Hike the Bright Angel Trail into Grand Canyon before you start your rafting adventure

Lower Canyon Motorized

4 Day Motorized Lower Grand Canyon Rafting

Distance hikers with a few days to spend adventuring will love this trip! Our lower canyon motorized trips combine hiking, rafting, camping, and exploring into one spectacular vacation. Your trip begins with a hike from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim to the Colorado River. Then, you’ll raft down the river each day (with an experienced Hatch guide navigating your boat through the rapids). You’ll stop every day to explore side canyons, swimming holes, and other interesting place accessible from the river. Each night, you’ll camp on a sandy beach or rocky ledge beside the river. On the final day of your trip, catch a helicopter out of the canyon!
    • 99 miles of rafting from Phantom Ranch to Whitmore Wash
    • 9.5 mile hike down Bright Angel Trail
    • Helicopter ride & return to Las Vegas or Marble Canyon included
    • minimum age 12 years old

“Trip of a lifetime only wish I was 10 years younger so I could have gone on the longer side hikes.”  – DeAnn S.

2025 Regular Rate
Cost per person
$2432

2026 Regular Rate
Cost per person
$2432

White water rafting Grand Canyon Lower Canyon Colorado River scaled

What to Expect

A Colorado River rafting trip is an active vacation in a wilderness environment. To ensure you have the best experience possible, we recommend showing up with an adventure attitude, ready to roll with the rapid’s waves and whatever other challenges may arise. You’ll spend days hanging on through the Colorado River’s famous (and chilly!) rapids and scrambling down Grand Canyon’s unmaintained trails. At night you’ll camp on sandy beaches or rocky ledges between the canyon walls. There are no hotel accommodations or hot showers. The beauty of this type of vacation is the journey and discovery that comes along with it.
Learn more about what to expect on a Grand Canyon rafting trip with Hatch:

The Bright Angel Trail

This trip starts with a hike from the South Rim of Grand Canyon all the way to the Colorado River. You’ll meet your hiking guide at Bright Angel Lodge at 5 a.m. to avoid hiking in the midday heat and meet up with our boats around lunch time. This all morning hike is 9.5 miles long, mandatory, and strenuous, so make sure you prepare in advance! As you head down the trail, make sure to take breaks and admire the view of the canyon you’re descending into. This trip is only recommended for experienced hikers.

Motor boat in rapids front view Hatch River Trip Expeditions

Transportation and Lodging

Hatch Books:
  • Your helicopter ride out of the canyon and return to the South Rim or Las Vegas at the end of your trip
You Book:
  • Transportation to the South Rim - make sure to arrive the night BEFORE your hiking date!
  • Transportation away from the South Rim or Las Vegas at the end of your trip

Get your trip packet!

Looking for specific details about what to pack, where to go, and how to prepare? Download the Lower Canyon Motorized trip packet for the complete run-down.*

*If you’ve already booked, check the “View Info and Documents” section of your Activity Manager 
for this information. Your Activity Manager link is in your email!

Motorized Lower Grand Canyon Rafting Trip scaled

Lower Canyon

Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting in Lower Canyon

Sample Itinerary

Get an idea of what your trip could look like. Note: This is a sample only. We can never guarantee specific stops.

Head over to the Bright Angel Lodge where you will meet your hiking guide at 5:00 a.m. in front of the fireplace and be ready to hike. This 9.5 mile hike averages between 5 and 6 hours. Arriving at the rafts around noon, get ready for an orientation before launching on the Colorado River. Lunch often occurs downriver a bit as our rafts travel through a few impressive rapids beforehand.
Hike to Shinumo Creek or Elves Chasm for a magical introduction to the diversity that Grand Canyon has to offer. Trek up Deer Creek to see a beautiful slot canyon that mixes history, nature and geology into one. Adventure into side canyons to hidden swimming spots. Lava Falls signals the end of the trip so soak in all the endorphins it will provide. Unwind at camp and enjoy our home cooked meals, especially those Dutch oven brownies!
Board a helicopter around 7:00 a.m. for a quick ride up to Bar 10 Ranch located on the rim of the Canyon. Take a few photos and enjoy the ride! Once at the ranch you will check in for a fixed wing aircraft flight and subsequent shuttle that will take you back to Las Vegas or the South Rim of Grand Canyon.

Weather Forecast

Wondering what to bring and wear on the Colorado River? Check the weather before your trip so you can make last minute adjustments!

7 Day Forecast

Click here for the 7 day forecast for Phantom Ranch at the bottom of Grand Canyon.

Safety Tips

Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen and a hat.

loader-image
Phantom Ranch, US
4:23 pm, Dec 3, 2024
temperature icon 60°F
overcast clouds
Humidity Humidity: 29 %
Pressure Pressure: 1021 hPa
Wind Wind: 1 mph
Wind Gust Wind Gust: 0 mph
Clouds Clouds: 98%
Visibility Visibility: 6 mi
Sunrise Sunrise: 7:23 am
Sunset Sunset: 5:14 pm

Not up for a long hike?

Hiking the Bright Angel Trail isn’t for everyone, but it is mandatory on Upper and Lower Canyon trips. If you’d rather not hike quite that far, check out our Full Canyon trip instead.
Begin your adventure at Lees Ferry and raft 188 miles to Whitmore Wash.
Grand Canyon Hiking Lower Canyon with Hatch River

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