What would really put the icing on the cake for Father’s Day? How ’bout you and Dad taking a Grand Canyon smooth-water float tour down the Colorado River? Sounds great to me!

There’s no whitewater involved, so people of any age (well, kids 4 and up) can celebrate Dad’s special day by participating in this terrific adventure.

Grand Canyon float tours are available at the West and South Rims of the canyon. West Rim trips are perfect for travelers based in Las Vegas because the Rim is only 120 miles away. South Rim tours are the way to go if you’ll be staying in Grand Canyon Village, Williams or Flagstaff, AZ.

From Las Vegas

Because it starts with a chopper flight to the canyon bottom (something that’s only possible at the West Rim), this float tour is extra-special. Then you’ll take a motor coach to the base of Hoover Dam, which is a marvel of modern engineering. The river segment of your trip begins when you board your motorized pontoon boat for an 11-mile float down one of the Colorado’s smoothest, clearest sections.

Along the way, you’ll pass through dramatic Black Canyon. Local wildlife will be all around you, and a lot of folks on float tours are lucky enough to spot bighorn sheep clinging to the canyon’s cliffs. Willow Beach is the end of the line, but it’s a nice spot for you and Dad to take a dip.

From the South Rim

Most folks think the South Rim is the “real” Grand Canyon, and I think one of these float tours would be a terrific choice for Father’s Day. The standard trip begins with a motor coach ride to Page, Arizona, where Glen Canyon Dam is located. At the base of the dam, you’ll board your pontoon boat for a scenic 15-mile cruise to historic Lee’s Ferry.

The upgraded float tour begins with a plane flight to Page, where you’ll hop into a 4×4 for a drive through Antelope Canyon’s unique “slot canyons.” Once that’s over, you’ll board your boat for the cruise down the river.

The trip will knock Dad’s socks off, especially when you get to beautiful Horseshoe Bend and its red sandstone butte and turquoise waters. And just wait until you see the wildlife – deer, California condors, bighorn sheep and wild burros.

Everything is Included!

Grand Canyon rafting tours are all-inclusive, meaning they include the equipment, the services of an expert river guide, and your Park entry fees and taxes. Lunch is included, too. Personally, I’d bring plenty of sunscreen and lip balm, and I’d wear a long-sleeved cotton shirt, river sandals, sunglasses, and a hat with a brim. I’d bring a change of clothes and a swimsuit too – you’ll probably want to go for a swim after being in the sun for a while.

Summing Up

Father’s Day is coming up fast (June 16th). All the Grand Canyon rafting trips are running on their regular schedules even on Dad’s special day. I strongly recommend booking now – holiday and summer tours sell out fast. To be on the safe side, I wouldn’t wait to book much past a week ahead.

Speaking of booking, the lowest rates are posted online. If you complete your purchase on the tour company’s website, you’ll get a great Internet discount!

Travel journalist L. Plunket is an expert on Grand Canyon tours and recommends going here to get the lowest prices on the best rafting tour: http://www.grandcanyondaytrips.com/rafting-tours

Travel editor Luke Plunket is an expert on Grand Canyon tours and recommends going here to get the lowest prices on the best rafting tour: http://www.grandcanyondaytrips.com/rafting-tours

Author Bio: Travel journalist L. Plunket is an expert on Grand Canyon tours and recommends going here to get the lowest prices on the best rafting tour: <a href=\"http://www.grandcanyondaytrips.com/rafting-tours
\”>http://www.grandcanyondaytrips.com/rafting-tours

Category: Travel
Keywords: grand canyon, rafting, float tours, fathers day, las vegas, phoenix, arizona, national parks,