Hoover Dam Kayak Tour with Shuttle, Hot Springs and Emerald Cave, 8 hr - Image 1
Hoover Dam Kayak Tour with Shuttle, Hot Springs and Emerald Cave, 8 hr - Image 2
Hoover Dam Kayak Tour with Shuttle, Hot Springs and Emerald Cave, 8 hr - Image 3
Hoover Dam Kayak Tour with Shuttle, Hot Springs and Emerald Cave, 8 hr - Image 4
Hoover Dam Kayak Tour with Shuttle, Hot Springs and Emerald Cave, 8 hr - Image 5
Hoover Dam Kayak Tour with Shuttle, Hot Springs and Emerald Cave, 8 hr - Image 6

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Hoover Dam Kayak Tour with Shuttle, Hot Springs and Emerald Cave, 8 hr

TourTruth score 7.8 out of 10

GoodTop 20% in Las Vegas

178 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score

  • Las Vegas
  • 8 hrs
  • Updated November 4, 2026

Paddle 12 miles through Black Canyon to hot springs and Emerald Cave on a guided Hoover Dam kayak adventure with shuttle transportation.

About this tour

Trade the city for desert canyon scenery on a full-day Hoover Dam kayak tour along the Colorado River. Starting near the dam, paddle through Black Canyon and discover natural hot springs, waterfalls, quiet beaches and the striking Emerald Cave, with time to take photos and enjoy the river landscape.

This guided adventure covers about 12 miles by kayak and includes roughly 2 miles of hiking, so it calls for stamina rather than a leisurely float. Choose a single or double kayak and explore with a professional guide and safety equipment. Bottled water, a sandwich, bananas and granola bars are provided, along with private transportation. The tour lasts about 8 hours; meet at the Hoover Dam Lodge parking lot in Boulder City. A National Park permit is required and costs extra.

See Hoover Dam from the water, then follow the Colorado River into the rugged beauty of Black Canyon. Book your Hoover Dam kayak tour for a memorable day of paddling and exploration.

Highlights

  • Paddle 12 miles through Black Canyon on the Colorado River
  • Explore natural hot springs, waterfalls, scenic beaches and Emerald Cave
  • Admire views of Hoover Dam from the river
  • Choose a single or double kayak
  • Enjoy a guided full-day adventure with shuttle transportation

What's included

Included

  • 8-hour kayak tour from the Hoover Dam
  • Views of Hoover Dam from the Colorado River
  • Bottled water
  • Sandwich, bananas and granola bars
  • Private transportation
  • Professional guide
  • Choice of single or double kayaks and safety equipment

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Hoover Dam admission

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

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Important information

  • Meet in the parking lot at Hoover Dam Lodge, U.S. 93, Boulder City, NV 89005
  • A National Park permit is not included: $30 plus a $1.80 booking fee per adult, or $15 plus a $1 booking fee for ages 16 and under; the operator will contact you to arrange it
  • Launching permits are non-refundable
  • The route involves 12 miles of kayaking and about 2 miles of hiking; this is a strenuous activity, not a leisure float
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  • A moderate level of physical fitness and stamina is required
  • Not recommended for travelers who are pregnant, have spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, heart, back or shoulder problems, or physical limitations
  • Maximum weight is 300 lb per person
  • Infants must sit on an adult's lap
  • Service animals are allowed
  • Bring water shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimsuit and towel; layered clothing is recommended seasonally
  • Bring your own snacks if you have food allergies or sensitivities
  • Alcohol and smoking are not allowed

Frequently asked questions

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 8 hours, with the kayaking route covering 12 miles and hiking covering about 2 miles.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet in the parking lot at Hoover Dam Lodge on U.S. 93 in Boulder City, Nevada.

Is a National Park permit included?

No. The permit costs $30 plus a $1.80 booking fee per adult, or $15 plus a $1 booking fee for ages 16 and under. The operator will contact you to arrange it.

How physically demanding is the tour?

It is a strenuous adventure requiring moderate fitness and stamina, with 12 miles of kayaking and about 2 miles of hiking.

What should I bring?

Bring water shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a swimsuit and a towel. Layered clothing is recommended depending on the season.

How this score is calculated

This tour scores 4.89 on Viator and 4.43 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.

How the score works and rating distribution in Las Vegas
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 7.8. Top 20% in Las Vegas means it ranks in the top 20% of tours in Las Vegas by this score.

Provider rating distribution in Las Vegas

How many tours in Las Vegas have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

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