A full-day Black Canyon kayak adventure from the base of Hoover Dam
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7 Hours
12 Miles
Active Paddlers
A Full Day on the River, Starting at the Base of Hoover Dam Itself
A Full-Day Black Canyon Kayak Adventure from Hoover Dam
Evolution Expeditions holds the permit that gets you here: an up-close view of Hoover Dam from the water, starting with a descent down the original road carved into the canyon walls during the dam's 1930s construction. From there, you'll paddle the Colorado River through Black Canyon — twelve miles of it — steaming inside a natural sauna cave, soaking in geothermal hot springs tucked into side canyons, and jumping into the river at stops along the way. This is Evolution's flagship trip, and it's the one most guests plan their whole day around.
What You'll See Along the Way
Over the twelve miles, keep an eye out for desert bighorn sheep, coyote, falcons, bald eagles, and migratory waterfowl, plus the history behind the 1921 water gauging sites still visible in the canyon. The route follows a stretch of the Black Canyon National Water Trail, where canyon walls tower up to 1,500 feet above the river.
Who This Tour Is For
This is a real physical day on the water — a twelve-mile paddle that takes about seven hours, built for beginners who are up for the challenge and advanced paddlers who won't be disappointed. You'll want to be reasonably fit, and you'll be in full desert sun for most of the day, so bring a swimsuit for the hot springs and river stops, plus a hat and sunscreen. Prefer a shorter route to the same dam? See the Hoover Dam Discovery via Lake Mead tour instead.
Tour Highlights
Paddle to the Dam’s Base
Launch beneath Hoover Dam and paddle right past its massive intake towers.
Soak in Hidden Hot Springs
Steam inside a natural sauna cave, then soak in geothermal hot spring pools tucked into side canyons.
Canyon Beach Stops
Cool off with a swim in the Colorado River at several stops along the way.
12 Miles Through Black Canyon
Spot desert bighorn sheep, falcons, and bald eagles as you paddle the full length of Black Canyon.
What to Bring
Hat, sunglasses, & sunscreen
Water shoes, sandals, or old tennis shoes (no flip-flops or slides, please)…you will get wet up to your knees.
Swimsuit — for the hot springs soak and river swim stops
Layered clothing (swimsuit & layers for warmth & UV protection, preferably no cotton or denim)
Camera/Phone for pictures
Cash for souvenirs & tips
Government-issued photo ID — required for everyone to access the Hoover Dam launch site
What’s Included
Premium equipment — touring kayaks and life jackets
A catered lunch of your choice, plus bottled water, juice, and snacks
Local professional guides knowledgeable in Black Canyon and Hoover Dam history
Paddlers of all levels welcome — beginners up for a challenge or advanced paddlers
Meeting Point
Boulder City, NV18000 US-93, Boulder City, NV 89005
Additional Information
Tour Information
Duration: Seven hours
Season: Year-round
Kayak distance: 12 miles through Black Canyon
Special requirement: Must be physically fit enough to complete a 12-mile active paddle
Meeting: Boulder City meet-up for self-drive guests; shuttle guests are picked up at a Las Vegas hotel
Highlights: Hoover Dam, Black Canyon, hidden hot springs, and 1921 water gauging sites
Includes: Catered lunch, bottled water, juice, and snacks
Guides: Professional guides knowledgeable in local history
Access to the Hoover Dam launch location is restricted. A participant permit is secured on a first-come, first-served basis. Forty-five permits are issued each day by the National Park Service and sell out in advance, so advance booking is highly recommended.
Please remember to bring a government-issued photo ID. Security personnel manage the Hoover Dam launch site and will deny access without valid identification.
Shuttle Service
Las Vegas Resort & Hotel pickup times may vary by location. Pick-up times are between 90 and 110 minutes before tour start times. Please be courteous to other participants and promptly show up on time at the tour bus area or launch location provided on the confirmation email. Please have your cellular phone on and available. Shuttles generally arrive back to Las Vegas Resort & Hotels between 90 and 120 minutes after the kayak tour ends. Shuttle times vary with traffic.
This tour follows a stretch of the Black Canyon National Water Trail, a National Park Service–designated water trail winding through Lake Mead National Recreation Area from the base of Hoover Dam down to Willow Beach. Canyon walls tower up to 1,500 feet above the Colorado River, and the trail’s narrow side canyons hide natural hot springs, historic sites, and desert wildlife found nowhere else in the area.
It's a full-day tour — seven hours, covering twelve miles through Black Canyon from the base of Hoover Dam.
Yes. A government-issued photo ID is required for everyone to access the Hoover Dam launch site, and security personnel will check it.
It's a real physical day — a twelve-mile paddle — so you should be reasonably fit. It's open to beginners who are up for the challenge as well as advanced paddlers, with certified guides throughout.
Along the route, you'll steam inside a natural sauna cave and soak in geothermal hot spring pools tucked into the side canyons of Black Canyon.
Yes — the Hoover Dam Discovery via Lake Mead tour is a 5-hour, 3.6-mile round trip on Lake Mead to a view of the front of the dam, for guests who don't want the full 12-mile Black Canyon route.
Premium touring kayaks and life jackets, a catered lunch of your choice, bottled water, juice, snacks, and a guide knowledgeable in Black Canyon and Hoover Dam history.
Choose Lake Mead or the Colorado River — two distinct sunset kayak tours, each with its own meeting point. Watch the canyon walls turn gold as the sun sets, then stay for dinner, s’mores, and stargazing on the shore.
From$149.99
3 Hours · Per personLake Mead: Hemenway Harbor, Boulder City, NV 89005Colorado River: Willow Beach Marina, Willow Beach, AZ
