Grand River rafting companies in southern Ontario specialize in leisure float trips. Leisure floats are raft trips on gentle rivers with a skilled interpretive guide. The Grand River is perfect for leisure rafting. It offers a variety of easy moving waters with an average one meter depth. This unique river offers a panoramic wilderness that can be enjoyed in total safety.
With leisure rafting… agility, size and age are not an important factor. All trips are accompanied by a skilled guide. There are a number of different day excursions offered with most trips averaging three to five hours. Costs start at $30-$35 per person with some companies offering a flat family rate of $180-$200 per guided raft… accommodating 6 adults and 4 children.
Leisure rafting on the Grand River is easy to access. People can drive an hour… spend a day on the water… and be in their own beds at night. This wilderness river is the largest in southern Ontario and only one hour west of Toronto, five kilometers off the 403 highway at Paris, Ontario.
Because of the large diversity of customers, the rafting companies in the Grand River Valley offer a wide selection of trip options. There are day trips, evening drifts and moonlight paddles. Families can do raft/swim trips, family fishing and bike/raft adventures. For the avid fishermen there are platform floats to spin cast or fly-fish after the steelhead trout and smallmouth bass. The educational trips offer floating classrooms on native history, plants and wildlife. Seniors can sit on deck chairs or special needs can be accommodated with wheelchair platforms. Corporate groups can choose family raft & barbeque days or team building adventures.
Leisure guided rafting trips offer a taste of everything. People can pull over and drink from cold springs… they can experience the thrill of small rapids or the serenest of quiet waters. They can enjoy the unexpected sighting of wildlife, birds and fish. Short hikes are taken to bluffs overlooking the valley. Along the way there is the opportunity to taste edible plants, identify trees and hear wildlife stories of the valley. There are visits to an old 1800 gypsum mines and settler sites… as well as teaching on the ancient Attawandarons and Iroquoians. The fishing is excellent with easily up to 50 bass on the right day. The combination of the wilderness setting, multi-experiences and skilled guide create an excellent day of memories.
At the end of a trip participants are shuttled back to their vehicles for the journey home. Groups wishing to camp can stay at private secluded sites along the river or make arrangements at local conservation parks. The valley also has local Bed & Breakfasts that cater to families and river groups of up to twelve people. For larger overnight groups wishing home-comfort there are numerous hotels in the area.
The Grand River rafting companies believe that leisure rafting is an enjoyable alternative to whitewater… it is a safe and unique way to experience everything together.
Garth Pottruff has watched the Grand River rafting trips go from a maybe to a must experience in southern Ontario. The drawing card of leisure rafting is that anyone can enjoy the Grand River in the safety of a raft. Garth points out that whitewater rafting has stamped its image, but people forget that rafts were originally designed as “life boats” to preserve lives. For those new to the river wishing an enjoyable experience… leisure rafting for families and friends is the ultimate river trip.
For more information on leisure rafting trips in the Grand River Valley visit http://www.grandriverrafting.ca
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Garth_Pottruff
