Launch your kayak from the base of Hoover Dam and paddle 12 miles down the Colorado River through Black Canyon on this full-day guided adventure. Along the way, you will hike to hidden geothermal hot spring pools, steam inside a natural sauna cave, and explore side canyons and waterfalls that most visitors to Hoover Dam never see. Permits, shuttle, catered lunch, and all equipment are included.

Kayak from the base of Hoover Dam with a fish-eye view of the massive concrete structure from the water
Paddle 12 miles through Black Canyon on the Colorado River with professional guides
Hike to geothermal hot spring pools and steam inside a natural sauna cave
Spot desert bighorn sheep, bald eagles, falcons, and migratory waterfowl along the river
Enjoy a catered lunch, bottled water, juice, and snacks during scenic stops along the shore

This bucket-list kayak tour is the only way to experience Hoover Dam from its base, descending the original road carved into the canyon walls during the dam's construction in the 1930s before launching onto the river below.

What's Included

Professional guide (WFA/CPR certified)
Sit-inside Prijon touring kayak with rudder, padded seat, and backrest
NRS life vest and Aqua Bound paddle
National Park Service participant permit for the Hoover Dam launch site
Shuttle pickup from Las Vegas Strip hotels or Boulder City
Catered lunch, bottled water, juice, and snacks

Things to know

All participants must be physically fit enough to complete a 12-mile active paddle. This is a challenging full-day tour; beginner paddlers are often up for the challenge, but those unsure of their fitness level should consider starting with Evolution Expeditions' half-day tour. A government-issued photo ID is required for all participants to access the Hoover Dam launch site. Security personnel will deny entry without valid identification. Permits are limited to 45 per day by the National Park Service and are secured on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance booking is highly recommended. All participants must sign a Release of Liability Waiver and Declaration of Fitness prior to the tour. Wear water shoes, sandals with straps, or old tennis shoes (no flip-flops or slides). Dress in layers with a swimsuit underneath and UV protection on top. Bring sunscreen and a hat.

Itinerary

This is a typical itinerary for this kayak tour. Exact timing varies by season and group pace. The total experience is approximately 7 hours.

Shuttle Pickup

Your day begins with a shuttle pickup from your Las Vegas Strip hotel. Pickups typically run 90 to 110 minutes before the tour start time (for example, an 8:00 AM tour picks up from Mandalay Bay around 6:30 AM, Bellagio around 6:20 AM, and Venetian around 6:10 AM). Self-drive participants meet at the Hoover Dam Lodge in Boulder City, NV, approximately one hour before launch. On the drive out, your guide provides a safety briefing and an overview of the day's route.

Hoover Dam Launch

The tour launches from the base of Hoover Dam, an access point restricted to permitted groups and managed by National Park Service security. You descend the original road carved into the canyon walls during Hoover Dam's construction in the 1930s, reaching the water's edge at the foot of the 726-foot concrete arch-gravity dam. The view from below is striking. The full scale of Hoover Dam is visible from a perspective few people ever get to see, with the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge arching overhead. Your guide helps you into your kayak, and the group launches onto the Colorado River.

Black Canyon Paddle

From Hoover Dam, you paddle downstream through Black Canyon, where canyon walls rise up to 2,000 feet on either side of the river. The water is calm and fed by the cold, clear outflow from the dam. Your guide shares the history of Hoover Dam's construction during the Great Depression, the 1921 water gauging sites visible along the canyon walls, and the geological story of the volcanic rock formations you pass. The group makes several stops along both the Nevada and Arizona shorelines to stretch, swim, and explore.

Sauna Cave and Hot Springs

One of the highlights of the tour is a stop at a natural sauna cave, where geothermal heat creates a steam-filled chamber in the rock. Nearby, hidden hot spring pools sit within side canyons, fed by underground geothermal sources. You can soak in the warm water before plunging into the cool Colorado River. Your guide leads the group on a short hike to reach the pools, pointing out desert plants and wildlife along the way.

Emerald Cave and Side Canyons

The route through Black Canyon passes Emerald Cave, where sunlight entering the narrow cave opening illuminates the water in vivid green. Additional side canyons along the river reveal small waterfalls and quiet coves where the group stops for photos and exploration.

Lunch Stop

Midway through the paddle, the group pulls ashore for a catered lunch on the riverbank. Your guide sets up the meal, which includes a choice of options along with bottled water, juice, and snacks.

Takeout and Return Shuttle

After 12 miles of paddling, the group reaches the takeout point. You load the kayaks and board the shuttle for the return trip to Las Vegas, arriving back at your hotel approximately 90 to 120 minutes after the tour ends.

Pass-by highlights include: Historic 1921 water gauging stations, the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, volcanic rock formations, desert waterfalls, and wildlife viewing throughout Black Canyon

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Hoover Dam Kayak Tour with Hot Springs & Shuttle