This post contains affiliate links. Being at the bottom of such a deep canyon, wind really accelerates down on the water. It was great to see where we had paddled. This topic probably caused more stress for me and my crew than any other. While its technically possible to kayak the Colorado River without the backhaul, we would highly recommend using it. This is a steep and challenging mile hike, which requires use of a rope to pull yourself out of the canyon, so its not recommended if you have a fear of heights. The first half of May and the second half of September into October is a fantastic time to visit many parks. Since I have zero experience with a stand-up paddleboard, I checked to see what others had to say on this topic. We were completely blown away by the beauty of the canyon and the glass-like water of the Colorado River. Ill let you know how that turns out. Even though Arizona law doesnt require adults to wear a life vest while paddling, you should still consider wearing one for kayaking Horseshoe Bend. Choose the Perfect RV for you with thisFREE E-Book. You can book a horseshoe bend backhaul trip completely online by clicking the green button on this page or call us at +1(435) 275-2925 to book over the phone. . Here are a few companies that offer kayak rentals and backhaul services: We used Kayak the Colorado, and had a great experience, but each of the companies above offer similar services and prices. Starting upriver and kayaking down allows you to take your time, soak in the stunning scenery, stop at the viewpoints and hikes along the way, and of course, makes for a significantly easier trip! We loved this trip with kayak the colorado at Horseshoe Bend and would highly recommend it to anyone. Below weve compiled a few other resources on great things to do in the southern Utah northern Arizona area near Page and Kanab: Which Utah slot canyon would you add to our list? Dont miss this kayak trip through the free-flowing section of the Colorado River in Glen Canyon. If you've been looking for an excuse to get out and hike or visit those national and state parks that have been on your list for awhile, here it is! This unique geological wonder is located on the stretch of the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry. If its at your back helping you along, that can be a good thing but if youre heading into it, youll be struggling to make progress the whole time. Horseshoe Bend is located 9 miles up the Colorado River from Lees Ferry in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in northern Arizona. Paddle downstream with a few stops to rest and explore along the way. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Even the evenings often dont see temps lower than the 80s! The whole hike takes about an hour. Beat them by being in the park at sunrise or waiting until 4ish pm. Take lots of water with you. Famous sites are well worth seeing, but once you do, find lesser-known hikes, get away from the main areas for lunch, and seek hidden gems to catch sunset. Make sure you have enough energy at the end of the trip to drag your boat back up the hill. Please build a fire only in the metal rings and be sure to practice safe campfire etiquette (ie. Perhaps we were just tired and sunburnt by this time, but we found Waterholes Canyon to be somewhat underwhelming. We did an overnight . About 15 minutes in the slot canyon begins. Note that Lees Ferry has a modern bathroom and there are vault toilets at each milepost except for the Glen Canyon Dam. Kayak the Colorado provides kayak rental and backhaul taxi services to Horseshoe Bend and the dam. It has a panel of petroglyphs behind the outhouse that is worth seeing. Most view it from above during a trip to Page, Arizona. Seeing Horseshoe Bend in person is a magical experience, but imagine kayaking the Colorado River and being inside the iconic bend! I definitely want to kayak here, it seems like the most self sufficient way to go, and the most cost effective. However, note that some parks may not have full access due to seasonal roads or weather concerns. The charming Lees Ferry Lodge at Vermillion Cliffs was our favorite accommodations of the whole trip. . Kayaking Horseshoe Bend is not only an epic adventure and the best way to skip the crowds at the wildly popular tourist attraction. We camped at Ferry Swale campground about a mile upstream from Horsehoe Bend and had no complaints. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. For those who dont have a lot of time, great news: a half-day trip is enough to kayak Horseshoe Bend! The uniqueness of adventuring through canyons by water is a relief from the heat of the desert. I loved reading this so much! . These cookies do not store any personal information. Camp overnight at one of five primitive campgrounds. We truly do not recommend anyone kayak Horseshoe Bend in the summer! The day before you go come to the shop at 836 Vista Ave, Page AZ 86040, and pick up your gear after 3 pm. The 6-mile paddle the next morning was more of a drift back to the landing as we didnt want the amazing time to end. There are several outfitters that offer kayak rentals and backhaul services right at Lees Ferry. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. He created an Arizona bucket list and began checking places off. To savor the view a little longer, you can beach your kayaks at the Horseshoe Bend campsite and hike up the rock formation that forms the inside of the horseshoe. We did an overnight camping trip on this 15-mile section between the Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry. Although you can technically do it year-round (with stipulations; more on that in a minute), the best time to kayak Horseshoe Bend is during fall or spring. That said, its a river and special safety precautions should be taken by everyone. We'd planned to kayak Lake Powell into Antelope Canyon but sounded crowded, and then we heard about this alternative from Shash Dine, where we stayed. The backhaul costs $75 per person and sit-in hardshell kayaks were $35 per day. At the mouth of Antelope Canyon, the no-wake zone starts. But the Colorado River below the dam and its Lake Powell, became a Mecca for 'yakking individuals, families and groups. 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. How Difficult is Kayaking Horseshoe Bend? Always helpful to get recommendations on kayak rental companies too. There are several places to climb out of the slot canyon to see it from above. We did our Horseshoe Bend kayaking trip at the very end of October and I cant imagine more perfect weather conditions! However, if its truly the only time you can make it work, book the earliest possible launch time. But we were definitely taking our time because it was so beautiful. And I cant believe you saw a mountain lion!!! If you do experience heavy winds, find a spot to pull over for awhile and see if you can wait it out. My opinions are my honest assessment of the experience. I may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you click or make a purchase through any of them. This was experiencing nature at its best!During our drive up the river, Terry pointed out wild horses and big horn sheep. Even though the current moves at about three miles per hour, you likely wont travel downstream that fast when you factor in stops for rest breaks or to explore the surroundings. Hi there - my wife and I are going to be in the area on our honeymoon and wanted to know how long in advance we needed to book a trip (2 inflatables, transport) for either March 10/11th of 2021? The first one we discovered is located on river right about 1/4-mile downstream from where the backhaul service dropped us off. No idea why this isn't better known, but what an amazing experience! . It was a glorious night in the intensely quiet canyon. However, a kayak trip to where Lake Powell meets the bottom of Antelope Canyon is a unique way to experience Antelope without a canyon tour. Large riverside decks, catering facilities available, gift shop, cafe, free parking. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend at a Glance. Its also possible to do a 10-mile day trip on the river but we wanted more river time on this gorgeous stretch of the Colorado. . Kayak rentals: $25 for a single inflatable or hard-body kayak; $45 for a tandem . In sum, enjoy connecting to the rhythms of the water and the canyon. There is a gas station and convenience store about 10 minutes from Lees Ferry in Marble Canyon. For more information, read mydisclosure statement. I did it! I might get a little claustrophobic, but it looks like an absolutely incredible experience! It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. We had a great trip with Kayak Horseshoe Bend/Lee's Ferry Anglers. While itd be pretty cool to say youve camped at Horseshoe Bend, wed recommend the campsites at miles 8 or 11 if you want to avoid some of the crowds and the ensuing search for a good camping spot. Its a popular campsite with some shade. We were scheduled for a 3 day, 2 night float but had to cancel our departure day due to predicted high winds. Brady has been renting hard shell kayaks, canoes, SUPs, and inflatables at Lee's Ferry and Grand Canyon for over 20 years. Get off the beaten path! From there, its approximately 10 miles back downstream to the boat launch. Ah I would love to do this! Do you have any national parks on your list this summer? Love it. First of all, this kayaking trip was EPIC because of the location alone- its seriously an Arizona must do. Upon arrival the boat captain Jim welcomed me with a smile and offered to keep an eye on me. We definitely recommend using the backhaul service. Our captain (Captain Luke) was very nice and extremely knowledgeable and helpful, pointing out interesting things along our ride upriver and landmarks so we would know how far we had gone on the paddle back. Our float ended up being just 1 night which was perfect and Terry showed me the best areas to fish. Watch out for powerboats! Avoid whirlpools, as they may make your kayak tip over, If strong wind gusts or rain move in, take cover by getting over to a riverbank as quickly as possible and taking cover until conditions calm, There are plenty of bathrooms, campgrounds, beaches, and other places to stop on the route while youre kayaking Horseshoe Bend. With the river flowing, if the kids are tired of paddling with you they can just hang out. . Horseshoe Bend. How to Kayak the Colorado at Horseshoe Bend, How to install a Roof Top Tent on a Truck Bed, How to do the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike. (You can see it in the upper right corner of the video frame at the beginning of the video clip.) I loved my kayaking experience! Although I was new to the area and unsure about finding the dock, the guides were very communicative and helped me locate the spot. Thanks for sharing! After three days of hiking and wading in the turquoise pools beneath 100-foot waterfalls, his perspective of Arizona changed forever. This pic is at sunset on a very busy Saturday, but we stopped between two uber-popular viewpoints. The map below displays each of the key sites, landmarks and campsites along the Colorado River from Lees Ferry to Glen Canyon Dam: After hopping on the backhaul from Lees Ferry, it takes about 45 minutes to boat up river all the way to Glen Canyon Dam, at which point its not possible to continue any further. Kayaking Glen Canyon was a highlight of our Southwest trip! 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. Kayaking the Colorado River is permitted on the 15-mile section below the Glen River Dam and above Lees Ferry. February 23, 2022. It's a quick moving river ride and you won't even have to paddle. This was one of the best things Ive ever done or probably will ever do on a trip and I would HIGHLY recommend that you book with them (go see Horseshoe Bend from above first, and then youll appreciate seeing the ants looking down on you as you paddle.). However, the backhaul companies have a separate dock so its easy to load. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. He IS a kayaker. You saw a mountain lion from your boat!? Campsites are located at 6, 8, 9 and 11 miles from Lees Ferry. This kayaking trip will put you in the bend. Hi! It was purely serendipitous that the distance from . During the spring and fall, you can expect cooler but generally mild temperatures, although conditions can vary and snow is possible. The kayaks are stable sit-on-top boats. Elevation at Trailhead - 4327 feet. Alternatively, there are several camping areas along the shores of the Colorado River, meaning its possible to kayak Horseshoe Bend as an overnight camping trip. Thanks for the tips! Required fields are marked *. What a treat! Approximate tour time. To make things even worse, Arizona experiences monsoon season in July and August. A viewing platform was put in place to prevent people from getting too close due to an unfortunate act of vandalism in 2021, so please do not try to go beyond the rock wall. Up top on the viewing point, hundreds of people try to get that perfect social media-worthy photo, but 1,000 feet below the rim, youll be peacefully enveloped by the sandstone walls with clear water all around you. Assuming you opt to use a backhaul service, youll be driven 16 miles upriver from Lees Ferry in a motor boat until you reach the Glen Canyon Dam. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. We stopped for the quarter-mile hike to the overlook at Horseshoe Bend on our way back to Page. The best time to kayak on the Colorado River is from spring through fall, around late March to late October. There are a total of 4 camping areas, each with an outhouse and many campsites available, so you should have no trouble finding a spot, even on busy nights. . We had a great trip with Kayak Horseshoe Bend/Lee's Ferry Anglers. The hour-long paddle through the canyon winds past huge cliffs of Navajo sandstone. Its the second highest concrete dam in the U.S., second only to Hoover Dam. And Antelope Canyon is high on my to-do list. The 8 Mile campsite is a beautiful riverside site with good shade and hiking. I did a 4 day trip down the river with camping for 3 nights, was absolutely magnificent, I rented a kayak and had the time of my life. Many of them have seen a hundred human generations rise, give off their little clamors, and perish. . Definitely one of the highlights of our vacation. 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. I had never thought to kayak here before, but now I really want to! The canyon eventually reaches a fork which is a good turnaround spot. For those who want to take their time, you can opt to stay the night at a campsite directly along the river, breaking your paddle up over two days. From the petroglyphs, you are just around the corner from the magnificent Horseshoe Bend. They go up and down the center of the river, so always stay to one side. Other companies will help you strap them to your car, but I really didnt want to tie boats on top of my rental car. Just give them a call, they're very helpful and super flexible, but there are probably limits to how late they'll take you out. You can have them drop you off just upstream from Horseshoe Bend, or up closer to Glen Canyon Dam like my friends and I did. How many hours is the total excursion? Ive done the Navajo Tours hike through Upper Antelope, I didnt realize it was accessible other ways. Although there arent any physical signs along the river, boaters use a mile marker system for navigation, with 0 being the Lees Ferry launch point and 15 being the Glen Canyon Dam. To the left it continues to a dead-end in about 10 minutes; to the right, it opens up to a wider canyon. Wind is the main thing that could make kayaking the Colorado River more difficult. They would periodically come by on the pontoons as we floated along, and this became particularly important when, just like he said could happen, the monsoon winds hit out of nowhere towards the very end of our route. It was an amazing experience. In addition, here are some other places to camp near Horseshoe Bend. We saw so many trout in the crystal clear water I wished I had a pole to catch dinner. We did about 3hrs which was perfect. Any tips I missed? There are 5 designated campsites with toilets and fire pits. This is where we camped because we got a late start to the day due to our backhaul being scheduled for 12:30. It was from the upper vantage point that I first saw this natural wonder in 2019. The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect RV. After the mountain lion took a lengthy drink, it slipped back into the bushes and out of sight. It was an easy return of the gear as we could just leave it at the takeout with the outfitters at Lees Ferry. Send us an email and tell us you want to paddle Horseshoe Bend and want to reserve your kayaks, packrafts or paddleboards for OVERNIGHT. The Colorado River current runs at about 3 mph. We were very pleased with the service Bobby and Brady provided. Paddle downstream from Glen Canyon Dam for 2-3 hours. To get to Horseshoe Bend from Flagstaff, take Highway 89 north approximately 125 miles. Antelope Canyon has been on my bucket list for so long. [See document on camping.] The weather was kind of cruddy and he offered blankets to keep us warm while it was raining and hailing. Enter your email address to receive updates and new posts straight to your inbox. Difficulty - Easy, however there are steep dropoffs, stay away from cliff edges. Since the lake is low, we had to wheel our boats down to the water over the gravel. Be the first to get access to this essential guide that will help you determine your dream set-up: Motorhome, Trailer, Tent, Van. 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