Many of us enjoy an adult beverage or two while on vacation, and we don’t expect this trip to be any different. However, Arizona River Runners (ARR) does not provide or sell alcohol on the trip. With that in mind, here are a few tips on how to stock up on alcohol before your river adventure.
What Arizona River Runners provides:
– Drinking water
– A variety of soda and sparkling water
– Lemonade mix
– Electrolyte replenishment drinks i.e. Gatorade powder, Sqwincher packets
– A block of ice and an ice pick to use for cocktails (availability may be limited)
– Coffee and various tea packets
– Our ARR mugs, provided at the beginning of the trip, work great for your evening beverage and your morning coffee
General tips to consider:
– Beer should be in cans, not glass. Do not bring aluminum cans with screw top. Sand gets under the lid and makes them very difficult to open.
– Wine should be boxed.
– Liquor in glass bottles can be accommodated, but plastic is preferred.
– You can also pour your wine or liquor into a stainless steel bottle like a Hydroflask or Yeti.
– ARR doesn’t limit what you can bring, but how to get your booze on the trip varies by trip type. See below for details.
– We do not provide tonic water or other specialty mixers, but you are welcome to use the sodas or lemonade to make a mixed drink.
– If you prefer to drink a certain kind of soda, you’ll probably want to bring your own. We never know which beverages will be popular on a given trip.
– There’s no need to label your cans, we use the honor system in the canyon. Just know what you brought and have a good idea of how many you’ve had.
How To Keep It Cool-ish:
We keep drinks cool by dragging them in the water alongside the boats. Over the history of river trips in the Canyon, this has been an effective way to keep beverages cold enough so they are enjoyable any time of day. However, the lowering water levels of Lake Powell
Good Vibes:
– Focus on hydration: Alcoholic beverages don’t help in hydrating you in the dry arid environment of the Grand Canyon. If you’re drinking alcohol, be sure to increase your intake of water/electrolytes to stay hydrated.
– Respect the group: Be aware and respectful of the group. Please be sure that your enjoyment does not impede other guests’ experience.
Trip types:
Because the best way to transport beverages varies depending on your trip type and transportation option, please read carefully or give us a call and we’ll help you out.
3 Day Escape
Las Vegas Trips: You’ll need to purchase alcohol in Las Vegas before we pick you up for your trip. Terrible’s Convenience Store – part of Texaco, Smith’s Food and Drug, and Khoury’s Fine Wine and Spirits (delivery available) are convenient options.
Grand Canyon South Rim Trips: We recommend purchasing alcohol before arriving. The Canyon Village Market and Tusayan General Store do sell alcohol, but canned beer and boxed wine options are limited.
Please note: The Bar 10 Ranch does not have alcohol. They do provide a cooler where you can chill it when you arrive. There is a 25-pound luggage limit (including beverages) on the charter flight, but there are no specific liquid restrictions. If you go over the weight limit, the airline may charge an excess baggage fee.
6 and 7 Day Motor
Page transportation option: As you’ll be meeting us in Page, please bring your river gear and any beverages to the meeting location on the first morning of the trip. Alcohol does NOT count toward your 25-pound duffel/gear weight limit and should be left outside your duffel bag.
Las Vegas transportation option: There is a 25-pound luggage limit (including beverages) on the charter flight to Page, but there are no specific liquid restrictions. To avoid extra weight on the flight, use our beverage order form to pre-purchase alcohol that you’ll pick up in Page before heading to the river. We will provide a link to this form prior to your trip.
8 Day Motor Trips
Alcohol does NOT count toward your 25-pound duffel/gear weight limit and should be left outside your duffel bag. It is best to purchase your alcohol in Las Vegas the day before we pick you up. Terrible’s Convenience Store – part of Texaco, Smith’s Food and Drug, and Khoury’s Fine Wine and Spirits (delivery available) are convenient options.
Trips that Start in Flagstaff, AZ
Alcohol does NOT count toward your 25-pound duffel/gear weight limit and should be left outside your duffel bag. It is best to purchase your alcohol in Flagstaff the day before we pick you up. Buy alcohol at a local grocery store and bring it with you on the shuttle bus. There are several options within walking distance of the designated hotel, such as Walmart and Bashas.
Lower Canyon Trips with a Hike Into the Canyon
Do not attempt to carry alcohol in your backpack. We will provide a link to a beverage order form prior to your trip and arrange to have it on board the rafts when you arrive.
Cheers!