3 best rafting tours in the Grand Canyon for an exciting summer adventure

There's still plenty of time to plan a fun summer vacation, and while you're at it, you might as well plan something really special. A floating excursion on the Colorado River would be an ideal solution. One of the most unique and fun ways to get around the Grand Canyon is by raft down the river, so here are the top three floating tours for you to consider.

# 1 rafting on the southern edge of the river

The south rim of the canyon is in Arizona, and this is where my best-recommended river tour begins. This tour gives you many beautiful panoramic views and is also the most affordable river tour, which is a bonus if you are on a tight vacation budget. This tour package begins with a land bus tour that takes you to the Glen Canyon Dam, and along the way, you'll see the Painted Desert and the Native American Preserve. Your motorized boat leaves the dam, and the boat carries 19 passengers each trip, so if you are traveling with a large group, everyone can travel in the same boat.

This float tour flows along the calm water side of the Colorado River, so there are no whitewater rapids to worry about or distract you from your sightseeing. The tour gives you approximately three hours of float time as the ship wanders along 16 miles of the river. There are a few stops scheduled on your float tour so you can walk on the beach or take a refreshing dip in the clear water, and you'll even have a chance to see some ancient rock sculptures in the Secret Canyon.

The return trip by bus

When your boat docks, your group will board a bus for the return bus trip and can entertain themselves with a TV or Wi-Fi connection. The bus is equipped with comfortable climate control so you can take some air conditioning to cool off after spending a few hours in the sun. On the way back, your bus stops at Cameron Trading Post so you can shop for authentic crafts or souvenirs from your rafting adventure.

# 2 The luxury option for the rafting tour

My second rafting tour to recommend is the deluxe version of tour one. The luxury tour takes you to the dam by plane instead of by bus. There's also an exciting Jeep tour included in the deluxe version, which will take time as you fly to the dam instead of taking the bus. By choosing the luxury tour, you can see even more amazing sights and notable landmarks, such as Slot Canyons.

# 3 The helicopter tour outside Las Vegas

My third main tour begins in Las Vegas, where you board a helicopter and fly to Hoover Dam, which is near the west rim of the canyon. This tour covers approximately 11 miles of the Colorado River and might be the best option if you leave Las Vegas as it's closer than the South Rim float tours.

Get ready for the heat and the sun.

Prepare to get hot in the Canyon during the summer months. Carry plenty of supplies, such as a plastic bag containing your electronic devices and extra clothes to keep them dry. Wear sunscreen and apply as directed to protect yourself from sunburn. Long, lightweight sleeves will add more protection, and you may even want a hat and sunglasses. Water is available on your tour, but you should bring snacks, especially salty ones, to avoid starvation.