Black Canyon Full Day Kayak Tour with Transportation

Reviewed by the Vegas Guide editorial team · Updated October 2026

A guided 12-mile, one-way kayak day on the Colorado River from the base of Hoover Dam to Willow Beach, with hot springs, a riverside lunch and round-trip Strip transport.

Check availability · from $236

The Full 12-Mile Black Canyon Paddle

Twelve miles of paddling, 6 to 7 hours on the water and a door-to-door day of 9 to 10 hours. That's the full Black Canyon trip. You launch at 7 a.m. at the foot of Hoover Dam, inside the dam's security zone, where launches are limited to a handful of permitted outfitters, and paddle one way downstream to Willow Beach with Blazin' Paddles guides.

About 4 miles in, the group pulls over at natural hot spring pools the operator puts at around 100 degrees. After that come Sauna Cave, structures left from the dam's construction, a lunch beach and plenty of cliff to scan for bighorn sheep. Emerald Cave gets a visit only if time allows. Lunch, snacks, water, gear and the park permits are covered, from $236 including fees.

The river between the two dams barely moves unless water is being released, the breeze often blows upstream, and once you push off below the dam there's no easy exit. The operator itself steers beginners to its half day; the shuttle version of that is the Black Canyon Kayak Tour with Transportation.

Bring government-issued photo ID. The trip also needs at least 3 guests to run, and the operator contacts you with other options if a date looks short.

Insider tipPick a Sunday or Monday if your dates allow: the National Park Service bans motorboats and personal watercraft between Hoover Dam and Willow Beach on those two days all year, so the canyon is at its quietest.

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Frequently asked questions

How fit do I need to be?

Reasonably fit. There's almost no current between the two dams, the wind often blows upstream, and the launch is one way, so you can't turn back once you start.

Do we stop at the hot springs?

Around mile 4 the group stops at natural pools the operator describes as about 100 degrees, with time to soak before carrying on.

Will we see Emerald Cave?

Only if there's time. The cave is a fixture of the half-day trip; on the full day it's a maybe.

What time is pickup?

Expect a Strip pickup at about 5 to 5:30 a.m. The group has to meet its Hoover Dam security escort by 6:20 a.m. for the 7 a.m. launch.

How is this different from the hot springs tour?

Distance and finish. This trip paddles all 12 miles to Willow Beach; the Black Canyon Hot Springs Kayak Tour stops after 8 miles at Cranes Nest Canyon, climbs out to a UTV and costs more.

PriceFrom $236

Duration9-10 hours

Getting thereHotel pickup from major Strip hotels (confirm at booking)

What's includedGuide, kayak, paddle and life jacket; lunch, snacks and bottled water; all park permits; round-trip shuttle.

Pickup13 Strip and downtown hotels, from the Golden Nugget to Mandalay Bay and the Four Seasons, usually between 5 and 5:30 a.m.

Minimum age12 with parental permission. The operator's own guidance calls the day unsuitable for most kids under 14 and puts anyone under 16 in a double kayak with a parent.

What to bringGovernment-issued photo ID, which is required; water shoes or sneakers you don't mind soaking; hat, sunglasses and sunscreen; a dry bag.

Group sizeUsually about 12 guests and rarely more than 14; at least 3 are needed for the tour to run.

Changes and cancellation$35 fee for changes made at least 48 hours ahead, because the park permits are issued by name; inside 48 hours the full price is charged.

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