Emerald Cave Kayaking Tour from Las Vegas, Best Dam 1/2 Day Trip
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Arizona, USA
- 3 to 4 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover the Colorado River on this private guided kayaking and hiking tour. Paddle your way through the tranquil waters, check out Emerald Cave, and immerse yourself in the natural world. Learn all about local flora and fauna from your guide, who’s always on hand to make sure everyone is staying safe and having fun.
- Great for outdoorsy Las Vegas locals and travelers alike
- Beginners and kids are very welcome
- Tour with a first-aid-certified guide
- Don’t forget to wear comfortable walking shoes for the hike
What's Included
- Craft, paddles, life jacket and tour guide
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Gratuity for your Tour Guide
- Admission Fee - National Park Entry to Willow Beach $25 Per Car. Park entry is free for NPS cardholders!$25.00 per booking
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 25650 Willow Beach Rd, Willow Beach, AZ 86445, USA
We will be launching you from the kayak beach just south of the main parking lot. Look for a trailer with blue circular stickers that say "Adventure Child" on them.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Emerald Cove
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
2
Willow Beach
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Colorado River
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- We will cover all necessary training. Kayak up to Emerald Cove. Spend time taking pictures in the cove. We can stop and take iconic pictures along the way.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 72 reviews
Brittany_p, Apr 2026
We loved our tour with Bri on the river! She made the trip fun and exactly what we were needing and looking for.
The only negative thing was that she didn't have the support she needed to load up the kayaks on the company trailer. We were put in the position of having to stay longer and help because there was no way a single person could do it. It was very hard to load, as the kayaks needed to be stored on the very top row of the trailer (4 kayak rows high). My husband and I were climbing and balancing heavy kayaks with unsteady footing on the trailer.
We felt really bad for our guide but it was a unfortunate way to end such a neat tour.
Maritza_L, Apr 2026
Cameron was super patient and understanding of other people’s needs. That makes the experience more flexible and relax for everyone. We enjoyed the amazing views all Cameron’s attentions and care.
Deb_B, Apr 2026
This was a wonderful experience for our group! Our guide (Cameron) was truly amazing! We had a group of 6 with a wide range of personalities, abilities, experience kayaking and comfort on the water, and Cameron coached each one through their specific needs with an open heart and creative spirit.
Marty_C, Mar 2026
We had a great time! Great scenery and experience! Orlando was the best! He helped us out a lot! I would definitely recommend this trip. So much to look at. Thank you!
Stephen_M, Oct 2025
Cameron gave us an amazing tour of the river, really looked after us. We had a great time, none of us fell in. Scenery was beautiful and so calm. Mondays are no boat days so at times it juat like us on the river. Being October is was hot but a nice temperature. Saw heron's, crayfish and a cpuple od other bits of wildlife. So glad we did it. Amazing trip. Thank you again Cameron. From the McCulloch's
Leon_B, Aug 2025
It's a great workout. Don't forget the Tylenol. Don't go on a windy day. Strange how going upstream is easier than going downstream.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Hey Leon, thanks for the review. Must have ran into the tailwind on the way up and a head wind on the way back. Glad you still enjoyed your experiuence.
Deborah_R, Apr 2025
We had an amazing time on this kayaking trip! Elizabeth was great at communicating in the weeks beforehand and made it easy to contact to ask questions. Johnny was assigned our tour and was amazing. He gave clear instructions about our meeting place and had enough kayaks for us to change our minds about using a tandem kayak. Johnny also took more than 200 photos and sent them all to us! We were so grateful! He went above and beyond to help our family on our first Colorado River kayak experience.
We did a morning tour (9-1) so when we got to the emerald cave the sunlight wasn’t exactly right to see the emerald color at it’s finest, but we were ok with that, especially when we saw the hoards of kayakers making their way to the cave when we were on our way back. We easily fit our six kayaks into the cave at the same time. There weren’t very many kayakers in front of us, but it could take a long time to get in if there are a lot of kayakers on the river.
Johnny took the time to take us on a little hike on our way to the emerald cave, (could do the hike in flip flops) to see the foundation of the river guager’s home from when he was conducting research previous to building the Hoover Dam. We saw the catwalks and zip lines he used, and we loved the history of it.
We had 5 family members participate—4 adults and one 12 year old. We were not planning on using a tandem (2-seater) kayak, but when we saw the kayaks were bigger than the ones we had used before, we chose to have the 12-year-old ride tandem, and she did great. She was happy about that too, especially when we hit a bit of a headwind for a few minutes. The river was flat and smooth—no rapids—and we had temperatures in the 60’s.
We each packed a lunch and snacks in a plastic grocery bag, including a couple water bottles each. Because it wasn’t too hot, that was plenty of water. But if you’re there on a hot day, you’d want at least that much. We took little breaks on a couple small beaches and had time to snack and drink water. Each kayak has a place where you can strap on or store anything you’re carrying, including food or clothing. I carried a bag of towels for everyone in the front of my tandem kayak, which we didn’t really use because of the cooler temperatures. My son did find a rock to cliff jump from, so he needed a towel.
Most of us didn’t swim, so I did the whole tour in flip-flops. Others had water shoes or Teva‘s which were great too, but some of the water shoes had pretty thin soles which hurt a little on the hike.
We got started a little bit late because of a car accident that Johnny was stuck behind on his way there, but he communicated to us in a timely manner. We probably started at about 9:20 and we were out and in the car by 12:30. It could take longer depending on how many kayaks are on the river, wind conditions, how big your party is, and how everyone in your party is doing with their own paddling.
I felt like Adventure Child did an amazing job with communication and execution. I would definitely go to them again for another excursion.
Nichole_J, Mar 2025
Johnny was a great guide. We had a wonderful time and would highly recommend this tour. It was perfect for our family
Po_R, Mar 2025
Beautiful trip down Colorado River to Crystal Cave with few stopovers with kind guide.
Low wind, history of Hoover Dam,
Madyson_H, Sep 2024
EJ was a blast, it was a beautiful and fun trip. We really enjoyed it! The water was amazing, even though it was cold! And our guide gave us so many cool facts!
Laura_R, Jul 2024
Our tour guide was EJ, he was wonderful and very knowledgeable. We were all beginners and have never kayaked and even had 2 kids with us. He showed us what we needed to know and guided us down the river. We enjoyed our trip and conversations with him. The cave was beautiful and the whole experience so enjoyable and well worth it. Would definitely do it again and recommend it to anyone wanting to get away from the regular Vegas experience.
Veronica_T, Jun 2024
We went on June 8,2024. Our original booking was 2PM but Elizabeth called us and asked if we can go at 9AM due to warm weather which we obliged. There was no sign when we got there. We went around the area looking for signs, nothing. It was already 9AM and nobody was there. We found other tour groups giving instructions to their group as to what to expect, safety, how to paddle, etc. we watched while waiting for Adventure Child to show up. We were informed by other groups that they are always late and just show up when they want to. Finally,a guy showed up, started unloading different kayak boats and he seemed irritated because we asked him why he’s late. He pointed to a stack of life vests told us to put it on while he was unloading. After unloading, he told us to pick whatever boat and start kayaking without giving instructions and he just assumed we know what to do. We did kayaking before but the other people in our group, didn’t know what they were doing in the beginning. Then we waited for him for maybe another 15 minutes before he got into the water. We basically followed him all through the Emerald Cove then came back which took almost 3 hours. We saw other group stopping at some areas and their tour guides narrating while kayaking. The place is beautiful but I advise you to use a different tour company. Don’t use Adventure Child, you will get frustrated. It’s not worth the money.
ny28mjtpzy, Jan 2024
I bought it as present to my mom and she loved. It was a incredible experience, she had all the support and the instructor took good care of her. She can’t wait kayak again the next time she visit us!
Gabriel_O, Jan 2024
Was one of the best experiences ever! Amazing view, pictures and knowledge! Everyone on Adventure Child were king polite and fun!
Laura_F, Jan 2024
What an amazing day and tour with my husband and our doggie! Gabriel was our guide he was extremely kind, sociable, knowledgeable and chill. He taught us about the Hoover Dam, Green Emerald color of the waters at Emerald Cave, signs and wild life from there. Such a beautiful trip! Worth to go and know!
xwv9q48b2m, Jan 2024
Great experience. Friendly guide, very knowledgeable about the historical and environmental aspects of the tour.
Paula_S, Jan 2024
What a perfect day! Adventure Child is the best. Their service was on point, they showed up on time and the whole day went smoothly. Their customer service is second to none. The tour is breathtaking, amazing views! I highly recommend this business.
Lucas_H, Jan 2024
We had a great time. The guide gave great information. The cave is beautiful and the stops are nice to grab a sandwich and just relax a little bit.
Jessica_T, Sep 2023
We had such an amazing day and tour! EJ was extremely knowledgeable, sociable and chill. We truly appreciated the information we learned about the Hoover Dam, the green Emerald color of the waters at Emerald Cave and we loved seeing the wildlife! Such a great trip! Thank you so much for being a part of creating this beautiful memory!
Kiret_P, Aug 2023
This was the best kayaking trip ever!! Our instructors stayed with us the entire time and very personable and overall super fun to be with. They made our experience 10x more enjoyable. I would definitely book with them!
Adam_C, May 2023
This trip and company are both incredible. You’re kayaking on crystal clear water in between the walls of the Black Canyon, it’s the most serene kayaking trip I’ve been on. Plus, the guide with Adventure Child was very knowledgeable and friendly. I also loved the option of the safety boat bringing lunch and supplies. 10/10 recommend!
David_S, May 2023
As my mother would say...JUST WOW. This trip was absolutely incredible. E.J. was our guide and he was very cool and knowledgeable. We got to hike through a flowing river and got to go in Emerald Cave where the water was unlike anything I've ever seen. This was a really cool experience and we all had a blast. Thank you Adventure Child :)
Ronny_A, May 2023
Who knew such treasure of nature exists minutes from Las Vegas. Thank you Cameron and Adventure Child for bringing the splendor of nature to visitors in Las Vegas. This trip is a must for any visitor just as much as a Hoover Dan trip. From the minute we left Willow beach the excursion was nothing but filled with fun and discoveries. Easy going and at your own pace along beautiful water and rock formations. Thank you Adventure Child, looking forward for a whole day excursion soon.
Elizabeth_S, Mar 2023
My birthday celebration on the rocks was beautifully organized and memorable! The service and attention was awesome as was the information about river!
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