Arizona\’s Grand Canyon has long been one of the world\’s most popular tourist destinations. Each year, millions of people gaze in awe at this immense creation of nature. There are plenty of recreational activities in the region as well, such as smooth-water rafting.

A one-day South Rim Grand Canyon float tour begins at Grand Canyon National Park Airport, located in Tusayan, Arizona. This tiny town is just a few minutes from the National Park\’s main gates. If your accommodations are inside the park (Maswick Lodge, the Thunderbird or El Tovar, for example), you\’ll have about a ten-minute drive to the airport.

There are a couple of different kinds of smooth-water float tours. One type (the most affordable) includes a motor coach ride to Page, Arizona. Page is where the smooth-water floats take off. On the road to Page, your motor coach will go through a two mile tunnel as you approach Glen Canyon Dam. The dam towers more than seventy stories above the river and at its base is the docking space for the pontoon boats.

You\’ll fly to Page if you take the other type of float tour. Once you land, a 4×4 Jeep will take you on a fascinating off-road drive to Antelope Canyon. This unique spot\’s world-renowned slot canyons are actually sandstone mazes carved by running water, and they reflect the sunlight beautifully. You can explore the maze; some of the passages are so narrow, you have to squeeze through them sideways. After the stop at Antelope Canyon, the Jeep will take you to the base of Glen Canyon Dam so you can begin your journey down river.

Whether you fly or take a motor coach from the South Rim to Page, it\’s important to realize that your trip will be full of sightseeing opportunities. Some points of interest you will pass on your way to the eastern edge of the park include the Desert Watchtower, the Zuni Corridor, the Navajo Indian Reservation, the amazing Painted Desert, and the Colorado Confluence where the Colorado River meets up with the Little Colorado.

Grand Canyon float tours are strictly smooth-water experiences because there aren\’t any whitewater rapids on this part of the river. For whitewater rafting, you\’ll need to find a company that operates multi-day rafting tours that begin beyond Lee\’s Ferry (the point where smooth-water rafting tours end). The float tours take you gently through some of the best scenery the Colorado River has to offer. You\’ll see Horseshoe Bend and have plenty of chances to take a dip, so wear your swimsuit under your regular clothes.

It is a good idea to be prepared when you plan to spend the day on the river. Since the elevation of the South Rim is about six thousand feet, the summers are quite comfortable. But, the bottom of the canyon (where float tours take place) is almost 4,000 feet lower, so temperatures could be up to 25 degrees hotter. You will need drinking water, and protection from the sun by wearing a hat, sunglasses, lip balm, and sunblock. Wear a long-sleeved shirt.

These single-day smooth-water tours of the Grand Canyon take place in the months of March through October. The trips sell out often because they are so popular, so it is best to book early, especially if you will be traveling with a group of people. There is little risk in doing so since most operators have a friendly cancellation policy that gives you a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before your tour is set to take off.

Float tours are the most popular day trips to the Grand Canyon. You will appreciate being able to view the splendor of the Grand Canyon from the perspective of the river as it cuts its way through the ancient rocks towering above you. The Colorado is gentle through this section, so seniors and children who are at least four years old can join in the fun. A rafting tour of the Grand Canyon is an experience you will remember forever, so make plans to visit the area and see first hand what everyone raves about.

The author is an expert on Grand Canyon rafting tours. If you are looking for the best 1-day float adventures, she recommends visiting this page immediately: http://www.grandcanyonwaterrafting.com/1-day-grand-canyon-rafting

The author is an expert on Grand Canyon tours and recommends readers visit this site for the lowest prices ever on the South Rim\’s best rafting day trips: http://www.grandcanyonwaterrafting.com/1-day-grand-canyon-rafting

Author Bio: The author is an expert on Grand Canyon rafting tours. If you are looking for the best 1-day float adventures, she recommends visiting this page immediately: http://www.grandcanyonwaterrafting.com/1-day-grand-canyon-rafting

Category: Travel
Keywords: grand canyon rafting, 1-day rafting, float trips, south rim, national parks, reviews, ratings, deals