Rafting Grand Canyon: The Best Time for Big Whitewater

Best Time for Big Whitewater when Rafting Grand Canyon

Rafting in the Grand Canyon is an exciting adventure where the big whitewater happens during the high water season. The Colorado River’s water levels through Grand Canyon are determined by the Colorado River Management Plan (CRMP). Big whitewater in Grand Canyon is typically not during spring run off, like most other rivers; instead it is during the warmer months when air conditioning becomes a necessity in the Southwest, and more water is needed downstream for agriculture.

The commercial rafting season through Grand Canyon National Park operates from April through October. Each month has fluctuating water flows and every day the water is released within the pre-determined water flow amount. These water levels are determined by the amount of moisture, snow melt and rain that the Upper and Lower Colorado River Basin receives. Once the amount of water is estimated, hydrologists determine the amount of water released on a monthly basis to meet the goals outlined in the CRMP. The water from the Colorado River is shared amongst 7 states and Mexico. The CRMP helps to meet the distribution goals and regulations in place to properly distribute the water amongst these areas. What does this mean for big whitewater in the Grand Canyon? It means that every year the water flows are different, and every month there is a team of scientists determining the amount of water that will be released downstream of Glen Canyon Dam. So when should you choose to raft Grand Canyon for the big whitewater experience?

The decision of when to raft Grand Canyon comes down to personal preference. If you are someone hoping for the chance of experiencing big whitewater in the Canyon, your best bet would be to travel during July or August.  This is when the hydroelectric needs in the Southwest are at their peak, and the most water is released. Typically the water flows during July and August are being released between 12,000-18,000 cubic feet per second. Many of the renown rapids in Grand Canyon, such as Crystal and Lava Falls, get larger and become more exciting during higher water flows, and are at their peak for big whitewater.

If you are hoping to not have the big whitewater rafting experience in the Grand Canyon, you will want to consider rafting during the low water season. April, May, September and October all tend to have lower water flows being released. Trends show that April has the lowest water levels. Typically in April you can expect to see steady flows, where there is minimal fluctuation of water levels being released. Generally these flows are between 5,000-8,000 cubic feet per second. May, September and October tend to have more fluctuation than April, meaning the CRMP allows the water to be released between 8,000-16,000 cubic feet per second during these months.

All of this information is useful if you understand water flows and cubic feet per second, but can mean very little to someone who has yet to learn about water flows on high volume rivers, such as the Colorado River. If you don’t understand fluctuation or the Colorado River Management Plan, no need to worry your guides will educate you on this during your trip. At this time, here are the key points to keep in mind.

The higher the water level (cubic feet per second) being released, the larger many of the “big” rapids in Grand Canyon become.   The big whitewater tends to be in late June, July or August.

On the same note, the lower the water level, many smaller rapids become larger or rated at a higher level, due to additional waves created by rocks or obstructions in the water, or they become more technical to run. This means that anytime you raft in the Grand Canyon, you will have exciting rapids and get to experience some big whitewater. In other words, you can’t choose a bad time to raft down the Colorado River.

To date, the CRMP has regulated water flows that are always run-able for both motorized and non-motorized trips. There was a time in 1983 when the water levels were so high, that the National Park Service required passengers to hike around Crystal Rapid. This however was during a time when the water from Lake Powell was spilling over Glen Canyon Dam, and being released at around 100,000 cubic feet per second. There has not been a time when too little water was released, forcing rafters to hike around rapids.

If you are hoping for the smallest amount of whitewater on your trip, consider rafting in April, early May, late September or October.

Every year the amount of water being released changes with the amount of moisture gained in the winter, due to this rafting outfitters cannot guarantee any water levels during any time of year.

When looking at water levels, also consider Grand Canyon weather, as the weather can be very hot in the summer, and cool in the spring or fall.

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