Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [185]
All the companies operating in Grand Canyon run excellent trips, though all are subject to the whims of the Colorado River and the storms that move through the canyon. For about $225 per day, all provide food, portable toilets, and some camping equipment, as well as access to parts of the inner canyon that are difficult, if not impossible, to reach on foot. Among them are some of the most beautiful places on earth.
For a list of companies offering both motorized and oar-powered river trips through the canyon, contact the park directly or visit www.nps.gov/grca.
Tamer Alternatives. Wilderness River Adventures, P.O. Box 717, Page, AZ 86040 (☎ 800/528-6154; www.river adventures.com), offers half-day smooth-water raft trips from the base of Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry, where the companies floating into Grand Canyon begin their trips. Cost for the half-day trip is $62 for adults, $52 for children under 13. This company also runs whitewater trips (☎ 800/992-8022).
Grand Canyon Airlines (☎ 866/235-9422 or 928/638-2463; www.grand canyonairlines.com) and Wilderness River Adventures offer full-day smooth-water raft trips from the base of Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry. Round-trip bus transportation is provided to and from the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, transferring through Grand Canyon National Park and the Navajo Indian Reservation. Cost for this tour is $118 adults, $65 for children under 12.
One-day motorized raft trips through the westernmost part of Grand Canyon are available through Hualapai River Runners, P.O. Box 359, Peach Springs, AZ 86434 (☎ 888/255-9550 or 928/ 769-2219; www.grandcanyonresort.com). The trips, which cost $280 per person plus tax, begin with rapids at Diamond Creek and end on the banks of Lake Mead.
Overflights. Five companies at Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan currently offer scenic airplane or helicopter rides over the canyon. With more than 600,000 people taking air tours over the canyon every year, the flights, which generate a great deal of noise in parts of the park, have become a politically charged issue.
The following companies offer air tours originating from Tusayan:
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters (☎ 800/528-2418; www.papillon.com); Air Grand Canyon (☎ 800/247-4726 or 928/638-2686; www.airgrandcanyon.com); AirStar Helicopters (☎ 866/689-8687; www.airstar.com); Grand Canyon Airlines (☎ 866/235-9422; www.grand canyonairlines.com); and Scenic Airlines (☎ 800/634-6801; www.scenic.com).
Prices for air tours vary, but the airplane flights, by and large, last longer and cost less. Most airplane tours remain airborne for 40 to 50 minutes, at costs ranging from $75 to $99 per person; most helicopter tours fly for 30 minutes, at costs of $99 to $120. The planes also cover more ground, crossing the canyon near Hermits Rest and returning along the East Rim, near Desert View. Helicopter tours usually fly out and back in the same corridor near Hermits Rest. (Some do go for the full loop.)
Mule Rides. The prospect of descending narrow trails above steep cliffs on animals hardly famous for their intelligence might make you nervous. Once on the trail, however, you'll soon discover that the mules are no more enthralled by the idea of falling than you are. Although the mules walk close to the edges, there has never been a fatal accident on a Fred Harvey mule ride.
From the South Rim, you can take a 12-mile round-trip day ride to Plateau Point, or purchase a package that includes the ride into and out of the canyon and lodging and meals at Phantom Ranch. Because the rides are strenuous for both riders and mules, the wranglers strictly adhere to the following requirements: You must weigh less than 200 pounds fully dressed, be at least 4 feet, 7 inches tall, speak English, and not be pregnant.
The day ride, which breaks for lunch at Indian Garden, costs $136. The Phantom Ranch overnight costs $366 for one person, $652 for two, and $297 for each additional person. The