How to Float the Grand Canyon without a Reservation

Floating the Grand Canyon can be a calm, gentle exploration or a rush of riotous rapids. Your experience may take half a day, a week or more. You may ride in a dorie or raft, relaxed and at ease or paddling like mad. Every trip is different and every trip is guaranteed to offer spectacular scenery and adventure. You may even make a new friend or two.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Be flexible

Step 1

Look for a tour company offering same-day float trips. They are few and far between, but there are a few out there. The Grand Canyon Tour Company site asks that you call regarding same-day tours.

Step 2

Rethink the type of experience you hope to have. Exciting whitewater rafting trips require reservations far in advance. You may sacrifice the adrenaline rush, but a quiet float can accommodate more people and allow you to see more sites along the way.

Step 3

You may be able to join a smaller group on their journey. If a group has open spots, lost a member to sudden injury or illness or is very friendly, you may be able to become a part of their tour.

Step 4

Some tour companies may be able to accommodate your party if another group cancels or fails to show up for their trip. Try Grand Canyon Expeditions Company (GCEX). Contact the company, explain your situation and ask what they have available.

Step 5

Visit in early spring or late fall, when crowds ebb. Most ages and abilities can be obliged and, depending on the package, transportation may be provided to and from your lodging.

Ask around

Step 1

Tour groups such as Hydros Adventures advise that trips may be arranged as little as a day in advance. The trick is to find a fortuitous time or space open in their schedule. Without reservations, your ability to find a trip is not guaranteed, but it is also not out of the question.

Step 2

One-day float trips are more numerous and finding a spot may be less difficult, but cancellations on longer trips may be tough for the charter service to fill, especially if the cancellation comes close to the departure date.

Create a list of potential trips and tell each host company you are looking for an open spot. Ask to be put on a waiting list. Have your gear available or packed and ready to go.

Step 3

Trips at Colorado River Discovery will not depart without six full-fare passengers. You may not only find a spot, you may save someone else's trip of a lifetime by your persistence and willingness to hustle for a spot. According to the CRD site, these minimum passenger load guidelines are usually in place for early spring and late fall trips.

Resources

Article Written By Alice Moon

Alice Moon is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience. She was chosen as a Smithsonian Institute intern, working for the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and has traveled throughout Asia. Moon holds a Bachelor of Science in political science from Ball State University.

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