Pre-Trip Education
Let’s Get You Ready
Embark on your Hatch whitewater rafting trip with confidence and excitement, armed with all the knowledge you need. Our Pre-Trip Education section is your go-to resource for preparing for the journey of a lifetime. Learn more about Grand Canyon geology, biology, history of indigenous peoples and explorers, and stories from past adventures and current river guides.
Get ready to explore the wonders of Grand Canyon with assurance and enthusiasm. Start your adventure preparation here and make every moment on the river truly unforgettable.
Pre-Trip Education Resources
The following resources are meant to help you prepare for your trip and give post trip information/tips.
General
- The Colorado River in Grand Canyon – River Map and Guide by Larry Stevens
- Belknap’s Waterproof Grand Canyon River Guide
- The Grand Canyon Readeredited by Lance Newman
- Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide by James Kaiser
River Rafting
- The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko
- There’s This River: Grand Canyon Boatman Stories edited by Christa Sadler
- Sunk Without a Sound: The Tragic Colorado River Honeymoon of Glen and Bessie Hyde by Brad Dimock
- Breaking into the Current: Boatwomen of the Grand Canyon by Louise Teal
- Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon by Michael P. Ghiglieri and Thomas M Myers
- River Runners of the Grand Canyon by Don Briggs [VIDEO]
Contemporary History & Current Events
- Riverman: The Story of Bus Hatch by Roy Webb
- A Story that Stands Like a Dam: Glen Canyon and the Struggle for the Soul of the West by Russell Martin
- The Colorado River: Flowing Through Conflict by Jonathan Waterman
- Grand Canyon Women: Lives Shaped by Landscape by Betty Leavengood
Native American History & Perspectives
- An Introduction to Grand Canyon Prehistory by Christopher Coder
- The Archaeoogy of Grand Canyon: Ancient Peoples, Ancient Places edited by Francis E. Smiley, Christian E. Downum, and Susan G. Smiley
- I Am the Grand Canyon: The Story of the Havasupai People by Stephen Hirst
- Diné: A History of the Navajos by Peter Iverson
- Diné Identity in a 21st Century World by Lloyd L. Lee
- Footprints of Hopi History: Hopihiniwtiput Kukveni’at edited by Leigh J. Kuwanwisiwma, T.J. Ferguson, and Chip Colwell
- Book of the Hopi by Frank Waters
- About the Hualapai Nation by the Hualapai Department of Cultural Resources
- The Paiute by Frank W. Porter
- Native Voices on the Colorado River partnership website
- Grand Canyon National Park’s Associated Tribes website
Native Voices
Note: The best information on Native American History and Perspectives comes directly from tribes and tribal members. The following are some resources for learning about tribes affiliated with the Grand Canyon:
- “The Voices of Grand Canyon” by The Grand Canyon Trust
- Inter Tribal Council of Arizona website
- The Havasupai Tribe website
- The Hualapai Tribe website
- The Hopi Tribe website
- Hopi Cultural Center website
- Pueblo of Zuni website
- The Navajo Nation Government website
- Navajo Tourism Department website
- San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe website
- Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah website
- Kaibab Paiute Tribe website
- Moapa Band of Paiutes website
- Las Vegas Paiute Tribe website
- Yavapai-Apache Nation website
Geology & Paleontology
- Grand Canyon Geology edited by Stanley S. Beus and Michael Morales
- Carving Grand Canyon: Evidence, Theories, and Mystery by Wayne Ranney
- An Introduction to Grand Canyon Geology by Greer L. Price
- Ancient Landscapes of the Colorado Plateau by Ron Blakey and Wayne Ranney
- Life in Stone – Fossils of the Colorado Plateau by Christa Sadler
Ecology
- An Introduction to Grand Canyon Ecology by Rose Houk
- A Field Guide to the Grand Canyon by Stephen R. Whitney
- River and Desert Plants of the Grand Canyon by Kristin Huisinga, Lori Makarick, and Kate Watters
- Grand Canyon National Park: A Natural History Guide by Jeremy Schmidt
For Kids and Young Adults
- Grand Canyon Conservancy: Grand Canyon books for kids!
Podcasts: Listen and Learn
- Stuff You Should Know: especially the episode Mystery of the Grand Canyon Newlyweds (alternative links: YouTube, Spotify, iHeart)
- The River Radius: especially the episode History of the Groover (alt links: Spotify, iHeart, Audible)
- Big Adventures with Brian Dierker: All the episodes are great, but make sure to listen to the one with Steve Hatch (alt links: Spotify)
- PlanetGeo: The Geology Podcast- The Grand Canyon National Park
- Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim History: Part 1 and Part 2
- National Park After Dark: Swimming the Colorado River
- Grand Canyon TV: the whole podcast covers all things Grand Canyon!
Look for more books and information from these sources:
Looking for the FAQs?
If you’re looking for packing info, what weather to expect, and so much more, check out the FAQs page.
There’s a lot to consider when you’re preparing for your trip of a lifetime, so we’ve tried to answer all your questions over there.
