Smooth-water float tours at the Grand Canyon are fun, one-day affairs and they’re perfect for families. Active seniors and kids 4 and up can participate because the route doesn’t include any whitewater rapids. And besides being tremendously fun, Grand Canyon rafting is very educational. Plus, it’s a great way to have a unique canyon experience – from the bottom up!

A Few Quick Facts

Because there aren’t any rapids, float tours are a serene, leisurely way to see the true majesty of this Natural Wonder of the World. You’ll be transported to the base of Glen Canyon Dam by bus (the standard tour) or plane (the deluxe version). The dam is over 700 feet high and more than twice that wide. It’s an impressive place to start the river segment of your tour.

The river portion of South Rim Grand Canyon rafting tours is a little over 15 miles long. Along the way you’ll see the beautiful sandstone walls of the canyon and plenty of interesting rock formations. You’ll also probably spot some interesting wildlife. The canyon is the home of hundreds of species of plants and animals, including reptiles, mammals, birds and fish. California condors (an endangered species) live here, so you might get some very special photo opportunities!

Speaking of the canyon’s sandstone walls, the rock is reddish in color and fairly hard. Photos of the canyon are always amazing, but it’s even more impressive when you see the colorful layers of the walls in person.

About halfway through the float tour, a sandy beach is used as a pullout spot. You can rest for a while on this quiet beach, explore the nearby area or cool off with a quick dip in the Colorado River (and, if you’re traveling with kids, swimming can help burn off some of their excess energy so they’re able to absorb everything they’ll see and hear later). Your river guide will take you on a short walk to see some ancient Native American rock drawings.

This peaceful beach is also where you’ll enjoy the lunch that comes with your tour. It’s the perfect time and place to ask questions, chat with the other folks on your tour, and rest up and get ready for the second half.

Your river voyage ends at historic Lee’s Ferry. After disembarking from your pontoon raft, you’ll board a luxury motor coach for a drive past the Navajo Indian Reservation and the spectacular Painted Desert. This remarkable place has a very appropriate name – you’ll see rocks in almost every color imaginable (the colors are caused by different minerals). It’s also where you’ll find the Petrified Forest National Park.

Summing Up

Smooth-water Grand Canyon rafting tours are serene and relaxing. The water is calm and tranquil, and the slower pace lets you see the canyon in a way you just can’t if you’re speeding by during a whitewater rafting trip. South Rim float tours give you a great opportunity to truly see the canyon and everything living there up close and personal. They’re fun and educational for the entire family.

Travel editor Keith Kravitz is an expert on Grand Canyon smooth-water rafting trips. He goes here to get the cheapest rates on the best float trips: http://www.grandcanyon123.com/one-day-grand-canyon-rafting-tours.html

Travel editor Keith Kravitz is an expert on Grand Canyon float tours. He goes here to get the cheapest rates on the best rafting trips: http://www.grandcanyon123.com/one-day-grand-canyon-rafting-tours.html

Author Bio: Travel editor Keith Kravitz is an expert on Grand Canyon smooth-water rafting trips. He goes here to get the cheapest rates on the best float trips: http://www.grandcanyon123.com/one-day-grand-canyon-rafting-tours.html

Category: Travel
Keywords: grand canyon rafting, grand canyon tours, national parks, float tours, south rim, tusayan