Arizona
Rafting Grand Canyon’s Granite Gorge
Program No. 21044RJ
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Rafting Grand Canyon’s Granite Gorge
Rafting Grand Canyon’s Granite Gorge
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Participant Reviews
Based on 27 Reviews
SHOWING
This trip fulfilled a long term dream perfectly. Don't hesitate to go.
— Review left October 9, 2025
To start with it was a wonderful trip. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to experience one of the most magnificent marvels of nature in the world.
It is a truly a magical place and the NAU crew were incredible. The food was top line, and it was amazing how they prepared it on the shore of the river. We are still laughing about the funny stories Chris told. Chris is the best at cooling us with a water gun. The hikes were absolutely amazing. The music and the musicians (Kaleb) were so much fun. The lights and the musicians in the Cleft were really special. In conclusion incredible scenery, wonderful people and great adventure on the rapids.
— Review left June 10, 2025
This was a great trip from start to finish - learning about the Grand Canyon that began with a visit to the South Rim, and continued with rafting on the Colorado River. Camping by the Colorado River each night and sleeping under the stars was very special. My thanks to the professional and knowledgeable team from Northern Arizona University: Chris, our Road Scholar Group Leader, and the other river guides that took good care of us: Matt, Caleb, Jaden, and Kendrick.
This trip was well planned and executed by Northern Arizona University and I give it five stars.
— Review left May 23, 2025
Because of great leadership and support, this trip was a fun adventure with an education. A great group of people enriched the experience even more!
— Review left May 22, 2025
This is a great trip for those who wish to experience the grandeur and thrill of rafting the Grand Canyon but don't want to commit to 7-14 days on the river. It provides a wonderful "sampler" of all of the best aspects of rafting the canyon while helping to educate you regarding the geology and history of this unique region. You'll be thrilled by the rapids, enthralled by the river-side hikes, and delighted by the food and fellowship.
— Review left May 22, 2025
This was a unique opportunity to experience the Grand Canyon in a new way, to learn about its history and geology, and to challenge myself physically with excellent guidance and support!
— Review left May 22, 2025
It was a great trip. Perfect if you’ve wanted to raft and float down the Grand Canyon for a short (3-night) trip. Sherri O’Neil, the tour leader, did an amazing job. Her briefings on the geological and indigenous histories of the canyon were exceptionally well-informed and understandable. In addition, we have an amazing lead NAU river guide, John Mecklin, and his crew Rachel Richardson (who was exceptional as the lead on the paddle boat where I spent most of my time), Kendrick Estes and Jaden Kirk. But be prepared for a bit of discomfort: you are camping for 3 nights (with sand and occasional ants as your companions) and need to help load and unload the boats every morning and every afternoon. Mobility and adaptability are key!
— Review left May 5, 2025
This program is spectacular and the staff amazing!
— Review left October 28, 2024
I just returned from a fabulous trip to the Grand Canyon. Here are a few things to expect:
Tuesday – arrival at La Quinta Inn and Suites. The hotel is clean, comfortable and safe. The staff was extremely friendly, professional and accommodating. Our room consisted of two queen beds. As there were three of us we were able to rent a rollaway with still room to move around. We attended an informative orientation conducted by our wonderful tour leader Kyle. We also met two of the five tour operators from Northern Arizona University who discussed what to bring, provided our rafting equipment including dry and day bags and what to expect. I could already tell we were in good hands.
Wednesday – we were transported to the Grand Canyon in a comfortable passenger van. We visited several sites which involved hiking. Comfortable clothing and shoes, sun visors or head covering and sun screen is a must.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – Rafting and hiking. We met all five members of our rafting team - Liz, Kate, Rachel, Matt and Jaden. The five of them worked hard – rafting, helping with setting up camp every night, cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner, providing us with commentary and facts on the history of the Grand Canyon. They were such a fun, upbeat and entertaining group. They did everything to make our trip easy and special. If you are lucky enough to have these five as your rafting team, you are in for the trip of a lifetime.
The meals they cooked were impressive with the equipment used. There are propane tanks and grills. We had coffee, tea, juice, pancakes, eggs, sausage, hash browns, fruit, salmon, chicken, boneless pork chops, rice, vegetables, onions, peppers, cold cut sandwiches and chicken Caesar pockets to name a few of the meals. Liz made an amazing pineapple upside down cake in a cast iron pan that was food network worthy. There was plenty of water and snacks provided. You will need your own water bottle, but leave your snacks.
— Review left May 25, 2024
This journey provided more than anticipated. Anyone over 50 and would like to go camping for the first time should consider Road Scholars in their travel plans!
— Review left May 22, 2024
Amazing adventure!
— Review left May 8, 2024
Invigorating. Be ready to raft fast water, get wet/cold, climb wet/rocky terrain, sleep under the stars!
— Review left May 4, 2024
This was a fabulous experience! The activity level is classified as “spirited” but not too strenuous for this 57 year young office worker. Accommodations on the river were comfortable; however, note that two cots do not fit in a small two person tent. This is the outdoors, I highly recommend bringing bug spray and a mosquito net. No need to pack any food, there is plenty and the staff knows how to prepare delightful dishes.
— Review left October 11, 2023
If you would like to go on this trip, but are hesitating because on your river days EVERYTHING is happening outdoors, don't give it another thought and just sign up. Your Road Scholar guides are there to help and you will be surprised how well organized a camp on the edge of the Colorado can be. If needed, you get help and learn how to pitch your tent, be absolutely amazed at how delicious the food is (I still dream about the pineapple upside down cake our guide Lizzie made), and you will even learn to "enjoy" the wonderful view and privacy in using the "Groover"! You will feel amazing after having been immersed in nature for a view days!
Extra bonus: The wonderful people you will share this adventure with.
Chris
Sedona, AZ
— Review left October 3, 2023
The Rafting Grand Canyon’s Granite Gorge trip was amazing -- a once in a lifetime trip for me, and one I've wanted to do for decades. Seeing the Canyon from the Colorado river really gets across the scale of the Canyon; from the rim everything looks much smaller. I still can't believe I slept within feet of the Colorado River, without a tent, looking up at the Milky Way. Rafting through the rapids was thrilling and fun; the camping logistics were managed perfectly; the food was fantastic. This was one of my best vacations EVER.
— Review left September 28, 2023
Fantastic trip! Really experienced primitive camping in one of the world’s great natural areas. A less crowded National Park experience with several beautiful and challenging hikes.
— Review left May 20, 2023
Though 75 and the oldest in the group, I was able to keep up with those younger due to good physical conditioning.
— Review left May 11, 2023
From beginning to end, this Grand Canyon river rafting and camping trip was phenomenal. The professional and super-proficient crew, the organizational preparation down to the tiniest detail, the spectacular landscapes and memorable river adventures—all made our 14th Road Scholar trip unforgettable. We are not campers, have never camped outdoors in our lives, never spent a night in a tent, but found this doable, accessible, manageable because the crew does the set-up, provides the meals, and makes it all flow in a well-practiced sequence, with plenty of room for spontaneity and unexpected discoveries. We still haven’t spent a night in a tent because we chose to sleep outside under the stars with our pad and sleeping bag and the Milky Way overhead. I know there’s always a waitlist for this trip, but do what you can to be a part of this outdoor exploration. We discovered we’re capable of more than we thought. It’s challenging, it’s intense, it’s rewarding, it’s extraordinary. —Ben and Joyce Wiley/Florida
— Review left October 2, 2022
Outstanding awesome trip experiencing the canyon from the rim and the river. Be sure to try rowing the paddleboat the last morning even if only for a few minutes and be sure to take a turn in the duckies. There are two tiny rapids; maybe even give steering rapids a try. Also be sure to read the trip specific packing instructions very carefully so you aren't caught off guard once on the river. The weather will do anything it wants and practically nothing that is predicted. Enjoy.
— Review left September 27, 2022
Great fun, great weather, great friends and staff!
— Review left October 21, 2021
21044 River Rafting the Granite Gorge was the best yet of the two I have taken, mainly because it was a bit out of my comfort zone. I love the learning part that goes with the program, partly because I love to learn about my world, but also because the learning part and activity ratings weed out the people that would slow down the group. Everyone in our group was enthusiastic, fun, ready to help and share. I enjoyed it immensely and can’t wait for #3. I travel by myself and have no qualms doing that as a female who is an active 71. Thank You Road Scholar!
— Review left May 23, 2019
Exceptional experience. This was our first Roads Scholar course and will not be the last. Professionalism is a constant. Top quality Guide/Instructor (thanks Mike...hope we meet again) who’s exceptional knowledge of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, great rafting skills, affability, and outstanding people skills made this adventure so enjoyable. Top quality rafting crew....four friendly and energetic young men who give me hope for the future (thanks Clint, Evan, Alex and Quinn...great job). Camping under the stars or in a tent was fantastic. Food top notch. You really forget about the outside world while on this trip and marvel at the natural wonder and treasure that is the Grand Canyon. As a bonus, you meet great people who you can form lasting friendships in the future. Loved small group...eleven students. A perspective on the Grand Canyon that is a MUST if you’re up to the challenge.
— Review left May 21, 2019
A terrific experience -- rafting through the Grand Canyon, on moderately challenging rapids, camping on the riverbank, sleeping under the stars, eating great food, and with a fun group of participants, boatmen, and guide. All around, an A+ experience!
— Review left May 12, 2019
This was an outstanding trip. We had 4 days of beautiful sights from the Colorado River. Side hikes took us to secreted away waterfalls. Our guide, Jeff, had an astounding wealth of knowledge about the area, and the crew from NAU (Clint, Evan, Benny and Alex) were marvelous.
— Review left May 6, 2019
I loved experiencing the Grand Canyon from a unique perspective! The first day’s hike along the South Rim is a great start to learning about the history and geology - our Road Scholar trip leader Jeff is an encyclopedia on everything about the Grand Canyon. The first 2 rafting days are class 3-4 whitewater. I had no whitewater experience but always felt safe with our very experienced river guides. The guides also took us to beautiful waterfalls via easy hikes, and if anyone in our group needed help, the guides were there to provide assistance. Camping on the river is not for everyone but I loved it. The stars are spectacular! You need to be able to carry your dry bag up sandy beaches. I was most worried about the “groover” but it was easy. The meals provided by the river guides were very good. This trip was AWESOME and I highly recommend it!
— Review left May 2, 2019
A wonderful, exciting, beautiful week of rafting, hiking and camping under the stars. The food was amazing, the staff and group leader were kind, knowledgeable and welcoming to everyone. Amazing, I would recommend this to anyone who really wants to experience the Grand Canyon "up close!"
— Review left May 1, 2019
If you've ever dreamed about white water rafting down the Grand Canyon, this may be the trip for you! Paddling down the river with fun, experienced raftsmen, enjoying great meals prepared by them, and sleeping under an amazing star lit sky are only a few of the benefits of this program. Do this trip - you will be so glad you did!
— Review left May 1, 2019