So you’re thinking about taking a Grand Canyon raft trip, but you’ve never been whitewater rafting and aren’t sure what to expect. First time rafting participants often have a lot of questions about how to prepare, what to bring and what their upcoming trip will be like. Before you even select your rafting trip, you’ve got choices. You can choose a short getaway trip that will give you a taste of life on the river, or you can select a trip up to 13 days to immerse yourself in the adventure of a lifetime. Some trips include hiking in or out of the Grand Canyon, and others include helicopter flights out of the Canyon. You’ll also be able to choose whether you want to travel the river on a motorized raft, which is larger and accommodates more guests to socialize with; or if you want to go with oar-powered rafts for a more "one with nature" experience. No matter which option you choose, you won’t need prior rafting experience or gear – a good river outfitter will provide everything (including the know-how) for you.

Once you’ve booked your trip, you might start wondering about conditions on the river – things like food, where you’ll sleep, weather, and bugs and staying dry. Some aspects of your trip obviously depend on which outfitter you choose. Long-time Colorado River rafting company, Grand Canyon Whitewater, provides cots, tents, sleeping gear, camp chairs – really everything needed to set up your home on the river. Eating freshly prepared food in the outdoors, after an exhilarating day on the river, is an amazing experience. Foods are always fresh and delicious, and packing with ice keeps a variety of foods available throughout even the longest trips. As a first-time rafter, you can banish those thoughts of freeze-dried chili and a handful of nuts! You will work up and appetite on the river and you’ll enjoy some of the best food around.

There is wildlife in the Grand Canyon, and you’ll definitely want to bring a camera along for sightings of Big Horn Sheep and a variety of birds, including California Condors and Peregrine Falcons. Don’t expect to be bothered by mosquitoes, bugs, snakes or scorpions. Your outfitter can’t control the weather, of course, but during the Grand Canyon rafting season, the weather is usually warm and the water cold. Summer temperatures can get hot, so booking a rafting trip for April – May or September - October is a great option for experiencing milder weather. Your Grand Canyon whitewater outfitter will provide you with a complete packing list, but you can expect to pack light! You’ll need lightweight layers, sun protection, shoes appropriate for wearing in the water, a bathing suit, and not much else. No fashion statements required on a Grand Canyon river trip!

When you make the decision to embark on a Grand Canyon whitewater rafting adventure, you provide the enthusiasm and desire to make the most of the experience – your outfitter will do the rest. You will experience a way of life that is a welcome escape from the pressures of your "regular" life, see some of the most breathtaking sights the natural world has to offer, learn from the wealth of knowledge and stories your guides have to share, reconnect with family members and make new friends along the way.