Colorado River — Grand Canyon
🏞 National Park
Coconino / Mohave Co. · 226 mi · Class I–V
8,070CFS/ 8.15 ft
Optimal↓Falling slowly (-100 cfs/hr)· -170 cfs in 3h
Water temp: 53°F — Hypothermia risk, wear a drysuit
Optimal: 8000–25000 CFS · USGS #09380000
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Difficulty
Optimal
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USGS Gauge
Grand Canyon National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site, 1979)
The greatest river journey in North America — 226 miles through the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The Colorado cuts through 1.7 billion years of geological record. Lava Falls (Class V) drops 37 feet in 300 yards — the most famous single rapid in North America. Wait times for private permits now exceed 10–15 years.
Trip sections
Lee's Ferry to Phantom Ranch — Class I–IV, upper canyon
Phantom Ranch to Diamond Creek — Class III–V, middle canyon with Lava Falls
Diamond Creek to Lake Mead — Class I–III, lower canyon
Notable Rapids
Badger Creek RapidClass III
First real rapid below Lees Ferry. Mile 8. Welcome to the Grand Canyon.
Hance RapidClass IV
Mile 77. The gateway to the Inner Gorge. A rocky, technical rapid that has flipped many a raft.
Horn Creek RapidClass IV
Mile 90. Two massive holes guard the center. A classic Grand Canyon big-water drop.
Hermit RapidClass IV
Mile 95. Five enormous standing waves in a row — the best wave train in the Grand Canyon.
Crystal RapidClass V
Mile 98. Created by a 1966 flash flood. A violent hole on the left, a rock garden on the right. Scout from the right.
Lava FallsClass V
Mile 179. The most famous single rapid in North America. A 37-foot drop in 300 yards. The scout takes longer than the run. Commit to a line and hold on.
Permit Required
⚠This river requires a permit for overnight trips
Grand Canyon River Permit
Managed by: National Park Service — Grand Canyon NP
Type: Weighted lottery
Required for: Overnight trips
Application Window
Opens: February 1
Closes: Late February
Results announced: Late February (followup lotteries throughout the year)
Season & Logistics
Year-round – Year-round
Group size: 1–16 people
Cost varies by trip type and length — typical fees include a per-person/per-night user fee plus a non-refundable launch fee. Current fee schedule on the NPS site. The weighted lottery favors applicants who have not run the canyon recently; wait times for desirable launch dates exceed 12 years. Followup lotteries run throughout the year as cancellations come in. Permit holder must be on the river every day of the trip; commercial trips operate under a separate allocation.
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Commercial trips available
Roughly 25,000 people run the canyon annually under commercial allocation. Trips range from 6-day motor to 18-day oar. See outfitters below for booking.
Last verified: 2025 · Permit rules change annually — always confirm with the managing agency before applying.
Outfitters
OARS Grand Canyon
Premium Grand Canyon oar and motor trips
Arizona Raft Adventures
All Grand Canyon trip styles
Grand Canyon Expeditions
Motor and oar trips since 1969
72-Hour Flow Forecast
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.