Colorado River Kayak: 6 Hot Springs & 4 Waterfalls
🎯 Why People Book This
🗺️ The Experience
🤔 Is It Worth It?
- you'd rather earn the Colorado River by paddling it across 7-9 hours than view it from an overlook
- soaking in the hot springs and reaching the waterfalls is the point, and you're fit enough to kayak there
- you want a full day outdoors, not a half-day stop with the dam and a comedy show bolted on
- you actually want the dam itself, its history and interior, in which case the $109.99 Comedy Hoover Dam Tour with interior access fits you far better
- a 7-to-9-hour active day is more than you came for, and a 3-hour mini tour gets you to Hoover Dam without the physical commitment
- you want the river and the hot springs under your own power, and a short sightseeing stop would leave you wishing you'd gone in
Tour at a Glance
| Duration | 7-9 hours |
|---|---|
| Price (from) | $293.04 per person |
| Departure | Meet at the start point |
| Ages | Ages 1+ |
| Group size | Up to 15 per booking |
| Physical level | Easy (all fitness levels) |
| Languages | English |
| Operator | Adventure Child LLC |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before |
| Rating | 4.9/5 (42 reviews) |
✅ What's Included
- Single kayaks, double Old Town Loons, single Old Town Toons, or sit-on-top kayaks
- Life jackets and paddles
- Canoes available at small extra cost
❌ Not Included
- Transportation to Willow Beach departure point
- Meals and drinks
- Gratuities
- Personal items and waterproof storage
🛡️ Practical Info
- Departure / Pickup: Meet at the West Parking Lot of Hoover Dam Lodge (National Park Parking Lot to the left of the dam). No hotel pickup; meeting point may vary — confirmed when permits are booked.
- Best Time to Visit: Year-round operation; summer departures offer the best Emerald Cave lighting (July–September). Hot springs hikes are closed during summer heat as standalone day hikes, but are accessed via kayak on this route year-round.
- What to Bring: Water shoes, sun protection, change of clothes, and a swimsuit. Lunch is provided at Arizona Hot Springs; ice water is included on the water.
- Free Cancellation: Full refund if cancelled at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Booking Tip: Group size is capped at 15 per booking and restricted launch permits are arranged at time of booking — reserve early, especially for summer and holiday dates.
- Drive Time: Approximately 10 minutes by vehicle down the restricted access road to the launch point at the base of Hoover Dam.
- Physical Level: Suitable for all fitness levels; light scrambling involved at Goldstrike Hot Springs. Not recommended for pregnant travelers, those with spinal injuries, or those with poor cardiovascular health.
- Minimum Age / Ages: Ages 1–100; minimum group size is 2 persons.
- Good to Know: Hoover Dam permit fees and guide gratuity are not included in the tour price. Canoes available at an additional cost.
💡 Insider Tip
LasVegasTour Editorial Review
“What you're really buying here is a backdoor pass, not a paddle: the access to launch from the base of the Hoover Dam and reach six caves and a string of geothermal hot springs that hikers can only visit one at a time in winter, and not at all in summer. The trade-off is real effort over seven to nine hours, with rope climbs and ladder hikes the listing flags as not for the faint of heart. Skip it if spinal injuries or cardiovascular issues are a concern; for fit paddlers, the route earns its 4.9. Worth the long day.”
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need kayaking experience for this trip?▾
No experience is required. The operator states the trip is suitable for all physical fitness levels and provides Double Old Town Loon kayaks noted as best for beginners. Note that it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health. Some stops involve light scrambling and rope climbs at the waterfalls.
How do I get to the Willow Beach departure point?▾
There is no pickup. You meet at the start point, the National Park Parking Lot just to the left of the Hoover Dam, also described as the West Parking Lot of Hoover Dam Lodge. The operator notes that sometimes guests are met there instead of Willow Beach in the morning, and this is discussed when they call to book your permits. Public transportation options are available nearby.
Are the hot springs safe for soaking?▾
The facts describe several hot springs with high temperatures. Sauna Cave is a geothermal tunnel reaching over 140°F internally. Melt Your Shoes Hot Springs leads to a 120 to 130 degree waterfall, where the blend with lower river levels can create a 98 to 108 degree pool at the riverbank. Goldstrike offers five layers of hot springs so you can choose your heat level. The tour details do not give specific safety guidance for entering the water; confirm with the operator when booking.
What happens if weather conditions are poor?▾
The tour details do not specify a weather policy. Some stops, including Boyscout Canyon, are described as weather and time permitting. For a full refund you must cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Confirm weather-related procedures with the operator when booking.
Can I bring my own kayak?▾
This isn't specified in the tour details. The operator provides single kayaks, Double Old Town Loons, single Old Town Toons, and Sit-On-Top Kayaks, plus life jackets and paddles, and can arrange canoes at a small extra cost. Confirm with the operator if you want to bring your own.
Is food provided during the lunch break?▾
This isn't specified in the tour details. The itinerary includes a lunch break and ice water at Arizona Hot Springs, but the facts do not state whether food is provided. Confirm with the operator when booking.
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