how long does it take to kayak horseshoe bend
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Many of them have seen a hundred human generations rise, give off their little clamors, and perish. 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. Thanks for the tips! And I cant believe you saw a mountain lion! Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour from Page, Lower Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend Half Day Tour from Page, AZ, Half Day Tour of Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon from Page Arizona, Upper Antelope Canyon Admission Ticket (Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours). It looks like a beautiful kayak trip to Antelope Canyon and combined with the hike makes the perfect adventure. And Lake Powell offers paddle boarding, kayaking, boat tours, and a scenic drive through backcountry roads. They go up and down the center of the river, so always stay to one side. 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. Also, wear a good sun hat, slather on that sunscreen, and pack a ton of water. Ive been looking at the backhaul trip starting at mile 10 and was told itd be about 5 hours paddling but the Antelope Canyon trip might be a better fit and Id love your thoughts. At the mouth of Antelope Canyon, the no-wake zone starts. I'm wondering if it's possible to bring my small dog who loves to kayak? Kayaking the Colorado from below is an experience of a life time. After the mountain lion took a lengthy drink, it slipped back into the bushes and out of sight. However, if you're not able to do this, there are also times when you can paddle . The starting (and ending) point of all Horseshoe Bend kayak trips is the Lees Ferry Boat Launch. However, after the pandemic hit and we embarked on a permanent road trip, we found ourselves living in southern Utah for several months. Pack out everything you pack in. Hello. PRO TIP: theres a freshwater spring that pours into the river directly beneath the lookout point at the top of Horseshoe Bend. There are 5 designated campsites with toilets and fire pits. If you choose not to use the backhaul service, the trip becomes significantly more challenging. . Kayaking Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River is a unique way to experience one of the Southwests most famous viewpoints! The uniqueness of adventuring through canyons by water is a relief from the heat of the desert. 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. Don't miss an adventure! We used Kayak the Colorado for our outfitter. And I cant believe you saw a mountain lion!!! Its also a fantastic alternative to whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon. Ive done the research and made the trip. 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. I love kayaking and especially in unique places like this. This is a steep and challenging mile hike, which requires use of a rope to pull yourself out of the canyon, so its not recommended if you have a fear of heights. To the left it continues to a dead-end in about 10 minutes; to the right, it opens up to a wider canyon. Have an amazing time! However, we nestled behind some bushes to keep from being sandblasted by the wind. Manually set your time to the Phoenix time zone so you can show up to outfitters at the correct time. Trail - Sand and sandstone. The Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River. For a fee, Lazy River Outfitters offers tubing, canoe, and kayak rentals as well as shuttles to the Horse Shoe River Access Park. It was purely serendipitous that the distance from . On a separate web page, it says 40 pounds is the limit. How long does it take to kayak Horseshoe Bend? 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. But, as stated above, if you don't have all day, ask your boat captain for suggestions on . But it could seem a bit intimidating to anyone newer to kayaking/paddle boarding. Tell us your favorite kayaking trip below! 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. Hi! It was just enough to supply all my water needs for the two-day excursion. You don't have to have a . Ive always wanted to do this! The day before you go come to the shop at 836 Vista Ave, Page AZ 86040, and pick up your gear after 3 pm. How long does it take to kayak from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry? The boat trip up to the dam is about 45 minutes. We were very pleased with the service Bobby and Brady provided. Posts may contain links to products and services I love. In addition, here are some other places to camp near Horseshoe Bend. It was great to see where we had paddled. If you've been looking for an excuse to get out and hike or visit those national and state parks that have been on your list for awhile, here it is! This year's super bloom across California is incredible, after a long winter of heavy rain and snow. Yes. On one page of the website for the backhaul outfitter we hired, they referenced 30 pounds max carry-on weight. How difficult is the kayaking trip? February 23, 2022. We had a great trip with Kayak Horseshoe Bend/Lee's Ferry Anglers. They use a numbering system that runs from 0 at the starting point (Lees Ferry) to 15 at the uppermost point (Glen Canyon Dam). Although there arent any physical signs along the river, boaters use a mile marker system for navigation, with 0 being the Lees Ferry launch point and 15 being the Glen Canyon Dam. Send us an email and tell us you want to paddle Horseshoe Bend and want to reserve your kayaks, packrafts or paddleboards for OVERNIGHT. Required fields are marked *. We meet the Kayak the Colorado outfitters at Lees Ferry launch. Every turn was a new panorama of red walls and emerald water. How long does it take to kayak horseshoe bend? Hoping for views like these, featuringno people or cars whatsoever? I might get a little claustrophobic, but it looks like an absolutely incredible experience! My daughter and I did a day kayak trip on Lake Powell into lower Antelope Canyon and then hiked into the gorgeous slot canyon. 300 Feet down then back up. The entrance fee is $30, however, its covered under all the Interagency Passes. 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. I want to be a part of an exclusive group of kick-butt woman and supportive men. 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. Their rule is that any kayak not returned by the end of the day, so that its available for rental the next day, is charged for two days. 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. Ah I would love to do this! . For those who want to take their time, you can opt to stay the night at a campsite directly along the river, breaking your paddle up over two days. Since the lake is low, we had to wheel our boats down to the water over the gravel. Horseshoe Bend. The canyon eventually reaches a fork which is a good turnaround spot. 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. The whole hike takes about an hour. Just give them a call, they're very helpful and super flexible, but there are probably limits to how late they'll take you out. Wind is the main thing that could make kayaking the Colorado River more difficult. You can stay in a traditional Navajo hogan on a working farm. Category: Kanab Tags: adventure, kanab, kayak, southern utah, utah. For the record, no scales were used to weigh our stuff when we boarded. By clicking Accept, you consent to their use on this site. The kayak experience was incredible - stellar views the whole way. . They fill 3 boats of ~6 people in 15-minute intervals; all departed on time. Your hosts will take you by boat from Lee's Ferry to the starting point of the kayaking adventure just before Marble Canyon. Note that the boats leave from Lee's Ferry Launch, NOT Cliff Dweller's Lodge, which was a bit confusing from the instructions sent to us. Make sure you camp on a flat, previously disturbed patch of land and avoid trampling the fragile desert plants or cryptobiotic soil. It was a glorious night in the intensely quiet canyon. Keep in mind, you dont need to camp along the river. Best Time of Year to Kayak Horseshoe Bend, Half Dome Lottery Guide | Hike the Epic Cables Route. This kayaking trip will put you in the bend. Therefore, your smart phone will adjust as you travel through. Even the evenings often dont see temps lower than the 80s! Starting upriver and kayaking down allows you to take your time, soak in the stunning scenery, stop at the viewpoints and hikes along the way, and of course, makes for a significantly easier trip! We visited Horseshoe Bend from the popular viewpoint near Page in 2019, and at the time never expected wed get to see the beautiful spot again. Our kayak rental was sponsored by Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks. During the summer, expect extreme heat with highs often in the 90s and no shade during the day. However, the 6 Mile campground is the last one before Lees Ferry so unless we wanted a 15-mile day trip, this was our last chance to camp. Hiking tours to Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon on Navajo lands are very popular. We saw plenty of kayakers pulled off there to make the hike up but my crew skipped it due to time constraints. Since its impossible to put in at the dam, the backhaul motorboat carried us, our kayaks, and camping gear upriver to a beach below the dam. What an amazing sight! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Terry Gunn the owner, was totally agreeable to letting us use the 1 kayak we rented prior to our rescheduled float and we had a really fun day. Ill let you know how that turns out. To combine those and then pair it with more kayaking and camping would be a dream. How Difficult is Kayaking Horseshoe Bend? However, we think the Colorado River is best enjoyed as an overnight camping trip! But dont forget to soak up your last few minutes in this beautiful canyon! 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. There are several outfitters that offer kayak rentals and backhaul services right at Lees Ferry. 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. . Kayaking the Colorado from below is an experience of a life time. Even early spring can be cold and unpredictable weather-wise and, in particular, windy. The next 2 campsites are on Horseshoe Bend with views of the teeming hordes of tourists atop the cliffs across the river. Arizona time never changes but nearby Utah and the Navajo Nation time zones do. What a treat! This is where KHB comes in. It might be your first chance to play piano in the desert. Choose the Perfect RV for you with thisFREE E-Book. . Youll even have enough time to visit Horseshoe Bend fro above in the morning! Although permits or reservations are not required to camp, you must camp in designated camping zones, which are marked with a sign. There is a herd of bighorn sheep that live in the area and often use the trail to climb down to the shores of the Colorado River, so keep an eye out even if you dont stop to hike! When I called the office for a straight answer, they told me that well be okay as long as each person brings no more than 100 pounds of total weight onboard kayak, life preserver and paddle included. We totally recommend seeing Horseshoe Bend from above. Yes. I would have loved to do them but they were closed due to Covid when we visited. From there, its approximately 10 miles back downstream to the boat launch. Two Outliers may contain affiliate links we only recommend products we personally use and love. Its a busy place as the multi-day whitewater Grand Canyon trips with their huge rafts begin there. Instead of going all the way up the dam, have them drop you off just upstream of Horseshoe Bend itself, at whats known as Petroglyph Beach. . All Horseshoe Bend kayaking trips launch from the Lees Ferry Boat Launch in Marble Canyon, AZ, Beginning paddlers should start their kayak trip from Petroglyph Beach, while more experienced folks can tackle the entire length from the dam to Lees Ferry in one day, You can technically shuttle two vehicles and bring your own gear, like an, The water on this stretch of the Colorado is exceptionally calm, with Class I rapids (the gentlest), There are several little beaches, coves, and other places to safely stop or pull out of the water if you want to take a break, If you plan to camp overnight in Horseshoe Bend, keep in mind youll need to pack (and paddle!) From the petroglyphs, you are just around the corner from the magnificent Horseshoe Bend. The logistics of the trip involve a backhaul boat trip up to below Glen Canyon Dam. 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. We loved this trip with kayak the colorado at Horseshoe Bend and would highly recommend it to anyone. His advice is to pull over to a sand bar during a rain shower. . We highly recommend this trip and this company! That being said, the hike is a nice break from paddling and worth exploring if you have the time. But we were definitely taking our time because it was so beautiful. Even though Arizona law doesnt require adults to wear a life vest while paddling, you should still consider wearing one for kayaking Horseshoe Bend. In this article, weve rounded up all the information you need to know to plan the perfect kayaking trip. The 15-mile section of the Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam is mostly calm water with a few gentle rapids and plenty of places to pull over and take breaks. 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. What does Kayak Horseshoe Bend provide in terms of gear and equipment? I was glad to have a stable boat when the waves from power boats on Lake Powell bounced the kayaks around. The first part involves walking over sand through a wide canyon. 6-mile campsite is the first campsite upriver from Lees Ferry so you would have to make it at least 6 miles on the first day. The best time to kayak on the Colorado River is from spring through fall, around late March to late October. Mile 8 and Mile 9 campgrounds are the most popular because theyre at roughly the midpoint from top to bottom. Hi! Do you happen to see it or know where its located? Slowly floating around the bend, with nothing but the sound of birds chirping and water rippling as you soak in the stunning view of Horseshoe Bend from the Colorado River is a purely magical experience! The fee is $5 for motorcycles. Its very cold and hypothermia can set in quickly. Jennifer, it took us about two or three hours to paddle out. Page, Arizona is the best base for exploring these canyons. The gem of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is iconic Horseshoe Bend, with its unique shape carved out of the massive rock. The Backhaul taxi service is the most convenient way to see Horseshoe Bend and kayak . It isnt at all necessary to camp overnight to enjoy kayaking Horseshoe Bend, but thats definitely a more leisurely way to take in the beauty of it all. Once youre ready, the gentle flow of the river guides you back down to Lees Ferry over the course of several hours. We recently used Kayak Horseshoe Bend on a family trip on the Colorado River. I had to tell myself it wasnt a dream! However, a kayak trip to where Lake Powell meets the bottom of Antelope Canyon is a unique way to experience Antelope without a canyon tour. 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. The average time it takes to kayak Horseshoe Bend is about 3 hours. Kayak the Colorado provides kayak rental and backhaul taxi services to Horseshoe Bend and the dam. Best of all, however, are the resident wild mustangs! The first downriver campsite at mile 14 is Ropes Trail. Rental kayaks come with paddles and Personal Floatation Devices or PFDs. I'm glad you're here and hope you'll stay awhile! How much does Horseshoe Bend cost? At Lees Ferry there are docks and a boat ramp to launch your kayaks. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. No special pass or permit is required to kayak this stretch of the Colorado River; however, a National Parks Pass is required for all activities in this area known as Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which spans sections of northern Arizona and southern Utah. Our boats were ready on arrival. We were completely blown away by the beauty of the canyon and the glass-like water of the Colorado River. We kayaked leisurely (easy going with the current) and stopped twice to picnic/take photos; it took 4 hours (almost 5 hours including backhaul). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website.
