Kayaking Lake Mead: Hoover Dam views from the water

You paddle past 800-foot canyon walls and spot bighorn sheep from your kayak.

Kayak three scenic miles through Lake Mead National Recreation Area near Las Vegas, paddling past the Hoover Dam and Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge with a Wilderness First Aid-certified guide. Navigate slot canyons with towering red rock walls, watch for desert wildlife including bighorn sheep and eagles, and learn the dam's history while the Colorado River winds through the landscape below.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each4 stops

1. Hoover Dampassing by
2. Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridgepassing by
3. Colorado Riverpassing by
4. Lake Mead National Recreation AreaEntry included3h

Kayak tour at Lake Mead and Hoover Dam

• Travel down Kingman Wash
• Navigate slot canyons by kayak
• View Hoover Dam from water
• See Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridge
• Enjoy Grand Canyon views
• Paddle two miles on Lake Mead

The experience

The paddle starts by traveling down Kingman Wash past several historic mining sites, then enters slot canyons where 800-foot cliffs rise on either side. You navigate calm waters through this stretch, which is where you get your first unobstructed view of the Hoover Dam from water level: a perspective most visitors never see. The Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge appears next, its span framed by the surrounding canyons as you pass underneath.

A two-mile stretch across Lake Mead itself makes up the second half of the paddle. This is where the landscape opens up and you can see the Colorado River winding through red rock walls below the lake's surface. Your guide, certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR, points out bighorn sheep, wild burros, eagles and other desert wildlife as they appear. The entire route covers three miles and takes five hours from start to finish.

All kayaks, paddles and personal flotation devices are provided. Lunch and snacks are included, along with bottled water for the paddle. The small group size keeps the experience intimate, and guides go through an extensive training program to manage both safety and the details that make the day stick with you.

What’s included

• Kayaks, paddles and personal flotation devices.
• lunch and snacks.
• bottled water.
• all fees and taxes.
• expert guide certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.

Information

Lasts 5h, runs every day at 10:05, from US$ 189 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 11 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:05Another time? ›

GroupUp to 11

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.11 with pickup ›

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (3 to 14 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Evolution Expeditions

Is this one for you?The activity departs from a location near Lake Mead with public transportation options nearby, so you don't need a rental car or hotel pickup to reach the water. Book directly and get yourself there by bus or rideshare from Las Vegas.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 14 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the water like when I'm paddling through Lake Mead?

The waters are calm throughout the paddle, making it manageable for paddlers with moderate fitness. You're on the Colorado River and Lake Mead itself, not whitewater, so the focus is on the scenery and wildlife rather than technical paddling.

Will I actually see the Hoover Dam up close from the kayak?

Yes. The route gives you rare water-level views of both the Hoover Dam and the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, perspectives you can't get from the visitor center or the roads above.

What wildlife might I spot on the paddle?

Bighorn sheep, wild burros, eagles and other desert wildlife appear along the route. Your guide will point them out as you paddle, though sightings depend on the day and time.

How long does the whole experience take?

The paddle is five hours total, starting with the travel down Kingman Wash and continuing through the slot canyons, across Lake Mead, and back. This includes paddling time and the guide's commentary on the dam's history and the landscape.

Do I need kayaking experience to book this?

No prior experience is required. You need at least a moderate level of physical fitness to paddle three miles, but the calm water and the guide's support make it accessible to beginners. Children are welcome from age three.