GC Rafting itinerary
Every published mile marker on the GC Rafting route, in order, with the distance and elevation change between each one — and which permit each stretch needs. To watch dates and set alerts, go to the Grand Canyon river permit page.
Which permit covers this route
The GC Rafting. One reservation is one launch date; the whole trip follows from it, issued by lottery.
The permit is issued for a named entry point. Lees Ferry and Diamond Creek are the ones on this list.
- Stops mapped
- 11
- Across the markers
- 279.0 mi
- Published route length
- 279 mi
- Published ascent
- 0 ft
How long it takes: 12-25 days. That is the figure the permit publishes — this page does not divide the route into days, because no source records which stop you sleep at.
The stops below are the route's published mile markers, in order, with the elevations recorded against each one.
Distance and elevation change on each leg are the difference between the two published figures either side of it, so the legs are arithmetic on the markers and nothing more.
The GC Rafting route, stop by stop
Mile 0.0
Lees Ferry
Entry point — the permit is issued for this trailhead
River mile 0 and the launch point for every 12-to-25-day noncommercial trip. Ranger checkout and orientation is at 3:00pm MST the day before launch.
33.0 miles to Redwall Cavern
Mile 33.0
Redwall Cavern
Massive natural amphitheater. Powell claimed it could hold 50,000 people.
28.0 miles to Little Colorado River
Mile 61.0
Little Colorado River
Turquoise tributary (conditions permitting). Sacred to Hopi and Navajo.
26.0 miles to Phantom Ranch
Mile 87.0
Phantom Ranch
Only developed area on river. Canteen for snacks. Bright Angel Trail access.
11.0 miles to Crystal Rapid
Mile 98.0
Crystal Rapid
Powerful rapid rated 7-10 depending on flow. One of the canyon's biggest.
38.0 miles to Deer Creek Falls
Mile 136.0
Deer Creek Falls
180-foot waterfall accessible via short hike from river.
21.0 miles to Havasu Creek
Mile 157.0
Havasu Creek
Famous turquoise waterfalls and pools. Highlight of the trip.
22.0 miles to Lava Falls
Mile 179.0
Lava Falls
The big one—rated 9-10. Most formidable rapid on the river.
47.0 miles to Diamond Creek
Mile 226.0
Diamond Creek
Entry point — the permit is issued for this trailhead
The standard noncommercial take-out. Taking out here means paying Hualapai Tribal fees for each person, boat and vehicle on the Diamond Creek Road, arranged in advance.
14.0 miles to Separation Canyon
Mile 240.0
Separation Canyon
No vessel may engage in primarily upstream travel above this point.
39.0 miles to Pearce Ferry
Mile 279.0
Pearce Ferry
The downstream end of the permitted river corridor.
Getting a GC Rafting for the dates you want
Planning the route is the easy half. GC Rafting dates go fast, and the ones that come back are cancellations — they return to the booking system without warning and are gone again quickly. PermitSnag watches GC Rafting around the clock and alerts you the moment a date opens.