Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), How to Kayak Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River. flying overhead or diving to fish in the water, and scan the cliffs for bighorns. They move small boats from the launch ramp at Lees Ferry up the Colorado River to just below Glen Canyon Dam. The water is connected to Lake Powell. These cookies do not store any personal information. You should be able to book this on fairly short notice but a week before or longer if possible, would guarantee you the date and time that you want. What amazing views, this is definitely an adventure Id like to plan one day. ; a shuttle) to go upstream and get dropped off wherever you wish. The company owns the adjacent Horseshoe Bend Farm, on which it donated a 360-acre conservation easement to Conserving Carolina in 2003. . I would have loved to do them but they were closed due to Covid when we visited. We totally recommend seeing Horseshoe Bend from above. If you dont have either, you can get the Glen Canyon pass in-person at the entrance to Lees Ferry or from a ranger station at Lake Powell. Crowds are significantly lighter Mon-Thurs. Two Outliers may contain affiliate links we only recommend products we personally use and love. Bottom line: pack as light as you can. 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. The scenery was gorgeous and the trip was fantastic. We kayaked leisurely (easy going with the current) and stopped twice to picnic/take photos; it took 4 hours (almost 5 hours including backhaul). . I'm Angelica. Hello. Petroglyph Beach, the most popular launch point for kayaking Horseshoe Bend. 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. It was great to see where we had paddled. Elevation at Trailhead - 4327 feet. They also rent single and double sit-on-top and inflatable kayaks and canoes. And Lake Powell offers paddle boarding, kayaking, boat tours, and a scenic drive through backcountry roads. A backhaul taxi to Horseshoe Bend is a motorized boat that carries people, watercraft and gear upstream from Lee's Ferry to the base of the Glen Canyon Dam, Horseshoe Bend or anywhere along the Colorado river. Since I have zero experience with a stand-up paddleboard, I checked to see what others had to say on this topic. Drop a note in the comment box below. Yes, Waterholes Canyon is accessible from the east bank of the river (left as you head downstream) at around the 4 mile marker. The vast majority of people start their day between 8am - noon. The weeks immediately before and after major holidays are also a great time. 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. At mile 4, you can dock your kayak at the beach to the left hand side of the river and embark on a short 1.5 mile round trip hike up Waterholes Canyon. Difficulty - Easy, however there are steep dropoffs, stay away from cliff edges. Be the first to get access to this essential guide that will help you determine your dream set-up: Motorhome, Trailer, Tent, Van. Related: Read this before you go see Horseshoe Bend in Page, AZ. Send me Awesome RV Guides, How To's and Travel Tips! The canyon eventually reaches a fork which is a good turnaround spot. If you choose to camp here, you are close enough to Horseshoe Bend that you could set up camp and kayak back up river a bit to explore the bend further. We totally recommend seeing Horseshoe Bend from above. At this point in the river, youre heading almost directly west. You must bring your own firewood and pack out everything. Distance: 10 miles round-trip to Petroglyph Beach (5-7 hours) and 15-16 miles round-trip to the dam (8-10 hours; best as an overnight) Difficulty Rating: Easy to Moderate. About 15 minutes in the slot canyon begins. This is where youll board your backhaul boat along with all your gear, then head up to the point upriver where you start your paddle. It takes only a few minutes to hike up to the petroglyphs. Horseshoe Bend is a unique natural wonder where the Colorado River makes a bend. I had a lot of questions before our crew of six embarked on this adventure. The Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam flows through ancient canyons on emerald green currents. Once the rain lets up, you can start paddling again and, if youre lucky, youll see waterfalls cascading down the canyon walls. Your hosts will provide a unique Navajo cultural experience with an emphasis on connecting to the land. There are a total of five primitive campgrounds in the 15-mile stretch of river between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry. No, permits are not required to camp along the Colorado River. The morning started off with us needing sweaters, but by late morning, we were perfectly comfortable in short sleeves and sandals. We camped at Ferry Swale campground about a mile upstream from Horsehoe Bend and had no complaints. If you didnt stop much and had a bit more hustle, the trip would take closer to five. We are planning on kayaking and camping Horseshoe Bend in May and I was wondering how long it took you to paddle out from the mile 6 campsite the next morning? . Plan on the 15-mile trip taking between six and eight hours. We saw plenty of kayakers pulled off there to make the hike up but my crew skipped it due to time constraints. Its little effort for maximum adventure! Experience the same, just-as-scenic river in a calmer section (rated Class I rapids; practically flatwater) suitable for literally everyone without needing special skills, a permit, or any other red tape.. We had a great trip with Kayak Horseshoe Bend/Lee's Ferry Anglers. If we are looking to only kayak 5-6 miles, could we be dropped off not as far down the river? I finally, and completely, checked Horseshoe Bend off my Arizona Bucket List. A normal float with a "stretch your legs" stop or two and maybe a quick swim for the kids is generally five to seven hours. Using the backhaul service, its possible to kayak the entire 16 miles from Glen Canyon through Horseshoe Bend and back to Lees Ferry in one day. Both are all-day excursions. The short answer is NO. We will definitely want to stay with Shash Dine EcoRetreat in the future. It may take you around 6-7 hours of paddling to complete the whole stretch of Horseshoe Bend. While its technically possible to kayak the Colorado River without the backhaul, we would highly recommend using it. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. . The hour-long paddle through the canyon winds past huge cliffs of Navajo sandstone. You can buy a pass at the permit vending station upon arrival. Theyre often drinking from a shoreline or wading in the river to cool off, especially when its hot out. 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. I had brought my own equipment and needed hauling service to paddle the river, I was also hesitant to paddle 13 miles of the Colorado River by myself but after talking to Kayak Horseshoe Bend owner Wendy who took the time to explain how safe it was to paddle it by myself, I signed up for it, my only retreat I have is not doing the full river paddle from Glen Canyon Dam. The Arizona heat and sun exposure is no joke, and rescuers save people on the brink of death from dehydration or sun poisoning every single day. Enjoy! Let us know in the comments below! It has a panel of petroglyphs behind the outhouse that is worth seeing. There is a longer route for kayaking Horseshoe Bend, the 15-mile trip from the Glen Canyon Dam downstream to Lees Ferry. But dont forget to soak up your last few minutes in this beautiful canyon! We were not prepared for the cold trip up the river to the drop off point (it was warm away from the river), but they had warm and comfy blankets for us. Our boats were ready on arrival. It was wild to look up and see the crowds on the canyon rim at Horseshoe Bend looking down at us. Kayakers at a campsite in Horseshoe Bend | Photo credit: Ivana Cajina on Unsplash. 1.1 Miles, 1.8 Kilometers (0.8 Miles, 1.4 Kilometers inside the canyon) Elevation Change. It's a backhaul service, meaning they meet you at Lee's ferry and take you upriver in a powerboat to wherever you want to start, then you paddle back at your leisure. . Both kayaking trips are accessible to anyone with prior paddling experience. Looking for more great things to do in Kanab? Its hard to describe exactly where each spring is located, but I can tell you that there are at least two each on river right and river left (when facing downstream) between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry. 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? We recently used Kayak Horseshoe Bend on a family trip on the Colorado River. But 1,000 feet directly below the viewpoint, others know that the best way to enjoy this spectacular area is to kayak Horseshoe Bend (yes, those tiny specks you can see from above are kayakers!). Even though Arizona law doesnt require adults to wear a life vest while paddling, you should still consider wearing one for kayaking Horseshoe Bend. 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. But the Colorado River below the dam and its Lake Powell, became a Mecca for 'yakking individuals, families and groups. No idea why this isn't better known, but what an amazing experience! After three days of hiking and wading in the turquoise pools beneath 100-foot waterfalls, his perspective of Arizona changed forever. Another approach is to camp at Lees Ferry Campground and just plan for one long day on the river. But did you know that you can escape the crowds and experience Horseshoe Bend by kayaking on the Colorado River?! It was from the upper vantage point that I first saw this natural wonder in 2019. The ancient etchings are of the bighorn sheep that frequent the cliffs across the river. While the current typically isnt very strong, it definitely helps take some of the effort off your shoulders. We had a great trip with Kayak Horseshoe Bend/Lee's Ferry Anglers. If youre an experienced kayaker and up for a challenge, you could kayak 6 miles up river on day one, spend the night at 6-mile campground, and continue 3 miles upriver to Horseshoe Bend in the morning before heading back down river to Lees Ferry. 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. Ive done the Navajo Tours hike through Upper Antelope, I didnt realize it was accessible other ways. How long does the Horseshoe Bend hike take? It will take 4 minimum hours to paddle back to Lee's Ferry and if you decide to stop and eat lunch or hike, groups can add that time on to the 4 hour paddle back to the dock. The Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam flows through ancient canyons on emerald green currents. When we went in October, we seriously took our time, stopping for lunch and to take endless photos (including of grazing wild horses! Trust me, you wont regret the time and effort required to check this adventure off of your Arizona Bucket List. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend. Hi! This kayak adventure is about enjoying yourself. We also did a 2-day overnight camping trip in Glen Canyon and kayaked around the iconic Horseshoe Bend. However, we think the Colorado River is best enjoyed as an overnight camping . Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. We do short duration floats, day floats, and arrange for people to do multiple day floats while camping on the river. 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. Distance. Video: See highlights from my Horseshoe Bend kayaking adventure . 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. You cant miss them. When travelling in this area, be aware of the different time zones. To make things even worse, Arizona experiences monsoon season in July and August. within walking distance of downtown that sleeps 10, 12 Best Short & Easy Hikes in Yosemite National Park, The Wave Arizona Lottery: Winning a Permit in 2023, Unforgettable Yellowstone Glamping: Yellowstone Tipis, Telluride Camping Guide + 10 Epic Campsites Near Telluride, 7 Spectacular Waterfalls in Costa Rica You Need to See, Alyeska Hideaway | Charming Log Cabins in Alaska, Essential Guide to the 2023 National Parks Annual Pass, Fun & Unique Places to Stay in Florida: Kokomo Farms, Grewingk Glacier | Unforgettable Alaska Glacier Hike. What a treat! The best way to get started is to just put a firm date on the calendar, then used the resources above to start taking care of the details. (You can see it in the upper right corner of the video frame at the beginning of the video clip.) Located just 10 minutes from Page, Arizona the Horseshoe Bend viewpoint that looks down over the Colorado River is wildly popular and attracts hundreds of visitors per day. Combining two tips, if you must visit on a weekend, hit the popular sites early/late and spend peak hours at less-visited areas. Without a doubt, my favorite feature of this two-day adventure of the Colorado River was the tranquil spring-fed oasis shown in the video clip below. Horseshoe Bend is a unique natural wonder where the Colorado River makes a bend. Its very cold and hypothermia can set in quickly. Thank you! Side note: this is also why we took a bit longer to finish our paddle, but we were 100% okay with that! You can safely expect to encounter wildlife while kayaking the Colorado River. To combine those and then pair it with more kayaking and camping would be a dream. . For more information, see our privacy policy. . Heres what the leading paddleboard rental company in the area has to say: Due to the long paddling distance and very cold water temperatures, this trip is NOT recommended for beginner paddleboarders. There are four campgrounds between Glen Canyon Dam and Horseshoe Bend at numerous points. Hi there! That has to be one of the most epic wildlife sightings ever! Every turn was a new panorama of red walls and emerald water. This unique geological wonder is located on the stretch of the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry. Arrive at Lees Ferry boat ramp in late afternoon or early evening. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Out of curiosity, we attempted to paddle up river a few times, and it was not easy at all! Horseshoe Bend campsite at mile 9 has some shade and great fishing. The best part of the rental experience is that the company transports your boats to the put-in. They fill 3 boats of ~6 people in 15-minute intervals; all departed on time. I've tried it all. 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. Dont miss this kayak trip through the free-flowing section of the Colorado River in Glen Canyon. Contact kayakthecolorado.com to set up your trip. This company is amazing. This kayaking trip will put you in the bend. Squeee! Horseshoe Bend as an overnight camping trip, Our Essential Backpacking Gear List & Spreadsheet, Moqui Caverns: Exploring the Kanab Sand Caves, Coyote Buttes South: An Epic Alternative to the Wave, Toadstool Hoodoos: An Otherwordly Hike near Page, How to Hike the Worlds Longest Slot Canyon: Buckskin Gulch, Adventurous One Week Road Trip in Arizona and Southern Utah, Toadstool Hoodoos: an Underrated Adventure, Grand Canyon Skeleton Point via South Kaibab Trail: Ultimate Hike Guide, How to Hike to Soldiers Pass Cave: Sedona, Az, Adventurous One Week Arizona to Utah Road Trip, Best Things to Do in Page, Arizona in One Day, 18 Best Things to Do in Escalante, Utah: A Complete Guide, How to Visit Stunning Laguna Humantay in Peru from Cusco, Experience a classic viewpoint from a different perspective, away from the crowds, Enjoy the beauty of the Colorado River and soaring canyon walls, Offers the chance to find solitude, although the campsites tend to be busy, Somewhat expensive to rent kayaks and backhaul service, Campsites tend to be crowded, so you wont have the backcountry wilderness experience you may be hoping for, Motor boats towing kayakers up river detracts from the peace and quiet of the river canyon, If you plan to camp overnight, be sure to. Although permits or reservations are not required to camp, you must camp in designated camping zones, which are marked with a sign. Being at the bottom of such a deep canyon, wind really accelerates down on the water. Just around Horseshoe Bend is the mile 8 campsite. The boat trip up to the dam is about 45 minutes. I loved my kayaking experience! If you like quirky, roam around the property to find a working piano at the community fire ring in the back. Also surprised its still accessible despite COVID, I had just been assuming the closure meant you couldnt be on that land at all. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. The last campsite before Lees Ferry is located at mile 6. To find it: Keep an eye out for a massive boulder on the right side of the river causing a large whirlpool that literally pulls you back upstream. The uniqueness of adventuring through canyons by water is a relief from the heat of the desert. Lake Powell and the surrounding Glen Canyon National Recreation Area are massive, so if you enjoy boondocking, youll find tons of free camping options on public land. If you plan to do the trip as an overnight, check out our complete list of backpacking gear essentials to help you pack! Now that I have answers, I can share some tips with you. We found an isolated campsite with an amazing view of the moon rising over the canyon. This kayaking trip will put you in the bend. The backhaul service is very well run (they took us up to Horseshoe Bend - you also have the option to go up to Glen Canyon Dam). It was a glorious night in the intensely quiet canyon. Best of all, however, are the resident wild mustangs! Odds are youve either been to, heard of, or seen photos of Arizonas famous Horseshoe Bend, a sharp curve in the Colorado River that carves a horseshoe shape into massive red cliffs. The Antelope Canyon kayak trip was sponsored by Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks. This is where the Grand Canyon begins at Marble Canyon just outside of Page, Arizona and a short trip from the Grand Canyon North Rim. OMG such a cool experience!! The kayaks are stable sit-on-top boats. 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. . Each year, millions of people flock to Horseshoe Bend for selfies and other awesome photos from the top. Hi! This is probably the second most popular campsite, but is less crowded than the site at Horseshoe Bend. After Waterholes Canyon, continue for another 4 miles until you arrive back at Lees Ferry. #yosemite #yosemitenationalpark #elcapitan #elcap #tiptuesday #sunsetchaser #nationalparkgeek #nationalparkobsessed #getoutside, There really are places that are so spectacular, it seems impossible they exist. Ive not been on the official Antelope Canyon hiking tours, but I felt this hike to the very lower part of the canyon rivaled those hikes with fewer people and the ability to explore on your own. You drift pretty fast on the river so its much easier paddling than Antelope Canyon, especially if the wind comes up on Lake Powell. However, you do need either an America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) or a pass for the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area ($30). The most popular way to kayak Horseshoe Bend is by taking a backhaul service 16 miles up river from Lees Ferry to the Glen Canyon Dam, and then kayaking back down river. There were several long stretches where we didnt paddle at all, and instead just leisurely floated along, taking it all in. The best time to kayak on the Colorado River is from spring through fall, around late March to late October. Thank you! Enter your email to receive updates and new posts straight to your inbox. In our opinion, kayaking Horseshoe Bend as an overnight trip is the best option, as you can take your time, really soak in the beauty of the canyon, and enjoy the peaceful serenity of early morning on the river, before the waters become busy with motor boats and other kayakers. We did about 3hrs which was perfect. Its the second highest concrete dam in the U.S., second only to Hoover Dam. Alternatively, you could kayak a few miles from Lees Ferry before turning back, but youd miss the highlight of the trip: Horseshoe Bend! Arizona time never changes but nearby Utah and the Navajo Nation time zones do. Seeing Horseshoe Bend in person is a magical experience, but imagine kayaking the Colorado River and being inside the iconic bend! I may make a small commission from them, at no extra cost to you. From showing the wild horses, to warning us about monsoon winds in the canyon, to handing out extra water bottles (bc Im not from AZ and failed to bring enough), we felt completely at ease because we knew he and his colleagues would be around and could be reached by phone or text if anything came up. A must taste trip to your exploration of Arizona. No need to pay $10 for a view of Horseshoe Bend from the top, when you can see it from the inside. Thanks! This is where KHB comes in. We spend any free time we can get hiking, camping, backpacking, and exploring new places! It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Campsites are located at 6, 8, 9 and 11 miles from Lees Ferry. Jennifer, it took us about two or three hours to paddle out. These two kayak trips give you a chance to not only see but experience the iconic landmarks of the canyon country of northern Arizona. All campsites are first-come, first-served. Posts may contain links to products and services I love. Call now! Learn how your comment data is processed. Take it slow and absorb all the wonder of drifting on clear water through the geologic story of the canyon. It might be your first chance to play piano in the desert. 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. As I rounded a curve on the river, I saw an animal moving slowly out of the brush toward the river. Any tips I missed? Can you kayak around Horseshoe Bend? This year's super bloom across California is incredible, after a long winter of heavy rain and snow. In the opinion of our backhaul boat driver, the summer months are the best time to make this trip because of the added excitement that monsoon rainstorms bring. . How Long Does it Take to Kayak Horseshoe Bend? When you see the following landmarks, you can make a pretty decent guess about your position and progress along the route. Wind is the main thing that could make kayaking the Colorado River more difficult. The weather was kind of cruddy and he offered blankets to keep us warm while it was raining and hailing. My daughter and I did a day kayak trip on Lake Powell into lower Antelope Canyon and then hiked into the gorgeous slot canyon. Glen Canyon. Give them plenty of space and do not attempt to touch or feed them. The river was extremely navigable and I always felt safe. Avoid holidays altogether if you can. Your hosts will take you by boat from Lee's Ferry to the starting point of the kayaking adventure just before Marble Canyon. To cut down on the length of the trip, you could have your backhaul drop you at mile 10, just north of Horseshoe Bend. I brought my own kayak but a couple of my friends rented from the same company we hired for the backhaul shuttle Kayak The Colorado. Please call Kelly Outfitters for availability (48 hours ahead is preferred): 602-510-5511. He assisted me with deciding the best distance to kayak. And I cant believe you saw a mountain lion! Continue paddling downstream on Day 2 with a few stops to rest and explore along the way. The guide came by in a boat a few times so I also knew I could call him if I had any issues.The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 1 is that it wouldnt let me book just one person I had to book two. And sunscreen. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Instead, youd need to spend at least one night along the river. (We have our own inflatable kayak, and my dog can stay in a carrier if you don't want a dog walking around your boat.) This remote motel is surrounded by breathtaking views of the layered Navajo sandstone of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument. . Once again, because of its distance from Horseshoe Bend, this campsite tends to be less popular. One can expect a paddle from the Petroglyph Panel drop point to take approximately 4-6 hours to paddle around Horseshoe Bend and back to the Lee's Ferry parking area. Since there were six of us in our party, we each brought a synthetic firelog that you can purchase in stores. Trail - Sand and sandstone. Troy took us out and you could tell he knows his stuff. Can I camp out overnight? Theyre labeled on this map. Watch out for powerboats! Therefore, your smart phone will adjust as you travel through. Thanks! The kayak experience was incredible - stellar views the whole way. SUP of a lifetime! Most view it from above during a trip to Page, Arizona. Its a popular campsite with some shade. This pic is at sunset on a very busy Saturday, but we stopped between two uber-popular viewpoints. They use a numbering system that runs from 0 at the starting point (Lees Ferry) to 15 at the uppermost point (Glen Canyon Dam). The hour-long paddle through the canyon winds past huge cliffs of Navajo sandstone. During both time periods specifically October through early November and late March through early May the days are warm and the nights cool. When we heard that you could kayak up the Colorado River to Horseshoe Bend, we knew we had to do it! About. However, if its truly the only time you can make it work, book the earliest possible launch time. We wanted to stay in one of their sheep wagons but it didnt work out this time. Youll even have enough time to visit Horseshoe Bend fro above in the morning! . It is highly unlikely that when construction of the 710 foot tall Glen Canyon Dam was begun in 1956 that there was much thought given to kayaking.
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