If you want an exciting Fourth of July getaway, you should think about taking a rafting trip in the Grand Canyon. That is a fantastic way to celebrate the highpoint of the summer.

The float tours take you past some of the most scenic portions of the Grand Canyon and you stay on calm water the whole time. There are no rapids or rough waters so senior citizens and kids age four and up can come along.

You can book one of these fun tours out of Vegas or Tusayan in Arizona. The Grand Canyon National Park Airport, or GCA, is located in Tusayan, and the city is near the South Rim's main gates. These rafting tours of the Grand Canyon depart every morning and last an entire fun-filled day.

Las Vegas Raft Trips

Rafting trips from Vegas are wildly popular and you would have a fantastic time on one over the holiday. The tour starts with a thrilling helicopter descent from the top of the rim to the floor of the canyon. You have the chance to explore the area on foot for about 30 minutes and then you get on a motor coach for a short ride to the Hoover Dam.

That is where your motorized pontoon boat awaits you, when you get on board, your 11-mile float along the Colorado River begins. The beautiful scenery will thrill you as you pass by Black Canyon and other amazing sights along your way to Willow Beach. You might see some bighorn sheep along the way!

Tusayan Float Trips

At Tusayan, you can choose a basic float tour or a more comprehensive version.

The basic version starts out with a motor coach ride from the airport in Tusayan to the Glen Canyon Dam. Your float trip begins there and takes you 15 miles down the Colorado River in a motorized raft. The rafting portion of the tour ends at the historic site, Lee's Ferry.

If you opt for the comprehensive tour, you will first board a plane that takes you to Page, Arizona. That is where you will get in a Jeep for a fun off-road trek to see the Slot Canyons in Antelope Canyon. Be sure to bring a camera so you can snap photos of this amazing place.

The Jeep then brings you back to Page where you get aboard the pontoon raft. The comprehensive tour and the basic tour conclude with a motor coach ride back to the Grand Canyon National Park Airport.

What's Included

These all-inclusive excursions provide for all your needs such as a river guide, live vest, water, and lunch. In addition, the tour packages include transportation, park fees, and taxes. These tours are very well planned, leaving you free to worry about other things like what you should wear.

Wear clothing that protects you from the sun such as a long sleeved shirt made from cotton, a hat with a brim, sunglasses, shorts, and river sandals. You should also bring extra clothes in case you get wet, sunscreen, lip balm, a camera, and a fully charged smart phone for photos. You might also want to bring along some extra water and salty snacks.

To Recap

Rafting trips in the Grand Canyon begin in Las Vegas or Tusayan, Arizona. When you leave from Vegas, you can choose the exciting tour that includes a helicopter descent to the canyon floor. If you are going to the South Rim, look for tours that originate there.

Any of these tours would be great for the July 4th holiday, but you have to book your seats early. Tour operators will be busy then. Try to get your tour booked one week ahead of the holiday if at all possible, and even earlier if you can.

Another thing, you should book your tour online. You will find the cheapest prices on the tour company's website. When you complete a purchase there, it qualifies you for the lowest rate, the Internet rate. Otherwise, you have to pay full retail price and spend more than you need to.