Kayaking Black Canyon is hands down one of the coolest trips we have ever done. We launched right at the bottom of the towering Hoover Dam and had 2 long days of kayaking and exploring Black Canyon. With numerous hot springs, caves and hiking along the way, to say it was an incredible experience is an UNDERSTATEMENT! When attempting to plan our trip, we had a hard time finding a good consolidation of the information needed to do a self-guided trip, therefore I wanted to break it down in a way that will hopefully help you plan your trip!
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Permits for Kayaking Black Canyon
To begin your trip at Hoover Dam, you MUST go through one of the few select vendors that are authorized to launch there. There is no getting around this one, the road to the launch site is gated and heavily secured. There are a few different vendors that you can go through, but we used Desert Adventures. Each of these venders have a certain number of permits PER DAY that they are allowed to give out, so it is important that you book your trip at least a few months in advance!
The Best Time to Kayak Black Canyon
You can take this trip at ANYTIME throughout the year! The temperature of the water is a steady 54 degrees all year long. The ideal time to go would be late fall/winter/early spring, that way you can avoid the scalding temperatures of the summer heat and actually enjoy the hot springs in some cooler air. We went late October and it was low 70s during the day, and in the 50s at night. The summer months are nice because you can actually swim in the water to cool off, but the hot springs are pretty much a no-go. Basically, no time is a bad time!
What to Bring on Black Canyon Kayaking Trip
You’ll want to think of this as similar to an overnight backpacking trip and pack accordingly (check out our backpacking gear guide). We brought all of our own gear, but we did rent our Kayaks from Desert Adventures for convenience. You can definitely bring your own kayak/SUP though! You can also opt to rent ALL of your gear, but this can get rather expensive.
Here’s a list of everything you will need
- Kayak/SUP
- Lifejacket (included if you rent kayak)
- Tent
- Sleeping Pad
- Sleeping Bag
- Water Filtration System
- Camp Stove (we brought a jetboil)
- Soft cooler
- Food
- Lighter
- Firewood
- Dry bags
- Packable Towel
- Wag bags or similar (pack/pack out)
- Headlamp and batteries
- Sunscreen
- CHAPSTICK (we did not have any, don’t be like us)
- Water bottle
- Hat/sunglasses
- Bathing suit
- Clothing appropriate for time of year
- Water shoes
- Satellite Rescue device
- Toiletries (toothbrush/deodorant/ect)
- Go Pro/camera items
What to expect when Kayaking Black Canyon
Put in: Hoover Dam
Take out: Willow Beach
Total miles: 12 miles one way
Water Class: Moving flatwater- The water is mostly flat with a slow current downstream. Twice a day, the dam will release water which makes the current a little swifter, but nothing significant. BEWARE OF FLASS FLOODS, you are in a tight canyon after all.
Stops to Make Down Black Canyon
There are so many cool stops along the way! Specifically, the first 4 miles are packed full with hot springs/hiking/caves. I will highlight some of the main stops below, but don’t let this be a strict guide! There are SO many places to stop and they all have something to offer.
Day 1 Kayaking Black Canyon
Stop #1: Sauna Cave, will be right there past the launch site, and it is exactly as you would expect! It’s a hot cave filled with steam, which is quite literally a natural sauna! It is about 130F and 100% humidity. A great way to get the day started!
Stop #2: Gold Strike Canyon, just a half mile down the canyon you stop at the first hot springs of the day! With miles of hiking up canyon, you can make this stop as short or long as you like. There are numerous hot springs along the trail with each getting warmer and warmer as you ascend the canyon.
Stop #3: “The Ear”, just a mile downriver from Gold Strike, is a cool little cave that resembles the shape of an ear.
Stop #4: Boyscout Canyon, right beside “the Ear”, here you will find more hiking, more hot springs and more fun! Same thing goes, the further you hike, the warmer the water gets. There is one section on this hike with a rope attached to help you up the waterfall, I highly suggest continuing past this point if you feel comfortable, as it only gets better!
Stop #5: Sea Cave, just a cool natural cave that you can paddle into.
Stop #6: AZ Hot Springs beach: See below “where to camp”
Where to Camp in Black Canyon?
You are allowed to camp anywhere in the canyon! You will pass numerous beaches along the way that you can stop and set up camp at but my personal suggestion would be to camp at AZ Hot Springs Beach. It’s about 4 miles from Hoover Dam, and is a good spot to cut your two days in half. Here you will find a TON of campsites with premade fire rings, 2 outhouses to do your biz at, AND it has some amazing hot springs that you can enjoy a soak under the stars in and/or a sunrise soak!
Day 2 Kayaking Black Canyon
Today you will have about 8 miles of kayaking to get to Willow Beach. There are a few little stops you can make along the way, but we personally chose to relax, enjoy the paddle and have a few beers while just taking in the beauty of the canyon!
Stop #7: Emerald Cave- ah finally, the famous cave! When the sun hits it mid-day, the cave’s water turns a beautiful emerald green! The cave is beautiful and definitely not to be missed BUT it is quite commercialized unfortunately. With the cave being just 2 miles from Willow Beach, it is easily accessible to tour groups and day paddlers. There is normally a 30min-1hr wait just to see the inside of the cave. Definitely one of those things that you see once, and never have to see again.
Stop #8: Willow Beach and the end of your paddle
Helpful Tips
- Please remember to practice the principles of “LEAVE NO TRACE”.
- If you do not want to stay overnight in the canyon, it is possible to make this paddle in one full day, the downside being that you do not have nearly as much time to spend exploring the stops along the way.
- BRING FIREWOOD, if you wish to have a fire (highly suggest) then you must bring your own firewood. You are not allowed to gather anything from the beaches
- Do. Not. Forget. Sun screen and chapstick! You are out in the middle of the water exposed to the wind and sun, and they will not have any mercy.
- Go on a week day! There will be way less traffic, and it will feel like you have it all to yourselves!
- Keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep! But please do not feed them or any wildlife.
- There is no service in the canyon, I highly suggest bringing a satellite GPS device for emergency situations.
Please let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or concerns!
Happy Kayaking!
3 thoughts on “Kayaking Black Canyon, An Epic Trip Launching at Hoover Dam!”
Did you pump drinking water, or pack it all in? Thanks
We Brought a Sawyer squeeze water filter and pumped straight from the river!
Excellent post. I definitely appreciate this website. Thanks!