Have you ever wanted to see the Grand Canyon by raft? Every February 1 the lottery opens to apply for a permit for a non-commercial raft trip down the Colorado River.
Grab some friends to help you raft the boats, cook the food, and put up your tent. Noncommercial river trips are self-guided adventures, awarded through a weighted lottery, designed for individuals with the river skills necessary to independently coordinate and safely navigate technical, world-class rapids. (For professionally guided trips, please visit NPS River Concessioners.)
This section of the Colorado River is highly technical, and at least one member of your group must have the experience and skills required by the National Park Service.
Alexandra Nevada took her first trip through the Grand Canyon in October 2023. “I didn’t know anyone on the trip prior to going, though they have become lifelong friends,” she says. “My advice is to have experienced participants with you. Rafting, regardless of rapid classes, is a serious sport. Make sure you review your permit and know what you’re getting into. Call a ranger office to clear up any confusion.”
An avid rafter and Colorado resident, Nevada adds: “We all deserve to have a good time and a unique experience. Permits aid in this and help preserve an area, limit use, and keep our natural and human resources safe. Apply for permits, have patience, and don’t be disappointed if you don’t win a permit in a lottery system. You can always try again next year, or hopefully meet someone who has a permit and jump on their trip. Most importantly, all rafters should learn, live, and love Leave No Trace principles and respect our rivers, leaving them to be enjoyed in the future.”
Learn more and enter the lottery for a rafting permit here. Not ready to do it alone? A number of companies provide trips through the Grand Canyon. Learn more about commercial trips here.
Top Photo: Alexandra Nevada took “the trip of a lifetime” through the Grand Canyon in October 2023.
