River-Ready Gifts: The Perfect Holiday Gift Ideas for Grand Canyon Adventurers

With the holidays coming up, gift shopping is in full swing and if you know someone heading down the river this upcoming summer, what better gift to give than something they’ll actually use on their trip? Here are a few river-ready gift ideas your friends and family will truly appreciate:

Sandals
The right footwear is essential on the river, and most people end up living in sandals while in the canyon. Popular choices among our guests include Tevas, Bedrocks, Keens, and Chacos.

• Chaco’s
• Teva’s
• Bedrock’s
• Keen’s

Hat
Canyon sun is no joke—a good hat is a must! Whether it’s a wide-brimmed sunhat, a cowboy hat, or our personal favorite, a Hatch-logo baseball cap, your giftee is sure to wear it from morning to night. For an extra touch, add a hat clip so the wind doesn’t snatch it off their head.

• Hatch Hat

Sunshirt
Just like sandals and hats, the clothing you wear down there really matters. Sunshirts are a must-have: they keep you cool, dry quickly, and provide essential sun protection. We see lots of Patagonia, NRS, Smartwool, Columbia sunshirts on the river, these are lightweight and breathable options they’re sure to love.

• Patagonia Men’s Sunshirt 
• Patagonia Women’s Sunshirt 
• NRS Men’s Silkweight Hoodie 
• NRS Women’s Silkweight Hoodie 

Books
Okay, maybe not a necessity, but definitely a fun and meaningful gift! Books help build excitement for the adventure ahead. Here are a few great Grand Canyon reads: The Emerald Mile, A Walk in the Park, Brave the Wild River, and Riverman.

• Riverman: The Story of Bus Hatch by Roy Webb
• The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko 
• Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon by Melissa J. Sevigny 
• A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko

Sunglasses
Since you’re in the sun most of the day on the river, a good pair of sunglasses goes a long way in protecting your eyes. Polarized lenses are especially helpful and make for a perfect gift.

Headlamp
No one enjoys stumbling around in the dark! A reliable headlamp is a lifesaver at night on the river. They make great gifts, trust me, a headlamp ends up on my Christmas list almost every other year (mostly because I keep losing them).

Insulated Water Bottle
Staying hydrated in the canyon’s dry desert heat is critical, and a bottle that keeps water cold makes a big difference. They’ll drink more and they’ll thank you for helping keep them hydrated!

Hatch Swag
And last but certainly not least—our personal favorite: Hatch swag! 

• Hatch Store