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Regardless of the time of year, it is rare to be alone on the river, even in Grand Canyon.  Groups will pass and be passed by you, you will compete for campsites and share popular side hikes.  Don’t worry!  There are plenty of camps to go around.  A few common sense practices will foster harmony among river-dwellers.  The following tips are included from collaboration between Grand Canyon River Guides and Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association.

Be Respectful

It is helpful to remember that everyone on the river is there to have an incredible experience.  Being respectful goes a long way towards a positive experience for everyone.

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  • Keep your trip together.  Do not split up your trip to grab a camp while others hike, or send faster boats downstream to be the first ones at an attraction site.
     

  • Before reacting about an issue, listen to both sides of the story.
     

  • Be conscientious at attraction sites.  If you set up lunch at such places, try to do so out of the main traffic pattern.
     

  • Be aware that some attraction sites such as Saddle, Blacktail, and Matkatamiba do not accommodate multiple groups well.
     

  • Be courteous to the backpackers you might encounter at campsites or attraction sites.

Environmental Ethics

This is THE Grand Canyon folks, the only one!  Some valuable tips for keeping the place Grand include:

  • Keep beaches pristine by sweeping for trash, food crumbs and micro-trash

  • Stay on established trails

  • Be respectful at archeological sites, leave them as you found them

  • Leave plants and rocks as you found them. 

  • Avoid building rock and stick sculptures for others to see

Communicate

Respectful verbal communication is the most important tool we have to keep relations between users amiable.  Some helpful ways to do this are to remember:

  • A positive attitude goes a long way.
     

  • The general protocol is for trip leaders from different groups to talk with each other regarding any decisions about camps, stops, hikes, routes through rapids, etc.
     

  • If your group is at a stop early and is planning on camping, indicating in some way that you plan to stay is helpful for a passing group.

Be Open and Flexible

No trip’s schedule can be set in stone.  If you insist on following a set itinerary, you risk disappointment when you find your goal destination is already occupied.  Follow these tips for a stress free trip:

 

It is helpful to have a couple of different destinations and stops in mind.

Inquire about the schedule and plans of other trips traveling close to you.  Swap information, communicate, and be flexible.

Remember the “wild card”.  Sometimes there is a group around the corner that you didn’t expect.

On the Water Safety

Safety and courtesy go hand in hand.  Here are some useful tips:

  • In whitewater sections, try keeping your group in a tight formation – this will enhance communication and safety.   When your group is leaving the beach, either wait for the entire group to get ready before pulling out into the main stream or hover in an eddy just downstream.  If another group is passing by, please allow all their boats to pass before pulling out.
     

  • At times, a faster moving boat or party may wish to pass another.  If so, it is courteous for the downstream boat to move over and wave the upstream boat on.  A downstream boat should never purposely block another boat.
     

  • Different boats have different speeds and capabilities.  Spacing and timing when entering rapids are crucial to both fun and safety.  Do not crowd other boats.  Most trips, when asked, are willing to wait a few minutes below a major rapid to act as a safety net for those behind.  Ask for help if you need it and offer the same to others.
     

  • When tying up your boats at attraction sites, be aware that other trips will be arriving and leaving.  Leave open access by parking your group together.  Avoid creating “spider webs” of rope.  Only walk on another party’s boats if absolutely necessary.  At Havasu, preferred parking for motor rigs is in the eddy below the rapid rather than in the mouth.

Look Around, Plan for Camps

  • Have a “Plan A” and “Plan B” camp in mind for the day.  Other groups need to know where you wish to end up at sunset.  Each boat should at least know their “Plan A” for camp.  Have a map and know where you are and try to stick to your negotiated plan.  Refer on-river inquiries to the trip leader if you don’t know the plan.
     

  • Try to camp at sites suited to the size of your party (6 people at Football Beach is too few for the size) - this will help larger parties who require more space.
     

  • The most challenging places to find camps are:  between Hance Rapid and Phantom Ranch; near Tapeats Creek and Deer Creek; above Elves Chasm and above and below Havasu Creek.  Remember that the Cremation camps are reserved for groups with exchanges at Phantom.  Make sure to communicate with other parties to plan camps in these areas.
     

  • Alternative camps do exist if you’re creative and open to suggestions.  Safety always takes priority over the camp experience.  If double camping happens, make the best of it.
     

  • Talk about camps with other trips launching at the boat ramp the same day as your group.  The launch calendar is posted at www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/riv_mgt.htm

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