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Did you know you can visit part of the Grand Canyon that isn’t governed by the United States? When you explore the West Rim, you’re actually entering the sovereign land of the Hualapai (pronounced Wal-lah-pie) people. As a federally recognized tribe, the Hualapai have the right to govern this sacred and stunning region of northwestern Arizona as they see fit. Fortunately for us, they choose to share it. This area is called Grand Canyon West, and it offers breathtaking ways to experience a little-known side canyon — Quartermaster Canyon — whether by rafting through or soaring above it on a zip line.
Open to the public since 2007, Grand Canyon West gives visitors a chance to peer into Quartermaster Canyon and experience a whole new perspective on the geology of the Grand Canyon. It’s a view unlike anything you’ll find at the more popular South Rim. While there are plenty of things to do at Grand Canyon West, reaching Quartermaster Canyon requires a guided adventure — typically by river raft, helicopter, or via a zip-line that stretches across its dramatic opening. Before you go on this trip, it’s important to decide how you want to experience Quartermaster Canyon, as some adventures require advance reservations and early start times.
Visiting Quartermaster Canyon by air or by water?
Short on time? The fastest way to experience Quartermaster Canyon is a helicopter ride down into the canyon. Expect to pay as much as $1900 per person for a helicopter ride, which gives you a fantastic overview of the canyon.
If you choose the whitewater rafting tour, start your journey in Peach Springs, Arizona, where you’ll check in at the Hualapai Lodge. Most visitors stay overnight here, as Hualapai River Runners begin their one-day rafting tours at 7:00 a.m., and two-day trips start even earlier at 6:00 a.m. Other tour operators will pick you up at your Las Vegas hotel and drive you back after your adventure. All of the tours descend to the river via Diamond Creek Road — the only road that reaches the Colorado River.
At Diamond Creek Beach, you’ll board your raft and begin an unforgettable journey. You’ll be suited up in safety gear and put your personal items into dry bags. Hold on tight — your boat will motor through Class II and Class III rapids, which means you should definitely expect to get wet! Midway through the trip, you’ll stop at a quiet beach for a short hike to Travertine Falls, a hidden natural waterfall tucked into the canyon walls. After your return to the water, the river calms, and the canyon narrows as you enter Quartermaster Canyon. Here, you can gaze up at layered canyon walls in endless shades of brown — evidence of six million years of geological history revealed through erosion.
Zip across the Quartermaster Canyon
