Las Vegas: Colorado River Kayak Tour & Emerald Cave

Paddle through Black Canyon on the Colorado River, just outside Las Vegas

You paddle 4 miles through Black Canyon on the Colorado River with a small group (under 12 people) led by experienced veteran guides. The tour includes a swim break, wildlife spotting, and time to photograph the canyon walls and emerald water. Life jackets and kayaks are provided. You drive yourself to Willow Beach Marina, about 45 minutes from Las Vegas, and choose between 9am or 12:30pm departures.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided kayak tour on Colorado River

• Drive to Willow Beach Marina
• Join small group kayak tour
• Paddle 4 miles through Black Canyon
• Explore scenic caves and wildlife
• Stop for swim break in river
• Enjoy photo opportunities

The experience

There's something about the idea of paddling into a canyon you can't quite picture from the Strip: that pull to see what's actually out there, past the noise. The Colorado River kayak tour leaves Willow Beach Marina, about 45 minutes from Las Vegas, and it's the kind of thing that makes you realize how much desert and water and stone exist just beyond the city. The 4-mile paddle through Black Canyon moves at a relaxed pace, which matters because you're not racing. You're noticing. Towering canyon walls rise on both sides, and the water shifts from deep blue to that impossible emerald green where the light hits it right. The guides here are veterans, they run the operation themselves, and they know where the bighorn sheep drink and where eagles nest in the rocks.

You'll stop to swim in the river, which is colder than you'd expect and shockingly clear, and there's time to float and take photos without anyone rushing you along. The kayaks are single or tandem, made in the USA, and stable enough that this works for all skill levels. Kids under 10 ride in a tandem with an adult, which actually gives them a better view than paddling solo. The group stays under 12 people, that's a hard cap, so you're not crammed in with thirty strangers. Morning departures at 9am are cooler and quieter. The 12:30pm tour means more sun on the water and a different kind of light on the canyon walls. Life jackets are included, and the whole thing takes about four hours from start to finish, with the drive back to Las Vegas built into your day.

You drive yourself to Willow Beach Marina. It's not a ride-share situation, so you'll need a car or to arrange one. Once you're there, the guides handle the rest: the safety briefing, the kayak fit, the rhythm of the paddle. If you've never kayaked before, this is forgiving water for learning. If you have, it's still absorbing enough that you forget about the Strip entirely.

What’s included

• Your tour includes life jackets, a USA-made kayak (single or tandem), a guided 4-mile paddle through Black Canyon with an experienced veteran guide, a swim break in the Colorado River, and wildlife spotting opportunities.
• You arrange your own transportation to Willow Beach Marina, where the guides handle the rest: safety briefing, kayak setup, and the paddle itself.
• Departures are daily at 9:00 AM or 12:30 PM.

Information

Lasts 3h 30m, runs every day at 09:00 and 12:30, from US$ 69 per person and with a live guide in English.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 12:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.7 with pickup ›

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 85 years) · Child (4 to 17 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Veteran Kayaks

Is this one for you?Right for travelers staying in Las Vegas who want to get off the Strip and see the Colorado River without arranging their own kayak and guide: the small-group format and fixed departures mean you show up and paddle. Plan to drive yourself to the marina and be out for about four hours total, which is what gives you time to swim, spot wildlife, and absorb the canyon without feeling rushed.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 17 years). Children under 4 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. No refund if you cancel.

How far is Willow Beach Marina from the Las Vegas Strip?

About 45 minutes to under an hour's drive from central Las Vegas.

What time do the tours depart?

Daily at 9:00 AM and 12:30 PM.

How long is the paddle?

4 miles through Black Canyon, with the full tour taking around four hours including the drive back.

What's included in the tour?

Life jackets, kayak (single or tandem), guided paddle, swim break, and wildlife spotting. You arrange your own transport to the marina.

Is this suitable for beginners?

Yes, the pace is relaxed and it's designed for all skill levels. Children under 10 ride in a tandem kayak with an adult.

What's the maximum group size?

12 people or fewer per group, guaranteed.

What should I know before booking?

You need to drive yourself to Willow Beach Marina. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. Maximum weight is 280 lbs.