VERDICT: WE GAVE 5 OUT OF 5 TICKETS AND HERE’S WHY!
This guide forms part of our complete USA Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across the United States.
This article is also part of the Ultimate Guide to Nevada, exploring the Vegas Strip, the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Area 51 and even Getting Married. Read the complete itinerary here.
Top 5 Reasons to Kayak the Colorado River
- Paddle through the spectacular Black Canyon.
- Visit the famous Emerald Cave.
- See Hoover Dam from a unique perspective.
- Spot desert wildlife including bighorn sheep.
- Enjoy calm, crystal-clear waters suitable for beginners.
Paddle through Black Canyon, discover Emerald Cave and experience one of the Southwest’s most unforgettable adventures
This kayaking adventure remains one of the most memorable outdoor experiences we’ve had anywhere in the American Southwest.
If you’re visiting Las Vegas and looking to escape the bright lights of the Strip for a day, we’d put this experience right near the top of your list.
Kayaking the Colorado River with Desert Adventures USA offers something completely different from the typical Las Vegas excursion. Instead of casinos and crowds, you’re surrounded by towering canyon walls, crystal-clear water, fascinating history and incredible wildlife.
The calm waters of Black Canyon make this adventure suitable for both beginners and experienced paddlers, while knowledgeable local guides ensure you experience far more than simply a paddle down the river.
Choosing the Half-Day Tour
Although full-day adventures were available, we opted for the half-day excursion.
After spending most of the week sitting behind desks at work, we wanted an active experience without overestimating our fitness. We’d previously completed a canoe trip and thoroughly enjoyed it, so kayaking seemed like the perfect next adventure.
It turned out to be one of the best decisions of our trip.
Meeting Our Guide
Our guide, Dani Larget, immediately impressed us. From the moment we met, her enthusiasm was infectious. Friendly, knowledgeable and incredibly energetic, she made us feel comfortable before we’d even left the office.
As luck would have it, the tour consisted of only three people, my husband, myself and Dani, which meant we enjoyed what felt like a private excursion. That gave us plenty of opportunities to ask questions about local history, geology, wildlife and life along the Colorado River.
Despite her small stature, Dani effortlessly loaded kayaks, safety equipment, lunches, drinking water and emergency gear into the vehicle before we set off toward Willow Beach.
Through Lake Mead National Recreation Area
The drive itself became part of the experience. Travelling through Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Dani shared stories about the construction of Hoover Dam and the development of nearby Boulder City.
Few people realise Boulder City was purpose-built in 1931 to house the thousands of workers responsible for constructing Hoover Dam. Unlike nearby Las Vegas, it still retains much of its original small-town charm and is well worth exploring if time allows.
Arriving at Willow Beach
Eventually we reached Willow Beach Marina, our launch point.
The scenery was stunning. The morning sunshine reflected off the calm river while sheer canyon walls rose dramatically above us. Conditions couldn’t have been better. A gentle breeze kept the temperature comfortable and the river flowed slowly enough for beginners to feel completely at ease.
Following a thorough safety briefing, our kayaks were packed with lunch, drinking water, first aid supplies and everything else we’d need before gently pushing away from shore.
Black Canyon
Within minutes we were surrounded by the spectacular scenery of Black Canyon. The towering rock walls reveal millions of years of geological history, while the changing water levels have left distinctive marks etched into the canyon walls. It’s impossible not to appreciate the sheer scale of the landscape.
Unlike many rivers, the Colorado here feels peaceful rather than intimidating.
The gentle current allows plenty of time to admire the scenery and photograph the remarkable surroundings.
Hoover Dam History
One of the most fascinating stops highlighted the incredible engineering involved in building Hoover Dam. High above the river sits a small gauging station once used to monitor water levels during construction.
To reach work each day, the river gauger travelled across the Colorado River using a small suspended tram before carefully negotiating a narrow catwalk carved into the canyon wall. We hiked to the site where his modest riverside home once stood.
Today only the concrete foundations remain, but standing there overlooking the quiet river, it wasn’t difficult to imagine what life must have been like nearly a century ago.
Emerald Cave
Eventually we reached the highlight of the tour. Emerald Cave.
Although relatively small, the cave is famous for its glowing emerald-green water created when sunlight reflects through the crystal-clear Colorado River. Rather than paddling straight in, Dani instructed us to slowly reverse our kayaks into the cave. Looking outward toward the canyon framed by the cave entrance created one of the most beautiful scenes of the day.
Nearby, a tiny beach provided the perfect lunch stop. The meal supplied by Desert Adventures was excellent. While relaxing beside the river we were joined by a friendly mallard duck and drake hoping for a little company.
Although the river remains surprisingly cold throughout the year due to releases from Hoover Dam, cooling our hands and feet felt wonderful beneath the desert sun. After refilling our water bottles and applying another layer of sunscreen, we began the return journey.
Wildlife You May See
- Desert Bighorn Sheep
- Great Blue Herons
- Mallards
- Turkey Vultures
- Ospreys
- Bald Eagles (occasionally)
- Coyotes
- Beavers (rare)
- Lizards
- Desert Fish
The Colorado River supports an impressive variety of wildlife. Throughout the day we spotted turkey vultures soaring overhead, several unusual waterfowl and, high on the canyon walls, a mother desert bighorn sheep with her young.
Thankfully we didn’t encounter two creatures Dani had warned us about beforehand. Swimming rattlesnakes. Or maybe scorpions. Sometimes it’s perfectly acceptable to miss the local wildlife!
Final Stop
Before returning our equipment, Dani made one final stop. Hemenway Park.
The park is famous for its resident herd of desert bighorn sheep that regularly wander through the grassy picnic areas. Sure enough, several sheep were grazing only metres from the playground. Although surprisingly accustomed to people, we kept a respectful distance, particularly from the large rams.
It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable day.
What to Bring
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Water shoes
- Lightweight clothing
- Waterproof phone case
- Camera
- Refillable water bottle
Before You Go
by My Return Ticket
Local Tip
Launch Point: Willow Beach Marina. River: Colorado River. Location: Black Canyon. National Water Trail. Tour Length: Half Day or Full Day. Best Months: March–May & September–November. Difficulty: Easy–Moderate. Suitable For Beginners & Families. Absolutely worth the time and money.
Information Verified: 08/14/2024
The Bottom Line
When we travel, we always hope to come home having learned something new. This tour delivered exactly that. We discovered the fascinating history surrounding Hoover Dam, paddled one of America's most scenic waterways, explored Emerald Cave and experienced landscapes impossible to appreciate from the road. Most importantly, we were guided by someone genuinely passionate about sharing the region she calls home. Desert Adventures USA exceeded every expectation. Our guide was knowledgeable, professional, safety-conscious and genuinely fun to spend the day with. Would we recommend it? Without hesitation. In fact, the experience inspired us to start talking about buying our own kayaks. For us, that's probably the best recommendation we could give.
Continue Exploring The Grand Canyon and Las Vegas
- Kayaking the Colorado River with Desert Adventures USA: Glide through calm stretches of water framed by towering canyon walls. Ideal for first-timers or experienced paddlers.
- Antelope Canyon: A spectacular slot canyon famous for its colourful sandstone walls and incredible light beams. Guided tours are required.
- Hoover Dam: An engineering marvel spanning the Colorado River, offering guided tours and panoramic views over Lake Mead.
- Sedona: Renowned for its striking red rock formations, scenic drives, hiking trails, art galleries and vibrant downtown.
- Visit Fremont Street Experience: Enjoy the spectacular LED canopy light show, live entertainment, zipline and classic vintage Vegas atmosphere.
- Explore Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area: Just 30 minutes from the Strip, this spectacular desert landscape offers scenic drives, hiking, rock climbing and incredible photography opportunities.
Nearby Attractions And Things To Do In Las Vegas
- Walk the Las Vegas Strip: Experience the world-famous resorts, themed hotels, dazzling fountains, nightlife and free attractions that make Las Vegas unlike anywhere else.
- Visit Fremont Street Experience: Enjoy the spectacular LED canopy light show, live entertainment, zipline and classic vintage Vegas atmosphere.
- Stay at the Venetian Hotel: One of the city’s top hotels. It is a little pricier, but the environment, rooms, and the feeling of Venice is steps away. Quite a magical stay!
- Try out Nine Fine Irishmen and Gordon Ramsay’s Pub & Grill: There are so many restaurants to choose from. We enjoyed both, great food and fantastic hospitality.
- Get Married!: On the Strip you will find numerous opportunities to tie the knot. It all can be arranged in a day. Even get the marriage licence on the day! We did it!
Planning Your Trip?
Before you go, don’t forget to book the essentials:
- 🏨 Hotels & unique stays
- 🚗 Rental cars
- 🎟️ Top-rated tours & attractions
- 📶 eSIMs for easy connectivity
- 🛡️ Travel insurance
- 🎒 Packing Lists
- 🎒 Travel gear from The Venturio
With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.
