Frequently Asked Questions

No white water here, just flat water kayaking.  Depending on wind, weather, and flow rates, there can be choppy water, rolling waves, and even large swells along the way. Our kayaks are stable, and most people make it through the day without any “out-of-boat experiences". This doesn’t mean that you should take this river lightly! The Colorado is a big cold river, and there can be strong currents, eddies, hidden obstacles, and other unforeseen circumstances that you may encounter. Our guides are prepared for this and will steer you in the right direction for a safe and memorable experience. They are also trained in "rescues"...getting folks back in their boats if they do fall out.

Yes. This is a river trip! You will definitely get wet, at least up to your knees. Anything above that is considered a bonus! The river is 53°F/10.5°C  year round. It is quite refreshing during the heat of summer, but unless you want to become part of the polar bear club, too cold for winter swimming. Bathing suits are recommended under clothes for soaking in the hot springs that are part of our full day tour or for adventurous folks that want to dive in the river during the hotter months. We will give you a quart size freezer bag to keep your small belongings safe and dry.

Our guides have been paddling personally and professionally for years. They possess a vast knowledge of the history of the area, wildlife, plants, weather patterns, and river currents. Before they can become lead guides, they must undergo a series of intense training programs, which include rescue techniques, wind and weather patterns, basic river kayaking certifications, physical skills tests, and written tests. We have an amazing program and train our guides to become CPR and Wilderness First-Aid certified. We also carry communication devices for emergencies. Our guides reserve the right to move the group around if they deem necessary to benefit the group as a whole and to provide the guests with the safest experience possible.

In warmer months:

*sun protection (sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, etc.)

*shorts and rash guards (river wear...any material that dries quickly)

*AVOID cotton or denim clothing

*if you plan to swim or soak, wear a bathing suit under your clothes

*water shoes/sandals are highly recommended (old tennis shoes are fine/flip flops are not ideal)

*a phone or camera to take photos

*cash for gratuity and souvenirs

‍
In cooler months:

*sun protection (sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, etc.)

*layering is best: fleece hoodie, pants and rash guards (river wear...any material that dries quickly)

*AVOID cotton or denim clothing

*if you plan to soak in the hot springs on our full day tour, wear a bathing suit under your clothes

*water shoes/sandals are highly recommended (old tennis shoes are fine/flip flops are not ideal)

*a phone or camera to take photos

*cash for gratuity and souvenirs

‍

You may start as a beginner, but you will likely end the trip as a confident kayaker! Our guides are professionals, and we introduce newcomers to the sport every day. A high percentage of our trips consist of first-time paddlers or those who have tried it once or twice. Because of this, we’ve chosen high end, Prijon touring kayaks equipped with rudders for easy steering. Our kayaks are sit inside with padded backs and padded seats. They are 18' long. Our singles are streamlined, fast, more "tippy" and recommended for people that may have some experience kayaking. Our tandems (double) are flatter on the bottom, less likely to tip, and are recommended for beginners or anyone that is questioning their ability to paddle on their own. It requires more endurance than strength. Our section of river is flat water kayaking, no white water or rapids, but keep in mind, there is no current helping you out, you must paddle to move. All trips will receive safety rules, as well as basic paddling instructions. What better way to check out kayaking!

Nevada law requires minors to be 8 years of age or 80 lbs to ride on our shuttle. If your little ones do not meet these requirements, you are always welcome to self-drive and meet us at the launch site. The youngest we have taken out is 4 years old, paddling in a tandem kayak with an adult. The oldest was 84... so far! Your guide may rearrange people throughout the day to balance the ability of the group. Traveling with minors under the age of 13, MUST ride in a tandem with an adult (or a guide), ages 13-14 is a gray area, some athletic kids with upper body strength do great in a single and others often struggle. Please make the right decision for your child, you know them best. We have years of experience and will always opt to put minors in a tandem with an adult. Just remember, our trips are between 4 and 12 miles long, no current to help you on the river...it's an active paddle!

Yes, reservations can be made directly on our website or by calling our office. For the Hoover Dam tour: DEFINITELY YES! Space is limited, so you should make your reservations as soon as possible. This trip is so scenic and popular that the National Park limits the number of people who can launch per day to 45 boats. They control this by issuing launch permits, which can sell out up to six months in advance. Holidays and weekends book up quickly, so be sure to call ahead. As soon as you pick a date, we can reserve your permits for you.

When you book with us, you will sometimes get a "PENDING SUPPLIER" notification right after booking, this just means that we are looking over your reservation to make sure there is no other information we need from you. It may also mean that minimum participant requirements have not been met or that there are no available permits for our full day tour. We will contact you if that is the case and work with you to try to accommodate the best we can. We try to "confirm" the reservation as quickly as possible, but at times, it may take a bit longer to receive a "CONFIRMED" order. You are always welcome to call our office to check on the status of your reservation.

Your pick-up time and location will be on your confirmation. Our tour times vary, and the river is NOT right around the corner from the hotels. We usually arrange our pick-up times to be about 1.5 hours before the tour start time The same goes for drop-off times. Of course this all varies depending on traffic and any unforeseen circumstances. If you are a self driver, meeting us at the various launch locations, please arrive 20-40 minutes before your tour start time (depending on what tour you're doing). The time and address of the meetup spot will be on your confirmation email. Please also read through your reminder email, it will give you specifics about where to meet. Our drivers and guides cannot wait at the pickup location or launch locations for guests arriving late, it is critical to arrive ON TIME.

Anytime! Our guides favor the fall and winter with calm, glassy waters, no motor boats, and fewer crowds. Daytime winter temperatures hover in the low 60’s, making the hot springs inviting as steam rises above their surface. Springtime brings colorful wildflowers, newborn wildlife, and warmer temperatures. Winds can sometimes pick up during March and April. Summer is hot and is our busiest time of year. You are almost guaranteed to see bighorn sheep drinking from the river and a good swim in the cold water is invigorating to say the least. We run trips year round; there is a season for everyone!

Cancellation Policy: If you wish to cancel a tour, you must cancel 48 hours in advance of your shuttle pick up time or tour meet-up time if you are using your own method of transportation, by replying to your email confirmation requesting cancellation. If cancelled 48 hours in advance, the tour will be refunded, minus $40 per person, per tour. If cancelled within 48 hours of your tour start time, the tour is non-refundable. Custom, group bookings (ten or more participants) and promotional priced tours are non-refundable upon booking confirmation.

*Cancellation or Resecheduling Fee for our Hoover Dam Tour is $65. Once we buy a permit we cannot return or change it with the park service.

*We try to accommodate folks the best we can by rescheduling for a different date or holding a credit for a future visit. Please note: these courtesies are based on manager discretion and additional fees may apply.

We have several lunch choices that our guests can choose from. We get our lunches catered from a local deli. The deli uses the freshest ingredients and puts together the tastiest combination of condiments on all the sandwiches. This is also done to avoid extra waste and plastic use while on the river. If you have a special request, prefer any condiment on the side, or have allergies, please let us know and we can make most modifications work. The lunches come with a hearty sandwich, a bag of chips, a dill pickle, and a giant homemade chocolate chip cookie.

Yes: our single kayaks are under 240 lbs. capacity and our 2-seater tandem kayaks can support under 480lbs. with neither passenger weighing over 240 lbs.

We always recommend a tandem kayak if you are questioning comfort because the openings (cockpits) are a little larger. Our singles are more streamlined and are more "tippy."

We call the Emerald Cave "the cherry on top" of a beautiful day in the canyon. The cave is often thought of as a tunnel that you paddle through, but it is NOT. Often people think there are a cluster of caves or caverns that they will explore, again, this is NOT true. The cave is a small cutout of the mountain. We bring our guests there to "back up into" it so they can capture a pretty photo and learn about why the cave became so famous. Things to be aware of: the cave may not always glow the beautiful emerald color that is often seen in photos; it depends on several factors: time of day, amount of cloud cover, etc. We share the river with others and the busy season for kayaking is in the summer, which means there is often a wait to enter this area. We ask that you bring your patience and enjoy the marvel of the gorgeous canyon we paddle.