Arizona River Runners / Trip Info – 4 Day Escape Itinerary
Trip Info: 4 Day Escape
Start and End in Las Vegas, Nevada
Fly into Las Vegas, NV, at least one day before the trip and taking ground transportation (taxi, Uber/ Lyft, shuttle) to the designated hotel. All other transportation elements are part of your trip package.
The Day Before the Trip Begins: We recommend staying at the designated hotel in Las Vegas.
Day One at Bar 10 Ranch: Meet your Trip Host at 10:15 a.m. in the lobby of the designated hotel in Las Vegas. We will transport you to a small, local airport where you’ll check-in for the 40-minute charter flight to Bar 10 Ranch.
You will arrive at the ranch in time for lunch and spend the afternoon enjoying horseback riding, skeet shooting, and other activities. The Bar 10 Ranch has guided ATV tours available for an additional cost. You may sign up and pay for the ATV tours at the ranch orientation if you are interested. Evening begins with a hearty Dutch oven dinner, followed by a country-western show performed by Bar 10 staff. They have a variety of sleeping accommodations – in the main lodge, outside on a spacious upper deck under the stars, or in a Conestoga wagon. Wagons sleep two people comfortably and have limited availability. If you prefer a wagon, place your request with ARR at least 30 days prior to your trip.
On the River: The next morning, you’ll have an early breakfast before heading down to the river. You’ll take a scenic and exhilarating 7-minute helicopter ride over an ancient lava flow before descending into the canyon. Meet your river guides, repack your gear into the provided dry bags, and have orientation before starting your river adventure.
Over the next two days, you’ll navigate rapids and take in the towering canyon walls. Each afternoon, we will arrive at camp to enjoy an evening by the river. After the group “duffel line” unloads the rafts, you’ll find your campsite for the night. Set up a tent or sleep under the open sky. Your Trip Host will demonstrate how all of the provided camping gear works.
While you wait for dinner, relax and enjoy the canyon views or wander over to the kitchen for appetizers. Camp chairs are set up near the kitchen area, so guests can chat and watch the river guides do their magic. Soon, a fresh and delicious riverside meal will be ready for your dining pleasure!
As the day winds down, sit and watch a beautiful sunset, reflect on the day, or join in a conversation with other guests. At the end of the evening, head to your camp spot for a restful sleep under a canopy of brilliant stars.
Note: Keep in mind, there is no exact itinerary. Many factors go into the decisions about activities and where to stop for side hikes and camp. Other groups, guest abilities, extreme conditions, and inclement weather can greatly impact what this trip looks like.
The Final Day: As the sun peeks over the canyon walls, you’ll hear a guide call “Coffee!” That’s your cue to head to the kitchen and grab a cup of joe and get ready for the day. A short while later, guides will call you to breakfast. After breakfast, quickly finish packing up your campsite and personal gear and bring your bags to the rafts. Once the guides have packed up the kitchen, everyone helps reload all the gear. Then you are off for another day of adventure on the mighty Colorado River!
Your morning will be filled with rapids in the Lower Granite Gorge. Rain gear is a good idea while the river is still in the shade. By midday, you’ll finish running the last rapids of the Grand Canyon.
You’ll unpack out of the dry bags and transfer to a jet boat to cruise across the remaining flat-water portion of the river. This scenic jet boat ride out of the canyon to the upper region of Lake Mead takes about one hour. A shuttle bus will be waiting to transport you up a short unpaved road to an air-conditioned charter bus.
The bus ride back to Las Vegas is about 2 1/2 hours. The bus will drop off at the designated hotel first and then depart promptly for Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), usually between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. If you choose to fly out of Las Vegas on the final day, make sure your flight departs after 6:30 p.m. Our bus must go to the airport immediately after dropping guests off at the hotel. If you have luggage stored at the hotel, you’ll need to factor in extra time to retrieve your bags and then arrange transportation to Harry Reid International Airport on your own.
This timing typically works well, but due to the remote nature of this trip and multiple forms of transportation, we cannot guarantee our exact return times.
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.
Guests are sometimes surprised at how physical a river trip can be, but commonly say it was the best trip they’ve ever done. To help you prepare for your experience, here are some of the basic physical activities that are inherent to all of our Grand Canyon rafting trips.
Please remember, all guests must meet the minimum requirements outlined in the Participant Eligibility Criteria. There are many different trip types and factors that can make your experience more physically demanding. Keep in mind any factors such as medical and mental conditions, weight, age, lack of conditioning, dietary restrictions, addictions, allergies, and any other factors that might make your experience more difficult and/or dangerous to yourself or others. One of our primary goals is to run river trips as safely as possible. As this is a whitewater trip, you need to be able to be an active participant in your own rescue in case you end up in the river. It often surprises guests that most river trip injuries happen on land. Take your time, watch your step, ask for help if you need it, and don’t go beyond your limits. If you have any questions regarding physical ability please contact us.
River trips are awe-inspiring, fun, physical and a great way to challenge yourself. The thing to remember is, this is an adventure! The more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it.
GET FIT FOR YOUR TRIP!
Want a fun way to get the most out of your trip? We teamed up with Jeff Schmelzle, a professional strength and conditioning specialist, to create an introductory-level program to help you get the most out of your trip. This simple program focuses on light exercise, balance, and stretching that you can do right at home.
Click here to download the Grand Canyon Rafting Fitness Program and get started today!
Note: The Preparation Program focuses on basic physical fitness for all of our trips. Guests on any trip that requires a hike in or out of the canyon or our Hiker’s Special trips need additional conditioning/training.
Many times each day, you’ll get on and off the rafts. This can be a challenging maneuver on both our motorized and oar-powered rafts. The rafts are roughly a 2-foot step up and can be slippery and moving; the ground will likely be uneven, sandy, and slippery. Once you’re on the raft, you’ll maneuver to your seat which could be over and around tubes, boxes, or other passengers.
The rafts will have straps in multiple locations to grip as you are going downriver. It’s important you find two handholds that will allow you to hold yourself in place and not be pitched one way or another. Pay attention to the guides’ instructions and keep your hand and feet out of pinch points on the rafts.
The beaches in Grand Canyon vary greatly. Many are sandy, some have steep banks you must ascend to get to the camping area, some are covered with slippery river rock. These beaches will be your home each evening so you can expect to be walking about them often.
We rely on you to participate in the duffel shuffle each morning and evening when we arrive at our camping area. The guides depend on the group’s assistance to load/unload all guests’ bags, sleeping gear, and equipment. Some items are very heavy, like five-gallon buckets of water and propane tanks. All of that work is worth it once you’re settled in and enjoying dinner!
After the rafts have been unloaded, your job is to find your bags and take them to your chosen sleeping area and set up your space. The guides will give an orientation on how to set up the camp gear and then it’s up to you.
During the day all urine must go directly into the river, there are no toilets. This can be a very challenging aspect of the trip for some. Some people choose to wade into the river and others choose to squat at the river’s edge where there is very limited privacy.
While in camp, the guides will set up a camp toilet. Even with the toilet set up, peeing into the river or in our provided pee buckets is still encouraged. The toilet is often set well away from camp. The route to the toilet will likely be uneven, sandy, rocky, or brushy. It is recommended to scout your route to the toilet in the daylight.
This is a wilderness adventure! The weather, outdoor environment, and remote setting can bring their own set of challenges. You can expect to be exposed to prolonged sun, heat, cold, wind, rain, cold water, thunderstorms, and other weather-induced events. The Arizona sun can be intense. People often find they need to wear more sunscreen, cover-up, drink more water and eat more food and snacks in the canyon than they would at home.
Every trip provides the opportunity for hiking in side canyons along the river. These side hikes are optional and a unique part of a river trip. Hikes vary in length and difficulty. Some hikes may require moves that may feel more like rock scrambling than hiking and others may be short walks up a streambed. The more you prepare physically, the more you’ll be able to explore while on your trip.
Please note that some of our trip types do have a required strenuous 8 mile hike in or out of the canyon. Physical preparation is the key to a successful hike on these partial canyon trips.
Orientation Video
This video has helpful tips on what to expect during your adventure, how to care for yourself, your fellow trip members, and the Grand Canyon. Your river guides will also provide a detailed orientation specific to your trip type when you arrive.
You are about to embark on one of the most amazing expeditions of your life. Being part of a Grand Canyon rafting trip will challenge you in every way possible. Grand Canyon is a land of extremes; you will be hot/cold/wet/dry/happy/tired/in awe/sandy/relaxed, and ready for more.
Cameras/Phones
There is no WiFi or cell phone reception at the ranch or on the river. There are outlets at Bar 10 Ranch if you need to charge your camera or phone. If you plan on using your phone as a camera, backup your data before you go and make sure you have lots of memory available. Put your phone in airplane/low power mode to save battery while on the trip. If you are using a camera and can bring additional memory and batteries, be sure to do so. We highly recommend bringing a portable charger or two. For more details, check out our blog on charging devices.
Securing a strap to your camera/phone is very helpful. A waterproof case doesn’t do any good if your camera or phone ends up at the bottom of the river. We recommend keeping your camera in a case even while in the provided dry bag (7” x 14” sealed). We have found that the fine Grand Canyon sand is as much of a danger to your camera as the water. Drones are prohibited per National Park Service rules.
Most personal homeowners’ insurance policies will not cover lost or damaged cameras on your river trip. If you bring items of value, it is your responsibility to provide your own insurance coverage. Arizona River Runners is not responsible for damage to or loss of personal items during river trips.
Beverages
We provide coffee, tea, and hot chocolate at breakfast. Water, electrolyte mix, and a variety of diet and regular soda are always available. If you only drink a certain brand (preferred soda, fruit juices, mixers, tonic, etc.), you may want to bring an additional supply as some choices run out.
Since drinking water is not chilled, we recommend that you bring a hard plastic Nalgene-style water bottle so you can chill the water in the river. Insulated water bottles do not allow you to do this. We do not supply alcoholic beverages at the ranch or the river, nor is it for sale. If you would like beer, wine, or liquor on your trip, you can purchase alcohol in Las Vegas or the South Rim and bring it with you on the charter flight to the ranch. All beer must be in cans, not glass. Wine should be in boxes. Liquor in a glass bottle is acceptable, but plastic is preferred. The ranch has a cooler to chill personal beverages. On the river, wine and liquor will be stowed by guides during the day and available in the evenings. Beer will be kept cool by the river and available during the day. Ice may be available in the evenings for cocktails.
There are no liquid restrictions on the charter flight, but an excess baggage fee may be assessed for bags over the 25-lb weight limit.
Camp Life
An important aspect of staying healthy while on-river is hydration. The arid environment requires that you drink more water and eat more salty snacks to maintain proper electrolyte balance. Being a desert environment flying insects aren’t usually a big problem, however, this can vary depending on the time of year and recent rains. If you are sensitive to bites you may want to plan accordingly and bring insect repellent and/or long sleeves and pants. Snakes and scorpions are rarely seen. If you do happen to spot any, give them space and notify a guide. You can reduce the possibility of an encounter with a critter even further by shaking out your shoes and PFD in the morning before putting them on and waiting until you are heading to bed to roll out your sleeping bag.
Please be respectful of your fellow guests. Consider things like red lights on your headlamp, be thoughtful when using spray sunscreen, and know that marijuana is illegal as Grand Canyon National Park follows federal law.
Hygiene
Because we’re like a big, close family throughout the trip, keeping clean is an important factor in staying healthy. The Bar 10 Ranch has showers and flushing toilets, but the ranch is off the grid and doing laundry is difficult. Towels are available to rent for a fee; we recommend bringing a small towel or using your sarong. Once on the river, the guides will show you the hand-wash system and remind everyone to use it frequently. Soap is allowed only in the main river channel. Bathing in the cold water isn’t always appealing, so baby wipes are an easy alternative. While soap is not allowed in or near the side streams, rinsing in the warmer, clearer water is always refreshing and helps to keep you clean.
During the day, all urine must go directly into the river – that means squatting/ standing near the river’s edge or wading in. There will be pit stops during the day, but if you have to go between stops, tell the guide before it’s an emergency so they have time to find a good place to pull over. If you need to poop during the day, the guides have a portable toilet system. Don’t be shy to ask for it if you need it. In camp, the guides will set up a camp toilet for solid waste while urine continues to go into the river. At night, we provide handy pee buckets so you don’t have to find your way to the river in the dark. In the morning, dump your pee bucket directly into the river. The guides will explain sanitation and bathroom procedures in greater detail during on-river orientation.
Ladies, if you might be on your period while on your river trip, it’s helpful to plan ahead and pack for the unexpected. If you will be using tampons, bring an outdoor menstrual kit or several discreet baggies and plenty of baby wipes. Make sure you keep these supplies handy during the day, in your provided day dry bag. When you change during the day, you can wrap the trash in a baby wipe, put that in a discreet baggie and dispose of it in the boat trash system or into the hygiene disposal at the camp toilet. As you will get wet a lot on the river, using pads is not the best option.
Weather
Weather can vary greatly during your trip. Humidity is usually very low, making the high temperatures less uncomfortable. River water temperatures typically range from 50-70°F depending on the time of year. Check the current river temperature here. Keep in mind that extreme weather (heat, cold, wind, rain, hail, flash flooding, etc.) can occur at any time with little to no advanced warning. Follow the packing list to be better prepared for a variety of conditions.
•April and May tend to be sunny with possible late-winter storms. Be prepared for cooler weather!
•June through mid-July is typically quite hot and sunny.
•Mid-July through mid-September is hot and mostly sunny with a strong chance of afternoon thunderstorms.
•Mid-September through October is usually warm and sunny with a chance of an early-winter storm. Be prepared for cooler weather!
How to check: Take a look at our weather blog for links to weather forecasts near the ranch and in the canyon and tips on how to pack accordingly.
Medical and Dietary Considerations
Due to the remote nature of the trip, it is important to understand that access to professional medical care can take several hours or even overnight. If you or someone in your group has any physical, medical or mental conditions, dietary restrictions or allergies, please list this information on your registration form and notify our office as soon as possible. We strongly encourage you to talk to a doctor and take any necessary precautions. Although we can often make modifications for customers who have food allergies, we want you to understand that we cannot guarantee 100% safeguard from exposure to your allergen. Be sure to bring your required medications, including EpiPens, on the trip.
Multi-day river trips are active, outdoor adventures and can be challenging. Extreme weather, cold river water, and other factors add to the intensity. Please see your acknowledgement of risk form for additional potential risk factors. If you have essential prescription medication, it is advisable to split your medication into two waterproof containers ahead of time so you can keep half and give half to the trip leader for backup storage. Be sure to clearly label all containers. If you have any questions regarding your ability to participate in this trip, please consult your doctor and call our office so that we may help answer your questions.
Emergency Information
One of the benefits of a river trip in Grand Canyon is the rare opportunity to be disconnected. There is no cell service or WiFi. We do carry satellite communication devices, but they are only used for outbound messages in the event of an emergency on the river. These devices remain turned off and are not used for incoming messages/calls. In the unlikely event that we could get a message to our guests, there are almost no options to leave the trip and exit the canyon, even if there is an emergency at home. We think it is important to discuss with your family ahead of time whether you would want to receive news of an emergency or death while on the river, as there will likely be nothing you can do until the end of your trip. Feel free to share our office number with your family so that they can reach us while you’re away.
Risk
Our experience through the years has shown that river rafting trips are fun vacations. You should recognize, however, that there is an element of risk in any adventure or activity associated with whitewater rafting and the outdoors. Check with your local agent concerning your insurance needs. The Visitor’s Acknowledgement of Risk form must be understood and signed by each passenger 18 years and older. Minors must have a parent/legal guardian sign for them. Each spouse must sign individually; one cannot sign for the other.
Travel Protection
ARR highly recommends purchasing travel insurance after making the initial deposit for your river trip. No one ever plans to cancel their Grand Canyon river trip. But, believe us, unpredictable situations arise like family illness/injury, flight delays, etc. Look for additional benefits like trip interruption, emergency medical expenses, trip delay, baggage delay, etc. Make sure your coverage includes all your travel dates, and not just your rafting trip dates. We suggest Travelex Insurance Services for U.S. residents. For our international guests, look for similar coverage with a company like World Nomads. It is your responsibility to choose the policy that works for you. If you purchase a Travelex plan, be sure to add the Adventure Activities upgrade. For more information, contact Travelex Insurance Services 800.228.9792 Use Reference Code 03-0131.
Rafting Trip Policies
It’s important for everyone in your party to understand our trip policies – including our Cancellation Policy.