Motorized River Rafts
Colorado River Discovery utilizes inflatable, motorized pontoon rafts. Comfortably carrying a maximum of 22 passengers and piloted by an experienced guide, these rafts are ideal for navigating the fifteen miles of Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry, Arizona.
This stretch of the mighty Colorado, located just above the northeastern boundary of Grand Canyon National Park, is among the most dramatic and scenic found anywhere. This remaining portion of original Glen Canyon is one of the river’s true treasures, and one of the few places along the river's entire length where such stunning scenery is accessible for day tours.
Each Colorado River Discovery raft is powered by one of the cleanest, most fuel efficient and quietest outboard motors available today, supplied by Honda Marine. In addition to moving under power, you will also spend time on your trip gently floating along with the river’s current while your guide tells the area’s story.
Just in case, each raft carries emergency communications and safety equipment. Cold water and assorted sodas will be available at all times. Because this is a smoothwater stretch of river, the wearing of lifejackets by adults is optional. Children, twelve years and younger, must wear a lifejacket at all times while the rafts are underway.
Oar Powered River Rafts
Colorado River Discovery utilizes Northwest River Supply Expedition – 180 self bailing rafts. These rafts can comfortably carry up to 8 passengers. These rafts allow us to be much more intimate with the river and the canyon under the power of the river’s current and one set of oars captained by you guide.
The Colorado River Discovery Oar Rafts are the cleanest source of navigating any waterway. With the raft being powered and navigated by the highly skilled arms and legs of you experienced river guide.
Because this stretch of river will be smoothwater rafting, the wearing of lifejackets by adults is optional. Children, twelve years and younger, must wear a lifejacket at all times while the rafts are underway.
Learn more about the full-day rowing trip.
“Green” Motorized River Rafts
Colorado River Discovery was proud to unveil the first of the “Green” prototype boats in 2008. We are committed to doing everything we can to reduce the effects that we have on the environment while sharing this region with all who are interested in experiencing beautiful Glen Canyon.
The “Green” boat has been constructed to be more efficient on fossil fuels by making it lighter and a smoother ride through the water. These minor changes should reduce the amount of fuel by approximately half. Colorado River Discovery produced a second “Green” raft in 2009. The new green raft is 4 feet longer than the traditional rafts and able to accommodate more guests. This raft with its additional length, is more fuel efficient than the traditional rafts that were used in the past.
Colorado River Discovery with the help of the National Park Service has also started planning for the development of an alternative motor technology. The National Park Service through the generosity of the Centennial Initiative will donate funds for the research of these environmentally friendly motors. The Centennial Initiative was given at the end 2007 to Colorado River Discovery and the Grand Canyon River outfitters.
CRD is extremely excited to be apart of the Centennial Initiative, and we plan on becoming more environmentally friendly every year.
