Trip Logistics
Travel
Trip logistics for a Grand Canyon river trip can be as straight forward or as complicated as you want to make them. The first step is understanding where your trip starts and ends and whether you are on an Upper, Lower, or Full Canyon trip.
When does the trip start?
You must arrive at your meeting point the day prior to your launch, or hike, date. A mandatory orientation meeting will occur that evening. You will launch the next morning and thus begins day one of your trip.
When is the trip over?
The trip concludes the number of days after launch as is specified in your trip length. As such, if you are on a 9 day trip, your trip concludes on the 9th day of being on the water. Your pre-trip travel and orientation day do not count towards your trip length.
Pre-Trip Transportation
Outdoors Unlimited provides van transportation for Full and Upper Canyon passengers from our Flagstaff meeting point to our launch point at Lee’s Ferry. Transportation to your meeting point in either Flagstaff (Full and Upper Canyon) or at the South Rim (Lower Canyon) is via flight, van, or personal vehicle.
Post-Trip Transportation
For Full and Lower Canyon passengers, Outdoors Unlimited arranges bus or van transportation from Pearce Ferry to Las Vegas. Upper Canyon passengers are responsible for their post-trip transportation needs from the South Rim, Grand Canyon to their next destination.
Full Canyon
Meeting Point: Flagstaff, AZ
Ending Point: Pearce Ferry, AZ
If you are flying, you should book a one-way flight directly into Flagstaff, AZ (FLG), or Phoenix, AZ (PHX) and use a shuttle option to travel the 110 miles north to Flagstaff. Travel to Lee’s Ferry the next morning will be provided by OU. Your return flight should be out of Las Vegas, NV. Bus transportation from Pearce Ferry to Las Vegas will be arranged by OU. If you are driving you must have your vehicle shuttled via a shuttle company while you are on the water.
Upper Canyon
Meeting Point: Flagstaff, AZ
Ending Point: South Rim, GC
If you are flying, you should book a round trip flight directly into Flagstaff, AZ (FLG), or Phoenix, AZ (PHX) and use a shuttle option to travel the 110 miles north to Flagstaff. Travel to Lee’s Ferry the next morning will be provided by OU. At the end of your trip use the van shuttle option to return to your departure airport. If you are driving we recommend leaving your vehicle with our hotel partner and using the van shuttle option from the South Rim back to Flagstaff to retrieve your vehicle.
Lower Canyon
Meeting Point: South Rim, GC
Ending Point: Pearce Ferry, AZ
If you are flying, you may either book round trip airfare to Las Vegas, NV (LAS) and utilize the charter flight or bus option to your meeting point, OR you may book a one-way flight into Flagstaff, AZ (FLG) or Phoenix, AZ (PHX) and utilize van transportation to your meeting point. Your return flight should be out of Las Vegas, NV. Bus transportation from Pearce Ferry to Las Vegas will be arranged by OU. If you are driving, you must have your vehicle shuttled via a shuttle company while you are on the water.
| ROUTE | FLIGHT | VAN | PERSONAL VEHICLE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ | via American Airlines | via Groome Transportation | via Rental Car (one-way) |
| Dallas, TX to Flagstaff, AZ | via American Airlines | — | — |
| Flagstaff, AZ to Pearce Ferry | — | — | via Wild River Shuttle via River Runners Shuttle |
| South Rim to Flagstaff, AZ | — | via Groome Transportation | — |
| Las Vegas to South Rim | via Bar 10 | via National Park Express | — |
| South Rim to Pearce Ferry | — | — | via Wild River Shuttle via River Runners Shuttle |
Lodging:
Pre-trip lodging is required for the night prior to your launch, or hike-in. For those Upper passengers hiking out of the Canyon, as well as Lower and Full passengers using the bus to Las Vegas, it is highly recommended to arrange post-trip lodging. Only those who live within driving distance and will be using their personal vehicles for transportation should forego post-trip lodging.
Pre-Trip Lodging
For Full and Upper trip passengers, a block of rooms have been reserved at Americana Motor Hotel. A booking code will be emailed prior to the trip to receive the discounted OU rate. Lower passengers will need to arrange their own lodging at the South Rim via Grand Canyon Lodges.
Post-Trip Lodging
Upper passengers, who hike out of the Canyon, will need to arrange their own lodging at the South Rim. The bus from Pearce Ferry to Las Vegas, arranged by Outdoors Unlimited, will stop at Harry Reid International Airport followed by hotels on the Las Vegas Strip.
Cell Phone Reminder
There is no cell-phone service in the Canyon and you will not be able to make, or confirm reservations mid-trip. Be ready to disconnect from the digital world and immerse yourself in the vistas and soundscapes of the Grand Canyon.