Top Nevada On the Water

Escape the bustle of Las Vegas and discover stunning scenery from the water's edge on this half-day, small-group kayaking trip on the Colorado River. Make your own way to the Willow Beach Marina, grab a life jacket, and set off on this small-group 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) kayak trip. Along the way, soak up the scenery, pause for a swim, look for wildlife, and learn about the area’s history from your guide.

Experience the serenity of Emerald Cave, a picturesque natural attraction on the Colorado River. This kayaking tour takes a small group max of 13 people paddling up the river with a guide. Stop for snacks and swimming along the way. Round-trip hotel transport can be selected as an option from Las Vegas, or you can make your own way to the starting point by rental car in Willow Beach, Arizona.

Launch from Willow Beach for a self-guided adventure into Black Canyon, paddling calm, emerald-green waters to the luminous Emerald Cave at your own pace. This four-hour outing is beginner-friendly and lets you set your schedule for swimming, spotting bighorn sheep and eagles, or relaxing on the sandy riverbanks. It’s a flexible way to experience the canyon’s natural beauty—no guide, no strict timeline—just pure freedom and breathtaking scenery for any skill level.

Trade the Las Vegas lights for a guided 5-mile round-trip kayak adventure to Emerald Cave, complete with canyon views, a fun hike, and laid-back beach time at Willow Beach. Paddle with a group of 12 or fewer, led by experienced guides who make everyone—beginners and first-timers included—feel welcome and safe for an exciting and scenic escape. With kayaking, hiking, swimming, and plenty of time for photos, this 3-hour, all-levels tour is a perfect combination of adventure and relaxation just an hour out of Vegas.

Swap the bustle of Las Vegas for the great outdoors and the Colorado River on this half-day guided kayak tour to the Emerald Cave. Make your way to Willow Beach, then join a small group for a safety briefing. Then hop on your single or tandem kayak and follow your guide along the Colorado River, with stops at Emerald Cave and the historic River Gauger’s House Site.

Leave the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas behind and get up close to the Colorado River on this half-day kayaking tour. Board your shuttle at Mandalay Bay Resort (if option selected) and travel to Willow Beach. Embark on a relaxing 5-mile (8-kilometer) journey through Black Canyon, including a visit to the picturesque Emerald Cave. Enjoy included snacks and water as you take in the natural beauty around you.

Get outdoors and explore a spectacular natural wonder—the Emerald Cave—on this kayaking adventure. After setting off from Willow Beach Marina, paddle along the Colorado River past interesting sites such as a 1920’s era government project, the Black Canyon, and finally—the picturesque Emerald Cave. Traveling on a kayak allows you to access remote, hard-to-reach nature spots without the worry of getting lost as a guide takes care of the navigation.

Swap the bright lights of Las Vegas for a peaceful paddle through striking desert scenery on this small-group kayak tour along the Colorado River to Emerald Cave. Led by a guide, cruise along glowing green waters, keep an eye out for bighorn sheep, and take in the natural beauty of the Black Canyon. With group sizes capped at 10, enjoy a relaxed feel you won't get on larger tours.

Enjoy a perspective of the Hoover Dam that few other visitors get to see—and explore the Black Canyon portion of the Colorado River—on this immersive nature tour. Make your own way to the Hoover Dam from Las Vegas; grab your provided lifejacket, and set off aboard the shared raft. As you float along the river, admire the towering canyon walls, spot wildlife like bighorn sheep, and stop for a refreshing dip.

Get everything needed for a carefree paddleboarding day—SUP (stand up paddle), paddle, and safety gear set up and waiting at Willow Beach—so you can explore the brilliant waters of the Colorado River and the glowing Emerald Cave at your own pace. This self-drive rental makes it easy and affordable to escape the city and enjoy stunning scenery, with flexibility for solo adventurers, couples, or groups. With no crowds, no tour schedule, and spectacular desert views, this is the perfect DIY way to experience the natural beauty of Black Canyon.

Skip the crowds and hassle of bus tours with this self-drive, small-group kayaking tour on the Colorado River. Make your own way to the launch point at Willow Beach to meet your group and guide; board a kayak, and then enjoy a guided paddle into the Black Canyon. Along the way, take in the desert scenery and look out for wildlife including big horn sheep, coyotes, and bald eagles.

Emerald Cove gets its name from the green light that filters through the cave—but reaching it requires crossing a stretch of the Colorado River that's only accessible by water. This half-day rental covers a stand-up paddleboard, single kayak, or double kayak. An optional shuttle with hotel pickup from Mandalay Bay reduces the national park fee payable on arrival.

Leave the neon lights of Sin City behind during this relaxing full-day guided kayak excursion on the Black Canyon section of the Colorado River. This paddling trip, which navigates several miles of placid water close to Hoover Dam, is great for kayakers of all experience levels. During your trip, stop to explore idyllic riverside beaches, caves, canyons, and hot springs. Your kayak guide also points out local wildlife, hidden inlets, hiking spots, and historical sites along the way. The trip also includes all necessary kayaking equipment, river permits, and safety lesson, lunch, bottled water, snacks, dry bag for personal items and round-trip hotel transport.

If you're looking for a nature break from Las Vegas, spend a day paddling down the Colorado River on this small-group kayak tour that starts from the iconic Hoover Dam. Experienced river guides will get you geared up and ready for the voyage, no matter what your experience level, so you can enjoy the stunning scenery of the Black Canyon. Take breaks along the way at waterfalls, natural hot springs, and a sauna cave.

Swap the neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip for a guided kayaking adventure through the glowing green waters of Black Canyon Narrows on this half-day excursion. Paddle past towering canyon walls; explore Emerald Cave, Echo Cave and Lover's Cave; and discover hidden gems such as secluded beaches, remnants from the Hoover Dam era, and fascinating geological formations. Along the way, snap incredible photos, spot desert wildlife, and enjoy stunning natural scenery.

As the Colorado River weaves its way through Arizona, it cuts through the desert and leads to the Emerald Cave. This respite on the Nevada state border is full of cool, refreshing water that offers a wonderful break from the heat. Take a kayak out on the river and discover the cave for yourself on this guided tour. Paddle, swim, and savor a day in the great outdoors.

Enjoy Lake Mead during the most atmospheric time of day with this sunset kayak excursion to the Boulder Islands. Paddle behind your guide from Hemenway Harbor to the islands, where you land for a dip and bonfire as the sun dips below the horizon. Relax with a campfire dinner, drinks and s’mores, then light up your kayak to paddle back to the meeting point under a canopy of stars.

Combine two iconic experiences in one day: walk the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge—soaring nearly 900 feet above the Colorado River for breathtaking dam views—before launching kayaks from Willow Beach into majestic Black Canyon. Guided by local experts, you learn about the river’s history, snap incredible photos, spot local wildlife, and enjoy a catered lunch on a secluded canyon beach. The day finishes as you paddle into Emerald Cave, where sunlight transforms the water into a vibrant, emerald green glow—a seamless blend of history, adventure, and natural wonder.

Escape Las Vegas for the Grand Canyon and the cool waters of the Colorado River on this 2-in-1, full-day adventure. Enjoy a scenic helicopter flight over the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the Grand Canyon's West Rim before either floating through the Black Canyon on a river raft or exploring the Emerald Cave by kayak. Round-trip transit from your hotel makes your day totally hassle-free.

Combine paddling with wildlife-watching on this kayaking adventure from Willow Beach, which includes the chance to paddle straight into the Emerald Cave. No need to worry about getting lost, as a guide will be with you throughout your journey, sharing commentary about the history of the Black Canyon.

See the best of the Hoover Dam, without the hassle of renting a car, with this small-group tour from Las Vegas. Experience the mighty dam from multiple different perspectives—by walking across it, then floating on the Colorado River below it, and finally heading inside to see the power plant with a Bureau of Reclamation guide.

Escape from Las Vegas to experience the Black Canyon on a gentle raft tour along the Colorado River. Relax as your guide steers the boat through canyon landscapes, including Hoover Dam, cliffs, caves, and riverside beaches, while sharing commentary about the wildlife and history.

The Colorado River sits within reach of Las Vegas, but requires transport and equipment that most visitors don't have access to independently. This evening kayak tour covers a stretch of the river at a pace suited to all skill levels, with a beach stop built into the route and snacks and water included throughout.