Physical Requirements

Is a Hatch river trip right for you?

CMS Photography

A ​ Colorado River trip is an active vacation in a wilderness environment

To ensure the best possible vacation, we recommend showing up with an adventure attitude ready to explore the hidden depths of the Grand Canyon. Days will be spent navigating the mighty Colorado and veering off into a hidden side canyon for a bit of exploring. Nights will be spent camping on sandy beaches or rocky ledges. There are no hotel accommodations or hot showers. The beauty of this type of vacation is the journey and discovery that comes along with it.

Possibilities are endless as long as guests are aware of the extreme rustic nature of the trip. Though we do our very best to accommodate as many requirements and needs as possible, there are limited resources beyond the rafts and the amazing guides leading your voyages. Consider the needs of all members of your group and if necessary, call the office staff to discuss exactly what each trip entails.

We are in the business of including you all in our Grand Canyon family. Come and join us and enjoy the magic that the Canyon has to offer and be prepared for an adventure.

Jean Nemechek

Physical Requirements

We have hosted guests from 9 to almost 90. There’s a Hatch river trip for just about everyone. But remember, a river trip is an active vacation—it can be challenging to adjust to the physical conditions, including heat, cold, elevation, weather, water and sand. Being in good physical condition will enhance your enjoyment of the trip. Our extensive experience running rafting expeditions has provided us with the knowledge that some factors can provide guests with a more difficult experience than others. Those factors include age, weight, lack of conditioning and heart or other diseases. Please review our Visitor Acknowledgement of Risk form for more specific information.

Here are some minimum requirements you must be able to meet to safely enjoy your journey through the Canyon

  • Able to fit into a Type 5 Life Jacket (max chest size 58”)
  • Ability to hold on to the raft while going through whitewater. Ropes are provided throughout the raft for hand holds.
  • Capable of climbing onto and off of the raft. There will be about a 2 foot step up/down from the raft to the beaches. Please note that some surfaces may be wet and slippery.
  • Comfortable walking on rocky, uneven terrain. Most trails in Grand Canyon are not regularly maintained. Also sand beaches are the norm for camp sites so make sure you are comfortable walking across the sand.
  • Able to carry your own personal gear to and from camp. The maximum weight for personal gear is 25 pounds.

Please Join Us!

We are happy to accommodate a wide range of physical challenges and medical conditions. Neither previous whitewater experience nor swimming ability is required. Please contact our office so we can assist you personally with any concerns.

We have included information on hiking in the Grand Canyon in our Trip Packs. Check out Hit the Trail for some helpful hints on preparing for your hike and get an idea of what it’s really like hiking from within the Grand Canyon from the Colorado River from our blog posts on hiking.

Check pricing and availability and reserve your whitewater rafting trip online today!