Rafting in the Grand Canyon in winter: an amazing adventure without the crowds of tourists

It's no wonder that one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon attracts visitors from all over the globe. But few people are familiar with one of the most exclusive winter experiences: exploring the national park on rafts (inflatable boats). Travel Leisure.

Photo: IStock

With millions of people flocking to the Grand Canyon for stunning views and day hikes, it's easy to wonder how such a huge place can be so crowded. But for lovers of solitude there is a way out.

Grand Canyon Rafting is a nearly 200 km adventure from Lee's Ferry to Diamond Creek. It can take up to 25 days, depending on the pace of the group. Some days on the river can be spent floating through calm sections and admiring the colorful rocks and textured formations. Other days will be spent holding tightly to the raft as your boat navigates adrenaline-pumping rapids.

On the subject: The Grand Canyon is especially charming in winter: what you need to know to make your trip a success

The banks of the Colorado River offer even more opportunities to explore. The trails you will pass lead to narrow places, peaceful grottoes and rushing waterfalls that are almost impossible to reach without a boat. The river also provides access to thousands of archaeological sites that tell the story of the indigenous people. You will see the Puebloan granaries at Nancoweep, which were used to store grain and seeds.

Skipping

Permits for such non-commercial travel have been awaited for decades. It wasn't until 2006 that the National Park Service (NPS) changed the existing waiting list system, which has been reported to have been in place for 25 years. Now visitors can take part in the annual lottery.

Every February, thousands of people optimistically write down their names, hoping that this year they will finally receive one of the 250 tickets. While there are no guarantees of a permit, one way to increase your chances of whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon is to apply for less popular dates, especially during the winter.

Not only are winter visits easier to secure, it's during the winter that you can feel the closest connection to the canyon because commercial flights and motorboats are banned. This will give you quieter travel days and far fewer people on the river.

Special equipment

However, avoiding the crowds comes at a price, as nighttime temperatures often drop below freezing and snow is not uncommon. In early winter, the lack of daylight combined with the high walls of the canyon limits direct sunlight. They light up the canyon for only a few hours a day.

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To keep warm during the day, adventurers dress up as if they are going on a skiing adventure. Fleece-lined underwear and puffy jackets should be worn. The top layer of clothing for the river is a nylon drysuit that keeps everything underneath completely dry.

A $1000 drysuit is just one piece of gear needed for the winter months. The cold-weather gear list includes not only extra layers to keep you warm, but also a few unexpected items that help keep you comfortable in cold conditions.

While summer skincare aims to prevent sunburn, dry hands in winter are a yachtsman's worst enemy. After just a few days on the river, the skin can begin to crack and wrinkle, so you need to apply a generous amount of moisturizer. Ice fishing boots, meanwhile, are heavy but popular footwear for keeping feet dry and warm while loading and unloading boats on shore every night.

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So, is it worth it? Many will prefer to stay with the crowds at the edge of the tourist areas or go commercial rafting in the summer. But if you have the opportunity to spend weeks at the bottom of the Grand Canyon with little to no people, it seems like a worthy compromise for a little bit of frost on your backpack in the morning.

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