What is the minimum age to join?

Participants must be at least 5 years old.

Where do we meet and when?

You must be at the Kanab office by 6:30 a.m. (local time); the office address is 681 Chinle Dr, Kanab, UT 84741, USA.

How strenuous is the trip?

Paddling is moderate—currents average about 3 mph—plus short hikes on sandy washes; basic paddling ability is helpful but guides provide instruction.

Pets are allowed only if they ride in your personal kayak; be prepared to manage their needs and safety on the water.

Are drones permitted?

No—drones are not permitted in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area for this trip.

What should I bring for food and water?

Bottled water and a 40 L dry bag are provided; bring a packed lunch and electrolyte drinks, especially in summer.

Kayak Horseshoe Bend: Glen Canyon Petroglyphs, Slot Canyon & Wildlife | Kayak | Water Activities

Adventure Brief

Paddle into the 1,000‑foot gorge of Glen Canyon on a guided kayak trip that rounds Horseshoe Bend, visits 3,000–6,000 year old petroglyphs, and explores Waterholes Slot Canyon. Perfect for families and photographers, this small-group adventure includes gear, dry bags, and round-trip transport from Kanab.

4–8 hours

moderate

From $725.84

Horseshoe Bend Kayak Adventure launches from Kanab, Utah, and threads a paddle through the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to the tight curve of sandstone known worldwide as Horseshoe Bend. Beginning at Lee’s Ferry Boat Ramp above the bend, this 4–5 hour on-water journey (often part of an eight-hour outing when you include round-trip travel from Kanab) places paddlers beneath 1,000-foot Navajo Sandstone cliffs, past ancient petroglyph panels at Petroglyph Beach and into pockets of shoreline and slot canyon that feel entirely remote.

The trip begins with a backhaul taxi from a seasoned crew, including Kayak the Colorado, which drops the group at Petroglyph Beach. A short hike leads to protected petroglyphs dated roughly 3,000–6,000 years old; visitors must observe barriers and keep distance to preserve these fragile panels. Once on the water, currents average about 3 mph and carry your kayak through a broad, 1,000-foot-deep gorge carved in wind-blown sandstone. Along the way you’ll float past beaches of fine pink “sugar” sand, drop in at Waterholes Slot Canyon for a 3/4-mile scramble up a sandy wash, and linger where peregrine falcons, great blue herons, and desert bighorn sheep are often spotted.

What makes this offering rare in the region is the combination of access and variety: you aren’t only paddling a famous bend—you’re moving through deep geological time, touching both living ecosystems and millennia-old human marks on the rock. Guides provide kayaks, paddles, personal flotation devices, a 40 L dry bag, bottled water and Glen Canyon entry fees, and groups are intentionally small (11 guests per guide) to minimize impact and maximize interpretation.

Expect an early start—participants meet at the Kanab office by 6:30 a.m.—and come prepared with sun protection, layered clothing for variable winds, sturdy sandals or shoes for beach and slot-canyon hikes, and a packed lunch if you choose. Children five and up can join, and pets may ride in personal kayaks; drones are prohibited. The current, wind, and seasonal water levels influence pacing, so leave buffer time in your plans and follow your guide’s safety briefings.

Light scours the sandstone differently through the day—warm gold at sunrise, hard blue noon shadows, soft pink late light—and guides pause often for photos and geology lessons. That mix of layered rock, wildlife sightings, and human history makes this outing a rare, complete single-day adventure from Kanab, perfect for travelers seeking story, solitude, and hands-on learning.

Whether you want a family-friendly introduction to river travel or a photography-rich day scouting desert cliffs and wildlife, Horseshoe Bend Kayak Adventure offers a focused, low-impact way to experience Glen Canyon’s sculpted rock, hidden beaches, and human histories from the river itself. Book from Kanab at 681 Chinle Dr, Kanab, UT 84741, USA.

About Kanab Tour Company

Kanab Tour Company is a licensed outfitter and guide service based in Kanab, Utah, offering a diverse range of guided outdoor experiences across Southern Utah.

The company coordinates ATV and UTV tours, slot canyon canyoneering, national park day trips, and multi-day desert expeditions designed for a variety of skill levels. Operating from Kanab, guides lead trips to nearby destinations including Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon North Rim approaches, Hog Canyon, South Fork Indian Canyon, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes. Trips include helmet and gear provision for motorized tours, guided rappels and technical support for canyoneering, and organized camping and photography instruction for extended desert expeditions. Services also include permit assistance through the Stand In for the BLM Lottery option to simplify backcountry access. Kanab Tour Company emphasizes safety, local route knowledge, and small-group guiding; guides provide route navigation, interpretive insights about geology and history, and hands-on support during technical sections. Booking options cover half-day, full-day, and multi-day itineraries, and many tours include snacks or lunch and bottled water. The business serves visitors seeking adventure riding, slot canyon descents, scenic national park hikes, and night-sky photography. With a focus on authentic Southern Utah experiences, Kanab Tour Company connects guests to iconic landscapes while handling logistics, equipment, and permits, making challenging routes accessible to capable participants. Reservations are available from the Kanab area; travelers should review trip details and physical requirements before booking. Customer questions about equipment, difficulty, and pickup logistics are addressed during booking and pre-trip communication process.