Not only does a Grand Canyon rafting excursion allow one the chance to discover one of the world's most extreme rivers, but it's a chance to go camping in the ancient canyon wilderness. Away from all development, multi-day Colorado River rafting trips are the best way to experience the canyon from the bottom up, with no commercial businesses anywhere in sight. It is, of course, possible to overnight in developed campgrounds, camp in your car just outside of the park or acquire a backcountry camping permit. Each of these options comes with disadvantages, though, and none give you the thrill of rafting the incredible rapids of the mighty Colorado. There are several developed campgrounds in the Grand Canyon including Mather, North Rim and Desert View. They are primarily used by hikers, backpackers and other visitors. These offer many amenities, including showers, and hygiene facilities. But, when river rafting, visitors can choose to spend each night on the riverbanks - and sleep underneath the stars if they wish. Remember that these aren't well established campgrounds, but totally undeveloped areas. If you are rafting with professional river guides, they surely know the best sandy spots along the river, so there's no guesswork involved. Compared to backpacking, rafting and camping provide a very different experience. Out of about 30,000 annual requests for backpacking in the canyon, only 13,000 permits are issued, so there's a lot of competition. And, of course, backpackers need to haul all their food and supplies in with their packs and haul it all back out again, including garbage. These packs can weigh 50 pounds or more. While rafting, the neoprene raft hauls the supplies. Because the rafts can transport coolers, food is fresher and far more plentiful on the river. Additionally, on guided river rafting tours, the guides also prepare the meals, and it is said that they are very capable cooks indeed. Dining on these trips is reported to be excellent. In terms of safety, independent backpacking expeditions certainly aren't for the faint of heart. In addition to the extreme heat, you must be on the lookout for rattlesnakes and other nasty critters that populate this region. Mountain lions, too, are present but are few in number. Backpackers must also navigate the maze of gorges to keep from becoming lost in the wild terrain. For those who do choose to backpack and camp on their own, it is vital to carry satellite phones so help can be reached in case of emergencies. For those rafting with a commercial outfitter, their rafting guides are very well trained and knowledgeable about the river and the shoreline. For the most part, they are certified in CPR and other emergency procedures, and of course, they all carry satellite phones in case of emergency. Their guests are in good hands, both when going over huge rapids and when on shore for the night. While guests will often participate in the cooking and cleaning at each camp site and help to ensure the safety of the group, having an experienced guide leading the way helps to assuage any fears. For those rafters who are not with commercial outfitters, camping is still a similar experience, except cooking and clean up falls on their own shoulders. With or without a guide, it is always wise to check shoes and clothing, shaking them out to ensure there are no scorpions hiding in the creases, before putting them on or packing them up to take on to the next stop. After dark, the amazing views of the darkened sky are unimpeded by city lights. A full galaxy of stars and the swirl of the Milky Way is almost always visible. The best times of the year to raft and camp in the Grand Canyon are spring and early autumn. In the early fall, guests enjoy blue skies and slightly cooler days and evenings. When rafting, a group is far away from development and day tours, so it's possible to commune with nature minus the crowds. Though there are not any pre-fabricated fire pits on the sandy shores of the river, the fire danger is relatively low. Riding the rapids of the Colorado River is the highlight for anyone who takes this trip, but don't forget about its other aspects. Unroll a sleeping bag and camp out under the stars, or in the case of rare inclement weather, pitch a tent. The next big day of river thrills begins after breakfast and promises to be great.
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