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Over 90 years of Hatch River Expeditions History
Three generations of a Hatch family river rafting business
Hatch’s River Rafting History
From the first-ever commercial rafting trip in 1929 when Bus Hatch took a group of passengers down the Green River in Utah to the celebration of its 90th year of running trips in Grand Canyon in 2024, Hatch has a long history of showing people a good time on the river!
Our History
Explore the key milestones in the history of Hatch River Expeditions.
1929
First-Ever Commercial Rafting Trip
Bus Hatch led the first-ever commercial rafting trip in Vernal, Utah on the Green River.
1934
The Grand Canyon
Bus Hatch ran his first whitewater rafting trip through the Grand Canyon.
1940
The Middle Fork
Bus Hatch was one of the first boatmen to run the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho.
1940
First Woman Rafter
Bus Hatch took the first woman, his wife Eva Hatch, down the Yampa River.
1953
First National Park Service River-Concession Permit granted
Bus Hatch received the first National Park Service river-concession permit in the country and was allowed to run commercial trips through Dinosaur National Monument.
1956
The Indus River
Pakistan, Bus was the first descent of the Indus River.
1967
A River Running Legacy
Bus continued to run rivers until he died in 1967.
1967
A Family Operation
When Bus died in 1967, Ted gave up his job as the principal of Manila High School and took over the family business along with his late brother Don.
1976
Utah & The Grand Canyon
The two split the company 10 years later, with Don taking over the Utah operation and Ted running the Grand Canyon operation.
2007
A Family Operation
Bus’ grandson (Ted’s son), Steve Hatch, and his wife Sarah started running the Grand Canyon operation.
2008
Sale of Utah & Idaho Operations
The Idaho and Utah operations were sold to large companies outside of the Hatch family.
2010
Passing of Ted Hatch
Ted Hatch passes at age 76. Ted Hatch is praised for his active role in the professional guides association and in working with the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management to win favorable regulations for commercial guides on western rivers.
Present Day
A Grand Canyon Rafting Legacy
Hatch River Expeditions, located in Flagstaff, Arizona, which operates within the Grand Canyon, is currently the only Hatch family-owned and operated river rafting company in the world.
2024
Ted and Don Hatch in River Runners Hall of Fame
The John Wesley Powell Museum in Green River, UT honors Ted and Don Hatch, inducting them into the River Runners Hall of Fame.
1929
First-Ever Commercial Rafting Trip
Bus Hatch led the first-ever commercial rafting trip in Vernal, Utah on the Green River.
1934
The Grand Canyon
Bus Hatch ran his first whitewater rafting trip through the Grand Canyon.
1940
The Middle Fork
Bus Hatch was one of the first boatmen to run the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho.
1940
First Woman Rafter
Bus Hatch took the first woman, his wife Eva Hatch, down the Yampa River.
1953
First National Park Service River-Concession Permit granted
Bus Hatch received the first National Park Service river-concession permit in the country and was allowed to run commercial trips through Dinosaur National Monument.
1956
The Indus River
Pakistan, Bus was the first descent of the Indus River.
1967
A River Running Legacy
Bus continued to run rivers until he died in 1967.
1967
A Family Operation
When Bus died in 1967, Ted gave up his job as the principal of Manila High School and took over the family business along with his late brother Don.
1976
Utah & The Grand Canyon
The two split the company 10 years later, with Don taking over the Utah operation and Ted running the Grand Canyon operation.
2007
A Family Operation
Bus’ grandson (Ted’s son), Steve Hatch, and his wife Sarah started running the Grand Canyon operation.
2008
Sale of Utah & Idaho Operations
The Idaho and Utah operations were sold to large companies outside of the Hatch family.
2010
Passing of Ted Hatch
Ted Hatch passes at age 76. Ted Hatch is praised for his active role in the professional guides association and in working with the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management to win favorable regulations for commercial guides on western rivers.
Present Day
A Grand Canyon Rafting Legacy
Hatch River Expeditions, located in Flagstaff, Arizona, which operates within the Grand Canyon, is currently the only Hatch family-owned and operated river rafting company in the world.
2024
Ted and Don Hatch in River Runners Hall of Fame
The John Wesley Powell Museum in Green River, UT honors Ted and Don Hatch, inducting them into the River Runners Hall of Fame.
The Beginning
Bus Hatch started running the rivers of northeastern Utah in 1929. A carpenter by trade, Bus built himself a boat to explore the Green River and satisfy his curiosity about what lay downstream of Vernal, Utah—his hometown. River running quickly turned into a passion for Bus, and it didn’t take long for that passion to transform into a business.
Bus led the first ever commercial rafting trip in the United States. Soon, rivers in other parts of the country lured Bus in, and he took his first group down the Grand Canyon in 1934.
In those days, even a river trip that people had paid for was still exploratory. Bus lacked the amenities of modern river trips: coolers that hold ice for days, propane stoves, and other items we take for granted on modern rafting trips. Often the provisions for a trip consisted of a shotgun and ammunition, and a few bottles of whiskey for good measure. Bus thought these items could get him and his clients through any emergency…and he was right.
Whitewater Rafting Pioneer
Bus became a whitewater rafting pioneer. He was one of the first people to run the Middle Fork of the Salmon in Idaho, and he logged the first descent of the Indus River in Pakistan.
Bus continued to run rivers until his death in 1967, after which, his sons took over the rafting operations—Ted taking Grand Canyon trips and Don taking trips in Idaho and Utah. Eventually, the Idaho and Utah operations were sold to large companies outside of the Hatch family.
Today, Hatch River Expeditions, based in Flagstaff, Arizona, and operating within the Grand Canyon, is the only family-owned and operated river rafting company in the world.
Dedication to the River
Steve Hatch (Ted Hatch’s son) and his wife Sarah have kept the river running tradition alive, as owner/operators of Hatch River Expeditions. Steve’s dedication shows in his hands-on approach to the business. He launches the majority of the company’s trips and personally meets most Hatch guests when he gives pre-trip orientation.
“After all these years, the river continues to draw me back,” Steve reveals, “No matter how many trips I take, there is always something new to be discovered or somebody new to share it with. It amazes me how traveling downriver with someone new can bring such a new and unique perspective. That’s why we do what we do – to share the majesty of the Grand Canyon with our guests”.
A fourth generation of Hatches is also working in the business, with Steve and Sarah’s children, Eva and Cael, getting involved with rafting operations, and Sean Hatch, Don Hatch’s grandson, guiding trips.
Now that’s a legacy!
If you want to know more about Bus Hatch and the founding of Hatch River Expeditions, check out Riverman: The Story of Bus Hatch by Roy Webb.
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Get Our Short Guide to the Grand Canyon!
Did you know that Crash Canyon is named after a historic airline collision? Or that John Wesley Powell's crew abandoned him at Kanab Rapid and hiked out of the canyon?
Download our 40-page Short Guide to Grand Canyon for the inside scoop on the most exciting campsites, rapids, and points of interest you can access from the river. We've included fun facts and fascinating stories for:
- 91 campsites
- 67 rapids
- 46 points of interest
Get Our Short Guide to the Grand Canyon!
Did you know that Crash Canyon is named after a historic airline collision? Or that John Wesley Powell's crew abandoned him at Kanab Rapid and hiked out of the canyon?
Download our 40-page Short Guide to Grand Canyon for the inside scoop on the most exciting campsites, rapids, and points of interest you can access from the river. We've included fun facts and fascinating stories for:
- 91 campsites
- 67 rapids
- 46 points of interest