Arizona Raft Adventures

07/01/2025

📸 Tuesday Trivia!
Can you name this iconic Grand Canyon location from these clues below?
Swipe through Bent Wiencke’s photos for hints:
🏠 A rustic cabin tucked into the canyon
🚶‍♂️ The trail leading to the canyon’s most famous oasis
📬 A well-worn mailbag
🐴 A team of mules ready to ascend
🚣‍♀️ A nearby boat beach perfect for river runners to dock
🌉 Two legendary bridges—black and silver

That’s right—Phantom Ranch!
The only lodging below the rim in GCNP, steeped in history and adventure.
Have you mailed a postcard from the bottom of the Grand Canyon?
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AzRA acknowledges that we operate on the traditional lands of the Havasupai Tribe, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, Las Vegas Band of Paiute Indians, Moapa Band of Paiute Indians, Navajo Nation, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, The Pueblo of Zuni, Yavapai-Apache Nation
📷: Bent Weincke

06/30/2025

On this day, on June 30, 1956, a tragic mid-air collision occurred when a United Airlines Douglas DC-7 struck a Trans World Airlines Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation over Grand Canyon National Park. The first plane fell into the canyon while the other slammed into a rock face. All 128 on board both airplanes died, making it the first commercial airline incident to exceed one hundred fatalities. The airplanes had departed Los Angeles International Airport minutes apart from each other and headed for Chicago and Kansas City, respectively. The collision took place in uncontrolled airspace, where it was the pilots' responsibility to maintain separation ("see and be seen"). This highlighted the antiquated state of air traffic control, which became the focus of major aviation reforms. Photo from NAU Digital Collection. To learn all the details about this incident watch https://youtu.be/eTj_zSeJV1I?si=nTLXInpUN7rkVriP

06/29/2025

Check out this wonderful Grand Canyon history presentation from the GCHS!
In 1869, John Wesley Powell led the first expedition to successfully navigate the Green and Colorado Rivers, including the Grand Canyon. After three months, three men, Oramel G. Howland, his brother Seneca Howland, and William Dunn, became convinced they wouldn't survive the upcoming rapids. They decided to leave the group and hike out of the canyon, hoping to find a settlement. They were never seen again. One account claims they were killed by Paiute, but their disappearance remains a mystery, and their bodies were never found.

Arnie Richards began hiking in the Grand Canyon in 1967. As of 2023, he had made 51 backpack trips into the canyon, with his first foray into Separation Canyon coming in the spring of 1983. Upon climbing out of Separation, he noticed that there were a number of potential routes to the rim, and this raised the question, "which route did Dunn and the Howlands follow on their ill-fated escape from the canyon in 1869? Arnie spent the next 30 years exploring the region and attempting to answer this question.

This presentation won the Lee Albertson award winner for the best presentation during the 2025 Symposium.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjCNENBSQIQ

In 1969, John Wesley Powell led the first expedition to successfully navigate the Green and Colorado Rivers, including the Grand Canyon. After three months, ...

06/29/2025

🎨 Sunday Art Day!
Don’t forget to pack a journal for your rafting adventure—you never know when inspiration will strike! ✍️ Bonus fun: bring along some colored pencils or watercolors to capture the canyon in full color!
🎨: Margie Cooper Lopez

06/28/2025

River Romance + Canyon Crew Magic! 💍❤️
From one of our latest Google reviews: Tanner Cipriano said, "AZRA gave me the best trip ever especially thanks to our wonderful river guides Steve, Fallon, Vail, Hannah, and Owen who all deserve big raises and/or promotions!!!!!!!! Thanks for helping me propose to the love of my life at the top of Nankoweap!” We have to agree, definitely the best trip every and with help from Tanner's amazing guides, he pulled off an unforgettable proposal at the top of the Nankoweap hike and one of the most iconic views in the canyon!"

Epic views, lifelong memories, and just maybe a few happy tears. 🥹💛Congrats to the newly engaged adventurers—and shoutout to the guides who help make moments like this happen!

📷: Dori B #

06/28/2025

Photo from our hiking guide Helen Ranney from our June 26 interchange on the Bright Angel Trail. What rock layer are they in?

06/27/2025

🎉 Friday Fun!
Will you be on the river for July 4th? Pack some festive outfits, fun dress-up gear or holiday paraphernalia to celebrate in canyon style! 🇺🇸✨
Wigs, hats, tutus—get creative and be the life of the party at the "Sand Bar" or on the raft! Really no holiday needed to celebrate river time!
📷: Ray Morris

06/27/2025

**Stone Creek Surprise!**
Most folks have visited the refreshing first waterfall at Stone Creek—it’s just a short hike from the river or campsite. But did you know there’s a third hidden waterfall farther up the canyon?

Not many make it that far, but it’s worth the effort! Check out this awesome video that captures sections of the hike all the way to the 3rd waterfall:
🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtFGwECwFR8&t=10s
Have you ever made it to the 3rd waterfall or even the 2nd waterfall at Stone Creek? Tell us your story!

📹: George Joy

06/27/2025

Throwback Thursday! In 1906, a tent camp was established near the future site of Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It was called Rust Camp. Irrigation ditches were dug, and cottonwood trees were planted. The camp gave prospectors, hunters, and a few adventurous tourists a place to camp comfortably in the Canyon. Learn more from the Grand Canyon Historical Society at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4XTALH5QSg

06/26/2025

In early June 100 years ago the first car reached the bottom of the Grand Canyon! A sturdy Ford made it down Peach Springs "road" which is the same route we use to take our rafting trips out of the canyon. Still an adventure too!

On this day, 113 years ago, June 7, 1912, B. L. Graves of the Ford Motor Company, returned to Kingman, Arizona, boasting that he was the first person to drive a car to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. He drove a route north of Peach Springs, along Diamond Creek, and reached Diamond Creek Beach on the Colorado River in his Model T touring car he called “The Horned Toad.”

He descended more than 3,500 feet and was accompanied by a newspaper reporter. Graves said, “There probably is no worse road in the world. Deep in sand for more than half the distance with abrupt descents of 30 percent grades.” He brought with him sticks of dynamite to blast rocks blocking his path. The car tipped over once. Other times it bottomed out and had to be jacked up to get unstuck. It took seven hours to drive 22 miles.

06/26/2025

AzRA Guide Bio: Hi, my name is Tony Bernal and I’ve called Grand Canyon home for 10 seasons and have experience in rowing and driving motor rigs. Sharing this place with folks who admire, protect and respect wild places is one of my main passions and that is why you’ll find me on the river every summer. I find traveling by river to be one of the finest forms of transportation. It’s a dance in which the flow of the water is leading. One of my favorite moves in a big boat is backing down the right side of Nixon rock (mile 100). It’s a fun maneuver that really gets everyone excited. Rowing an oar rig is one of my simple pleasures with the serenity of hearing the sound of the river and being more connected to the current especially during high" W" (💨🌬️🤫). My favorite rapid to row is definitely Hermit, ooohweee, what a ride that can be!

Hiking in Grand Canyon can be just as amazing as being on the river depending on the time of year and I absolutely love exploring all the side canyons! One of my favorites is Tuckup Canyon.

One thing you won’t catch me on the river without is sunscreen lip balm, extra water bottles, sun hoodies and a sarong. The sun can be quite the oppressive orb and these items are absolutely imperative.

If you’re looking for a good read to bring along on your trip I suggest “Breaking into the current” by Louise Teal, this book profiles eleven of the first full-season Grand Canyon boatwomen. But really any book you’re captivated by at the moment will do :)