Paddle from Hoover Dam to hot spring pools with shuttle and park entry
7 Hours
Shuttle, lunch, park entry
Kayak from the base of Hoover Dam down the Colorado River through Black Canyon, with stops for a sauna cave and geothermal hot spring pools. This 7-hour, 12-mile tour is designed for beginners up for a challenge and experienced paddlers alike.
Bring a government-issued photo ID (adults 18+) or you may be denied access at the Hoover Dam launch site. You must be physically fit enough to complete a 12-mile active paddle.
Cancel at least 48 hours before shuttle pick-up/meet-up for a refund minus $65 per person, per tour. Within 48 hours is non-refundable. Custom group bookings (10+) and promotional priced tours are non-refundable upon booking confirmation. Full refund if operator cancels due to weather/unsafe conditions.
Product ID: 4PGSKX
Yes. Your booking is not confirmed until the operator reaches out after they obtain permits and confirm your trip.
All times are in Pacific Time. Your party may experience a time zone change.
Bring a government-issued photo ID. Adults 18+ must have it or security at the Hoover Dam launch site may deny access.
Hoover Dam is one of the most recognized engineering landmarks in the American West, a 726-foot concrete arch-gravity dam completed in 1935 that tamed the Colorado River and created Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States by volume. Most visitors see it from the observation deck or the bypass bridge above. This kayak tour starts where the tourist overlooks end, launching from the restricted area at the very base of Hoover Dam and paddling downstream through the canyon the dam was built to control.
The 12-mile route through Black Canyon unfolds at water level, where the scale of the landscape is impossible to ignore. Canyon walls tower overhead, carved by millions of years of volcanic activity and river erosion. The Colorado River below Hoover Dam runs cold and clear, fed by water released from the bottom of Lake Mead, and the calm current makes paddling manageable even for first-time kayakers. Along the way, your guide pulls the group into side canyons for hikes to geothermal hot springs and a natural sauna cave, stops at Emerald Cave where the water glows green in the midday light, and points out desert bighorn sheep grazing on the canyon walls. A catered lunch on the riverbank gives the day a relaxed pace that balances the physical challenge of the paddle.
This Hoover Dam kayak tour is built for adventurous travelers who want more than a photo from the overlook. Couples, groups of friends, and solo paddlers looking for a full-day outdoor challenge near Las Vegas will find this tour rewarding. It runs year-round, with cooler months (October through April) offering the most comfortable conditions and the warmest hot spring soaks. Only 45 permits are issued per day for the Hoover Dam launch site, so advance booking is essential.
The guides here really make the experience special. Faith, Calvin, Soren, Ryan, Jeff, and Maggie all get enthusiastic shoutouts for being knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely passionate about sharing the area's ecology, geology, and history. Reviewers consistently mention feeling safe and well-cared-for, even complete beginners who'd never kayaked before. The tandem kayaks come equipped with rudders that make paddling easier, and guides adjust the pace to accommodate different skill levels while keeping the group together. The Emerald Cave tour is the clear favorite, with travelers calling it a highlight of their Vegas trips. The full-day option includes tasty lunches and plenty of snacks and water throughout. Logistics are smooth too, with clear pre-trip instructions, reliable hotel pickups, and helpful communication about what to bring. Many visitors add the Hoover Dam stop for a full-day adventure. The calm water and stunning scenery offer a refreshing escape from the Strip, and you might even spot bighorn sheep or eagles along the way.
This experience will go down as one of the best excursions I've ever been on. It's not because of the sights, or the weather, or the nice lunch that they pack for you... it was Faith our guide that made this experience unforgettable. She was such a down to earth person. She has a demeanor that most people could only wish to have. Her thoughtfulness and love of what she does is unmatched. She truly cares about taking care of who she's guiding. On our way back to the beach, we got caught in a wind storm. A grandmother, her granddaughter and sick dog were stranded and grandma needed help. Faith told us to go back to the beach without her and she would tow the stranded family back with her. We weren't going to let that happen, so we had her link us all up and we got the grandmother to where she needed to be. If I ever get back out there, I will definitely request Faith again. She became an instant friend who will always be remembered for her humor and kindness. She's definitely a five star person who loves what she does. Thank you Faith!!
Paul Heise
September 2, 2026
This experience will go down as one of the best excursions I've ever been on. It's not because of the sights, or the weather, or the nice lunch that they pack for you... it was Faith our guide that made this experience unforgettable. She was such a down to earth person. She has a demeanor that most people could only wish to have. Her thoughtfulness and love of what she does is unmatched. She truly cares about taking care of who she's guiding. On our way back to the beach, we got caught in a wind storm. A grandmother, her granddaughter and sick dog were stranded and grandma needed help. Faith told us to go back to the beach without her and she would tow the stranded family back with her. We weren't going to let that happen, so we had her link us all up and we got the grandmother to where she needed to be. If I ever get back out there, I will definitely request Faith again. She became an instant friend who will always be remembered for her humor and kindness. She's definitely a five star person who loves what she does. Thank you Faith!!
Paul Heise
September 2, 2026
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