Grand Canyon Trip Planning & Logistics
The myriad of details surrounding your put-in and take-out for your Grand Canyon river trip can be a bit daunting.
Let us help make it simple!
LEES FERRY & MARBLE CANYON - PUT-IN LOGISTICS
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Lees Ferry in Marble Canyon, AZ is where Grand Canyon river trips launch. One hundred and twenty miles north of Flagstaff, Marble Canyon is home to three lodges (Marble Canyon Lodge, Lee’s Ferry Lodge, and Cliff Dwellers Lodge). All have multiple services, including restaurants, lodging, wifi, and outgoing mail. Note that from March through November, Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry are on Arizona time (MST), where just across Marble Canyon Bridge the Navajo Nation adheres to Daylight Savings Time (MDT).
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Rig Day
Traveling from your point of origin to Lees Ferry and then rigging your boats usually takes a full day. Many of Ceiba’s services can alleviate frustration and save time if you utilize them!
There is electricity at Lee’s Ferry, bathrooms (no showers), and a private river runners camp spot just downstream from the launch ramp. It is illegal to camp on the ramp.
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Often, many private, commercial, and science trips rig on the same day at the ramp. Use just enough space to complete your rig, on the far downstream end of the ramp. Only 2 vehicles from your group are allowed on the ramp at the same time. For your equipment & permit check out, the NPS Ranger will arrive at the launch ramp on the afternoon of your rig day. They will want to see all the required equipment, trip leader paperwork, participant list and photo IDs. One of the items most closely inspected are your life jackets. The PFDs must be in good shape and US Coast Guard approved. See the NPS Noncommercial River Trip Regulations below for a list of required equipment.
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From the NPS regs: “The river checkout and orientation by the Lees Ferry Ranger will occur at 3:00pm MST the day prior to launch, and all trip members launching from Lees Ferry must be present and attend. Each trip participant must be legibly listed on the final “Noncommercial River Trip Participant List” form as remitted at launch by the Trip Leader to the Lees Ferry Ranger – anyone who is not listed on this form is not authorized to be on the trip. All trip participants must bring valid, unaltered, government issued photo identification that includes date of birth (i.e. driver license, state issued identification, or passport) on the river trip. Participants launching from Lees Ferry must present this identification to the Lees Ferry Ranger at check-in. Participants without photo identification will NOT be allowed on the trip (exceptions are allowed for children 15 years old and younger). Credit cards and birth certificates are NOT valid forms of identification for Grand Canyon river trips.”
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Launch Day
You are free to launch from the river camp as early as you'd like!
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DON’T FORGET
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Trip permit
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Valid photo ID for everyone on the trip
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Information regarding your permit: Participant roster with names (including middle initials); each participant’s date of birth, complete address, phone number, and e-mail address; your put-in/take-out dates and locations.
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Copy of of the Noncommercial River Trip Regulations
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Campsite List
GRAND CANYON - TAKE-OUT LOGISTICS
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There are two take out options for your Grand Adventure. There are pros and cons to each option. We are not here to persuade you in either direction but to provide you with the facts. We want to support you in making an educated decision. Below is the pertinent information regarding both options.
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If you arrive and start de-rigging before our driver arrives, try to separate personal gear into one pile and Ceiba gear in another. Like items piled together. The straps holding the frames on the boat all remain attached to the frame. The floor gets tightened up flat to the frame. Please leave drop bags attached to the frame! Bundle oars in packages of four.
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*If you are changing any pick up times you need to notify us by SAT phone or text several days ahead of time.
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1. Diamond Creek, AZ | River Mile 226 | Hualapai Indian Reservation
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It can be busy and hectic at Diamond Creek! Putting some time and effort into planning your take-out is of the utmost importance. Think about de-rig procedures that will save you and your group time on the ramp. Camping within 5 miles of the take-out is a must. From March 1st– November 1st, ONLY the Hualapai are allowed to rig and de-rig on the Diamond Creek ramp between 7 AM and 10 AM. We will need to schedule a pick up time for your take out. We often recommend between 10 and 11 am. Please be friendly and patient with all the different parties at the take-out, and pay respect to the Hualapai. It is illegal to drink alcoholic beverages on the ramp. From the take-out, it takes a solid hour to drive up Diamond Creek Road, which is unpaved, to Peach Springs, AZ Route 66.
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The Hualapai Tribe charges exit fees for every river trip, one each per person, per vehicle, per driver. Ceiba will be happy to assist you with any or all of your Diamond Creek take-out logistics!
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If you are planning on going below Diamond Creek and doing the “Diamond Down” section, Ceiba can assist you with all these options as well. We have 15 hp Honda 4 stroke outboard motors available, transoms to fit 18′ row boats, fuel tanks, and we can bring in a re-supply with fresh food, ice, beer, and anything your group desires for the lower end of your trip. Ceiba’s expertise is this area is a strong resource to consider.
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Latest Camping Options below Diamond Creek all the way to the Pearce Ferry Take-out
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2. Pearce Ferry Ramp, Lake Mead | River Mile 279
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The Pearce Ferry Ramp take-out is . Commercial outfitters, Canyon Jet Boat Services, the Hualapai Day Trips, science expeditions, and private boaters are using the ramp. You are not permitted to launch any trips from this ramp. You are also not allowed to camp on the ramp. The PFR is the take-out for a Diamond Down trip or a complete canyon trip.
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The Lower Granite Gorge is spectacular from mile 226 to 237. There are six significant rapids and the current moves pretty well thru this corridor. Grand Canyon ends at Mile 276.5, the Grand Wash Cliffs.
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SEVERAL ‘PROS” TO THINK ABOUT WHILE CONSIDERING THE STRETCH BELOW DIAMOND CREEK:
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Avoiding paying Hualapai exit fees by not taking out at Diamond Creek
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Extending your trip a few more days
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Running classic Grand Canyon rapids in the Lower Gorge
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Experiencing the entire Grand Canyon
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Unlimited side canyon hikes
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More reliable road for take out - less prone to closure due to floods
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DIAMOND DOWN LOGISTICS
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Utilizing Diamond Creek as a put-in and running the 55 miles of the Lower Gorge is a strong river trip option. It's a perfect 3-4 day adventure. Consider renting a transom & motor, which will give you the luxury of additional time to do some hiking in the Lower Granite Gorge. A perfect stretch to bring along some SUPs, IKs and other fun play boats. As simple as filling out an NPS permit and a Hualapai Tribal Permit. Enjoy this "short but sweet" section of the Grand Canyon!
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MAP OF THE GRAND CANYON REGION
