Black Canyon kayak trips below Hoover Dam
The Black Canyon Water Trail follows the Colorado River from the foot of Hoover Dam through the Black Canyon. It is about 30 miles (48 km) long, with the dam at one end and Eldorado Canyon at the other. Most kayak trips cover one short part of it.
One point matters before you book: Emerald Cave is not at the dam. It lies 2 miles (3.2 km) upstream of Willow Beach, so it sits well down the canyon from the dam and is reached from a different start point.
Our picks: kayaking the Black Canyon
With no car, take the half day with the Las Vegas shuttle. If you drive to Willow Beach, the guided half day is the simplest choice; experienced paddlers can rent and go alone.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Half-day kayak to the Emerald Cave with photos
- Shuttle from Las Vegas
- Kayak and guide
- Photos
Kayak, paddle, life jacket, a guide and photos, with the shuttle from Las Vegas. The Willow Beach marina entry is extra.
Check availability →
Guided half-day kayak trip from Willow Beach
- Guide
- Kayak gear
- Snacks and water
A guided paddle on the Colorado River in the Black Canyon with kayak gear and snacks; you drive to Willow Beach yourself. Park entry is extra.
Check availability →
Kayak rental for the Emerald Cave
- Single or tandem kayak
- Safety and route briefing
- Dry bag and phone case
A single or tandem kayak with a safety and route briefing, dry bag and phone case, for paddling on your own. Vehicle entry to the recreation area is extra.
Check availability →Black Canyon kayak tours
Guided kayak trips on the Colorado River below the dam and to Emerald Cave, with live prices and availability.
Where to start: the dam or Willow Beach
The start point decides the permit and the length of your day.
| Start | River mile | Permit | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foot of Hoover Dam | 64 | Required | Arranged through authorized outfitters, who escort you through the security zone below the dam |
| Willow Beach | 52½ | No dam permit for this put-in | Public put-in and take-out for paddle craft, closest start for Emerald Cave |
| Eldorado Canyon | 39 | – | End of the water trail |
For most visitors who want to paddle below the dam, a guided trip that handles the permit and the security zone is the practical choice. If your goal is Emerald Cave, a start at Willow Beach is the shorter way to get there.
Fees, permits and your own boat
At Willow Beach the general park entry fee applies. A private vehicle costs $25 for 1 to 7 days in 2026. Non-motorized boats do not need a vessel pass from the National Park Service. The permit for starting at the dam is a separate matter, and the outfitter arranges it.
Do not assume a fixed price for Emerald Cave or a reservation fee. Rental terms for children and the equipment you must bring differ by provider, so ask when you book.
Motorboats, weather and timing
The river is shared. Know the rules and the conditions.
Motorboat rules
Between the dam and Willow Beach, motorboats and personal watercraft are not allowed on Sundays and Mondays all year. From Tuesday to Saturday, after Labor Day until the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, boats are limited to 65 hp and personal watercraft are banned. From the Saturday before Memorial Day to Labor Day, the 65 hp limit does not apply. Houseboats, water skiing and wakeboarding are banned all year.
Time on the water
Do not work out your day from the distance alone. The Willow Beach operator gives about 4 hours for the Emerald Cave trip. Ask whether that includes the return, and add time for the transfer and the briefing.
Wind, storms and heat
Check the forecast for wind and thunderstorms before you go. In a storm, head for a sheltered cove or the shore. Heat and flash floods are real risks in the area. Do not count on a particular colour of light in the cave, because it depends on the sun and the time of day.
Summer closures
No blanket summer closure of the whole water trail applies. The hot springs trails nearby are closed from 15 May to 30 September, and extra heat closures are possible when the forecast reaches 95°F (35 °C). Check current alerts for the day you plan to paddle.
Around the dam →Booking checklist for a Black Canyon kayak trip
Ask these questions before you pay.
Start point
Ask whether the trip starts at the foot of the dam or at Willow Beach. This decides the permit and whether Emerald Cave is on the route.
Permit
If the trip starts at the dam, make sure the provider arranges the permit and the escort through the security zone.
Duration
Ask how long you are on the water, whether the return paddle is included and how much time the transfer and briefing take.
Equipment and weather
Ask what the price covers, what you need to bring and what happens if wind or storms stop the trip. Rules for children and rental terms differ by provider.
Plan the rest of your trip
What else to see around the canyon.
Black Canyon kayak: frequently asked questions
Where is Emerald Cave?
Emerald Cave is 2 miles (3.2 km) upstream of Willow Beach on the Black Canyon Water Trail. It is not directly at the dam.
Do I need a permit to kayak below Hoover Dam?
A start at the foot of the dam needs a permit, arranged through authorized outfitters who escort you through the security zone. The public put-in at Willow Beach has no matching dam permit, but the general park entry fee applies.
How long does the Emerald Cave trip take?
One Willow Beach operator gives about 4 hours. Treat it as a rough figure and ask the provider whether it includes the return paddle.
Can I paddle in summer?
No blanket summer closure covers the whole water trail, but heat is a real risk. Check wind and thunderstorm warnings and the current alerts before you go.
Do I need a vessel pass for my kayak?
No. Non-motorized boats do not need a National Park Service vessel pass. You still pay the general park entry fee, which is $25 per private vehicle for 1 to 7 days in 2026.
Is hoover-dam.org an official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by or connected to the Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service or any tour operator.