Just about three hours from Sedona, the powerful Colorado River cuts into the Colorado Plateau, carving out the Grand Canyon. The Colorado is nearly 1,500 miles long from its headwaters northwest of Denver to its delta in the Gulf of California, and on a stretch of 277 miles winds through the entire length of the Grand Canyon. Although only the Mississippi and Columbia Rivers have higher flow rates than the Colorado River in North America, the Colorado passes through some of the most magnificent and scenic terrain on the planet and is the habitat of a wide array of wildlife.
Over millions of years of carving through soft sandstone and limestone, the Colorado River has been key in the creation of many of the awesome canyons of the Southwest, including the mile-deep Grand Canyon. As this mighty stream passes through the fascinating landscapes of the southwest, the Colorado River supports a wide variety of life in an otherwise extremely arid environment - mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds alike thrive along its shores.
If you want to experience this mighty river up close and personal, come and ride its waters through the breathtaking landscapes of the Glen and Grand Canyons. Several river tours depart from Sedona, and they range from mild to wild.
For those who would rather not get wet and wild, gentle float trips through the magnificent Glen Canyon are available from Sedona. These are smooth water trips that are focused on taking in the unique beauty of the Colorado River ecosystem. Sit back on a spacious raft lazily floating beneath 800-foot-cliffs, around dramatic bends and past vast rockfalls and sandbanks. Enjoy the fantastic scenery as your river guide leads you on an unforgettable journey through the mouth of the Grand Canyon and entertains you with the story of the river, the significance of its wildlife and the history and folklore that has accompanied its flow over the millennia.
For more information, click here Colorado River Float Trip
If wild is more your speed, exhilarating white water rafting excursions are also available from Sedona. These tours depart before sunrise and take you to the Hualapai Indian Reservation for the only one-day white water rafting trip available in the Grand Canyon. Upon boarding the custom-built, 8-passenger, motorized raft, your experienced Hualapai indian river guide will lead you on an adrenaline-filled, 5-hour ride on the rapids of the Colorado River. The Hualapai, who have been living along the rim of the Grand Canyon for many centuries, consider themselves the guardians of the Canyon, and they have been guiding rafting tours for over 30 years. This trip offers a thrilling introduction to the Grand Canyon – careen through the canyon cliffs on class II-IV white water rapids, marvel at the breathtaking beauty of this magnificent gorge and even stop for a brief nature hike into a secret side canyon to visit the pristine Travertine Falls.
For more information, click here White Water Rafting
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