It is hard to imagine a place more beautiful than the Grand Canyon. Millions of people travel to the 277-mile long canyon each year in order to behold its majestic splendor. Millions of years ago, the Colorado River wore through the rock and created the Grand Canyon, today the river flows along the canyon floor and makes for the ideal setting to go smooth-water rafting. A lot of people love to go to the Grand Canyon just to experience floating though the spectacular rock formations; they consider it the high point of their trip.

South Rim

These canyon rafting trips are in operation during the months March through November. They depart from the Grand Canyon National Park Airport, which is in Tusayan, Arizona and not too far from the main gates to the park.

Don\’t confuse these with white-water rafting trips that are dangerous and scary; these only cover smooth and tranquil waters. These canyon rafting trips are hugely popular because there is no risk of encountering rough water or rapids.

Be sure to book your seat in advance because it is almost impossible to find one at the last minute due to the popularity of these adventures. Although some people may book as much as a year ahead of their trip, you should be able to get a seat if you get your tickets a week or two in advance. Because these trips are so wildly popular and each pontoon boat only carries nineteen passengers, it is very difficult to secure a seat if you wait until the last minute.

Smooth Water

Fortunately, these smooth-water adventures won\’t bust your budget either. Prices vary among tour operators, but you should be able to book a trip for under $200. A rafting tour package should include bus transportation from the Grand Canyon National Park Airport to the Glen Canyon where your boat will take off, water, lunch, park fees, and river guide. The bus transportation is for a round trip so you can get back to the airport after your boat ride.

You can also upgrade your package so you can see the slot canyons in Antelope Canyon by way of a 4×4 excursion. It is an amazing sight to behold so if you can find the time, you should think about doing it. Looking down on Antelope Canyon from the air is a sight you don\’t want to miss; it makes taking the side trip worthwhile.

Wildlife abounds in the canyon, and you will see quite a variety as you float down the river. You can bring children four years old and older, so it is a trip the entire family can enjoy and talk about for years to come. Bring your camera so you can take lots of pictures of your trip. The pictures will bring back wonderful memories of your family vacation to one of the most amazing places on earth.

What to Wear

Wearing a life vest is voluntary, but if you are like many people, you will want to wear one anyway. It is best to be safe and wear one even if you never need it. Protect yourself with sunscreen and lip balm, wear sunglasses and a hat; it is also a good idea to bring salty snacks and drinking water. Sport sandals are the ideal footwear, and it is recommended you wear a lightweight shirt with long sleeves. You may want to bring along an extra set of clothes in a waterproof bag. You won\’t want to wear wet clothes during the two hour bus ride after your boat trip.

Not only do you want to get your seat early, you should book it online. You will find some great deals on Grand Canyon rafting trips on the internet. The steepest discounts are for those who reserve their trip and pay for it online. You will pay more for your trip if you pay for your seats over the phone. The money you save by buying your ticket online will come in handy when your boat trip is over and you visit the Cameron Trading Post where you can shop for authentic Native American handicrafts.

Ready to go water rafting? These float tours are available through November 2012. Trips start up again in April 2013. If you are going anywhere near the National Park this fall, make sure this activity is on your itinerary!

Keith Kravitz is a professional travel writer and an expert on Grand Canyon tours. If you want cheap 1-day rafting tours, he recommends going here now: http://www.grandcanyon123.com/one-day-grand-canyon-rafting-tours.html

Keith Kravitz is a professional travel writer and an expert on Grand Canyon tours. If you want cheap 1-day rafting tours, he recommends going here now: http://www.grandcanyon123.com/one-day-grand-canyon-rafting-tours.html

Author Bio: Keith Kravitz is a professional travel writer and an expert on Grand Canyon tours. If you want cheap 1-day rafting tours, he recommends going here now: http://www.grandcanyon123.com/one-day-grand-canyon-rafting-tours.html

Category: Travel
Keywords: grand canyon rafting, grand canyon float tours, water rafting, grand canyon, travel