Hoover Dam Kayaking: 6 Hot Springs, 4 Waterfalls, Sauna Cave

Twelve miles, six hot springs, four waterfalls, and a 140-foot steam cave most hikers never reach

This 7- to 9-hour kayaking trip on the Colorado River launches from the base of Hoover Dam using restricted-access permits and paddles 12 miles through the Black Canyon to reach geothermal hot springs, slot canyons and waterfalls that are closed to day hikers during summer heat. You kayak to Sauna Cave (a 140-degree geothermal tunnel), soak at Gold Strike Hot Springs and Arizona Hot Springs, climb a rope up Boyscout Canyon's 400-foot rain cave, and paddle past Emerald Cave and Lone Palm Falls. The trip includes single or tandem kayaks, life jackets, paddles, and a live English-speaking guide; you choose return either from Willow Beach or back to Hoover Dam Lodge. Hoover Dam permit fees apply.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hoover Dam Kayaking and Hot Springs

• Drive to Hoover Dam base
• Launch kayaks at Hoover Dam
• Kayak to Sauna Cave
• Soak and swim in Colorado River
• Visit two geothermal rain caves
• Stop at Melt Your Shoes Hot Springs
• Hike and explore Goldstrike Hot Springs
• See Lone Palm Falls waterfall
• Explore Boyscout Canyon and climb waterfall
• Hike to Arizona Hot Springs
• Kayak through Black Canyon water trail
• Pass Emerald Cave on return
• Exit at Willow Beach boat launch

The Experience

The trip starts with a 10-minute drive down a restricted road normally closed to the public—access only possible through an approved outfitter with pre-approved passes. You launch kayaks directly into the Colorado River at the base of the dam, paddling with a slow one-mile-per-hour current that lets you catch eddies and move between stops without fighting the water. The guide shows you how to read the current and position the kayak as you move downriver.

Your first stop is Sauna Cave, a 140-foot geothermal tunnel where internal temperatures exceed 140 degrees Fahrenheit. You soak in the natural hot springs inside, then cool off in the river. From there you move through a series of geothermal stops: Gold Strike Hot Springs (a 95-degree slot canyon with a waterfall and five layers of hot springs at different temperatures), Melt Your Shoes Hot Springs (where a 120- to 130-degree waterfall spills into a 98- to 108-degree natural jacuzzi at the riverbank), and Lone Palm Falls (a 40-foot geothermal waterfall). At Boyscout Canyon, you climb a rope up the slot canyon wall using leverage against both sides to reach a 400-foot horizontal rain cave and waterfall—the guide teaches you the technique and stays with you. You'll see six caves and 11 geothermal waterfalls total across the day.

Lunch happens at Arizona Hot Springs, a slot canyon you reach by hiking up from the river and climbing a large ladder through a waterfall. The trip ends at Willow Beach, where you can either be picked up to drive your own car or get shuttled back to the Hoover Dam Lodge parking area. Kayaks are single Old Town Toons or double Old Town Loons (better for beginners); canoes can be arranged for a small extra cost. Life jackets and paddles are provided.

What’s included

• Single or tandem kayaks (Old Town Loons for beginners or single Old Town Toons, with canoes available for a small extra cost).
• life jackets and paddles.
• a live English-speaking guide for the full 7- to 9-hour trip.
• access to restricted Hoover Dam launch and all geothermal sites.
• lunch at Arizona Hot Springs.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Adventure Child LLC

Is this one for you?Book this trip if you want to see multiple geothermal hot springs and slot canyons in one day—the kayak route is the only way to access all six springs and four waterfalls together, since hiking trails to these sites close during summer heat. Choose the Willow Beach return if you're comfortable driving yourself home, or the Hoover Dam Lodge shuttle if you'd rather not navigate after a full day on the water.

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Top questions

Can I do this trip if I've never kayaked before?

Yes. The Colorado River current is slow (one mile per hour) and the guide teaches you how to paddle and read the water. Double kayaks are available for beginners, and the guide shows you how to position yourself in the current at each stop.

What makes Sauna Cave and the other hot springs accessible on this trip when hikers can't reach them in summer?

The geothermal sites are closed to day hikers during summer because of extreme heat and limited water access on foot. Kayaking the river gives you a backdoor route: you paddle to each site instead of hiking overland, so you can visit all of them in one day year-round, even when the hiking trails are unsafe.

Is Boyscout Canyon difficult, and can kids do it?

Boyscout Canyon involves a rope climb up the slot canyon wall to see a 400-foot rain cave, and it's not for the faint of heart. Kids in grades 5–8 can make it up the second waterfall with the guide showing you how to use leverage against both canyon walls to pull yourself up. The guide stays with you and teaches the technique.

How long is the paddle, and what's the fitness level required?

You paddle 12 miles from Hoover Dam to Willow Beach over 7 to 9 hours, but the current is slow and you're stopping frequently to hike and soak. The trip is suitable for all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.

Do I get picked up at the end, or do I need my own car?

You can choose: either get picked up at Willow Beach to drive your own car home, or get shuttled back to the Hoover Dam Lodge parking area where your car is waiting. Let the guide know which works for you.