Thanks for sharing this adventure! We also did a 2-day overnight camping trip in Glen Canyon and kayaked around the iconic Horseshoe Bend. Location: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, near Page, Arizona. Bottom line: pack as light as you can. The dam is a major source of hydroelectricity, but more importantly helps maintain an equitable water supply and . All Horseshoe Bend kayaking trips launch from the Lees Ferry Boat Launch in Marble Canyon, AZ, Beginning paddlers should start their kayak trip from Petroglyph Beach, while more experienced folks can tackle the entire length from the dam to Lees Ferry in one day, You can technically shuttle two vehicles and bring your own gear, like an, The water on this stretch of the Colorado is exceptionally calm, with Class I rapids (the gentlest), There are several little beaches, coves, and other places to safely stop or pull out of the water if you want to take a break, If you plan to camp overnight in Horseshoe Bend, keep in mind youll need to pack (and paddle!) Kayaking the Colorado River is permitted on the 15-mile section below the Glen River Dam and above Lees Ferry. Thank you for supporting my blog. They will man there own kayaks and kayak back home on ponds. Hi how far in advance would we need to book our trip if we wanted to go? How Long Does It Take to Kayak Horseshoe Bend I had brought my own equipment and needed hauling service to paddle the river, I was also hesitant to paddle 13 miles of the Colorado River by myself but after talking to Kayak Horseshoe Bend owner Wendy who took the time to explain how safe it was to paddle it by myself, I signed up for it, my only retreat I have is not doing the full river paddle from Glen Canyon Dam. It was wild to look up and see the crowds on the canyon rim at Horseshoe Bend looking down at us. Dont count on finding wood at your intended campsite. After three days of hiking and wading in the turquoise pools beneath 100-foot waterfalls, his perspective of Arizona changed forever. Other companies will help you strap them to your car, but I really didnt want to tie boats on top of my rental car. Backhaul - Horseshoe Bend Kayak Rentals do not leave it unattended, make sure to put the fire out before you go to bed, etc). If you dont have either, you can get the Glen Canyon pass in-person at the entrance to Lees Ferry or from a ranger station at Lake Powell. We definitely recommend using the backhaul service. Even early spring can be cold and unpredictable weather-wise and, in particular, windy. As I floated closer I saw that it was a mountain lion taking a drink of water. It was just enough to supply all my water needs for the two-day excursion. Enter your email address to receive updates and new posts straight to your inbox. From the petroglyphs, you are just around the corner from the magnificent Horseshoe Bend. Kayaking Three Sisters Swamp on the Black River, Sea Kayaking to the Benagil Cave in the Algarve, Amazing Places in the Berkshires for Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Best Cross Country Skiing Centers near Burlington, Best Kayaking Trip to See the Flamingos of Celestun, 6 Amazing Canyon Adventures in the Southwest USA. Ferry Swale campsite is next at 11 miles from the takeout at Lees Ferry. The question of "how long does it take to kayak Horseshoe Bend?" is almost like "how high is up?". It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Find out everything you could possibly want to know about kayaking Horseshoe Bend in this comprehensive guide, written by an Arizona local whos done it! Choose the Perfect RV for you with thisFREE E-Book. Ive done the Navajo Tours hike through Upper Antelope, I didnt realize it was accessible other ways. Hi Cyndi, I would recommend the Horseshoe bend kayak trip for kids. While its technically possible to kayak the Colorado River without the backhaul, we would highly recommend using it. A Guide to Visiting Horseshoe Bend 'the Right Way' To combine those and then pair it with more kayaking and camping would be a dream. What does Kayak Horseshoe Bend provide in terms of gear and equipment? Large riverside decks, catering facilities available, gift shop, cafe, free parking. This kayaking experience is everything! Your hosts will provide a unique Navajo cultural experience with an emphasis on connecting to the land. . It worked out perfectly because I was able to fill up the three empty water bottles I brought along. The . Tell us your favorite kayaking trip below! Located on the Arizona side, just a few minutes from Lake Powell, many hike to the overlook for Instagram-worthy photos. Being at the bottom of such a deep canyon, wind really accelerates down on the water. We slept out in the open under clear night skies. It may take you around 6-7 hours of paddling to complete the whole stretch of Horseshoe Bend. We all worried about being told wed overpacked. I think they would be fine. To avoid taking a backhaul you will need at least 2 days to kayak to Horseshoe Bend and back. They move small boats from the launch ramp at Lees Ferry up the Colorado River to just below Glen Canyon Dam. We found an isolated campsite with an amazing view of the moon rising over the canyon. It was an amazing experience. Below, well describe in more detail each section of the kayaking trip, starting at mile 16 and working our way back to Lees Ferry at mile 0. early in the morning for a ride up the river to Glen Canyon Dam with your gear. Don't make a mistake! Plan on the 15-mile trip taking between six and eight hours. Pull up your boat at the landing and start the hike. Biggest risk: water temperature. Thanks for the tips! My opinions are my honest assessment of the experience. But dont forget to soak up your last few minutes in this beautiful canyon! Kayaking through Horseshoe Bend - Cara Unravels Travel He IS a kayaker. This post contains affiliate links. Given the cold water temperatures and high canyon walls that cast shade on the river, youll probably want to avoid the winter months of November through February. If you plan to tackles Horseshoe Bend as an overnight kayak trip, below are a few important details to know about camping in the Colorado River Canyon. We would not have made it to Horseshoe Bend from Lees Ferry if we did not use the backhaul service. Its the second highest concrete dam in the U.S., second only to Hoover Dam. How difficult is kayaking Horseshoe Bend? There are several places to climb out of the slot canyon to see it from above. Elevation at Overlook - 4214 feet. Manually set your time to the Phoenix time zone so you can show up to outfitters at the correct time. He dropped us off above horseshoe bend (at our request), gave us a brief our kayaks and then said you should check out the petroglyphs right there before you head it., Kayak Horseshoe Bend (Marble Canyon) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, Hotels near Vermillion Cliffs Scenic Highway, Hotels near Old Cliff Dwellers Lodge (Blanche Russell Rock House), Fishing Charters & Tours in Marble Canyon, Boat Tours & Water Sports in Marble Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs Scenic Highway: Tickets & Tours, Dunn's River Falls & Blue Hole Combo Tour from Ocho Rios, Intro to Scuba Diving in Lahaina (Swimming Ability Required), Paragliding Tandem Experience From Dajti Mountain, 1-Day Kisoji, Nakasendo Trail Tour: Tsumago & Magome Post Towns, Atlanta Ghosts: Hauntings, Ghouls, and Phantoms of Atlanta, 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Admission Ticket in Chicago. I saw several people in other companys less stable boats take an unintentional swim. Located less than one hour from Boise! The weeks immediately before and after major holidays are also a great time. flying overhead or diving to fish in the water, and scan the cliffs for bighorns. All are very rustic sites, although there are fire rings and pit toilets. For those who dont have a lot of time, great news: a half-day trip is enough to kayak Horseshoe Bend! The day before you go come to the shop at 836 Vista Ave, Page AZ 86040, and pick up your gear after 3 pm. . There is a gas station and convenience store about 10 minutes from Lees Ferry in Marble Canyon. But the Colorado River below the dam and its Lake Powell, became a Mecca for 'yakking individuals, families and groups. When is the best time of the year to take a kayak tour around horseshoe bend? However, the 6 Mile campground is the last one before Lees Ferry so unless we wanted a 15-mile day trip, this was our last chance to camp. If all else fails, you can get fresh water there. Want to read about more adventures you can do? It was surreal to experience such a popular spot from the quietly flowing water below, away from the crowds at the rim of the canyon. If you choose to camp here, you are close enough to Horseshoe Bend that you could set up camp and kayak back up river a bit to explore the bend further. In sum, enjoy connecting to the rhythms of the water and the canyon. The smooth undulating rock in reds and purples is like walking through a geological playhouse. Questions about visiting any of the slot canyons on the list? How Difficult is Kayaking Horseshoe Bend? Learn how your comment data is processed. . Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour from Page, Lower Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend Half Day Tour from Page, AZ, Half Day Tour of Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon from Page Arizona, Upper Antelope Canyon Admission Ticket (Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours). Since I have zero experience with a stand-up paddleboard, I checked to see what others had to say on this topic. I like the sounds of an extended trip like that. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. The morning started off with us needing sweaters, but by late morning, we were perfectly comfortable in short sleeves and sandals. Elevation at Trailhead - 4327 feet. With the river flowing, if the kids are tired of paddling with you they can just hang out. . Yes. We used Kayak the Colorado for our outfitter. Posts may contain links to products and services I love. If you could only do one kayak trip and you had younger kids (6), which would you do? The Colorado River current runs at about 3 mph. How to Kayak Horseshoe Bend: Insider Tips From a Local The backhaul costs $75 per person and sit-in hardshell kayaks were $35 per day. The best part of the rental experience is that the company transports your boats to the put-in.