Trip Info: Packing List
The packing list was created from decades of Grand Canyon rafting experience, please follow it (even a fleece in summer!). You will be traveling through remote wilderness areas with the possibility of extreme, unpredictable weather and large temperature swings. As your trip approaches, we recommend checking point forecasts near Bar 10 Ranch and in Grand Canyon where you’ll be rafting. Follow the packing list below, and use the forecast to determine the need for extra warm or cold weather items. Remember, it is better to have and not need, than to need and not have. Being prepared goes a long way towards an enjoyable trip. For those of you flying to the area, we suggest carrying absolute river necessities in a carry-on bag. It is tough to get things together if your luggage is lost by the airline.
Note: You must limit your gear to 25 lbs; most need far less. Alcohol/personal beverages DO count toward this limit. DO NOT bring hard-sided luggage or suitcases. Find many of these items in our online store and check out our blog for more insider info.
Required
Clothing
Personal Items
Optional Extra Items
What’s Included at Bar 10 Ranch
What’s Included on the River
Grand Canyon rafting is a unique adventure. Once we embark into the canyon, we are self-sufficient and self-contained for the duration of the trip. This means packing well is important as there are no stores to supplement things you may have forgotten. We have put a great amount of thought and care into our packing list, and we ask that you trust our experience!
Closed-toed shoes are not required for any activity at Bar 10 Ranch. However, some guests prefer to bring athletic/tennis shoes for walking on uneven terrain, horseback riding, and the optional ATV tour. If you prefer to pack light, 1 pair of river shoes/sandals and 1 pair of flip-flops would be sufficient as most people do ranch activities in their river shoes. Many surfaces encountered on and off the rafts are extremely slippery. To help maneuver on these surfaces your river shoes should have grippy tread and attach securely to your foot with laces/straps. For optimal comfort make sure your shoes are broken in before the trip. River sandals tend to be the most popular choice as they have all of these features and are great for the short side hikes in or around water. We recommend Chaco, Keen, Bedrock, or Merrell for excellent river sandals/shoes.
It is important to have a quality rain jacket with a hood. Because the river is very cold year-round, you’ll use rain gear as a splash guard from the rapids. Even on the hottest days, guests often wear rain gear in the morning, while going through rapids, and in the shade of the canyon walls.
Make sure your rain gear is waterproof, not just water resistant. Rain gear with the ability to cinch at the neck and wrists works well. A poncho is not effective. Rain pants are optional, but we suggest bringing them if you run cold, if there is rain in the forecast, or if you are on an early or late season trip.
You will pack your duffel bag in our waterproof bags when you get to the river. Quick-drying clothing is highly recommended. Many of our guides wear long-sleeved shirts every day for sun protection.
If it is overcast, it can turn chilly, so pack a fleece jacket to wear under your rain gear. We know the packing list seems like a lot, but weather in the canyon is extreme and unpredictable. Even if you check the forecast before you go, it can be misleading as there aren’t any weather stations exactly where you are traveling.
We want your trip to be as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, which is why we recommend bringing the layers in the packing list to be ready for anything. We know that nothing ruins a trip like being unprepared. It’s easier to cool down in the canyon if you just get wet, but it can be surprisingly difficult to warm up if you get cold. So bring those layers and be glad if you don’t have to use them; it means you had perfect weather on your trip.
To help you plan all the details of your trip, we want to let you know that it is customary, upon receiving a satisfactory experience, to tip the Bar 10 Ranch staff and the Arizona River Runners crew. It is an acknowledgment of a job well done, and anything you give is greatly appreciated.
The Bar 10 Ranch and Arizona River Runners are individual entities, so gratuity is handled separately. An average tip at the Bar 10 Ranch is about $25-$30 per guest and can be placed in the cash-only tip box in the lodge. For the river crew, a common tip is 8-10% of the total trip cost. You may leave cash or a check (bring a blank one to fill out on the river) with the trip leader, who will distribute it evenly among the crew, including the trip host.
Please come prepared as you will NOT be able to tip with a credit/debit card nor apps like Venmo at the ranch or on the river.
You’ll likely want to shower after a day of ranch activities. Thankfully, Bar 10 Ranch has plenty of warm showers available. There are towels available to rent for a small fee, or you can bring a small towel from home. A sarong can also be used as a towel if you want to pack light. You can use your regular soap and shampoo.