Western River Expeditions’ website will accept reservations for Grand Canyon 2026 departures that are generally acknowledged as the world’s most coveted rafting vacations (and the first to fill up).

This annual event will attract adventure lovers, domestic and international, who yearn to bag a seat on a much sought-after river rafting expedition through Grand Canyon National Park. This is the widely anticipated opportunity to secure reservations now for what many rafting aficionados consider one of the world’s ultimate river rafting experiences. These early bird booking dates are expected to secure reservations for up to 90 percent of Western River Expeditions’ 2026 Grand Canyon vacations inventory. Historically demand outpaces supply; within hours of the reservation window opening, many departures are sold out. For trip details and dates, please see visit Western’s Grand Canyon Rafting page.

“Our reservation teams have hosted this call-to-action every year in early December. We love the excitement our potential clients gift to us. It’s a wonderful way of recharging our batteries and to look forward to another exciting rafting season,” said Bonnie Cratch, Reservations Manager. This year’s reservation team is expected to field questions from hundreds of potential clients, many of whom decide on the spot to secure their departure dates for this adventure of a lifetime.

Reservation requests are best fulfilled, said Cratch, if clients are flexible and aren’t locked into just one single departure date. While you can make a reservation request immediately online (preferred), those phoning in may experience short waits as reservationists work as quickly as they can to satisfy callers. To preview 2026 Grand Canyon rates and dates please see https://www.westernriver.com/grand-canyon-raft-trips-2026.

The river rafting season on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon runs from April into September. The longer 6- and 7-day trips with the thrills of class III-V rapids are open to guests as young as 12. The minimum age is nine for 3- and 4-day trips that come with class II-III rapids. Western’s exclusive J-Rig raft provides accessibility for all levels of rafters on even the largest whitewater rapids in the Grand Canyon. Rafting trips include plenty of hiking in side canyons that allow access to waterfalls, slot canyons, native ruins, rock art, and geologic wonders that the 5 million or so casual hikers from the rim may never see.

For details on the trips, Western River Expeditions offers complimentary Expedition Guides in PDF format (https://www.westernriver.com/expedition-guide). The comprehensive guides include river maps, overviews, full itineraries, camping and weather information, details on physical requirements, packing lists, and more.

Grand Canyon trips are always in high demand and fill quickly. To protect the Canyon and maximize one’s enjoyment of nature, the National Park Service closely regulates the number of rafting participants traveling through the Grand Canyon each year, creating space limitations and a scramble for reservations. 

For those who are flexible and perhaps miss the boat on Grand Canyon reservations, two lesser-known options to rafting the Grand Canyon include:

• A four-day trip through Utah’s Cataract Canyon, often referred to as the “The Grand Canyon’s Younger Sister”. Located deep within Canyonlands National Park, this canyon is near enough in scale, appearance and proximity to the Grand Canyon that it works the same kind of magic one will find in the Grand herself.
• A five-day family-oriented journey down Desolation Canyon on the Green River in Utah. This is a mellower but equally breathtaking rafting experience suitable for kids as young as five. 

If you’re looking for the perfect adventure for 2025, Western River Expeditions still has some availability on select departures in the Grand Canyon as well as some unforgettable experiences in Utah, Idaho and Oregon.

To access reservations or obtain a copy of Western River Expeditions’ annual catalog, call toll-free: 866.904.1160 (Local: 801.942.6669) or visit the website at: http://www.westernriver.com/.

About Western River Expeditions
Since 1961, Western River Expeditions has been at the forefront of adventure travel, offering unforgettable guided rafting trips across Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Arizona. As the largest licensed outfitter in the Grand Canyon and the leading tour provider in Moab, UT, through its division Moab Adventure Center, Western River has earned accolades from USA Today 10Best and Newsweek Magazine as one of the top rafting companies in the U.S. The company has also been awarded Utah’s Best of State honor for twenty-one consecutive years (2004-2024).

To preview dates and book online go to: https://www.westernriver.com/grand-canyon-raft-trips-2026; or book by phone at: 866.904.1160 (Local: 801.942.6669).