Grand Canyon Rafting Trip Reviews

My friends and I originally wanted to do a paddling trip but we organised it too late and we had to resort to a motorised rafting trip. But I have no regrets whatsoever! Coming from France (I didn’t really really know what to expect) I met very nice and fun people of every age which made the trip really worthwhile. But most of all, the CRATE crew were really fantastic and made it a brilliant thanks to their organisation, cooking abilities, interesting comments, knowledge and a very friendly attitude. I actually got a lot more than I expected.

This trip is one of the best things my son and I have ever done. The Canyon itself is the star of the show (of course) but the CRATE raft guides provided the perfect combo of adventure (hikes and exploring) and comfort (good food and just the right blend of daring and safety on the raft.) Top notch.

My husband kept waiting for our youngest to turn 12 so we could take them all camping and rafting down the Colorado River and see the birdseye view of the Grand Canyon. CRATE made the trip perfect! I have 7 children 12-18, and we brought them all along with Grandpa Fred, 86. I am not a big fan of camping and the great outdoors, but Vicki at CRATE, as well as our guides, Walker and Lucas, made the whole trip wonderful – even for the non-outdoorsy type. Even my city-girl of 17 who hates bugs enjoyed herself. You can’t help but get caught up in the gorgeous scenery of the Canyon, the fun of hiking and refreshing and bracing water, and sleeping under the stars at night. It was very special to be unplugged with your whole family and relying on charades, 20 Questions, and conversation(!) for entertainment. The food was superb, and the day trips were designed with each of the kids and Grandpa Fred in mind. If you want a wonderful, bonding, family fun experience – pick the Grand Canyon and pick CRATE (we spoke to other campers at Phantom Ranch and not one had as great an experience as ours).
Then do yourself a favor, spend the night at Phantom Ranch, get up at the crack of dawn, and hike out on the Bright Angel Trail. What a feeling of accomplishment counting up the different geological formations as you climb out – my kids will never forget the names now! And even 86 year old Grandpa Fred made it out!

2 weeks ago I had one of the most amazing vacations of my life, a rafting trip through the Grand Canyon with CRATE. The hike down to the boat was quite a struggle (especially for a non-hiker), but it was more than worth it. Our 5 day, 4 night trip was filled with delicious meals, amazing scenery, and endless fun. Our guides (Walker and Lukas) were extremely knowledgeable and worked very hard to make sure everyone was as comfortable and happy as possible. I would 100% recommend this trip to anyone interested in a Grand Canyon adventure.
The one thing I would do differently-send our backpacks down with the mules. It was really difficult to do that 10 mile hike in the heat with everything we needed for the week on our backs. Most of our group was sore for the next few days.

OMG, this really is one of those trips that exceeds all expectations and you leave with your head spinning, realizing what an adventure you were just on and then trying to fiqure out how to explain it. The hike down to the river from the rim was great. Tip: Have mules take the heavy stuff down, so you can enjoy the walk. Walker and Lucas where our raft guides. They were excellent in all regards. We hit the big waves with vigor, but safely. We hiked the incredible side canyons, with clear huge waterfalls and swimming. We ate like pigs. Salmon one day steak the next day. Walker even baked a cake and frosted it. We slept on the beautiful beaches at night and star watching was, “most excellent”. I do not know about other companies that do this, I am sure they are probably very good, but if you go with CRATE, I can’t see how you could do better. And there raft is very well designed which makes a difference on seating. We were able to move around and change postions during the day. Great stuff!

I had visited the Grand Canyon previous to this trip, but only for a quick visit around the various viewing points on the south rim. I knew that I had to come back for a proper and in-depth visit and began exploring various options offered by different rafting companies.
It was our good fortune to have decided to book such a trip with CRATE. From our first contact with them, we were impressed by their various trip offerings, their experience and knowledge of the Grand Canyon itself and the general friendly manner in which they approached our questions and concerns. All of this translated straight down through our actual trip – we had the best of guides, the best of food, the best of the sights!
As for the Grand Canyon itself…what can you say? One of the best spots on this beautiful planet to visit up close and in person!

If rafting the Grand Canyon is on your list, CRATE is the way to go! Our 9-day, 8-night trip on motorized rafts through the entire canyon can only be described in positive superlatives: fabulous guides, excellent planning, great meals, hugely informative & entertaining. Exciting rapids, and equally exhilerating sunrises. In the run-up to the trip, the CRATE folks provide great information & friendly answers to any questions over the phone. On the trip, the CRATE crew (Walker, Steve, Alex, Alexis) generously shared this canyon they know so well with all comers, customizing the trip, the hikes, the food to the needs of their passengers: couples of all ages, families, folks with allergies, rookie campers, and hardy travelers alike. We wound up with close to 1,000 photos because every time you turn your head, there’s something you’ve never seen before.

We embarked on our adventure with anticipation and hopes of a good time.
Never could we have expected what was in store for us.
Walker was professional, knowledgeable and efficient. He shared his
experiences with a passion and took care of us all with a responsibility
that afforded us security and confidence. He educated us, inspired us, told
us stories and kept us laughing. His skills were remarkable. The way that
Walker handled the raft, his crew and the guests can not be duplicated. It
is an innate part of who he is. He has a respect for the river and knows it
intimately. Walker’s leadership and mentoring skills were extraordinary.
Alex pitched in, worked hard and was ever attentive to our needs. He was
always alert and ready to help someone. Whether it be on a hike, setting up
camp, or even jumping in the water to assist a guest getting to shore
safely. He was mature, respectful and professional. It was an immense
pleasure to be in his company. Alex was never without a smile, a word of
encouragement or a discreet helping hand. He was appropriate, positive and
always with the ever important situational awareness.
Walker and Alex were bombarded at all waking moments by 3 little boys. Jack,
Max, and Ben would not leave their sides. At times, the boys were relentless
with questions. Sometimes they told an incessant amount of ridiculous
jokes. They screamed, giggled and laughed their way down the Colorado. They
played pranks, ran amuck and pushed the limits. The boys insisted on hiking
only with Alex and Walker….they wanted to eat their meals with Alex and
Walker, they would only sit on the boat next to Alex and Walker and much to
our chagrin….eventually, they would only listen to Alex and Walker!
I have never seen our children give such adoration to new friends and was
amazed at the patience and true kindness that Alex and Walker showed them.
There were many times when I am sure the little wild canyon boys were in the
way, causing a distraction or demanding too much attention. Alex and Walker
never made this apparent nor did they ever seek refuge from Jack, Max or
Ben. To the contrary, they told the boys tales of the river, had contests to
keep them busy, played frisbee and engaged them in hysterical conversation.
The way the boys were treated was incredible. It warmed our hearts and gave
our family a memory that we will never forget.
We are grateful for our time with you.
Jonathan, Cheryl Lynne, Jack, Max and Ben Simpson
Post Script:
Our son Jack was given a gluten free option at every meal, was never made to
feel like an imposition because of his dietary restriction and had plenty of
options available to him at snack time. The potential for disaster was great
yet the process was seamless.
We look forward to sharing our experience with our friends and family and
will go out of our way to post positive reviews on travel web sites as well
as social networks. As an active volunteer for the National Foundation For
Celiac Awareness, I will promote and recommend CRATE as a safe and reliable
vacation for individuals and families that are in need of a gluten free
adventure.

Took the 8-day float down the Grand Canyon on the motorized rafts. The crew took very good care of us the entire time. Meals were very exceptional and plentiful plus lots of snacks and drinks on the river. Running the rapids was loads of fun. We always felt very safe and secure in the hands of Walker, Dewey, Greg, Erin and Ryan.
Side hikes were great adventures. Some were challenging but I expected that from the Grand Canyon – very exhilarating.
Camping on the side of the river was a real treat. Everyone helped with the unloading and about the time we all had our cots setup and had a chance to wash up a bit, appetizers, yes appetizers, were ready. Followed by things like salmon and steak. Talk about good eating. These folks really know how to cook.
The crew was quick to stop the boats and take time to observe any wildlife that was spotted from the river – and there was a wide variety. Everyone on our trip held a deep regard for the river and the canyon. It was amazing.
Anything to make the trip more enjoyable was the crew’s goal. I can’t imagine a company that I’d rather go with. If you’re thinking of doing the Grand Canyon, go with CRATE.
In early June, I did not need any fleece. I only needed about 2 t-shirts and 2 pairs of shorts. I would have liked to have a very light pair of long pants to wear on the boat to protect my legs from the intense afternoon sun. A couple of people brought heavy duty moisturizer cream, which we all used by the middle of the trip. Don’t overpack. You don’t need very many clothes. Breathable raingear is useful if you want to sit on the front of the boat and can’t take 48 degree water splashing on you while you’re in the shade.
Many of our folks brought plenty of beer for their own use. They have mesh bags that they put it in to get it cold. It seemed to work pretty good. The company provides soft drinks at no cost which also gets put in the mesh bags to keep cold. Also, I don’t know how they did it but they had slivers of ice floating in the milk on day 8 of our trip. Somehow they kept the food VERY cold all that time.
Bring about 3 memory cards for your camera. Every day, change out your card and store it in your ammo can for safekeeping. Start reusing your cards after 3 days. That way, if you happen to lose your camera, you’ll have some of your pictures safe. Also, be sure to bring plenty of battery power. These last comments are based on some unhappy experiences of a few of our folks.

We’ve just returned from the most amazing 8 days of our lives with CRATE rafting down the Colorado River. We couldn’t have imagined the beauty, the fun, the fantastic food!!, the great fellow travelers and most of all, the experienced, fun and wonderful leaders and boatmen of our trip. John, Mikenna, Zach, JD and Lucas introduced us to a world apart with incredible skill and expertise, calm and reassuring attitudes and so much fun!! Our family of four had the trip of a lifetime and we can’t recommend this trip enough. If you go…and you should….go with CRATE!!!!

This trip exceeded all expectations that I had going into the trip. The Grand Canyon is an amazing place. Truly a great wonder of the world.
The Guides at CRATE were awesome!!! They went above and beyond to ensure all 22 people in our group had a great time. They worked from sun up to sun down making sure all our needs were met. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day was extremely good. I was amazed that we ate so well in the middle of the Grand Canyon. The Guides were very knowledgeable about the Canyon’s history and took us on some amazing hikes to explore many of the Canyon’s wonders.
I can not say enough good things about CRATE. I would not hesitate to use them again. There equipment was very clean and comfortable. They truly go the extra mile to make sure everyone has the time of their life!!!

Having seen the canyon from the top I thought I knew what I’d be seeing on the raft trip, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Seeing the Grand Canyon from the river was a wonderful experience that I hope to encourage my friends and family to repeat with me.
We went on a 9 day, 277 mile, motorized raft trip from Lees Ferry to Pearce Ferry with Colorado River & Trail Expeditions (CRATE). We found that the trip met and exceeded our expectations. The scenery and geology are amazing. The guides were friendly, knowledgeable and encouraging. The people we travelled with were all considerate and interested in enjoying and preserving the canyon. The equipment provided was fine and the food was very good. The trip I went on was a May/June trip and the weather ranged from the 80’s to the 100’s with a day or two of wind.
Setting up the trip was easy and no matter how many times I called with questions (a lot!) they were always cheerful and helpful.
The trip was run by guides who were knowledgeable about the history, geology and wildlife of the canyon. We found their skill on the river admirable, finding the rapids exhilarating but never feeling we were in unsafe conditions. I would recommend getting the mile by mile river guide as a supplement and great place to write notes. The thing I liked best about our guides was their ability to make the trip inclusive for everyone from the high school student to the senior citizen. We had people of all ages and physical abilities and everyone had a great trip, the guides encouraged people to try the different hikes and were there to assist you and help you achieve your goals. Some people skipped the long hikes or were unable to access a few locations and the guides made sure they were comfortable during this down time. They truly made the trip possible for everyone.
The food was nicely done. Dinners included foods such as steak, salmon, salads and pastas. We had several vegetarians on the trip and they did okay although one of them said she would bring some additional food if she were to do it again. Breakfast varied but there was always a fruit and a main dish, and often a meat such as bacon or sausage. Lunches went from sandwiches to pasta salad and burritos, and there was always a PB&J option. In addition to the regular meals there were snacks throughout the day and depending on how early we made camp an appetizer before dinner.
CRATE provides 2-3 soda pops or juices per person a day and you can bring any supplemental beverages, alcoholic or non, that you want (no glass containers). You put them in communal mesh bags that are dragged in the river to chill. I would suggest having a Sharpie to mark your beverages and water bottle.
The company provides cots and a sleeping bag. We really liked the cots and found the sleeping bag to be adequate. Many of the campsites would have been uncomfortable without the cots as they were either somewhat rocky or uneven, the cots ability to be leveled is a wonderful benefit. They suggest bringing a sheet and pillow in their literature and I agree. Some nights were quite warm and the sheet was all that was needed. Our first night was actually quite cool and I found myself glad I’d slipped a fleece beanie in my duffle. I brought a pillowcase and used clothing to make the pillow. I also brought several leaf bags to use as liners and pack my clothes in inside the provided dry bags and was glad I had as there can be the occasional leak.
One of our reasons for choosing Colorado River & Trail Expeditions was because of the raft configuration, and how the bags were laid out. We liked that there was a large area on the front of the raft were you sat facing forward (some companies have you facing sideways) and really experienced the canyon seeing both sides of the raft and in front. The only thing we didn’t like was that the bags are black and get hot to sit on, the guides sprayed them with water to cool them, they would be better off with a grey bags so that they stayed cooler. The layout really was the best and made for great photo taking.
I found the clothing recommendations in the companies guide book to be very accurate. I brought way too much clothing. Most people on the trip wore the same clothes over and over during the day. A pair of lightweight long pants (zip off legs are good) or capris made out of a quick dry nylon type of material are great for sun protection and quick drying as well as a long sleeved shirt also for sun protection. You will also need breathable raingear. In the morning the cold water from the rapids hits you and if you are in the shadow of the cliffs it is chilly, the same can be true in the afternoon, especially if a wind comes up. You definitely want comfortable footwear that can get wet.
Do bring a heavy moisturizer, chap stick with SPF and sunscreen. Remember that EVERYTHING gets packed out and bring extra Ziploc bags. This trip is not for the modest, boys potty in the river down stream and the girls up stream. I found having a sarong to be a beneficial thing when changing clothes or for trips to the river. They do set up a nice porta-potty in the morning and at night (and by request at other times).
One of the biggest challenges for many of the travelers on our boat was having adequate batteries and memory cards for cameras. You will need a lot of power and there is no way to charge your batteries so bring lots. I needed two with my canon D7 and a friend’s Nikon Coolpix 100 went through three+. I recommend turning off the GPS function to conserve battery use. Several people on the trip ran out half way through. People on our trip ended up taking from 900 to 2000+ photos per person.
We did stay at the hotel the company had a discount price with and although it was very convenient for the morning we left I would recommend to stay at another hotel for any additional time. Our room although shabby was clean and the food adequate. We found the staff to be less than helpful and the transportation to and from the airport and strip (to eat meals) is very limited. We would choose to stay elsewhere the next time.
We found the end of May/beginning of June time frame to be ideal, hot enough to counter balance the cold water but not sweltering. We would also like to try early May and see some of the wildflowers in bloom and we’d like to go in August where they get the afternoon rainstorms so we could see the rim falls in action.
We chose a motorized trip over a trip where we paddled or a smaller paddle raft or dory because we wanted to be able to spend our time looking and hiking. We felt we might be too pooped to enjoy the hikes. The 8/9 day trip was just the right length for us. Do be aware that you may not see some of the parts of the canyon. Each of the companies appear to stop at as many sites as possible but sometimes another company is at a location and it isn’t suitable for large groups, such as elves Chasm. We found that our guides did an excellent job of hitting as many of the stops as possible and appeared to have great relationships with other companies talking about where each was staying so as to arrange a comfortable stopping site each day.
I would highly recommend Colorado River & Trail Expeditions if you are going to take a raft trip through the Grand Canyon. Their guides are excellent, the rafts well configured, and the food and sleeping conditions are well done. After seeing and listening to the other companies I wouldn’t choose anyone but Colorado River & Trail Expeditions.

This was a once in a lifetime experience. The beauty and grandeur of the canyon were amplified by the knowledge and hard work of our guides. I can’t thank Crate more for giving our group a challenging, rewarding and relaxing adventure. This is a trip that will bond you with people and nature. This is not just a rafting trip but an experience that will change you. Once again thank you to Crate for providing an amazing trip and unbelievable meals!!!!

I’ve taken multiple trips down the river with other companies. I must say this last trip with CRATE was the best by far!! These guys have it figured out! The boat layout is the most comfortable I’ve been on and allows for easy socialization with others on the raft. The food was great! The guides!! I can’t say enough about the guides! Friendly, knowledgeable, they listened to our interests and tailored the trip around them! Lasting memories and friendships were made on this trip for sure! Looking forward to taking my two young daughters down the river soon! No doubt it will be with Colorado River and Trail Expeditions! Thanks again for the great service!

Completely amazing trip! The week i was supposed to leave with everyone else to go to the south rim, my plans changed and i wasnt able to make it for the start of the trip. Vikki, the owner of CRATE, was very accommodating and within a few hours had a new itinerary for me. I ended up hiking down the Kiabab trail and meeting the rest of the group at Phantom Ranch. Walker, Dewy, Bonnie and Adam were amazing guides; very knowledgeable, friendly, and made the trip exciting and relaxing at the same time. The food was amazing, the stops and hikes were incredible. Thanks again to the crew for always letting us run back to swim under a waterfall or jump off of a cliff into the river “Just one more time” as we always wanted to. Cant wait to come back for another trip!

If you’re looking for a safe, comfortable trip down the GC, you could not do better than go with CRATE. The guides are very knowledgeable about the geology, history and wildlife in the Canyon and serve up unbelievably good meals. There are lots of chances to get out of the raft for pit stops and to hike side canyons.

This was a trip of a life time. Walker and his crew were wonderful. They provided knowledgeable information of the geology and history of the area. The food was delicious. They all helped me on the side canyons so I had could have the full experience of this magnificent area. They were fun.They made the most splash in the rapids which was thrilling. The entire group was stealer. I highly recommend CRATE. Elaine Gromofsky/Petaluma, CA

I was anxious about spending the money this trip cost but it was worth twice the amount. The views were breathtaking as was the white water. CRATE runs a first class outfit. Plenty of side trips, down time and activity to balance every day perfectly. The meals were outstanding and very unexpected. Dewey even made a birthday cake for one of the guests complete with candles! If you get the chance to sign up for a trip don’t hesitate. Gather some friends and have the time of your life!

What a great time. I have been rafting with other river companies but no one comes close to the experience and customer service offered by CRATE. My dietary concerns (vegetarian) were not a problem, food was great at every meal. I had the opportunity to hike as much as I wanted, or conversely just laze around the campsite. Guides are knowledgeable and personable, they really care. I consider these people my good friends.