Grand Canyon rafting trips: ideal for American family adventure holidays

There are few destinations far more suited to thrilling outdoor adventure than the US, a land of imposing mountain ranges, flat arid desert areas, white water rivers and beautiful glacial lakes - as well as the magnificent Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon holidays are fantastic for thrill-seekers and can involve a wide range of activities, from hiking the incredible canyon itself to enjoying rafting trips and mountain climbing.

In terms of true natural splendour and awe-inspiring beauty, adventure holidays for families to the Grand Canyon cannot be beaten.

No visitor to the canyon ever fails to be left open-mouthed at its sheer size - in certain places it can be as much as 18 miles wide, nearly 280 miles long and a mile deep. It is found within the Grand Canyon National Park, an area of immense natural beauty in the state of Arizona.

This natural spectacle was carved out of the Arizonian rock by the flow of the Colorado River, a great spot itself for exploring this stunning part of the world and enjoying Grand Canyon rafting trips.

For those heading off on Grand Canyon visits with children, there are many different type of rafting adventures to choose from, from high-octane white water adventures to serene days out taking in the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

Popular locations for smooth water and white water trips include Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry, which can be found in the north-eastern part of the canyon, as well as Quartermaster and Diamond Creek, which are towards the western end.

Visitors wanting to see as much of the wondrous national park as possible may want to include a trip all the way from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek River in their North America holidays.

These journeys can be tailored to suit the itinerary of adventure-loving families and range in length from three to seven days. For those who enjoy hiking, taking a half-length trip and trekking in or out at Phantom Ranch is ideal.

If families would prefer to spend their time aboard the boat, they can expect to take a week to get to Diamond Creek.

Families keen to take a rafting holiday to the Grand Canyon need not have any previous experience of the pursuit, but certainly need to be game for adventure and fun, as well as a few days of camping.

A typical itinerary begins with a hearty breakfast at camp followed by some white water rafting and then a trip to Vasey's Paradise, a true piece of heaven within the canyon that boasts beautiful ferns and moss.

Visits to the amazing Redwall Cavern, Saddle Canyon, the ancient Indian ruins at Nankoweap and the Shinumo wash are also possible.

Canyon rafting trips generally include all camping and food, allowing families to purely focus on having fun and spending time together. Camping in the canyon is an incredible experience and one that certainly tops staying in any hotel.

As well as rafting, the Grand Canyon cannot be beaten for incredible walking opportunities with hikes ranging from easy beginner's treks along accessible paths, to strenuous ones up its many peaks, which should only be attempted by those with a lot of walking experience and impressive levels of personal fitness.

One of the most popular parts of the park for hiking is the South Rim Trail, which is an incredible 7,000 feet above sea level, but walking at this altitude should not be underestimated by visitors. To ensure that everyone on a trip gets the most out of their Grand Canyon visit, the standard Rim Trail is ideal.

Following around 12 miles of flat paved path, this part of the Grand Canyon is even accessible for visitors using wheelchairs. Handy shuttle buses call at a number of stops along its length, allowing visitors to do as much hiking as they want before resting weary limbs and enjoying being driven back to the start.

The walk boasts a number of incredibly scenic lookout points, with some allowing unrestricted views for up to 40 miles along the canyon.

Along this route, Hopi Point and Mohave Point are always popular with visitors and give breathtaking panoramas of some of the canyon's most beautiful points. For a sunset whose incredible beauty has to be seen to be believed, head to Mohave Point about an hour before sunset and see the rocky walls of the canyon light up in various shades of orange and red.

Daredevils on Grand Canyon holidays will not want to miss a chance to enjoy a thrilling and unique view of the canyon offered to visitors at Yavapai Point. Here, those feeling brave can walk over the glass observation area and see a drop of thousands of feet under their shoes.

This popular tourist spot is a great place to pick up Grand Canyon souvenirs and offers a number of useful facilities for visitors.