Skip to Main Content
Arizona

Exploring & Rafting the Western Grand Canyon With Your Grandchild

Program No. 2519RJ
Explore the Western Grand Canyon with your grandchild as you whitewater raft the Colorado River, and learn about the life of a cowboy!

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Participant Reviews
4.25
Based on 11 Reviews
SHOWING
Barbara – Class of 2018 | West Lafayette, IN
I recently returned from a Road Scholar Grandparent’s trip to the Grand Canyon. My grandchild and I had a fantastic time seeing the Canyon from the rim, the river at the bottom, and the air in a helicopter. Not only did we make new memories together, but we also made new friends that we hope to stay in touch with. I highly recommend this experience for both the educational and relationship value.
— Review left July 1, 2024
This participant did not give a star rating.
Virginia – Class of 2019 | Salem, OR
Excellent agenda, kids nicely busy and made friends across the country and Canada. Would be good to better detail daily plan ahead, starts at 7:00 a.m. and LONG shuttle rides.
— Review left September 28, 2023
Sarah – Class of 2007 | Englewood, FL
The program leaders were excellent and the restaurant food was well done. The interaction with horses and ranching was very good, as was the presentation on native plants. Tie-dyed t-shirts were fun as was the campfire for s'mores. However, there were several several drawbacks at the Caverns motel. The elevator to the caverns was not working and had not been working for some time. The laundry machine was broken. There was no miniature golf. My AC went out for whatever reason and we had to wait for a maintenance guy. Another guest complained about a fly investation. Of course, Road Scholar can't be rsponsible for the heat, but it was very, very intense. The NAU vans could not provide decent AC. Rafting was great fun, but because there was no helicoptor ride (no pilots available), we spent several extra hours on the river, just moving downstream. Very boring and very, very hot--120 degrees on the river.
— Review left July 28, 2023
Carolyn – Class of 2006 | Norfolk, MA
Very disappointed! The motel was very dirty and run down, bugs on the bathroom floor ,missing draw handles,holes in the walls, rug was filthy and covered in stains. Hard to believe you would put anyone up in a place like that. I was notified 3 days before my trip with my 2 grandchildren and sister that the caverns were closed and there was no helicopter ride. The part that was most upsetting was the deception. We were told by the motel employees that the cavern has been closed since October. On Tuesday we spent 3 hours to go eat ice cream. We were told it was to fill in the time we would of been at the caverns. A total waste. The refund is not acceptable. All the refunds should be given to me not to my two 10 year old grandchildren or my sister as I paid for the entire trip. This was her 1st trip with road scholar and I m sure it’s her last. This is my 14th trip with Road Scholar and understand things happen but this is unacceptable.
— Review left July 19, 2023
Reply from Road Scholar
We are very sorry that your experience was less than satisfactory. We have pulled all future programs out of the hotel, as it has declined at a surprisingly rapid rate. We were told by this facility that the Caverns elevator was under repair and would be open in time for the Road Scholar program. Unfortunately, they were not able to get the parts needed for repair. We are also experiencing a helicopter pilot shortage in the Grand Canyon. During the pandemic, many pilots sought other employment as the National Parks had so few visitors. We were finally told that our group would not have this event, and we refunded participants for this experience and the closed caverns.
Patricia | Horseshoe Bay, TX
The trip had great guides, Brendan O'Brien and Sandy Kehs, who were very attentive and organized. They took good care of us and kept us informed about the places we were going and the history of the area. We were disappointed that we did not get to do the Caverns tour as it was listed in our itinerary. The 2nd big disappointment was not being able to do the helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. If this happens again it would be much better to stop the rafting tour after 4 hours on the river, as 6 hours in the hot sun is too long. The swimming pool at the Inn was not available and the grounds were all dug up and very dusty. It would be helpful to have a handout to take home with the historical summary of the purpose and learning objectives of the week. This was our first Roads Scholar trip and did not meet our expectations. We understand that we will get a refund for the helicopter tour and hopefully that will happen soon.
— Review left June 27, 2023
This participant did not give a star rating.
Sherrie – Class of 2016 | Fairfax, VA
A wonderful trip great guides. Problems: Elevator to the caverns broke often preventing us from visiting that area/event. Disappointing! Two out of three rafts had difficulties on the river causing a prolonged trepan the heat. The three rafts were lashed together to complete the trip. The company sent a speed boat to ferry us to the helicopter landing area. Trip to the river cancelled due to weather/flash flooding. No fault there! Food ample and good. Rooms appropriate for the location and the theme.
— Review left August 23, 2022
Nancy – Class of 2013 | Annapolis, MD
The Grand Canyon trip was fascinating for my grandchild and for me. River rafting down the Grand Canyon was a huge highlight, along with helicoptering out of the Canyon. The leaders Stewart and Karen were superb, and the trip was full of learning, excitement and fun!
— Review left August 13, 2022
This participant did not give a star rating.
Carole – Class of 2006 | Wilmington, DE
I was very disappointed in this trip. I have been on three other inter-generational trips with other grandchildren and I felt like we spent a lot of time at the pool without planned activities. Our leader while very knowledgeable was somewhat unorganized. He did not check to see if there was a laptop included with the other equipment to watch the movie cars one evening after our excursion.I also was not happy with the extra expenses That I had to pay. There was only one time the shuttle ran from Las Vegas to peach Springs. I needed to come in a day early and pay for hotel and food expenses. If I had come in on the day the trip started I would have missed the shuttle since our plane was at least a half hour to 45 minutes late. The shuttle was also an added expense for the two of us it cost $360. Our accommodations were very rough and on the last day of the trip I needed to move to a new room since we had plumbing problems.
— Review left August 10, 2022
Annette – Class of 2004 | Akron, OH
What a great week! Our leaders were the best ever and the location was stunning. How fun to experience whitewater rafting then fly out of the Grand Canyon. Everyone was grinning ear-to-ear all day. A fabulous week for us and our grandchild. Don't miss this one!
— Review left July 22, 2022
Roberta – Class of 2019 | Watervliet, NY
My 13-year old grandson lives in Baltimore and was delighted with his first trip to the American West. In his thank you note, he wrote that the trip had brought him closer to me as we explored the raw beauty of the Grand Canyon together.
— Review left June 30, 2019
Joanna – Class of 2008 | Joppa, MD
Wonderful! Jen, and Tracy were so patient and helpful with all of us. So much information. Such a nice group. My grandson will never forget this adventure. I only wish I had gotten e mails and phone numbers from my group to keep in touch. Joanna Wheeler
— Review left June 19, 2019





Recommended For You