Photographing The Colorado River in the Grand Canyon
I'm lucky to have spent some time over the past ten years rafting the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. During that time, I've hiked hundreds of miles exploring the side canyons along the river corridor and had some incredible experiences. There is so much to photograph in the canyon that I don't know if I will ever be done capturing its glory. Each side canyon along the river contains secrets waiting to be revealed with the changing of the light.
This portfolio of photographs was created on my most recent river trip, a ten-day photography workshop and expedition. During the day we made our way downstream, stopping along the way to explore and make photos. At night we camped, ate well, shared stories, made friends, and slept under the stars.
P.S. There are three pages of photographs. Be sure to click through to the following page.
The towering cliffs of the Muav Gorge rise high above the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.
A small waterfall in Matkatamiba Canyon, a side canyon of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. The surrounding canyon walls are glowing in warm reflected light.
The waters of the Colorado River rush through a rapid in the Grand Canyon.
Along the Colorado River in the Granite Gorge of the Grand Canyon.
I've photographed Deer Creek Falls many times, but during a visit in 2024 it rained leaving all of the rocks wet and glistening.
The waters of the Colorado River rush through a rapid in the Grand Canyon.
The cliffs of Marble Canyon reflect in the Colorado River. From Redwall Cavern in Grand Canyon National Park.
Water splashes from a rapid on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.
Mother Nature is an incredible artist. I often find myself drawn to her abstract creations, in this case, a sandbar in the Colorado River. From the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
Boulders polished by years of the abrasive action of the silt-laden waters of the Colorado River flowing over them. In the background, the river continues on its journey downstream through the Grand Canyon.
A small waterfall in Matkatamiba Canyon, a side canyon of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. The surrounding canyon walls are glowing in warm reflected light.
Dramatic light illuminates a distant canyon wall as storm clouds advance across the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon casting the inner cliff faces of the canyon into deep shadow.
The colors of Spring at Deer Creek Falls. From the bottom of the Grand canyon.
A waterfall cascades into an emerald pool. From a side canyon of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.
A waterfall cascades into the narrow confines of a slot canyon. I had walked past this location several times on past river trips and had no idea that a waterfall was there. The canyon walls masked the sound of the water until you're almost right on top if it. Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.
Foreboding storm clouds darken the sky above the Colorado River and the Granite Gorge in the Grand Canyon.
Throughout the Grand Canyon, you can find hanging gardens along cliffs walls. They form in locations where water from a spring or seep flows, or sometimes drips, from the cliff face. Often, these hanging gardens have ferns and Monkey flowers, but this one was full of lush grasses that reminded me of waterfall.
A small waterfall in Matkatamiba Canyon, a side canyon of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. The surrounding canyon walls are glowing in warm reflected light.
The cool waters of the Colorado River rush through the Inner Gorge at Granite Rapid as the sky high above glows in the warm light of sunrise. If you look closely, you can see the crescent moon. © Adam Schallau, All Rights Reserved.
A small stream flows through the narrows of Matkatamiba Canyon. This canyon with its many hanging gardens and reflecting pools is one of the most beautiful side canyons in all of the Grand Canyon.
Thsi small waterfall in a slot canyon is in Matkatamiba Canyon, a side canyon to the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.
The gentle waters of Monument Creek slow carve sinuous lines through the granite narrows. From the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
Morning light strikes the cliffs of Marble Canyon as the Colorado River gently flows through the scene. From Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.
Deep within the Grand Canyon, the waters of a small stream cascade across the rocks in a slot canyon.
A waterfall cascades into the narrow confines of a slot canyon. Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.
When the Powell Expedition floated through this area in 1869, John Wesley Powell wrote in his journal, "The limestone of this canyon is often polished, and makes a beautiful marble. Sometimes the rocks are of many colors – whites, gray, pink, and purple, with saffron tints."
Powell mistakenly identified the rock as marble when, in fact, this section of the canyon is mostly limestone, dolomite, and sandstone. Thus, the name 'Marble Canyon' is a misnomer as the canyon has no marble.
The golden cliffs of the Grand Canyon reflect on the wet sand of Tequila Beach. Located a short distance downstream of the infamous Lava Falls Rapid, Tequila Beach is a place where many river runners have celebrated running the rapids of the mighty Colorado River by having a cold drink and reflecting upon the epic journey they have made. For those who raft the river on a regular basis, it is here at Tequila Beach that you are reminded that you're always above Lava.
Located a short distance from the Colorado River, or very long multi-day hike from the South Rim, is a side canyon containing numerous waterfalls and hanging gardens. Near this canyon's confluence with the river, Royal Arch Creek cascades into Elves Chasm.
Along the Colorado River near Tuckup Canyon, morning light reveals the texture and scale of the canyon walls as the river continues its steady course through the heart of Grand Canyon National Park. This stretch of river offers a powerful perspective on the depth, geology, and quiet beauty found deep below the rim.
Throughout the Grand Canyon, you can find hanging gardens along cliffs walls. They form in locations where water from a spring or seep flows, or sometimes drips, from the cliff face. Often, these hanging gardens have ferns and Monkey flowers, but this one was full of lush grasses that reminded me of waterfall.
A waterfall cascades into the narrow confines of a slot canyon. I had walked past this location several times on past river trips and had no idea that a waterfall was there. The canyon walls masked the sound of the water until you're almost right on top if it. Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.
A ribbon of light graces the upper reaches of Marble Canyon as the last light of the day fades away. As always, the Colorado River follows a meandering path on its journey through the canyon. From Nankoweap in Grand Canyon National Park.
The light of a new day finds a gap dark walls of the Inner Gorge and falls upon the cottonwood trees just upstream of Granite Rapid. From the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.
Upcoming River Trip - Spots Open
There are a few spots left on my 2025 river trip through the Grand Canyon. The trip is open to photographers of all experience levels, from iPhone users to those using the latest camera gear. You can learn more about the 2025 trip by clicking on the link below.