Top Nevada On the Water

Paddle a kayak along a scenic stretch of the Colorado River to Emerald Cave on this small-group tour that launches from Willow Beach. Exploring the river with a guide means you have plenty of guidance along the way—great for less-experienced boaters. Go at a relaxed pace, soaking up the views of the towering canyon walls, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as bighorn sheep and bald eagles.

Escape the bustle of Las Vegas and discover stunning scenery from the water's edge on this half-day kayaking trip on the Colorado River. Make your own way to the Willow Beach Marina, grab a life jacket, and set off on this scenic 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.

Book your self-guided kayak rental and experience one of the the most unforgettable outdoor adventures near Las Vegas as you paddle to the world famous Emerald Cave on the Colorado River. This self-guided adventure, located one hour from the Las Vegas Strip, launches from Willow Beach and takes you through the calm, crystal-clear waters of the majestic Colorado River while you paddle through the awe-inspiring towering walls of the Black Canyon. Perfect for beginners and active travelers your rental includes a high quality Wilderness Systems single-person kayak, life jacket, drybag, safety orientation and directions to Emerald Cave. Paddle as long as you want up to 5 hours with plenty of time to explore, take photos, discover local wildlife and experience the glowing green waters inside Emerald Cave. Widely considered the top outdoor day trip from Las Vegas, this half-day adventure offers a peaceful escape from the city into the most stunning scenery in the Southwest.

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.

Beat the heat of Las Vegas by paddling down the Colorado River on this half-day small-group tour. Spend ample time on the water taking in the stunning sights of the Black Canyon. Keep your eye out from wildlife such as bighorn sheep, coyotes, and bald eagles as you paddle along and take a dip in the clear waters of Emerald Cave.

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.

This magical 4-mile sunset paddle through Black Canyon Narrows delivers nonstop wow—from towering canyon views and wildlife sightings to exclusive access to Emerald, Echo, and Lover’s Caves, all glowing in golden hour light. As twilight falls, your kayak lights up for a surreal, otherworldly journey back under a vibrant desert sky. Along the way, your guide captures hundreds of photos and videos, so you can stay in the moment while leaving with incredible, golden-hour memories. With all gear, snacks, juice, and water included—plus top-rated guides and a relaxed, small-group setting—this is the sunset experience everyone wishes they had booked.

Paddle a section of the Colorado River famed for soaring cliffs and desert scenery on a small-group kayaking trip outside Las Vegas. Unlike big-boat tours where you’re just a passenger, this adventure lets you steer and explore at your own pace—with the option to choose between single and double kayaks. And with an experienced guide to lead the way, you’ll see a side of the desert many travelers miss.

Escape the bustling city streets and experience the magic of Black Canyon on this full-day kayaking adventure through Emerald, Echo, and Lover's Caves. Paddle through hidden inlets, discover wildlife including bighorn sheep and bald eagles, and take an optional hike through the canyon. Midway through, take a break at a secluded beach to swim, relax, and recharge—with snacks!—before continuing your adventure.

Hoover Dam and Emerald Cave are two of the Southwest's highlights, but visiting both in one day requires careful planning. This tour from Las Vegas lets you skip the self-drive hassle and combines a walk across the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge—890 feet (270 meters) above the Colorado River—with a paddle through the Black Canyon to the glowing waters of Emerald Cave.

Take a break from the neon lights of Las Vegas and get outdoors to explore the spectacular Emerald Cave on this kayaking adventure. Paddle along the Colorado River past a 1920s-era government project, the Black Canyon, and finally Emerald Cave. Traveling on a kayak allows you to access remote, hard-to-reach nature spots without getting lost as a guide takes care of the navigation. Choose between self-drive and hotel pickup options as well as lunch or Hoover Dam upgrades.

Book your self-guided paddleboard rental and experience one of the the most unforgettable outdoor adventures near Las Vegas as you paddle to the world famous Emerald Cave on the Colorado River. This self-guided adventure, located one hour from the Las Vegas Strip, launches from Willow Beach and takes you through the calm, crystal-clear waters of the majestic Colorado River while you paddle through the awe-inspiring towering walls of the Black Canyon. Perfect for beginners and active travelers your rental includes a high quality inflatable paddleboard, life jacket, drybag, safety orientation and directions to Emerald Cave. Paddle as long as you want up to 5 hours with plenty of time to explore, take photos, discover local wildlife and experience the glowing green waters inside Emerald Cave. Widely considered the top outdoor day trip from Las Vegas, this half-day adventure offers a peaceful escape from the city into the most stunning scenery in the Southwest.

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.

Outdoor activities are in abundance in northwest Nevada, but this rafting tour on the Truckee River in Reno is a great choice for any type of adventurous traveler, whether traveling alone or in a group. You’ll catch a glimpse of the Sierras as you go down the river, and snacks are included for added convenience. Plus, you can upgrade with options that include a horseback ride, as well as other picks.

Guided paddles run on someone else's pace and route, which doesn't suit everyone. Set your own on a self-guided kayak trip to Emerald Cave, paddling the calm waters of the Colorado River through Black Canyon near Las Vegas. Watch for bighorn sheep on the cliffs as you glide along flat, sheltered water, which suits beginners as much as regular paddlers.

Escape the crowds and enjoy a unique perspective of the Hoover Dam on this sightseeing cruise on Lake Mead. Board a historic paddlewheel boat in Boulder City, then cruise around Lake Mead to see the Black Canyon and the Hoover Dam, with informative narration along the way. Recreation area entrance fees extra.

Paddle a kayak to the base of Hoover Dam for views few travelers see—then follow the Colorado River past swim spots, caves, a geothermal waterfall, coves, and beaches. With an experienced guide to lead the way, you’ll cover a 12-mile (19-kilometer) stretch of the river renowned for its scenic beauty. And since it's a private experience, you'll have plenty of time to swim, hike, and sightsee as you head downstream.

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.

Paddle to the legendary Hoover Dam on this kayaking adventure on Lake Mead. Seeing Hoover Dam usually includes crowded viewpoints and limited perspectives, but this water-level approach reveals the engineering marvel from angles impossible to see on land. Navigate through dramatic slot canyons along a 2-mile (3km) route, take in the spectacular natural views, and enjoy unique sights of the Colorado River winding through the Grand Canyon.

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.

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.