Moonlight Kayak Tour on the Colorado River: Sunset, Neon Kayaks & Stargazing from Willow Beach
Difficulty
easy
Duration
3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for people in average fitness—able to paddle continuously for short bursts and walk a brief shoreline hike.
Overview
Paddle four miles down the Colorado River from Willow Beach as canyon walls go from sunlit ochre to moonlit black. This three-hour, beginner-friendly tour combines glowing kayaks, a golden-hour beach stop, a short hike, and guided stargazing—plus a shuttle option from Mandalay Bay.
Moonlight Kayak Tour on the Colorado River: Sunset, Neon Kayaks & Stargazing from Willow Beach
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The first strokes are quiet—paddles slip through water that still holds the heat of the day while canyon walls drink the last light. You push off from a small pebble beach at Willow Beach and, within minutes, the Colorado River has reoriented the evening: the current nudges you downstream, the wind lays a hand on your face, and the canyon narrows into an amphitheater of ochre and basalt. For three hours you move with that slow chemistry of light and stone, beginning in a washed-orange sunset and ending under a sky so full of stars it makes the neon on your kayak feel at home.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Book around sunset
Choose a launch time about 45–60 minutes before sunset to get the beach swim and the full transition into moonlight and neon paddling.
Protect electronics
Bring a waterproof case or dry bag—phones and cameras can get splashed during entry, the beach hike, and night paddling.
Footwear for rocky shorelines
Wear water shoes or sturdy sandals—the launch and beach stop have pebbled sand and sharp river rock that can be slippery when wet.
Know the weight limit
Maximum weight is 300 lb per person; tandem kayaks will be assigned to keep groups balanced and safe.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Desert bighorn sheep
- Bald eagles
History
The stretch below Hoover Dam has long been a corridor for Mojave and Paiute communities; modern dam construction and recreation reshaped both access and ecology in the 20th century.
Conservation
The Black Canyon corridor is managed to balance recreation with habitat protection—pack out all trash, avoid disturbing nests or wildlife, and follow guide instructions to minimize impact.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Waterproof phone case or dry bag
Protect electronics and small items from splashes during boarding, beach stops, and night paddling.
Water shoes or closed-toe sandals
Grip rocky shorelines and stay comfortable during the beach swim and short hike.
summer specific
Headlamp with red-light mode
Useful after sunset for personal safety and to avoid disturbing night vision during stargazing.
Light insulating layer
Temperatures drop quickly after sunset in the canyon—bring a windproof layer for comfort.
fall specific