Rafting the Grand Canyon - Small group?

Thanks Treemoss2. That is helpful information to have. I generally really dislike group travel (for us) and worry one obnoxious/inconsiderate person could ruin the trip for all. That is my main concern with the big group. But I also don’t want to be on the river forever. Hmmm. What to do. Thanks for your input!

Hi Wanderluster, We rafted the whole GC/Colorado River last summer. It was fantastic and I highly recommend it! We went with Arizona River Runners in the bigger, motorized rafts and did the 6 night trip. I'm not much for camping and while it was a blast, it was physically a LOT! Getting on and off the rafts, hiking everyday, setting up your camp, loading and unloading the boats, whew!
Our trip was sold out and that is because I managed to sell out almost all the seats on the trip with friends/family that I had invited. So that would be my suggestion to you. If you don't want strangers on the trip, invite everyone you know! You may be surprised how many folks will sign up and go. You can also make it a private trip and also fill all the seats.

Here is my photobook of our trip;
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wr2GwsmQkUbWRPHU6

Sadly the company that took me, Moki Mac, is no longer in business. But here's a list of companies offering trips through the canyon. Some trips use big motorized rafts and go through relatively quickly, others use rowed rafts or dories and take longer. Some trips go all the way from Lee's Ferry to Lake Mead, the one I took long ago dropped some of us at Phantom Ranch and picked up others. That meant hiking to or from the rim. There are lots of options, and you may find one that takes only a few people, or that will let you fill a larger group with your own family and friends.

But more likely you'll be part of a large group of mostly strangers with whom you have a great deal in common -- a love of the outdoors, a spirit of adventure, a willingness to trade some discomfort for the experience, a certain minimum level of physical fitness. There might be an obnoxious person or two (keeping in mind that you or I could be that person in the eyes of someone else). I've had an easier time avoiding someone I disliked in a large group than in a smaller one. I hope you have a great trip, whatever choice you make. Seeing the canyon from the river, as each day takes you deeper into geologic time, is vastly different from seeing it from the rim.

Thanks to all of you. I love the idea of trying to fill a boat! You all provided me with lots to consider. Thank you!

You might also find that one or more of your carefully curated group could also become irritating in this setting.

We went with Oars. The entire group may have been around 20 people, but each raft had 4 plus a guide. We switched up rafts regularly. Hiking down to Phantom Ranch in 100+ degree July heat, sleeping on the ground in said heat and using the privately located but outdoor "toilet" facilities was not for the faint of heart, but there were certainly no obnoxious or irritating people. Everyone was fit and enthusiastic. I don't think you need to worry overmuch about the size of the whole group.

Tigerfan, how long was your trip?

A week. We spent the night before at the south rim, hiked down starting at 4am or so and caught our raft at Phantom ranch. We were taken out by helicopter at Whitmore Wash and ultimately brought back to the Grand Canyon Airport. To do the entire canyon in a non-motorized raft takes over 2 weeks. Also note that you book Grand Canyon raft trips about 1.5 years in advance, typically, unless you luck onto a cancellation or the odd leftover spot.

That’s great. Thanks for the info!