4 Types of People You’ll Meet on a Hatch River Trip Like any travel destination, the Grand Canyon has numerous appeals...
4 Types of People You’ll Meet on a Hatch River Trip
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Travel through Grand Canyon's towering walls then hike out to the South Rim
Upper Canyon Oar Powered
6 Day Upper Grand Canyon Oar Powered Expedition
This trip option works great for experienced distance hikers who want to take an oar powered trip, but aren’t able to spend a full 12 days in the canyon. On an upper canyon oar powered trip, you’ll raft, hike, camp, and explore the segment of Grand Canyon that stretches between Lees Ferry and Phantom Ranch. Each day, your guides will row your rafts through the famous rapids of the Colorado River. You’ll make stops along the way to hike and swim in the side canyons and discover the other treasures hidden within the canyon. Every night, you’ll camp under the stars at one of the canyon’s sandy beach or rock ledge campsites. On the final day of your trip, you’ll hike up the Bright Angel Trail. During your hiking breaks make sure to turn around and take in the breathtaking canyon from which you’ve just emerged.
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- 89 miles of rafting from Lees Ferry to Phantom Ranch
- Pre-trip stay at Cliff Dwellers or another lodge (double occupancy provided complimentary)
- 9.5 mile hike up Bright Angel Trail
- minimum age 12 years old
“I loved every one of the guides on our trip. They were professional, knowledgeable, and well qualified to handle every situation.” – Nancy B.
2025 Regular Rate
Cost per person
$2958
2026 Regular Rate
Cost per person
$2958
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
On the last day of your trip you’ll be up before the sun to hike the Bright Angel Trail from near Phantom Ranch all the way up to the South Rim of Grand Canyon. This all day hike is 9.5 miles long, mandatory, and strenuous, so make sure you prepare in advance! The trade off for all that work is the incredible views you’ll get as you turn around to see where you’ve been. This trip is only recommended for experienced hikers.
Transportation and Lodging
Hatch Books:
- Your pre-trip lodging in Marble Canyon, AZ
You Book:
- Transportation to Marble Canyon - make sure to arrive the night BEFORE your launch date!
- Transportation away from Grand Canyon’s South Rim for after your hike out
Get your trip packet!
Looking for specific details about what to pack, where to go, and how to prepare? Download the Upper Canyon Oar Powered 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!
Upper Canyon
Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting in Upper 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.
Arrange your logistics to arrive at Cliff Dwellers Lodge in Marble Canyon, AZ. Many guests leave a car at the South Rim of Grand Canyon and book the 3 hour Trans-Canyon Shuttle to the lodge so their car will be waiting for them when they hike out on Day 6
Orientation begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. You will meet a Hatch employee in front of Cliff Dwellers Restaurant. Learn how to pack your gear into the provided dry bags and listen to a short orientation before loading up in the vans and heading down to the river to meet the guides. One more orientation regarding safety and the rafts and away you go. Pass below Navajo Bridge for your last glance of civilization for a few days and get ready for your first taste of whitewater through Soap Creek, Badger, and House Rock Rapid.
More rapids come at a rapid pace. Take a break from the whitewater and hike to Ancestral Puebloan granaries or delve into spectacular side canyons. See some historic sites along the way and listen to your guides’ interpretation of these events and locations.
Float in the warm Little Colorado River and get personal with Unkar, Sockdolager, and Hance Rapids. Set up camp upriver from Phantom Ranch and enjoy your last night in the Grand Canyon’s wilderness.
Wake up early and energized for your guided hike out of the canyon via Bright Angel Trail. This hike usually takes between 6-8 hours before you will arrive back at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. (Don’t worry, you will pack a sandwich!)
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
Get the 7 day forecast for Phantom Ranch at the bottom of Grand Canyon.
How to Prepare
Learn how to manage weather conditions you may encounter rafting in Grand Canyon.
Phantom Ranch, US
4:53 pm,
Feb 28, 2025
70°F
clear sky
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.
Testimonials
Our guides were fantastic! They were incredibly knowledgeable, personable, and overall, helped make the experience GREAT!
Cindy P.
I loved every one of the guides on our trip. They were professional, knowledgeable, and well qualified to handle every situation.
Nancy B.
All of the guides on our trip were amazing. Kelsey is a natural leader and the rest of the guys all brought something special to the trip. We will definitely be booking again in the future.
Carl T.
The guides were so knowledgable about the geology, history, and ecology of the canyon, as well as being kind and thoughtful about the needs of guests. It was a pleasure to get to know them on the trip!
Kathryn P.
No hesitation to recommend Hatch to anyone interested in a rafting experiencd
Kylie R.
All the guides were knowledgeable, friendly, well organized and a pleasure!
Jeff R.
I appreciated the constant flow of information to prepare me for the trip. The guides were knowledgeable, professional, and fun. It was my first trip and had a blast.
Kathleen C.
Wind and sand were a problem. I would have better prepared if I had known that it could be a problem.
Brad L.
One of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Magical place, great guides.
Hugh B.
All of the guides were FABULOUS! Each one provided a unique and very knowledgeable experience for us. Rafting was great! Food was awesome! Loved it all!!!
Jeffrey S.
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