Why Hatch Rafting Guests Love May Trips

What time of year should you book your Hatch rafting expedition? Any time that works for you! Grand Canyon is an incredible place to visit any time you go. BUT if your schedule is pretty open, may we recommend May? 

Here are 5 reasons Hatch rafting in May is absolutely lovely:

1 – Cooler temperatures

Grand Canyon’s summer temperatures often exceed 100°F (sometimes approaching 120°F) during the hottest part of the day. But in May, temperatures tend to be more mild, with the average high temperature coming in at 92°F. If you tend to prefer cooler temperatures, May could be the perfect time for you to book your trip! (Just keep in mind that the river stays cooler–around 50°F year round.)

2 – Clearer water

The Colorado River through Grand Canyon was known as the “muddy Colorado” before the Glen Canyon dam was built. Now, the dam traps sediment and the river runs clear and green when there aren’t any storms in the area to flush sediment from side canyons into the river. Most of our storms are concentrated during monsoon season (typically July and August), so if you book in May you are much more likely to be traveling on a less muddy river. 

3 – Spring wildflowers

Grand Canyon is home to a huge diversity of plant and wildlife, and spring is a great time to see the wildflowers in bloom. Keep an eye out for blooming ocotillo as well as crimson and golden monkey flowers!

4 – Fewer people

Travelers booking the traditional “summer vacation” are often working around school schedules. That means travelers who book for dates when many schools are still in session are likely to encounter fewer people overall. Either way, there are regulations in place to limit the number of people you might encounter and ensure that every traveler has an opportunity to experience the remoteness of Grand Canyon. 

5 – Plenty of dates available!

April shares many of May’s characteristics, but we typically only have a few launches in April, and often they are limited to specialty trips like our hiking focused trips. May is the first month of the year that we have a full slate of launch dates. Most weeks in May have multiple trip options, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to find a date that works for you! 

Hatch Rafting Dates Available This Year!

If you’re sold on a May trip, we have good news! We can get you on a May trip THIS YEAR! Visit our booking page and type the first of May in the date box at the top to see what’s available for booking.