The Ultimate Grand Canyon Expedition
Full Canyon Rafting Trips
STARTING
$2,900 – $7,900+
TRIP LENGTH
Customize or Choose From 6-16 Day Trips
RAFT TYPE
Motor Raft Oar/Dory /Hybrid/Paddle
HIKES
9.5 mile ascent via Bright Angel Trail
RAPIDS
38-47 major rapids rated 5 or above
RATING
5.0/5.0 from 47 Reviews
Grand Canyon Rafting TRIPS
Experience the Entire Grand Canyon — Mile 0 to the Final Take-Out
A Full Canyon rafting trip is the most complete and transformative way to experience the Grand Canyon. Instead of hiking in or out mid-canyon, you travel further down the length of the Colorado River corridor – every rapid, every side canyon, every layer of ancient rock. From Marble Canyon’s sculpted walls to the thundering heart of Granite Gorge, this is the full story of the Grand Canyon told day by day on the river.
Whether you choose a 6–8 day motorized expedition or a 12–16 day oar, paddle, hybrid, or dory adventure, a Full Canyon trip delivers the deepest immersion, the best variety, and the greatest sense of journey in all of Grand Canyon rafting. Advantage Grand Canyon helps you compare all 16 outfitters and find the exact trip that fits your style and schedule.
Full Canyon Rafting trips
A Full Canyon rafting trip is the complete Grand Canyon—the whole journey from Lees Ferry (mile 0) to either Whitmore Wash (mile 188), Diamond Creek (mile 225), or Pearce Ferry (mile 280). It’s the only way to experience every rapid, every rock layer, every hidden side canyon, and every dramatic turn in one continuous, uninterrupted expedition.
This isn’t just the longest itinerary — it’s the most balanced, immersive, and transformational. Over 6–15 days, you’ll travel through remote corridors, sleep under some of the darkest skies in North America, explore waterfalls and slot canyons, and ride through legendary whitewater like Horn Creek, Granite, Hermit, Crystal, and Lava Falls.
If you want one trip that captures the full soul of the Grand Canyon — this is it.
Colorado River Rafting
Why a Full Canyon Trip Is Completely Different
Full Canyon rafting isn’t just “Upper + Lower.” The experience changes day by day, mile by mile. This is the only itinerary where:
You experience the canyon’s entire geologic story.
You get true rhythm — the deep,
You see the canyon as guides see it.
You raft all major whitewater zones.
You disconnect — fully and finally.
You disconnect — fully and finally.
Oar, Paddle & Hybrid:
Trip Lengths & Raft Styles
Full Canyon trips range widely depending on your raft type and final take-out point.
Fast, efficient, and great for guests who want maximum scenery with less time commitment.
- Cover 188–280 miles in under a week
- Stable, secure seating
- Great for families, first-timers, or those who want comfort + speed
- Still includes hikes, waterfalls, major rapids
The classic expedition experience — slow, scenic, hands-free for photos.
- 12–16 days on the river
- Deep immersion with more side canyon hikes
- Perfect for photographers, nature-lovers, and guests wanting quiet & reflection
You’re part of the action, paddling through every rapid.
- High-energy, team-driven
- Best for active guests
- One of the most rewarding ways to experience the canyon
- Switch between effort and relaxation
- Perfect for couples or mixed-age groups
The legendary wooden boats with unmatched agility and storytelling history.
- Bucket-list experience
- Limited availability
- Unique feel, fast-moving boats, deep connection to the river
Typical Pricing
(Prices vary slightly by outfitter, but these are accurate market ranges.)
Motorized Full Canyon: 6–8 Days
Average: $2,900 – $4,395 per person
Oar / Hybrid / Paddle: 12–15 Days
Average: $4,985 – $7,800 per person
Dory Expeditions: 14–16 Days
Average: $5,100 – $7,900 per person
Prices include:
✔ Rafts, guides, meals, dry bags, camping gear
✔ Transport from take-out to the return city
✔ Helicopter flights (Whitmore Wash itineraries only)
✔ Park entrance fees (depending on outfitter)
No markup when booking through Advantage Grand Canyon.
Same price as booking direct — and at times even lower when we have access to discounts
What You’ll See on a Full Canyon Trip
The Iconic Landmarks
You’ll experience the canyon’s greatest hits and hidden gems:
- Marble Canyon – smooth, glowing limestone walls
- Navajo Bridges – your first dramatic landmark
- Redwall Cavern – a cavern big enough for concerts
- Little Colorado River – turquoise waters and lush travertine pools
- Granite Gorge – polished black schist, cathedral-like walls
- Elves Chasm – emerald grotto and waterfall
- Thunder River – water bursting from a cliff
- Deer Creek Narrows – slot canyon hiking at its finest
- Havasu Canyon – blue-green paradise (weather/flow permitting)
- Vulcan’s Anvil – lava plug marking impending Lava Falls
- Lava Falls – the most famous rapid in the canyon
No partial trip gives you all of these.
Whitewater: What to Expect
Full Canyon trips cover dozens of rapids rated on the 1–10 Grand Canyon scale. Major features include:
Upper Canyon Highlights
- House Rock
- Hance
- Sockdolager
- Grapevine
- Horn Creek
These rapids set the tone early — technical and exciting.
Middle Canyon
- Granite
- Hermit
- Crystal
This zone is a powerhouse stretch with multiple back-to-back Class 7–9 rapids.
Lower Canyon
- Lava’s tail waves
- Lava Falls
- Mile 209 Rapid
The Lower Canyon is where you’ll hit some of the canyon’s biggest drops and longest wave trains.
Motor rafts punch through powerfully.
Oar/paddle/dory boats provide more splash and precision while finding the path of least resistance.
Every raft style gives a different personality to the same rapid.
Daily Life in the Canyon
Mornings
Days on the Water
Afternoons
Evenings
Who Should Choose a Full Canyon Trip?
Perfect For:
✔ First-time rafters who want the “full experience”
✔ Families (motor)
✔ Adventurous couples
✔ Photographers
✔ Guests seeking immersion, rhythm, and transformation
✔ Bucket-list travelers
✔ Retirees with flexible schedules
✔ Anyone who wants ALL the canyon’s landscapes & rapids
Not Ideal For:
✘ Anyone with limited time (choose Upper, Lower, or Western Canyon instead)
✘ Guests with mobility limitations (Bright Angel Trail not required, but daily movement is)
✘ Those who prefer lodging over camping
✘ Anyone uncomfortable being fully unplugged
If you want the deepest canyon experience without hiking in or out — this is the trip.
Motorized Rafts
Motor vs. Non-Motor: Choosing the Right Experience
Motor (6–8 Days)
- Best for limited time
- Covers miles efficiently
- Great for families & those who want comfort
- Still includes hikes, waterfalls, big rapids
Oar / Paddle / Hybrid / Dory (12–16 Days)
- More side hikes
- More remote camps
- More quiet water + reflection
- Deeper connection to canyo
- Better for active guests or those wanting “classic river time”
Need help deciding?
We’ll match you to the outfitter + raft style that fits your personality.
Trip Logistics
Starting Point: Lees Ferry (mile 0)
Ending Points (Depending on Outfitter & Itinerary):
✔ Whitmore Wash (mile 188) – helicopter out
✔ Diamond Creek (mile 225) – scenic backcountry drive
✔ Pearce Ferry (mile 280) – extended finale
What’s Included
- Dry bags
- Tents, sleeping bags, cots (depending on outfitter)
- All meals
- Drinking water / electrolyte mixes
- Safety gear
- Return transport
You’ll receive a full packing list tailored to your raft type.
Weather, Seasonality & Best Time to Go
April–May: Best hiking temps, big waterfalls, cool mornings, perfect for paddle/oar.
June–August: Warm water, powerful rapids, hot days, great for motor. Popular with families.
September: Beautiful balance — warm but not scorching, great photography light, popular for all raft types.
October: Cooler, quieter, excellent for oar/paddle trips.
There is no wrong time — just different flavors of the canyon.
Sample Full Canyon Itinerary (Motor – 7 Days)
Day 1: Lees Ferry → first rapids → Marble Canyon → Redwall Cavern
Day 2: Little Colorado River → more rapids
Day 3: Granite Gorge → Hermit → Crystal
Day 4: Elves Chasm → Deer Creek → hikes
Day 5: Havasu Canyon (conditions permitting)
Day 6: Lava Falls
Day 7: Whitmore Wash → helicopter out
Sample Full Canyon Itinerary (Oar – 14 Days)
Days are slower, deeper, and more exploratory.
- Marble Canyon hikes
- Nankoweap
- Little Colorado
- Hance / Sockdolager
- Phantom Ranch resupply
- Granite Gorge
- Elves Chasm
- Deer Creek
- Tapeats / Thunder River
- Havasu Canyon
- Lava Falls
- 209 Mile Canyon
- Peaceful final days toward Pearce Ferry
Common Questions About Full Canyon Trips
Here are some major questions related to Grand Canyon Rafting Trips asked by customers.
No. Full Canyon trips do not require any major hiking.
Not at all. They are designed to show you every major highlight efficiently.
Most guests do not. The motion is different from ocean waves.
Yes — ages vary by outfitter (typically 8–12 for motor, 12–14 for oar).
No. And that’s part of the magic.
Every outdoor expedition carries some risk, however commercial guides are highly trained and riverside safety briefings keep guests well-prepared.
Yes — especially spring and fall non-motorized trips. Book early.
Customize your trip!
Is a Full Canyon Trip Worth It?
In one word: yes.
This is the trip that changes people. Guides see it again and again — guests becoming quieter, happier, more present, more alive. The canyon doesn’t just show you things… it teaches you things.
If you want the version of this adventure that travelers talk about for decades, choose the Full Canyon.
Why Book Your Full Canyon Trip with Advantage Grand Canyon
- Access to all 16 licensed outfitters
- Unbiased comparison
- Real-time availability
- Custom trip matching
- Free service — same price as booking direct
- Personalized guidance from experienced rafters
- Strong guest reputation: 70+ Google 5-stars, 120 TripAdvisor reviews
Planning a Full Canyon trip is complex. We make it simple — and make sure you get a trip that fits your goals, dates, and comfort level.
FULL Grand Canyon Trips
Ready to Find the Perfect Full Canyon Trip?
