Las Vegas Kayak Tours — Emerald Cave, Black Canyon & Lake Mead
The Colorado River and Lake Mead put calm, turquoise water within an hour of the Strip — choose the Emerald Cave paddle, the Black Canyon below Hoover Dam, or a Lake Mead sunset tour.
Available
5 options
Avg. rating
4.6 - 6,192 reviews
From
$91 USD
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
Kayak Tours: what to know before booking
The Colorado River and Lake Mead put calm, turquoise water within an hour of the Strip — choose the Emerald Cave paddle, the Black Canyon below Hoover Dam, or a Lake Mead sunset tour.
- Availability
- 5 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $91 USD before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.6 stars across 6,192 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Colorado River (Willow Beach, Emerald Cave, Black Canyon) and Lake Mead, ~45–60 minutes from the Strip
- Best time
- Early morning for glassy water and the brightest light inside Emerald Cave
- Ticket note
- Date- and launch-time specific; arrive 15 minutes before pickup or check-in
Kayak Tours in Las Vegas
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Everything you should know before you book
Few visitors realize that some of the clearest water in the Southwest sits an hour from the casino floor. The flat, emerald-green Colorado River and Lake Mead are ringed by sheer canyon walls, and guided kayak trips launch from Willow Beach and the Lake Mead shoreline. The Emerald Cave paddle — a short, beginner-friendly out-and-back to a glowing slot cove — is the most popular, while the Black Canyon trip drifts past hot springs directly below the Hoover Dam.
These are calm-water paddles, not whitewater. No experience is needed and most tours supply the kayak, paddle, life vest, and a guide, with many including round-trip Strip pickup. Morning departures get glassy water and the best cave light; the Lake Mead sunset tour trades the heat for golden-hour color on the cliffs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need kayaking experience for these tours?
No. The Colorado below Hoover Dam and Lake Mead are flat, calm water with no rapids, so the Emerald Cave and Black Canyon trips suit complete beginners. Guides give a short paddling briefing before launch.
What is the Emerald Cave kayak trip?
A short, beginner-friendly paddle on the Colorado to a slot cove that glows emerald green when sunlight hits the water. It's the most popular Vegas kayak tour, and the light is best in late morning.
Can I kayak below the Hoover Dam?
Yes — Black Canyon and Hoover Dam kayak tours launch just downstream of the dam and drift past sheer walls and natural hot springs on the Colorado. They're a calm-water alternative to a coach dam tour.