kayaking? Kayak the Colorado, located on the premises, has a supply of rental kayaks and will transport you to and from the river. 928.856.0012 If you ever find yourself in this corner of Arizona, Lees Ferry Lodge is a must see destination.

Great customer service and hospitality. Very friendly and welcoming. They know the area for guidanceread more

Very friendly boat driver, very knowledgeable of the area. Willing to answer all of our questions.read more

Used Kayak The Colorado for our kayak rental and backhaul taxi past Horseshoe Bend, and the whole…read moreexperience was incredible. The boat captain, Tyler, was super nice and really elevated the trip -- he gave us great pointers on landmarks and made the ride upriver fun and informative. Everything felt smooth and well-organized, and the staff clearly knew what they were doing. It was an awesome way to experience the Colorado River and see the canyon from a completely different perspective.

Our 7-day rafting trip through the Grand Canyon with Wilderness River Adventures (June 12-18) was…read morean experience my kids (Elise and Jake) and I will never forget. From start to finish, it was everything we hoped for--and so much more. The scenery was, of course, jaw-dropping. Towering canyon walls, hidden waterfalls, star-filled skies--it felt like stepping into another world. But what made the trip truly exceptional were our guides. Billy and Lori led one boat, and Kale and Hollywood the other. These four didn't just steer us through the rapids--they brought the river to life. They were incredibly knowledgeable about the geology, history, and wildlife of the canyon. Their storytelling kept us all engaged, and their cooking? Surprisingly fantastic for a remote river trip--think fresh fruit, fish tacos, fajitas, smoked salmon, guacamole, and even brownies one night! Elise, Jake, and I have all done trips like this before--this was my fourth, and their second--and we agreed this was one of the best. The guides struck the perfect balance between adventure and comfort, creating a fun, relaxed atmosphere while keeping everything running smoothly and safely. Wilderness River Adventures runs a tight, professional operation with just the right amount of laid-back charm. If you're looking for a meaningful, memory-making adventure with your family, this is it.

Just took a trip through the Grand Canyon with Wilderness River Adventures. To say it was the trip…read moreof a lifetime, is an enormous understatement. Kale, Hollywood, Billie & Lori are the best guides ever!!! They really know their sh*t.

What a phenomenally epic journey we enjoyed with CRATE! This company really knows how to raft the…read moreColorado River. My husband and I went on the nine-day journey through all 280 miles of the Grand Canyon, and when we finished, we wanted to do the whole thing again. We've been back home for a month and a half, and we can't stop thinking about it and yearning to return. The early stages of planning involved lengthy phone conversations with the owner, Vicki, and she was so kind and patient throughout the whole process. The river guides (Ben and John) were phenomenal, and so were the swampers, Lon and Rob. Exquisite food, astonishing beauty, life-changing adventure. Thank you!

I've been on 3 of these rafting trips and CRATE is the best. You won't get more committed folks who…read moreare passionate about both 1) the Grand Canyon and nature, and 2) making sure your experience is the best. These folks are the most wonderful people and no one knows how to navigate the wonders of the Grand Canyon better. Do yourself the favor of a wilderness expedition with CRATE. We're doing Alaska next!

Hands down, the best customer service and overall the most understanding people to do business…read morewith! Super easy to find on the local town of Page, AZ. Spoke to Lisa and Ashley and they got me squared right away. They explained everything with no rush and gave local recommendations to the town. As a first timer to the lake, my partner and I did the mistake to start kayaking from the Wahweap Marina (BIG MISTAKE!!) to the Antelope Canyon and man did we regret it!! lol Please, please, please start your kayaking from where they recommend, the Antelope Point Launch!! We ended up doing a 20 mile (9 hour!) kayak trip around the entire Antelope Island! We were exhausted, but feeling safe around many boats, we decided to push to the end and luckily we made it! There is a small channel short cut at the north end of the Antelope Canyon to the Wahweap Marina side of the lake. We called the kayak office (while in the middle of the water!) and explained our situation, they totally understood and so we arranged to drop off the kayak the next morning. Long story short, life happens with new kayakers and this company truly cares and listens. I never write long reviews, but they deserve all the praise and a 5 out of 5 stars. Thanks for everything!

I booked online about a week in advance but accidentally selected the wrong time. After a little…read morephone and email tag, their team quickly helped me switch to my preferred slot. The day before our tour, Julia called to let us know strong headwinds were expected and asked if we wanted to adjust our time. We already had a different morning tour scheduled, and they were incredibly accommodating with our plans. At the launch site, we met our guide Logan, and we were lucky that it was just our family of four on this tour. Husband and I wore aqua shoes and my daughters opted to wear their Birkenstock sandals and go barefoot, which was fine if you're okay with getting red mud on them. Logan was friendly, patient, and extremely knowledgeable. I was a bit nervous since I'm a beginner kayaker, but he let us move at our own pace. It ended up being a great workout while still feeling peaceful and relaxing. The scenery was absolutely stunning. The canyon was quiet, beautiful, and not crowded at all. We paddled across Lake Powell and into the canyon, and the cool lake water felt amazing in the warm end-of-March weather (mid-80s). They provided life jackets, offered bottled water, and Logan even took photos of us both on the water and at the end of the canyon, which we really appreciated. He also shared helpful paddling tips along the way. The entire tour lasted about 2.5-3 hours and was a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Highly recommend for families and beginners looking for a scenic and well-guided kayaking experience!

Can't express just how cool this experience was. We opted to rent a two-person kayak and tour the…read morecanyon on our own, rather than do a guided tour, and everyone at Lake Powell Paddleboards was super friendly, informative, and helpful. We had no idea what we were getting into, but they assured us and told us everything we needed to know to feel confident that we'd be able to make the trip there and back. They make the process so easy every step of the way. This experience is a MUST for anyone interested in nature. My daughter and I did this together and I will never forget it. It took teamwork, communication, a sense of adventure, and a willingness to go with the flow--all things that add up to some serious bonding. We'll cherish this experience for the rest of our lives!

We did the 4 hour kayak & hike tour back in May and it was fantastic. We will definitely be back!read more

What can you say? This was glamping beyond my wildest expectations! The food was fresh every day,…read moretwo hot meals and a cold lunch each day, cold juice and soda beverages at any time. The guides, Glade and Hannah, were terrific, like personal chefs there to assure you had a great time and were safe. They aimed at the best part of every rapid- a real E-ticket ride. Some advice: 1. bring more alcohol-it was hot in August, probably 100, we are not big drinkers but 3-4 cold beers a day would sure have been nice, we ran out on day 6 2. wear light colored clothes if the weather is going to be warm 3. bring a walking stick, very helpful on the hikes scrambling over boulders and rocks 4. bring more alcohol 5. a waterproof day pack to have some gear readily accessible on the raft would have been nice 6. Have a set of river shoes, and a set of hiking shoes for shore excursions. My river shoes were great on wet rocks in the river, but tenuous at best when hiking 7. bring more alcohol 8. I balked at the sarong idea and regretted it, sarong would have been great to keep cool on the raft and to provide additional sun protection 9. Gel or spray on deodorant would have been nice, I brought body wash but it did not really cut it. 10. Consider going in May-mid July time frame when river is running clear. Once monsoon season starts in Arizona the river runs silty. Still a great trip. GCE is one of the few companies that provides cots and sleeping pads and sleeping bags as part of the experience, other companies might charge extra.

Randy is a tool. One star because the guide was making sure your safety was #1. Come on man…read more I have just returned from a 7 day trip and it was the most epic experience ever. We were with A group from Grand Canyon Brewery and had the time of our lives. Guides made sure we were SAFE at all times and had our lives in their hands. We trusted them. They were super fun, had great knowledge of the history and geology of the canyons. The crew Prepared the most amazing restaurant quality meals using Dutch ovens and grills. They were super accommodating, charismatic, and professional. If you wanna be safe , experience they canyon, and have one of the best trips ever, then go with GCE.