For those craving a bigger adventure near Las Vegas, Nevada, this full-day kayaking expedition covers serious ground along the Colorado River. Paddlers wind through the sheer walls of Black Canyon below Hoover Dam, pausing to hike to the area's natural hot springs and explore the glowing waters of Emerald Cave. It is a longer, more physically demanding version of a classic kayak tour, built for anyone who wants mileage, a hike, and a full day of river scenery rather than a short paddle. This tour includes round-trip shuttle transportation from Mandalay Bay, and there's no self-drive option for this route given the remote trailhead.

A guide stays with the group from start to finish, and a relaxed lunch break on a sandy beach makes for a welcome pause between the miles. It adds up to one of the most rewarding days a paddler can spend outdoors, part workout and part hot springs soak, and entirely worth it for anyone ready for a big adventure.

Any restrictions to participate?

• Age: Recommended for ages 6 and up
• Weight: 275 lbs limit for paddle boards; 300 lbs limit for single kayaks; 550 lbs limit for double kayaks
• Health limitations: Not recommended for guests with heart conditions, back problems, shoulder problems, or other physical limitations; pregnant guests are encouraged to consult a doctor before joining
• Physical limitations: Participants should be comfortable with a physically demanding day of paddling and hiking; this is not a leisurely float
• Experience level: Best suited to intermediate and advanced paddlers

Who can you accommodate for?

• Children: All participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult

What to expect on the day of the experience?

• Duration: Approximately 8 hours total including transportation, with about 7 hours spent kayaking and hiking (roughly 12 miles of paddling and 2 miles of hiking)
• What's included: Guide, kayak, life vest, lunch, snacks, water, digital photos, and round-trip shuttle transportation from Mandalay Bay with a 6:30am pickup
• Who will be present: A professional guide leads the group, with other participants also paddling along
• Spectators: No spectators are allowed, everyone must have a ticket/reservations
• Photo/video: Digital photos are included with this guided tour; waterproof phone cases are also available for purchase on-site for personal photos
• Specific rules to follow: No alcohol or smoking permitted during the tour

How to prepare?

• Weather dependency: Tours operate as long as weather permits; if a tour is canceled due to weather, guests can rebook or receive a full refund
• Arrival: Guests should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled pickup
• What to wear: Water shoes are required (flip-flops are not permitted); a swimsuit worn under layered clothing is recommended
• What to bring:
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunblock
  • Towel
  • Waterproof phone case
• Restrooms/lockers/changing rooms: Restrooms are available at the launch point before the tour begins; none are available along the route

Anything else I should know before going on this experience?

• National Park Service permits are required and not guaranteed; additional NPS fees apply (about $30 per adult and $15 per guest under 16), arranged separately after booking
• A liability waiver must be signed before participating
• Tips for the guide are appreciated but not required

Unused Experience Vouchers can be returned within 14 days for a full refund to the original purchaser, no questions asked.

If you have any unused Experience Vouchers, you can exchange them for any other experience in our marketplace, free of charge, no matter when. If you choose an experience that's more expensive, you'll need to pay the difference.

No refunds are allowed once the experience is booked, but you can reschedule up to 48 hours before your experience, for a date within a year of the original booking. To reschedule, contact the experience provider directly. No-shows or rescheduling less than 48 hours in advance means losing the value of your experience.