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Half Day Glen Canyon Rafting Trip➤

We opted to explore part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on the Half Day Smooth Water Rafting tour with Colorado River Discovery. This was the highlight of our stay in Page. This outfitter ceased operations a few years after our visit. It looks like Wilderness River Adventures still conducts a similar tour.

We checked in early at the Colorado River Discovery store in Page. Next we rode a bus through a two-mile tunnel in the canyon walls to the docks at the base of the Glen Canyon Dam….this tunnel was created for the workers who built the dam. You have to comply with Homeland Security rules to use the Dam Access Tunnel. CRD provided us with clear plastic bags for our belongings.

At the docks we boarded a pontoon raft capable of holding up to 24 people. We only had 12 on ours, so it was a peaceful ride. Our guide Nate told us a little of the area’s history, pointed out some interesting geologic formations, and various wildlife like bighorn sheep!

Nate kept it fun while we relaxed and enjoyed the ride. It was a smooth ride to Horseshoe Bend. We went faster on the way back, but we welcomed the cooling spray.

The rafts docked at Boater’s Beach at the foot of Horseshoe Bend. We walked a short path to see some petroglyphs. There was a National Park Ranger answering questions about them. Then we dipped our toes in the frigid 47 degree water…some folks had their swim suits and were brave enough to go all the way in.

Back on the boat,  we went a little further around the bend to see some interesting rock formations and then we motored back to the Dam access tunnel.

To see my other Glen Canyon National Recreation Area posts, please click on the links:

• Horseshoe Bend
• Lone Rock Beach
• Navajo Bridge
• Wahweap Overlook & Marina
• Hanging Garden Trail
• Glen Canyon Dam and Overlook
• Antelope Canyon

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Location: Page, Arizona
Designation: National Recreation Area
Date designated/established: October 27, 1972
Date of my visit: August 18, 2014