Rafting the Grand Canyon’s Colorado River is a bucket-list adventure for most outdoor and travel enthusiasts. Colorado paddlers must reach Diamond Creek in 16 days from Lees Ferry, and trying to figure out what to see and do in those 224 miles can be tough.
Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of your trip of a lifetime.
Drink four big bottles’ worth of water a day
The Grand Canyon rests in the heart of the Arizona desert, and the dryness sucks moisture from your body fast.
RELATED: The basics of water purification while off the grid
Drink twice as much as the generally recommended 64 ounces a day for a good desert minimum. During long paddling or hiking days, drink five or more 32-ounce bottles’ worth of water. Add a little salt with the water to help it “stick” to you.
Bring salve for hands, feet and elbows
Not to be confused with simple lotion, salve heals cracked skin and prevents blistering, which is almost guaranteed in the Grand Canyon if you don’t have salve on hand (no pun intended).
Take the first day slow
The Grand Canyon’s climate is drier and hotter than most people will ever have experienced. Chances are, you’ll also have been running around nonstop the previous two days preparing for your trip’s river launch, which means you’re already starting with a low energy tank.
Take the first day or two easy, nurse any headaches and keep the fluids up to bounce back quickly.
Go with someone experienced and knowledgeable
Join a guided trip or go with people who have rafted the Grand Canyon a few times. These people know the best camps and the coolest hikes. They can explain the geology and talk about the anthropological history.
RELATED: 5 of the most amazing multi-day river trips
They also share the funniest stories of past mishaps and adventures.
Hike the Nankoweap, Matkatamiba Canyon and Deer Creek trails
These are the premier hikes of the trip. Take pit stops to experience these and as many of the Canyon’s other trails as you can.
Try your hand at rowing
People just come alive when they help push the rafts down the Colorado. You develop a deep connection with the river itself and its history, as well as a sense of pride in contributing to the team.
Depending on you and your team’s comfort level, you may even row through a rapid or two.
Get iced lemonade and send a postcard at Phantom Ranch
Write a quick note to loved ones on postcards. A big stamp on the front labels them as “Mailed by Mule from the Bottom of the Grand Canyon,” which they’ll likely get a kick out of.
The cold, ice-filled lemonade is just glorious. You might also find other surprise pleasures of home at Phantom Ranch.
Have a beer bag to drag in the river behind the raft
This is one of the simple pleasures of the trip. The water hovers around 42 degrees Fahrenheit, keeping water, beer and any other drinks nice and cold.
Sleep under the stars
Gaze at the Milky Way’s white stripe and count how many shooting stars cut the night sky. Watch as the canyon rim’s black silhouette shapes with the rising desert moon.
RELATED: 12 excellent tips for sleeping under the stars
The Grand Canyon’s nighttime show complements the hustle and bustle of its daytime scenery.
Leave no trace
Keep up with all your trash and stay on all the trails. The Grand Canyon is a delicate desert ecosystem that receives little rain to break down or wash away any transgressions you make against it.
Leaving as little impact as possible on the river and surrounding landscape preserves this treasure for others — including those loved ones you take down on your next visit — to enjoy. Please leave it better than you found it.
The article was originally published on Canoe & Kayak
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
