Two kinds of packrafting trips
Packrafting in the Grand Canyon generally falls into two categories:
- Raft-assisted backcountry travel: Using a packraft briefly to cross or follow the river as part of a longer hiking or canyoneering route.
- Full river trips: Multi-day floats down the Colorado River, which are regulated much like other private river trips.
The two are very different in difficulty, permitting, and risk. Which category you are in determines the paperwork, the skills you need, and the gear.
Rules and permits
Rules for packrafts in Grand Canyon National Park are specific and have been updated over time, so check the National Park Service’s current packrafting page before you plan anything. Commonly reported points include:
- Short river connections for backcountry trips have been handled under a backcountry permit, with a limit on how many river miles can be combined with a hike.
- Some stretches of river, such as near Lees Ferry, have been closed to this kind of travel.
- Longer river trips fall under the park’s river permit system, which is highly competitive.
Traveling without the right permit can bring fines and other penalties, so verify with the park rather than relying on any article, including this one.
Skills required
The Colorado River in the canyon is cold, powerful, and has major rapids. Experienced paddlers often stress that trips should only be attempted by people with solid whitewater skills and swiftwater rescue training. A packraft is much less stable than a larger boat, and mistakes can be costly in remote terrain where help is far away.
Gear
- A whitewater-capable packraft, typically self-bailing and often with a spray deck for bigger water.
- A personal flotation device rated for whitewater and a whitewater helmet.
- Cold-water protection such as a drysuit or wetsuit, since water temperature remains low even in summer.
- Repair kit, pump, throw rope, and a first aid kit.
- Dry bags suited for river travel. For rope and canyon hardware if your route also involves rappels, see our canyoneering gear list.
Waste and camp practices
River and backcountry rules often require carrying out human waste in a proper system and having a fire pan where fires are allowed. Confirm exactly what is required for your permit type.
Planning notes
For a short connection trip, the main work is route planning, scouting the river section, and managing a heavy pack that includes boat gear. Many people practise on easier rivers first. Time of year matters too, since river flows and weather change.
Related trips
Packrafts are often combined with hiking and technical routes. For land-based planning, see our guide to Grand Canyon backpacking trails, and for technical descents that sometimes use packrafts to return, read about Grand Canyon canyoneering.