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    Blazin' Paddles

    4.9 (215 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

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    Our family. One tandem kayak and one single.
    Annette A.

    This is our second time kayaking with Blazin' Paddles and it was a great time again! We brought our adult son. He said he had never been kayaking, but he was a natural and had fun. Jeff and Damian were great guides. Definitely recommend.

    Emerald cave
    Kristin H.

    Great time was had by all. Jeff was awesome and his partner (I forgot her name, sorry) was most helpful.

    Christine G.

    Full day kayak tour, 12miles on the Colorado River, Lake Mojave. Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Hoover Dam. Willow Beach. My 1st time on the 12mi tour. We start our journey on the backside of the Hoover Dam. Tour Guide Jeff takes us to a hot springs cave where the water in some areas is over 100*F. It was a bit tricky to climb up, but he's very helpful in guiding us up the hike. Also he took us to a natural waterfall with hot springs called Gold Strike Hot Springs. Absolutely stunning. The company provides lunch, snacks and plenty of water along the way. Meet time is 6am, launch times 630-7am. They offer 12ft single kayak or a 2 seater tandem. The kayaks are sturdy and very easy to navigate even through the rough parts of the tour. Yes there is wind and a strong river current. I'm so happy I completed this journey. I feel totally peaceful and relaxed. My soul is refreshed and revitalized Highly Recommend Solo traveler

    Emerald Cave.
    Rieul G.

    I did the half day trip exactly 3 years ago and was very impressed by how the experience was just as amazing as back then. Our two guides Chelsea and Eric were awesome. Jamaica, whom I liaised with the day before, was also helpful during the buildup to the kayaking experience, ensuring we received relevant information well beforehand. The combination of exercise and nature was just what I needed as I really felt the need to get away from the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas. It was so relaxing to get on the van at Hoover Dan Lodge. The kayaks were waiting for us at Willow Beach. The guides explained everything so well, so even if you are a beginner, you don't have to worry about anything. They provided water and snacks, which was great too.

    My family
    Becky S.

    My family of 6 had an amazing experience with our half day guided tour. We saw some amazing caves and had a history lesson on the Colorado River and the Gaugers. Our guide, Melissa, was super friendly and knowledgeable. I would definitely suggest this trip to everyone.

    Our first stop -sauna cave
    Scott O.

    We did a full day unguided Colorado River kayak trip with Blazin Paddles. It was excellent all around. We had some challenges on my side before we got there and they handled everything perfectly, including changing a name on the park permit which is not easy to get completed. The company was very organized. The kayaks were in great shape, very comfortable. Nicole was our driver and so much more. She showed us the ropes and told us about every must stop spot on the river as well as what to avoid and why. She recommended Dillengers for dinner and it was excellent and reasonable. She helped make a lifetime memory with my boys. Thank you!!!

    Inside Emerald cave
    Marie F.

    Excellent communication before the trip by WhatsApp, superb tour guide and equipment, had a lovely experience. Would recommend! We did the half day black canyon kayak tour that included a visit to emerald cove. The day before our tour we had a very detailed WhatsApp message from Jamaika which included pictures and details of where to go for our pickup. This communication was SO very welcome as not all tour operators were as helpful. Thank you Jamaika for making this so easy! We were picked up by our tour guide (apologies, I didn't save your name!) who was great and allowed us to enjoy the tour at our pace. We stopped off and did a little hike to see the beautiful views and learn some facts about the area. We then went onto the Emerald cove which had a queue of around 20mins. It's a tiny space and what you see in the pictures online is all of the cave, not a small part as I thought it may be. I'm glad we did the cave part but if the queues are too long and you don't want to wait, you aren't missing out on much. It was hot and windy which made it tough to paddle back to the start, but it was super fun and the cool wind and icy water was a very welcome relief from that heat! We had a great day! Thank you for the wonderful experience, we will see you again soon!

    The Emerald Cove
    Peter P.

    Our tour guide, Melissa, was extremely knowledgeable of the Black Canyon River geography, flora, and fauna. She provided fun trivia and even helped the group take photos, A+ work! Squirt guns are included in the kayak to soak your companions/adversaries. A bottle of water was provided along with plenty of snacks (granola bars, fig bars,, gold fish crackers, fruit gummies).

    Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Jacqueline T.

    A friend told me she had been eyeing this tour. It looked beautiful so we decided to book it when we were in the Vegas area. We did the half day tour. The scenery was gorgeous. The green, clear water color blew me away. If you saw pictures of Emerald Cave glowing, know that that only happens at a specific time of day so there's a good chance you won't see it exactly like that but it's still beautiful. During peak times, apparently there are huge lines to get into Emerald Cave, but we were the first group there at the end of October so we didn't have to wait. I thought the tour was too slow paced personally. They allow all skill levels and take it really slow because of that. The water is very flat and calm. I feel this way about most kayak tours though. I'd rather just rent a kayak and do it on my own, but that's not an option at some places. All in all, I'm still glad we did it and I think it's worth doing. If you have your own kayak (or a way of renting a kayak and getting it to Willow Beach), I'd go the do it yourself route.

    Kristen M.

    My brother came to town during our scorching hot weather and wanted to hike...no thanks so I had to find something else for us to do and Blazin Paddles was the PERFECT SOLUTION!! 100% recommended the twilight paddle and Chris as your guide. He's so knowledgeable and makes you feel like he's just your cool a$$ responsible friend taking you out on the river for a fun time. He gave recommendations on hikes while we were driving to Willow Beach. He made sure we all know how to safely get in and out of our kayaks. We stopped along the way for some history lessons. We had all types of weather but it was such an awesome trip!! Not only is Chris a great guide, he takes fabulous photos. On our way back to dock we stopped and fire roasted some dogs and had s'mores. We had a great group of locals. If you get a chance to do this, I highly recommend it. I will be back for the full day paddle!

    We did the whole day tour with Jeff as our tour guide. He was absolutely fantastic! Very knowledgeable, informative and patient. The whole day tour was amazing and I highly recommend it. We had a few stops to experience the hot springs along the way. The scenery was beautiful and peaceful. We were not experienced kayakers and did just fine! Highly recommend this company; they are fantastic!

    Frogs on the walk into a hot spring
    S U.

    We had a most fantastic day on and in the river with Jamaika! We did the full day and think she ordered up the best weather and conditions for us. Such a fun experience we hadn't done here. The first 9+ miles were so amazingly beautiful and quiet - picture perfect! Very relaxing day. Loved being away from the strip, casinos and crowds! Highly recommend!!!!

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    Everything went well. The guide Chelsea was so smart about the area. The peaceful night was so medicinal. Water was beautiful & clean.

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    Ask the Community - Blazin' Paddles

    How much is the tour for the emerald cave?

    Several options. Each has a price. You can go with a tour (full-day or half-day) or simply rent a kayak at Willow Beach and paddle there yourself (2 miles). Look up kayak tour or Willow Beach for latest prices.

    Kayaking possible in December as well?

    Hello! Unfortunately our business will be closed for the winter season from November 15-Feburary 15! It is possible to still kayak though as there are some other companies that will be open during the winter months.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Blazin' Paddles

    We had plenty of time to kayak out to Emerald Cave, take a couple of swimming breaks, and snap a few group photos.

    Mentioned in 25 reviews

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    Desert Adventures

    Desert Adventures

    4.4
    (189 reviews)
    5.0 mi

    My husband and I did the full-day Black Canyon kayak tour with Desert Adventures and I seriously…read morecan't recommend it enough. I grew up in Vegas and have been on this river a ton by boat, and I've also hiked to both Gold Strike and Arizona Hot Springs. Those hikes are super rewarding but honestly brutal. This experience was completely different in the best way. Being able to get out of the river and be steps away from hot springs was amazing, and the views from the water are hands down the best. We met the team bright and early at 5:30am for launch, and everything was super smooth. They shuttled us, got us fitted for life jackets, handled waivers, and gave a quick safety rundown. Launch timing is strict because of the park service, but they made it feel easy and not stressful at all. Definitely be on time, though, because due to this strict timing, they will leave without you. The kayaks were such a game-changer. They were longer touring kayaks with foot-controlled rudders, dry storage, and actual back support. Super comfortable for me and somehow also worked great for my 6'2" husband (he had a larger boat). Since it was just the two of us, our guide Holmes customized the whole day to our pace. He took us to hidden spots I had never seen before, even as a local, and helped us avoid crowds. We did some hiking, rock scrambling, used ropes at Boy Scout Canyon, and explored hot springs that you can only get to from the river. It felt adventurous but still very safe, and he gave great tips the whole time. He also knew so much about the area. History of the Hoover Dam, plants, wildlife, etc. I learned a ton - even as someone who felt familiar with the area. This is exactly why I'm glad we didn't just rent kayaks. Having a guide made it feel like a next-level experience. We got to relax more while he handled the route and found the best spots. We got lucky with perfect early April weather. No wind, super glassy water, and we could see fish deep in the water. The 12 miles honestly felt way easier than expected, especially with how well Holmes guided us through the current so we could just float and chill a lot of the time. They also packed a great lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. You really just need a sun shirt, hat, sunglasses, swimsuit, water shoes, and sunscreen. They take care of the rest. Even though we leaned a little more adventurous, I could totally see this being doable for beginners, too. You don't need to be super athletic to enjoy it. Pickup and cleanup were easy and seamless. They handled everything while I grabbed a snack and relaxed, which honestly made it feel even more special. This was such a cool experience, and I would 100% do it again. Already recommending it to friends, and I would definitely consider doing the overnight version next time.

    Desert Adventures is great! We did a self led excursion…read moredown the Colorado river but used this company to drop us off and pick us up! They provided a large trailer with ample shelves and space to put are gear onto. A safety speech was also given. This company has special authorization to enter the Hoover Dam property and take people down to launch from the entrance of the Hoover Dam. They instructed you to move quickly as there was a time limit for getting everyone/everything Into the water and away from the area. The next day, they were prompt with their pick up and helped us load our gear back onto the trailer. I would definitely use this company again and recommend them to others.

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    Launch at Hoover Dam
    Launch at Hoover Dam
    Desert Adventures
    Fun day, fun times!

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    Fun day, fun times!
    Hoover Dam Rafting Adventures

    Hoover Dam Rafting Adventures

    4.5
    (60 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    Loved this!! Very interesting !! The best way to see the arch bridge and the Hoover dam…read more Victor had tons of experience w the windy skinny road (don't blink LOL) plus a lot of knowledge about the Hoover dam an nature that comes to Hoover dam Matt was are awesome tour guide plus captain great dude too very smart and tons of experience Alsk didn't let us get to over heated He showed us the only island that under ground at night but during the day it's visible we actually got pug an wslked it put are feet in GREAT TIME VERY INTERESTING WORTH EVERY PENNY Ohh also side note bring tip money for them both Ull regret if not There both are outstanding w the job!!

    Book this tour was super easy. Once we made our payment we were emailed instructions on where to…read moremeet. My husband and I went on this tour on a Sunday. We were told that the raft could hold about 32 people, but we were lucky because on tour we had a total of 17, which was nice. We were also given a bag with snacks and a bottle of water, which was great to snack on during the tour. We met our driver at the Hoover Dam lodge. There was a lot of parking available, which made it easy. Our driver was super friendly and very informative. He took us to the raft to meet our tour guide. Our tour guide wasn't welcoming to my husband and I, but as other guests loaded onto the raft, his attitude changed. As we started the tour we stayed at the same spot for 30 minutes. Our guide passed out pictures in sheet protectors and began sharing about the history of the Hoover dam. Throughout the tour, our guide was testing us about our history. We didn't know much of it, that's why we attended the tour to learn. The best part of the tour was us getting out of the raft and landing on a piece of land to touch the water and skip rocks and take more photos. It was nice to see a few mini waterfalls and even a hot spring! I did wished we went deeper into the dam, but I guess that would've been for the longer tour. Also, I wish we could've swam in the lake, but it was very chilly. It was a great experience, however, the initial encounter with our guide was uncomfortable. We learned a lot and the views were amazing.

    Photos
    Base of the Hoover Dam
    Base of the Hoover Dam
    Getting started
    Getting started
    Beached at one of the hot springs

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    Beached at one of the hot springs
    Desert River Outfitters

    Desert River Outfitters

    4.3
    (71 reviews)
    65.0 mi

    If you're even thinking about booking a kayak trip--just do it. And do it with Desert River…read moreOutfitters. My friend and I had the most incredible experience kayaking out of Willow Beach to the Emerald Caves, and I genuinely cannot say enough good things about this team. From the moment we arrived, everything felt organized, welcoming, and thoughtfully run. As a first-time kayaker, I was a little nervous--but that disappeared almost instantly thanks to how clearly everything was explained and how patient and encouraging the staff were. Blair was absolutely amazing--friendly, knowledgeable, and just one of those people who makes you feel at ease right away. And Wolfe (his adorable dog!) completely stole my heart. It honestly added such a fun, personal touch to the whole experience. The rest of the staff were just as fantastic--super attentive, upbeat, and clearly passionate about what they do. The trip itself? Unreal. The water at Willow Beach is stunning, and paddling into the Emerald Caves felt like something out of a dream. The views, the calmness, the whole atmosphere--it was the perfect mix of adventure and peace. What really stood out to me was how safe and comfortable they made me feel the entire time. They took the time to make sure I understood everything, checked in along the way, and made sure we were enjoying ourselves. You can tell they genuinely care about their guests having a great experience. 10/10, beyond worth it, and I would book with them again in a heartbeat. If you want a fun, beautiful, and genuinely memorable day--this is it.

    Blair was great. We were going much faster than we thought so finished the trip in one day and…read morereached out to see if he could pick us up instead of camping and he did it when he totally didn't need to! Super appreciated and big fan! Would recommend to anybody. The trip was awesome! Also gave us great recommendations for places to go and stay in Vegas afterwards!

    Photos
    Hoover Dam in the back, awesome view!
    Hoover Dam in the back, awesome view!
    Camped and admiring everything.
    Camped and admiring everything.
    Desert River Outfitters

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    Blazin' Paddles - tours - Updated July 2026

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