Paddle to Emerald Cave on a 3-hour guided tour from Willow Beach
3 Hours
Guide, kayak, snacks
Explore the emerald green Colorado River on a guided, self-drive kayak tour from Willow Beach, Arizona. Paddle into the Black Canyon narrows and visit Emerald Cave on a route suitable for beginners and advanced paddlers.
Arrive 30 minutes before your tour start time (Pacific Time). You will enter Lake Mead National Recreation Area and pay a $25 per vehicle entry fee unless you have a qualifying pass or military ID. Alcohol and marijuana are not permitted.
Cancel at least 48 hours before start for a full refund minus a 6% credit card processing fee. No refunds within 48 hours of start, or for arriving late or no-shows. Rescheduling may be subject to a $40 per person rebooking fee.
Product ID: WJG8RV
Follow Pacific Time for all tour times. Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled start time.
Yes. Complete the online waiver no later than the day before your scheduled tour. Every participant must complete it.
Yes. You enter Lake Mead National Recreation Area at Willow Beach Marina. The entry fee is $25 per vehicle, or free with a military ID or a National Parks pass (America the Beautiful).
25804 N Willow Beach, Willow Beach, AZ 86445
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
Paddle Black Canyon to Emerald Cave with shuttle and park entry
Kayak to Hoover Dam with shuttle ride and park entry included
Paddle to Emerald Cave with a guided lunch break—meet at Willow Beach
Self-drive kayak tour to Hoover Dam with lunch and a guide
Paddle from Hoover Dam to hot springs with permits and lunch included
Paddle to Boulder Island at sunset with dinner and s’mores