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Fredonia, AZ

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Western River Expeditions

4.9 (137 reviews)
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Samantha H.

Absolutely amazing trip. Western River has everything perfected. The guides, experience, and food were great. Those are just to name a few. The J-rig is the way to go. Even though it's expensive, it's well worth the price, and I will only use Western River for my future trips!

Prop plane to the helicopter
Kellie Z.

This was such an amazing experience! We did the 3 day adventure with 13 of our friends. The white water was fun and not too crazy for those worried about it. The boat is quite steady to handle the rapids well. And you can sit on part of the boat that feel more sturdy. Our favorite parts were camping outside under the stars on cots, the amazing breakfast that Meraid, Landon, Ben and Josh made. Those 4 were the BEST guides. They prepped us what to expect each day, navigated the trip well, made us all feel super comfortable and overall just killed it.

Arches

The Southwest sampler was phenomenal! We enjoyed every single thing we did! Our Arches tour guide, Chris, was so enthusiastic and informative. The short hikes we took were stunning. MIke, our Hummer tour guide, was so much fun and gave us the ride of our lives. The overnight river rafting trip was spectacular! The guides were so good to us and so accommodating. Our raft guide was Abby and she was terrific. I have celiac disease and the guides made sure gluten free foods were available and safely prepared. I really appreciated the effort!! We would highly recommend this trip!

Without a doubt the best rafting trip I have ever taken. Lucky, Swaney , Meg, and Caden were incredible. The meals they prepared was amazing. The stories and history of the canyon they told along the way help you better understand the importance of this national treasure. If you want to float the Grand Canyon Western is the only way to go. You have never really ridden a rapid until you are on the front of a J-rig. Thanks for the incredible experience and professional attention to detail.

Jocelyn Q.

I was invited to tag along on a trip to the Grand Canyon as it was on my mother-in-law's bucket list to go to the bottom. She found a way to do that without taking the long trek by foot. All we had to do was ride a bus from Vegas, take a small plane and then hop on a couple minutes long helicopter ride! All leading up to the trip, I was anxious as we received waivers to sign and I was told of the unfortunate things that can happen in the canyon. I'd never done anything so extreme before as I'm not much of an outdoorsy person. This trip changed me though. Floating down the river and being explained all the history by the river guide, was such an exceptional experience. I was enjoying it all and then we had to set up camp. As a woman, it was so nice to have a female river guide there to coax me thru some of the hygienic details of being in such a remote place. The sand everywhere and big ants and brush to walk through made me wonder what I got myself into but I made it through the night thanks to the amazing camp set up (easy to set up tent and cots with a cozy sleeping bag) and having an incredible warm meal cooked for us by the river guides. It wasn't until the next day when we stopped for a cliff jumping opportunity and I had to face some more hygienic details that the river guide helped me through that something just clicked for me and a mental barrier came down. I didn't care anymore and fully embraced the experience of being in such a beautiful place with amazing people. I jumped off the 15-20 ft cliff, hit my thighs on the water a bit, got water up my nose and felt the rush of the cold water... and loved it! We proceeded to the river on boat through some insane rapids with backstory told to us and all. Then made our way to another stop to take a short hike to see a waterfall. After that it was time to set up camp and this time we got lucky to get a much more enjoyable camp ground with not much brush and ants to walk through. By this point I'm feeling bittersweet as it's our last night and I just got the hang of things. I'm enjoying the people we're surrounded by as much as the nature. We celebrated someone's birthday with two to die for cakes made by none other than the river guides! They seriously need to make a cookbook because every meal they made us was mouth watering and I'd eat it over what I got at home any day! TLDR // Long story short.. Take the 3-day trip no matter who you are. If I could do it, you could do it. It changed me, a city girl who never camped, now a self-certified outdoors girly. Your river guides will be the most amazing people who cook like there's no tomorrow! It's not just their cooking though, they have so much knowledge and passion about the Canyon and what they do. You are in great hands. And you are in one of the most beautiful places on earth. I can't wait to do the 7-day trip one day!!! (I can't believe I can even say that)

Debbie G.

Let me just say it: this was not just a trip--it was a full-blown Grand adventure down the Colorado River, complete with laughter, rapids, jaw-dropping scenery, and... a cobbler miracle. From the moment we hit the river, our crew--Lucky, Steph, Caden, and Jace--made sure we felt safe, informed, and seriously entertained. They learned all our names faster than I learn my Wi-Fi password, which made everything feel personal and welcoming right from the start. Now let's talk food--because wow. This wasn't your standard "camping chili and mystery granola" situation. We're talking real, delicious, belly-happy meals. There was a minor tragedy involving a doomed pecan pie (RIP), but fear not--Jace casually whipped up a cobbler from scratch like some kind of wilderness wizard. And yes, it was delicious. Steph captained our raft like she was born in the whitewater ("like a boss" doesn't even do her justice). Lucky kept everything running smoothly while charming the kids and cracking jokes, and Caden serenaded us with his ukulele one night after dinner. If that's not luxury river life, I don't know what is. We had two rafts, 14 guests each, and by the end of the trip it felt like a big, sun-kissed family reunion (minus the awkward cousins). Everyone was friendly, helpful, and happy to be unplugged and present in such a breathtaking place. Hydration? Covered. Sun safety? Covered. Good vibes? Overflowing. If you're even thinking about a Grand Canyon rafting trip, stop thinking and book with Western River Expeditions. Trust me--you'll come back with stories, friendships, and probably a craving for cobbler. If you want to know what a Groover is, book a trip. Groover=If you know, you know!

Bruce B.

I would give it more stars if I could. We did the 7 day Grand Canyon trip and it was amazing. Our guides were stellar. Very knowledgeable and personable while keeping all of us in line and the program rolling along. Their boat handling skills were top notch and I always felt safe, even in some tricky situations. The food was over the top, not what you would usually think of as "camp food". The trip was so well done you never realized you were indeed, roughing it.

Kirsten L.

A magical journey - Having experienced the Grand Canyon from the rim and from the air, descending into its depths to travel the Colorado River has always been a dream of mine. Everything about the trip was amazing, floating down the river the grandeur and spectacular beauty all around you is something I wish everyone could experience, yet I'm glad that only a few get to, because it is virtually untouched by man. Every sight is a wonder. when you think you've seen the most beautiful sight, you come around a bend in the river and once again you are in awe of the majestic beauty of the canyon. Every sight is one you want to keep with you and although I took hundreds of photos to share with friends and family, no photograph can truly capture the pure unaltered beauty seen first hand. Each rapid is its own storyteller, drawing you in and spitting you out. Each camp-sight a welcoming place to rest from the day and sleep under the most amazing sky filled with stars you never knew existed. Words cannot capture the magic you experience on this trip. And I'd be remiss not to mention the people, the other passengers along for the journey and the crew who guide you, sharing history and anecdotal stories of those who came before us. Our crew, led by Mairead and her team, Steven, Meg and Josh made the journey unforgettable. Mairead led us down the river with precision, exuding confidence with every move. Steven drove the second of our two boats (the raft I rode) with the precision only someone who knows the river in his soul could do. Meg, the swamper (need to find a nicer title for such a beautiful soul) on our boat was so full of life and joy, sharing knowledge, stories and even crafts! And Josh, the other swamper was kind, funny and so full of life. The team's spirit is truly part of the magic! I'll never forget this glorious experience!

Hike
Chris B.

WRE has it dialed in. The team was uber competent and kept things safe and orderly without drama or drag. Every step was choreographed but felt spontaneous and flexible. Timing of bus, boat, copter, plane and shuttle to hotel was seamless. Unbelievable scenery and their experience makes it a joy.

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Epic experience! Absolutely amazing and I can't wait to do it again. I did the 4 day trip and I am compelled to do the 7 day trip next.

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Page 1 of 4

Ask the Community - Western River Expeditions

Review Highlights - Western River Expeditions

“If you're considering a Grand Canyon rafting trip, I cannot recommend Western River Expeditions highly enough.”

Mentioned in 50 reviews

Read more highlights

Wilderness River Adventures

Wilderness River Adventures

4.8(5 reviews)
58.3 mi

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.

Photos
Wilderness River Adventures
Wilderness River Adventures
Wilderness River Adventures

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Zion Adventures - Sand dune.

Zion Adventures

4.5(408 reviews)
30.4 mi

We did the morning Half Day Family Slot Canyon Tour at Lambs Knoll, and our guide Forrest made the…read moretrip. While some of us had rappelled before, none of us had been canyoneering. Forrest struck the perfect balance -- fun, knowledgeable, and great with kids -- so everyone felt completely safe and comfortable while still having an amazing time. Our 9- and 11-year-olds crushed 50-foot rappels and were so proud of themselves. Highly recommend, and we'd book with Forrest and Zion Adventures again without hesitation. We also rented our Narrows gear through them, using the new Virgin location instead of Springdale. It was more convenient for us since we were staying in Hurricane, making it easy to pick up gear the night before. Easy process, and Maile made sure we had everything we needed plus all the info necessary to stay safe on the hike. One tip: if you're not staying in Springdale and are booking a canyoneering tour, book the Virgin location. It's right by Kolob Canyon Road where Lambs Knoll is, so it saves you the drive into Springdale.

Rented e-bikes for the day to ride around in zion. All of the employees are wonderful and you can…read moretell really love working there, but just wanted to shout chandler out for helping our group out. We had never ridden e-bikes before, and he was so helpful in answering all of our questions and making us feel comfortable with the bikes before we took off on our adventure. He was so friendly and charismatic and made our experience go smoothly and a great time.

Photos
Zion Adventures - Boarding down the sand dune.  The climb back up the sand dune was arduous for a 76 year-

Boarding down the sand dune. The climb back up the sand dune was arduous for a 76 year-

Zion Adventures - Cody took many pictures of us hiking through the Narrows

Cody took many pictures of us hiking through the Narrows

Zion Adventures - We built the only known Italian Style Via Ferrata in the US. Join us for Shorty Town™  Via Ferrata. It's a one of a kind experience.

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We built the only known Italian Style Via Ferrata in the US. Join us for Shorty Town™ Via Ferrata. It's a one of a kind experience.

Arizona River Runners - John Wakefield

Arizona River Runners

4.5(28 reviews)
232.0 mi

If you're looking for a "dip your toes in and call it adventure" kind of trip, this ain't it. This…read moreis the real deal and Arizona River Runners delivers it with a throttle. I went the motorized raft route, and I'll tell you straight, it's the perfect balance of thrill and sanity. You've got young guns, older folks, everybody laughing, holding on, and living the same moment. One minute you're punching through rapids, the next you're cruising those calm stretches at a steady clip, maybe 8 mph, just soaking it all in. And that's the beauty of it, you cover serious ground without sacrificing the experience. If you don't have 10 days to disappear into the canyon but still want to feel it in your bones, this is your move. Now listen, getting on the water in Grand Canyon isn't something you just wake up and decide to do. Permits, reservations, planning...this is high demand, bucket list territory. You do your homework, plan ahead, and you can make it happen. You wait till the last minute? Good luck. This isn't your local float trip. And then there's the part nobody really prepares you for. The canyon messes with you in a good way, mostly. I swear this is the second time I've felt like I saw Bigfoot out there. Not joking. Starts making you wonder, is it one Bigfoot, multiple, is he just pacing the canyon like he owns it? Add in a little déjà vu, the silence, the scale of it all, your mind starts wandering places you didn't expect. Daytime, it's raw. Sun beating down, heat cooking you alive, jumping into the river whether it looks crystal clear or straight up brown just to cool off. Nighttime, whole different world. Stars like you've never seen, Milky Way stretched across the sky, dead quiet except for the river and a crackling fire. Cold drink in hand, swapping stories, realizing you're sitting in one of the most unreal places on earth. But don't get it twisted, this place demands respect. The canyon is massive, and it'll remind you quick how small you are. People make it through just fine until they don't. Heat, terrain, isolation, it's not forgiving. There are spots out there where if something goes sideways, you're not just hiking your way out. That's part of what makes it real. End of the day, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. There's something about finishing a trip like this, grateful, a little humbled, maybe a little paranoid about Bigfoot, but knowing you just experienced something most people never will.

Wonderful, professional and friendly crew. Great food amazing experience with the wonderful trilogy…read moreside hikes to mystical waterfalls and Indian villages and amazing white water exciting rafting. This trip is not for the faint at heart because it is quite strenuous. However, I managed perfectly well at just one week short of my 80th birthday, even though we had to clamber on and off the raft every day set up our little campsite sleeping courts, and then load up in the morning. Other rafters were extremely helpful and the crew was amazing. I even took my carbon fiber, travel guitar with me and entertained the group with Grand Canyon rafting songs on the beach late at night.

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Arizona River Runners - On the giant cave beach

On the giant cave beach

Arizona River Runners
Arizona River Runners - Beautiful views as we traveled the Colorado River.

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Beautiful views as we traveled the Colorado River.

OARS Grand Canyon

OARS Grand Canyon

4.7(30 reviews)
131.2 mi

I traveled Lees Ferry to Whitmore Wash with OARs by dory (14 days) a few weeks ago and it was the…read moretrip of a lifetime! So magical. Our Trip Lead Ross was super knowledgeable about the Grand Canyon geology, history, plant life, animal life, and wooden dorys. All of our guides were amazing people with lots of fun stories to share, thanks Monte, Don, Quigs, Caitlin, Jameson, Maile, and Bobby!!! Miss you all Everyone says it, and it's true, the food was so so good. I was well fed and enjoyed every meal. They even baked cakes in a cast iron dutch oven! TL Ross listened to what the group wanted and planned hikes/adventures accordingly. I stayed back from a few hikes to paint some watercolors and he made sure I was setup with shade and anything else I needed. I could go on and on but if you're on the fence then I say do it!

The experience missed our expectation by a wide margin. The company description needs to be changed…read moreto reflect the amount of effort required of the guests that participate. Let me explain in detail. The Bar 10 dude ranch portion of the trip was excellent as the staff made every effort to insure our satisfaction and especially to see to our comfort. The helicopter ride into the canyon was very cool but only 6 minutes. The rafting in the GC was excellent and the guides were professional and we felt very safe on the water. However, other than the meal preparation, the river staff were not interested in our comfort in any way. While we all struggled each day to set up our own tent and sleeping bags/mats... often the staff would relax on the rafts reading a book. I didn't feel like there was any concern for our comfort or even safety during the very heavy and windy thunderstorm we had the first night or during the sand storm the second night (40 mph winds that tried to collapse our tents). Ten of the 16 people in our group were over 60 which made it more challenging. The river guides were at best cliquish on land if not downright unfriendly. The exception was the group leader, Russell and 2 "volunteers" (Kyle and Maddie) were kind and friendly. The very first day we pretty much had a "land acknowledgement" by one of the river guides which set the tone politically. I was also surprised and unclear about the stringent hand washing policy that was very strictly supervised. It made me think that they must have had a bad norovirus experience at some point? The food was about what you would expect under the circumstances. My biggest issue arose at the takeout. My wife was struggling with a previous and mild leg issue. At the takeout, I wanted her to rest on the air conditioned bus while we unloaded the boat for the takeout. She was not allowed to get on the bus till all the bags had been removed; so she stood in 105 degree temperatures while we were forced to unload not just our personal gear but the company cooking and camping materials as well. We didn't mind helping the 3 staff unload the boat but resented being forced to do it. Overall, the level of service and assistance while in camp left a lot to be desired and didn't live up to the cost of the trip. The "jet boat" ride was fine and the captain was nice for the 75 minute trip to the takeout. Lastly, the 3 hour bus ride back into Las Vegas was inconsistent with the plane ride to the ranch. Though the driver was great, I thought a different mode of transportation that matched the trip to the river would have been better but would have cut into OAR's margins. In summary, I would not recommend this trip to anyone but especially not to older participants unless you like independent camping with little help except for a communal toilet and meal preparation.

Photos
OARS Grand Canyon
OARS Grand Canyon
OARS Grand Canyon

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Hatch River Expeditions - Our last dinner - Chicken tortellini, salad and garlic bread!! (August 2025)

Hatch River Expeditions

5.0(5 reviews)
45.3 mi

"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.

Photos
Hatch River Expeditions - Learning how to use the "wag bag" during our pre-trip orientation just in case of emergencies LOL!

Learning how to use the "wag bag" during our pre-trip orientation just in case of emergencies LOL!

Hatch River Expeditions - Pudding dessert with Capt Josh's face on the Oreos haha!! Love it! (August 2025)

Pudding dessert with Capt Josh's face on the Oreos haha!! Love it! (August 2025)

Hatch River Expeditions - Steak dinner day one - The food on our trip was incredible!! Tysm chef Jeremiah!! (August 2025)

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Steak dinner day one - The food on our trip was incredible!! Tysm chef Jeremiah!! (August 2025)

Western River Expeditions - rafting - Updated October 2026

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