Grand Canyon rafting from Peach Springs
The trip on offer is the Grand Escape, a one-day motorized whitewater run on the Colorado River. It starts at the rafting counter in a lodge in Peach Springs, about 2 hours by road from the Skywalk. Nothing starts at the viewpoints, so treat the raft day as its own trip and not as an add-on to a West Rim visit.
The price covers lunch, cultural commentary, a hike to Travertine Falls and a helicopter ride out of the canyon. Life jackets and waterproof dry bags are provided. The minimum age is 8 years.
Our picks: Colorado River raft trips
These three put you in a raft on the Colorado River from the Las Vegas side, in Black Canyon below Hoover Dam. The 90 minute ride is the short taste, the three-hour float adds lunch and the park entrance fee, and the helicopter day also flies you to the West Rim.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator and GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Helicopter flight and Black Canyon raft trip
- Helicopter flight with Hoover Dam views
- Guided raft trip
- Lunch box and champagne
A West Rim flight and a guided raft trip on the Colorado River in Black Canyon below Hoover Dam, combined into one day from Las Vegas.
Check availability →Black Canyon raft float with lunch
- Float on the Colorado River
- Hoover Dam views
- Lunch and park entrance fee
A three-hour motorized raft float on the Colorado River with live commentary by a local guide. Hotel pickup is an option you pick when booking.
Check availability →
Hoover Dam raft tour, 90 minutes
- Guided raft tour
- Hoover Dam views
- Life jacket and snacks
A guided raft ride on the Colorado River in Black Canyon that leaves at 11:00 sharp, a compact river outing in about 90 minutes.
Check availability →Grand Canyon rafting and river trips
Raft trips and river combinations near the West Rim, with live prices and availability.
The rafting day, step by step
Times for 2026 can change.
7:00 a.m. check-in
Meet at the rafting counter in the lobby of the lodge at 900 Highway 66 in Peach Springs. The meeting point is not the Grand Canyon West airport, so do not enter that in your navigation.
8:00 a.m. departure
A transfer takes you down a 21-mile unpaved road to Diamond Creek, where the boats start. Do not confuse this road with Diamond Bar Road, the paved access to the Skywalk.
On the river
The boats are motorized and the trip runs through whitewater. Lunch and cultural commentary are included. The hike at Travertine Falls is optional and uses ropes and ladders. The ground can be slippery.
Helicopter out, bus back
You leave the canyon by helicopter to the West Rim and ride a bus back to Peach Springs. The return to the lodge is around 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Season and weekdays
The general season runs April to October. The Grand Escape itself runs Monday to Thursday, April to September. Confirm any October date or weekend departure on the booking page before you plan around it.
Raft trip or helicopter landing
Two ways to reach the river, compared.
| Option | Starts at | Time | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Escape raft trip | Peach Springs | Full day, back around 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. | $589 |
| Helicopter Pontoon Package | Grand Canyon West | About 45 minutes for the tour | $418 |
For most visitors with one day at the canyon, the helicopter and boat package is the easier fit, because it starts at the rim and includes park admission. Choose the raft trip if you want to spend the day on whitewater and are happy to base yourself in Peach Springs. The helicopter tour page has the details.
What to know before you go
Practical points for the raft day.
Roads after rain
Poor road conditions after rain can lead to cancelled trips. Ask how the operator handles a washed-out road, and keep your plans flexible around the date.
A bonus pass
For a limited time an extra All-Access Pass for Grand Canyon West comes with the raft trip. Check the booking page for the current terms and the date by which you must use it. See the ticket guide for how that pass works.
Where to sleep
An early check-in suits a night in Peach Springs. The lodge sits on Route 66, and the cabins page compares other places to stay. For the road along the way, see the Route 66 guide.
Multi-day trips
The one-day Grand Escape is the trip this page covers. If you want a longer river trip, ask the operator for current dates and prices before you plan around one.
Plan the rest of your trip
More from the West Rim.
Grand Canyon rafting: frequently asked questions
How much does Grand Canyon rafting cost?
The Grand Escape one-day trip lists $589 per person in 2026. It includes lunch, cultural commentary, the Travertine Falls hike and the helicopter ride out.
Where does the raft trip start?
At the rafting counter in the lodge at 900 Highway 66, Peach Springs. It is about 2 hours by road from the Skywalk.
What is the minimum age?
The Grand Escape lists a minimum age of 8 years.
When does the rafting season run?
The season runs April to October in general. The Grand Escape runs Monday to Thursday from April to September. Confirm any October date before you plan around it.
Can I raft and visit the Skywalk on the same day?
A Skywalk visit is not part of the raft trip. The day runs from the 7:00 a.m. check-in to the late afternoon and ends with a bus ride back to Peach Springs, so plan the Skywalk for a separate day.
Is this website official?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not run by the Hualapai or by a tour operator, and you book on the operator's page or through a booking partner.