How to Pack Your Day Bag

On the day your trip launches, you’ll receive two dry bags:

• A large dry bag for everything you need at camp (this won’t be accessible during the day), and
• A smaller dry bag for items you might need while on the river during the day.

We get a lot of questions about how to pack these bags—especially the day bag—so let’s talk about it!

So… What Goes in Your Day Bag?

The question we hear most often is:
“What do I need in my day bag today?”
And that question is asked pretty much every day of the trip.

The easiest answer?
Be like a Boy Scout: Always be prepared.

What does that mean in this context? It means anything you might need throughout the day should be in your day bag. Everyone’s needs vary a little, but here are the basics that should definitely be inside:

• Rain jacket and rain pants
• Sunscreen
• Camera and/or phone for photos
• Any medication you may need during the day
• Hat
• Sunglasses

What Goes On Your Day Bag?

Not everything goes inside the dry bag. These bags are rubber-coated and waterproof, which means they’re great at keeping things dry—but they’re also great at trapping any water inside if something wet is packed. To avoid that, many items are clipped to the outside of your bag using the rope and clip provided.

Items that usually go on the outside include:

• Water bottle
• Empty backpack
• Hiking shoes (if you bring an extra pair; most hikes are near water, and you won’t want wet, sandy shoes packed in with your phone and camera)

Optional Extras

What else you bring is up to you. Some guests like to include:

• A bandana
• A small journal
• Extra batteries for their camera
• A Grand Canyon Guide Book

Just remember: your day bag is your lifeline while you’re on the water. You won’t be able to access your large camp bag until the end of the day.

Why the Emphasis on Being Prepared?

Because each day’s activities are opportunity-based, even our guides don’t always know exactly what’s coming. So they’ll encourage you to be ready for anything. Rain gear is a must (you will get wet), sunscreen is essential (you will be in the sun), and we try to hike whenever possible—so bring the shoes you plan to hike in. And most importantly:

Keep your water bottle with you at all times. Hydration is key.

You can learn more about packing for our trips in these blogs:

Packing a Dry Bag for a Grand Canyon Raft Trip

4 Minute Packing Guide