Kayak-to-Arizona-Hot-Springs-2-Day-VIP-Camping-from-Hoover-Dam
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
2 days
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness—comfortable with multi-hour paddling, short hikes, and scrambling; not technical but endurance helps
Overview
Launch from the restricted base of Hoover Dam and paddle 11 river miles to geothermal hot springs, steam-filled caves and Boyscout Slot Canyon on a guided 2-day camping trip. Expect ladder climbs, warm soaking pools, and guided camping with meals included.
Kayak-to-Arizona-Hot-Springs-2-Day-VIP-Camping-from-Hoover-Dam
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The river announces itself before the dam does — a low, metallic roar that becomes a current you can lean into and trust. At dawn, guides lower single and tandem kayaks into the Colorado’s churn below Hoover Dam and the canyon narrows around the group, cliffs angling in like pages of a giant ledger. Paddles bite and the flow carries you downstream toward pockets of steam and stone: Sauna Cave, Goldstrike Hot Springs, Boyscout Slot Canyon and the luminous Emerald Cave. The river pulls; the canyons respond.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Arrive hydrated and acclimated
Desert heat and river exertion add up; drink plenty of water the day before and bring at least 2–3 liters in a hydration pack each day.
Test hot spring temperatures
Geothermal pools can be extremely hot; enter gradually and avoid pools that steam aggressively or feel scalding.
Wear secure footwear for shore hikes
Expect wet, rocky approaches and a ladder climb through a waterfall—closed-toe shoes with good tread are necessary.
Protect electronics from spray
Use a dry bag for phones and cameras; the river and waterfalls produce unexpected spray during transfers and shore exits.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Desert bighorn sheep
- Peregrine falcons
History
The river corridor was historically used by Indigenous peoples and later became a strategic engineering zone with construction of Hoover Dam; current access is regulated for safety and conservation.
Conservation
Guides operate under National Park Service permits and emphasize pack-in/pack-out camping, limiting thermal pool impact, and respecting fragile canyon vegetation.
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Adventure Hotspots in Las Vegas
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Hydration pack or 2–3L water bottles
Keeps you hydrated during long paddle stretches and hot-spring soaks.
summer specific
Sturdy closed-toe water shoes
Protects feet on slippery shorelines and during ladder/waterfall approaches.
Lightweight camp sleeping bag (rated to 30–40°F)
Provides warmth for desert nights if you choose personal gear over outfitter sleep system.
spring specific
Dry bag for electronics and warm layers
Keeps gear dry from river spray and provides an insulating layer for cool mornings.
fall specific