moderate
7–8 hours total over 2 days
Participants should have moderate fitness to manage paddling for several hours and hiking to campsites carrying gear.
Discover the peaceful beauty of the Hoover Dam area with a 2-night self-guided kayaking and camping adventure. Paddle calm waters by day and camp under star-filled skies by night.
2 Night/3 Days Camping Trip!
Embark on an unforgettable 7.5-hour adventure at the Hoover Dam, where stunning landscapes await your camera. Paddle through serene waters in stable kayaks or canoes, perfect for all skill levels. Enjoy the tranquility of the river, especially in the quieter seasons, and create lasting memories with friends and family.
7.5 Hours
Next Steps to Book the Hoover Dam!!
Thank you for your inquiry with us! If permits are available for the launch date of your choice, we can proceed by submitting your roster of participants to the Hoover Dam to begin the vetting process.
To secure permits, please email a roster using the format below. List the first and last names of those interested in going as spelled on their government issued photo IDs. Since the Hoover Dam launch site is within a federal level one security zone, dam security will be running background checks, so please do not enter fake names as place holders. If you do not yet have the names of participants but are certain that you will fill the reservation, please mark down three asterisks (***) as a place holder. Again, launch permits are nonrefundable, even for tentative participants marked as ***.
Also, please include any America the Beautiful National Parks Pass or active military ID numbers if you have them in order to receive the discounted adult permit rate.
ROSTER FORMAT:
Date of launch: 05/05/2023
Date of take-out: 05/07/2023
Paddlecraft type: canoes
Quantity of paddlecrafts: (10?)
Total number of participants:(10-20?)
Adults (16 yrs. and over)
Children (15 and younger) 5. Jack Doe 6. Jill Doe 7. *** 8. ***
WILL I TURN THE BOAT OVER? We can't guarantee you won't flip over, we do take some precautions to help minimize capsize. We specialize in using Ocean Kayak brand sit-on-top kayaks in the rental fleet. These boats have been designed to be used on the ocean so they can handle most water conditions on the river. If you don't overload them they are very stable. We have over 10 O.K. models in rentals and we try to size you to a boat. If you choose a touring kayak or canoe you must be aware that these boats handle differently. Your center of gravity may be higher, or the boat may be narrower thus affecting stability. Also the sit-on-tops are easier to self rescue from so we suggest calling us for more information on the right boat for you.
WHEN IS A GOOD TIME OF YEAR TO GO? Anytime you can get on the water is a good time to go. There are certain times of the year though when it good to come to the Colorado River.
Fall and early spring are great, October to November the temperatures are mild and motorized traffic starts to disappear.
In the spring mid March to mid May, the temperatures range in the 70's for March, to 90-100 degrees in May. Since it is starting to warm up river traffic starts to pick up and there are no guarantees for a quiet time on the river.
As summer approaches more motorized boats appear and the river can be quite busy. We strongly recommend early morning launches in the summer. We will put you on as early as you would like with a 6:00am time being ideal. Of course if you are on vacation it is not mandatory to go this early but, around 10:30am is when motorized traffic starts to pick-up and the wind starts to blow.
Winter is a quiet time of the year so if solitude is what you are seeking December to early March is ideal. There are few motorized boats at this time of year. Temperatures are mild, and migratory Waterfowl can be observed. With a little bit of planning you can paddle and enjoy the experience .
ARE THERE ANY RAPIDS OR WHITE WATER ON THE RIVER? No! The lower river has been drastically altered over the last 70 years creating several reservoirs for water storage and power generation. The flowing sections of the river have a current of about 3mph. Although it may seem to move faster it doesn't. It is the volume of water that makes it seem as if you are going faster. On the Davis Dam to Rotary Park trip even if you don't paddle at all you can still make it to the end in about 4 hours.
WHAT ARE THE AGE RESTRICTIONS? We do not have age restrictions. It is dependant on what the parents feel comfortable with. If you do take a child you must have a proper LIFEJACKET for the child. We do have children's lifejackets and suggest you call in advance to make proper arrangements. There are some trips we don't recommend for smaller children. We also suggest checking with others in your group to see if children will fit the dynamics of the group.
CAN I TAKE MY DOG WITH ME? We do not recommend taking pets on a trip with you. We have over the years seen people take pets with them (even a pet goat). However, you must realize this is the desert and it can be a very harsh environment. A pet may not fit the dynamics of a group either so we suggest not bringing them.
WHERE CAN I GO TO ESCAPE MOTORIZED BOAT TRAFFIC? Since the lower river is considered a navigable waterway motorized traffic is allowed anywhere you might want to go. However there are a few places on Lake Mead and Mohave that are a little more isolated and therefore harder to get to so traffic is less than in the more populated areas. Give us a call and we can help direct you to these areas.
IF I DON'T HAVE THE MINIMUM FOR A CERTAIN TRIP CAN I STILL GO? Yes! You can still go. Although your cost will be higher. Figure what the trip would cost with the minimum participants and that is what it will cost if you cannot meet the minimum trip participants.
Water levels fluctuating seasonally can affect paddling conditions; verify current conditions prior to your trip.
The desert sun can be intense; bring sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-protective clothing.
Stay hydrated throughout your paddle and camping stay as the desert environment is dry and arid.
Use bear-resistant containers or sealed bags to protect your food from wildlife and keep the site clean.
The Hoover Dam was completed in 1936 and remains an engineering marvel, instrumental for water management and power generation in the Southwest.
Efforts focus on preserving the Colorado River ecosystem and minimizing visitor impact to protect native plants and animals.
Keeps you warm during chilly desert nights without adding bulk to your pack.
fall specific
Hydration is crucial; carry enough water for paddling and camping activities.
Provides extra safety and comfort while paddling on open water.
Protects your gear from splashes and unexpected weather during the river journey.