My third river adventure with these guys. Smooth operation, guides that truly love their job, so accommodating, very thorough on safety, great gear. Well worth every penny. Special shout out to Gianni. read more

Desert Adventures came as advertised on their website. Very helpful when calling to make reservation. Pick up and drop off at Vegas hotel was super convenient. Antonio was an amazing guide and super knowledgeable!! He knows his stuff and shares what he has learned about the area in an endearing way. Words can't do the trip justice. You have to experience it for yourself. Go for it ;). read more

My husband and I did the Black Canyon kayak adventure yesterday and it was great. We had a good time and learned a lot. Antonio was our guide and he was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. I really recommend giving it a try. I was impressed at the great location at the bottom of the Hoover Dam where the adventure begins and it was so pretty and I had never had the opportunity to be down there and experience that view of the dam. Everyone was very nice from the shuttle bus driver to the customer service that helped me book the trip. If you are lucky to get Antonio as your guide, he is at home out there on the river and even other tour guides commented to us about his high level of experience! Thanks Antonio for the unforgettable time! read more

I went on a kayaking tour with Desert Adventures this past weekend and all I can say is WOW. Their customer service is something every company needs to take a lesson from. Jessica in their office took my last minute conundrum in stride and really helped me out (another company had screwed me over). Joel was my tour guide and he was funny, knowledgeable of the area and a pleasure to kayak with. Thanks a bunch also to everyone in the shop who makes everything run the way it did! read more

I was born and raised in Las Vegas and understand the Weather Conditions .You say a whole lot of double talk and act as your staff is well trained. The day we went out the NPS was out rescuing your Kayaking guests. The wife and I chose to finish paddling to the pick up point . Our trip was years ago and if not for reading another review stating the same nonsense took place to them I would of never took the time to document the incident. I hope you are true to the training and decision making you speak of when you decide to drop off guests reguardless whether it's a guided-or not. What I've experienced with your company wasn't what you speak of taking place. I hope no one ever gets hurt or killed because you should or did know of existing /upcoming weather conditions . My one star review stands. read more

12 mile kyack trip on the colorado with gabe, our guide, did not disappoint. i highly recommend you request gabe for his manners, knowledge, friendliness and much more. thank you desert adventures. anne j from alabama read more

I have planned 5 canoe trips for my Boy Scout troop since 2016 with Desert Adventures and the staff has been very responsive and helpful every time. Their service is excellent and equipment, over 20 canoes, was always clean and in great condition. I highly recommend Desert Adventures to any large group looking for a memorable canoe adventure. read more

Well-stocked little store. Lots of wilderness & kayak safety certifications available. I have not done a wilderness tour so the 5 stars are only for the store. Fair prices, too, compared to REI, etc. read more

Desert Adventures - Lots of useful camping & safety gear. River shoes a must for ziplining & rocky beaches like Boulder Beach, Lake Mead. - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Boulder City, Nevada

We've used various outfitters but Desert Adventures is by far the best! Our group of 19 had an outstanding time & I'm still getting thanks for arranging our trip through Desert Adventures. Their professionalism, focus on continued training for team members & personal attention to detail was outstanding! Special shout-out to Ms. Melissa in office for her thoroughness in explaining everything to us. These were 2 days, 1 night on the river that we'll never forget! read more

Desert Adventures - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Boulder City, Nevada

Me and 9 of my girlfriends decided on the two day Backpacking trip. It was simply beautiful. Most of us were trying Backpacking for the first time. The trail was moderate, as mentioned. We ranged in fitness level. We were able to complete the trail, with minor challenges. The Hot Springs was breath taking. Dessert Adventures was beyond professional. From the time Scott picked us up at the Casino, we knew we were in great hands. Each time I called Jessica, she was extremely helpful. During the hike, our guide Satara was extremely knowledgeable. She was certainly passionate about her craft. She made sure our backpacks were filled correctly with essential items. She answered any questions we had during the hike. The best part was Satara's positive attitude. No matter how many times we asked the same question, because we did, she answered pleasantly. Satara went above and beyond in preparing our dinner and breakfast. It was delicious. She taught us so much about nature and how to survive in it. Most of us fell in love with nature and want to Backpack again. Thanks to Dessert Adventures, we didn't have to worry about anything. All of our equipment was provided. I forgot my water shoes and a kind gentleman with Dessert Adventures provided me a pair. We forgot our lunches at the shop. Although, it turned out to be the best mistake. We appreciated the lunches much more once we arrived back at the shop, on Sunday. Most of us had a big breakfast on Saturday, which was advised. I would actually suggest providing the lunches on Sunday. The pleasant attitude continued on Sunday. Scott dropped us off. Although, not without a history lesson of Nevada, LOL. We loved it. We created so many memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you Dessert Adventures. With a special thanks to Satara. She was a Rockstar. read more

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Great experience if you're vacationing in Vegas. If you really want to see the Hoover Dam(I mean really), then you've got to go kayaking on the Colorado like we did. You simply rent a kayak/canoe from them, and they let you kayak from the base of the Hoover Dam all the way down the Colorado. Tip: Don't get the two person sit on top kayaks because it takes more power to get it going. You can also get other gear from them if you want to go camping. Its really cool, you can bathe in Hot Springs and hike quite a bit. It's beautiful. Another fine review by S.G. Whoop, whoop, whoop! read more

Imagine paddling through moonlight water on a hot summer night. I enjoyed the experience quite a bit. Four of us packed a picnic with food from our favorite local shop (Valley Cheese and Wine) and met up at the Desert Adventure office in Boulder City. Desert Adventures is easy to get to off 95. The staff provide safety gear, dry bags, water and watermelon. We got in the water around 6:30 PM, kayaked for about 20 minutes into Lake Mead. Then we headed into a cove where we set up our picnic spot and waited for the darkness. It was really beautiful. We ate, chat, enjoyed the desert night and then kayaked back to Lake Mead beach a little after 9:30 PM. I would have enjoyed the trip more if it was a little more cool and less windy. I bet the kayak on the Colorado is amazing and I can't wait to try it. FYI, some of the other travelers drank a good portion of the excursion so, if you're into that, feel free to indulge yourself. The kayaking is minimal. For the moonlight kayak trip, out-of-shape people have nothing to worry about, unless they can't stand the heat. Wear durable flip flops or shoes you don't mind getting wet. read more

On 7/5/2017 we did the self guided kayak trip in Black Canyon. We brought three of our own kayaks and rented two tandem's for our party of eight. The transport crew, Reid and Dani could not have been more friendly or helpful. They helped load and secure our kayaks on the trailer and made sure we had plenty of room to load our gear. Reid offered colorful stories about the construction of the Hoover Dam as we drove to the launch point and you could tell that he loved his job. After carrying our personal kayaks and related gear to the water, I started up the hill for the two tandem rentals and I saw that Reid an Dani were carrying both of them down the hill. I said that I would take Dani's end of the kayaks the remainder of the way but they told me they had it and continued to the waters edge. They provided us with maps of the river and said they would pick us up at Willow Beach at 4:00pm. Our group had a terrific day on the river with hardly any wind. Several in our group had experienced a high wind, blow you backwards day several years ago so we had a great appreciation for the calm day. We arrived to the pick up location 15 minutes early and Reid and Dani were ready to load us up. After the load, they asked if anyone need a restroom or anything from the marina before heading back. On the drive back we were given frozen ice pops and they were enjoyed by all. Back at the parking lot Reid let me move my truck and moved his trailer to make the loading easer. Everyone in our group had a great day on the water even with the heat. The next day I got a call from Melissa at Desert Adventures and learned that we left two of our seat cushions in the back of the van. I picked up the cushions and thanked them for the call. I always appreciate good customer service. read more

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My daughter recommended us taking this trip. Besides sharing time with her and everyone, it was the best experience in Vegas. We rented 2 kayaks and 1 canoe and did a self guided tour. What a great adventure. It was like being on a lazy river. It was so quiet, serene and beautiful. From beginning to end is supposed to take 8 hours. The only thing I regret, is not checking out all the landmarks (stops) on the map and we got to the end too quick. It's 13-1/2 miles. The one we did stop at was the natural hot springs. That was incredible. The only bad part was climbing up a metal ladder to reach them but we all did it. I would recommend lots of sunscreen, good water shoes that can be used for hiking, snacks and water. There are so many places, small sand/rock beaches, where you can stop and explore. We went last Monday, April 25th. Found out that was the perfect day of the week to go. Motor boats weren't allowed on Mondays except for the river patrol. We all loved the experience and thought they all did an amazing job. It is a long day so would recommend stopping and taking your time. We made it back early so had to wait for the ride back to the car. It's an incredible time and we all want to do it again. read more

I know I made it difficult for Desert Adventures, But there service was the Best. Clear communication leading up to the trip I planned with both my sons for Fathers Day weekend. The process of meeting in the morning went well and the excite built at we got closer to the river launch. Getting the Kayaks down to the river was a team effort and they help with picture taking below the Hover dam. The hikes to the hot springs were a welcome break and our guide was very helpful. Our guide did a great job telling us about everything you could want to know about the river, dam, history fishing you name it he could tell you. Lunch was well planned . Our trip back even included a quick stop at a park to see wild Mountain goats. read more

My husband and I just got done with a 7 mile roundtrip hike to an overlook roughly 2000 feet above the Colorado River (I don't remember the name, Arc something). Gary was our guide and he was awesome. He kept a brisk pace, but stopped often enough to point out rock formations, plants, insects, etc. We were supplied with a backpack, water bottle, & lunch that I preordered when booking the hike (chef salad or various sandwiches- each came with an apple, bag of carrots, & a cookie-it came from a quaint little restaurant in the original part of Boulder City- it was good). The hike was definitely a challenge for my husband and I. The trail is not paved or an intricately cleared path. With no experience in trails, we could not have done the hike alone. I lost my footing several times (I was wearing tennis shoes), I highly recommend hiking shoes for better traction. Physically, I work out maybe 2-3 times a week doing up to 30 minutes of cardio, but I definitely had to stop several times to catch my breath after an uphill trek- especially after hiking back after lunch. By that point my lungs were tired and my legs felt like anchors. Towards the last mile back my feet started hurting and my lower back had tightened up. It was a relief to get back to the van. Overall, it was an excellent experience & the weather was perfect at 72, any hotter would've been more challenging or even unbearable. read more

We went on the three day kayak tour and it was amazing! It completely exceeded our expectations. Absolutely stunning scenery and wildlife. We loved the side treks into the slot canyons and the hot springs felt so good at the end of the day. Our guide, Randy, took such good care of us and the food was delicious. read more

Four friends and I had a weekend girls getaway in April 2021 and spent it with Desert Adventures doing the Black Canyon kayak trip. Desert Adventures and our guide Giani were great!! They picked us up at our hotel. Giani did a short but thorough safety briefing, assigned kayaks and we were off for our adventure. In about 10 minutes were were at the base of the dam and getting in the river. I can't say enough good things about Desert Adventures and Giani. They were very organized and had lots of extra hands to get us in and out of the river. As we made our way down the river, Giani showed us several caves, took us through some slot canyons and to hot springs. We pre-ordered our lunch. OMG! There must have been 1/2 pound of meat on the sandwiches and the Cobb salad. Excellent and refreshing after paddling down the river for several hours. Giani is such a knowledgeable, kind and understated man. He made a point to spend a few minutes with each kayaker, learning a little about them and making sure they were OK. As we made our way down the river, a couple of ladies needed help fighting the headwind coming up the river. Without fanfare, he tied a rope to their kayak and helped them get to our take out point where we were greeted with popsicles. Those little treats tasted really good after a day on the river! We were all a little tired at the end of the day, but in a good way. Don't think twice about another company. Go with Desert Adventures and ask to be on Giani's trip. He made it what it was!! Donna, Susan, Mary, Nora and Cheri read more

So many good things to say about our experience with this company. Amazing customer service from pre booking to pick up. The owner and all staff members we encountered were nothing but helpful and kind. We cannot wait to book our next adventure with them. read more

THE GREATEST KAYAKING TOUR! Just completed 12 miles on the Colorado River and had a BLAST!! From the first phone call to the drop off EVERYONE was so wonderful to interact with. This alone made the trip worth it but the Hoover Dam, the river, the wild life and the hot springs....such a perfect day! Our guide, Ghryll was so fun and knowledgeable; makes for added fun throughout the day. I would definitely recommend going trough Desert Adventures for any adventure you think you might want to try in the Vegas area! read more

My wife and I did the 4 day, 3 night kayak trip and i have to agree with most of the reviews. Reid was our tour guide and it was just the three of us throughout the 25 mile trip downriver. We had an absolutely wonderful time and would definitely do it again! It started with a morning launch from the base of the Hoover dam, which is awesome, in itself. Reid has spent the weekend preparing food and menus. My wife is allergic to gluten and Reid, having found this out at the last minute, spent a great deal of time preparing and shopping for gluten free products. He came well prepared, we had everything we needed right from the beginning. And for anyone who knows me, that's a miracle! From the first night (the ground is very hard, make sure you have a good pad!), till the last bit on the river, we had a great time. It's not an easy trip as we had to spend much of the time paddling into the wind, we made frequent stops to enjoy the scenery and enjoy the trip. Reid made sure we enjoyed ourselves and didn't feel too stressed to make it down the river. He knew all the great spots to stop, and even when the river was high, would scout additional locations for us and future trips. When the river was calm and he felt comfortable, Reid would give us plenty of space to enjoy our time together and on the river, just experiencing all of the beauty of the canyon around us. And let me tell you about the food. With one exception (had sandwiches the first day), every meal was home prepared and cooked by Reid from his own recipes. Absolutely wonderful! I would have lost weight on the trip had his cooking not been so good. We still want the chicken enchilada recipe he made! He definitely pampered us throughout the trip, lots of snacks, great food, great company! We sat at night and watched satellites in the sky, saw the Milky Way, learned about the constellations, on and on... For future trippers, i would recommend the following: Make sure you are prepared for the physical nature of the trip Have a good sleeping pad (They do provided these!) Bring something to flavor the water (four days of filtered river water can get boring) - Reid reiterated this several times, but i'm kinda dense And most importantly, ask for Reid, he's the best! read more

This was our first time kayaking. Our guide Gabriel was amazing. He explained the process made sure we were comfortable and we got on the water. My wife has a fear of open water and she jumped in with confidence. Gabe explained lots of history about the Colorado river. I couldn't recommend gabe more, he made us want to go buy some kayaks of our own and adventure more beautiful places! read more

Perfect Day! These folks have this down to a science. Use them for your outdoor activities while you're in town. You won't regret it. read more

We booked a 1/2 day kayaking trip that included being picked up/dropped off at our hotel in Vegas, lunch/snacks/water provided. We put in at Willow beach and kayaked up the river to Emerald Cave, stopping for a short hike and lunch, before returning down river. It was a spectacular way to see the Colorado River. Beautiful scenery every where you look. Our guide was Mack, who had the perfect personality for the job. He was entertaining, friendly, safe and knowledgeable. I asked many questions about our surroundings and such and he answered all my questions. Easy conversationalist. These things are important when you are stuck with this person that is responsible for your safety and your enjoyment of this trip. I had never been on a kayak in my life and was a tad nervous. The website we went through to book the trip (incredible adventures) listed it as being for beginners but I still wasn't sure. Once I got accustomed to the kayak and didn't feel like I would tip over(haha) it was smooth sailing, or paddling, after that. Lunch was provided from a local diner and was delicious. We had options to choose from and it included fruit, a cookie, and carrots with ranch. Thw sandwich itself was huge. We ate lunch in a little cove under an old cable car some surveyors used years and years ago. Pretty neat to see their trail and home (that's the hike you take). Then we kayaked into Emerald Cave. This little cave while beautiful to look out of is little. When you are inside of it the sun on the water outside of it makes the water glow this amazing green color. But only one kayak at a time really fits in. Not the four to five we tried to fit in! haha! Then we ended our up river adventure under the tower the surveyors I previously mentioned used back in the day. Very cool history along this stretch of river. It was smooth sailing with little paddling on our way back down. Spent a lot of the time chatting and looking for wildlife. There's supposedly and eagles nest along the hillside next to the river. We didn't get to see any eagles though. We saw plenty of long horned sheep. So neat to see them navigate the rocky hillside with little effort. Tips* Sunscreen, sunscreen, bring sunscreen!! The sun reflecting off the water will get you every time! I personally don't recommend children do this particular trip (up river). They have trips you put in up river and spend the day going down river. You are going with the current then and much easier-if the wind cooperates. Maybe if your kids are more athletic and adventurous than most. Don't forget the waterproof camera. But if you do, or you just don't want to risk yours, I think you can rent one from the guide. Hat and sunglasses! No flipflops! Gloves. Not everyone may need them. But I wished I would have gotten some gloves. Check out kayaks before you reserve your trip if this is new to you. My husband, who is not a large man, did not comfortably fit into the particular kayak he was given. He was very uncomfortable to the point it left bruises on him. He needs a sit on top kayak. We didn't know that. And being comfortable can make all the difference in the world when you are in the middle of paddling down a river. Just go to an outdoor store and try some out. Find what fits you. Relax. Enjoy your surroundings. Look down into the clear water and watch the fish swim beneath you. A trip I will never forget. read more

Desert Adventures - Longhorn sheep came down for a drink at Willow beach. - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Boulder City, Nevada

Rented a two person kayak for a half day (2-6pm) to Lake Mead. It was my first kayaking experience and I didn't really know what to expect except that I'd be tired. The staff that dropped off our kayak, Mack, was beyond helpful. He was genuinely passionate about the lake and nature it seems. He gave us several tips after going over the necessary rules/safety. We took his advice and paddled to the Hoover dam and back, we stopped at a pretty slot canyon and I even got out to scramble among the rocks. The continuous paddling was hard! Even though my bf and I are fairly athletic, it was kicking out butts. Here on out, I would get a boat with an engine. :) The views were lovely...we chose to go on a weekday (Friday) to avoid the possible Spring Break/weekend crowds....and it was a good call. It was such a quiet day and we didn't have to worry about too many boats/jet skiers. The only bummer was that we had to pay an entrance fee even though we own a National Parks pass. The person with Desert Adventures kept stating over the phone and in person that there was a $10 fee for entry into Lake Mead. We had no idea it was a national park and I didn't really look into it since they kept mentioning a fee. Maybe it'd be better to add, "If you have a National Parks Pass, it's accepted". Otherwise, great experience and would recommend it to those who haven't done it or are visiting. read more

I called Desert Adventure to reserve my kayak and the lady on the phone was very helpful. She made my reservation experience very easy and quick. As part of their good customer service they sent me an email reminder with some little tips so that you can enjoy your experience.. pretty much tons of sun screen and water. On the day of the rental we went to the store and signed some paper work, they already had all the info ready for us so we did not have to wait at all. We then proceeded to follow a guy to the marina and he gave us our kayak. So for just $60 bucks, we enjoyed a four hour trip to the lake mead in our double kayak. I know they also have paddle board and canoes Tip of the day: try not to go when is windy and it makes it very difficult to come back to land. read more

Very friendly staff! I was going to lake mead and needed a kayak for the day. They were very helpful. read more

Desert Adventures - Jackson kayak - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Boulder City, Nevada

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Just got back from Vegas and this was the highlight of our trip. We hiked the Gold Strike canyon with our amazing guide Antonio. It was the one thing we did in Vegas where we didn't have any hassles or issues. They were completely professional and organized. Supplied us with everything we needed backpacks, food, water and even binoculars since we forgot ours. Antonio was not only fun to go hiking with he was professional, patient and knew the canyon like the back of his hand. I had never been bouldering before this, but he gave me the confidence and encouragement to do something I didn't even know I was capable of. Most importantly he made our safety a top priority. This was a great experience and something I will remember for a lifetime. read more

Our experience with Desert Adventures was great! We wanted to try kayaking on Lake Mead, and they were suggested to us. It was $60 for a 2-person kayak from *10am-2pm (plus the $10 fee to get into Lake Mead). They meet you down at the lake and unload the kayak, and give you that basics (life jackets, paddles). We had a great time (and a great work out), and the price was right. The whole process couldn't have been easier. If you're looking for something fun to do off the strip, give them a try. * Technically, you aren't getting 4 hours of rental time. They meet you down at the lake, and the van with the kayaks leaves at 10am, so you really aren't going to be in your kayak before 10:20 or so. This wasn't a big deal for us, but it might bother some people. They're pretty cool about it, and would probably give you a few extra minutes if you asked. read more

(From Brandon & Lina). 1st off I would like to give a BIG shout out to the owner Ms Izzy & her protégée Mr. Joel. These guys made my 4 year anniversary special for my wife & I during our kayak adventure down the Colorado River. I strongly recommend booking this team for any adventure. They're very informative, knowledgeable, extremely friendly and just outstanding folk. We experienced lounging in the hot springs, rock climbing, I spotted a snake, Ms Izzy took photos of our experience, & They even lended us squirt guns while rafting! These people are a must-go to whenever I visit Las Vegas. This adventure was exactly what my wife & I needed. Peace & quiet & away from civilization. A true definition of a vacation. Thank you ms Izzy and Joe, I hope to see you guys again on my next trip to Vegas! read more

Hiked Gold Strike Canyon this past Monday. This was my very first experience hiking in the desert, much less "bouldering". If it wasn't for our guide, Antonio I'd probably still be stuck there with a panic attack. Antonio was extremely professional, knowledgeable, and a terrific guide. I mean, what guy would allow you to use his knee as a step stool? I started this hike freaking the funk out because I never experienced something like this and I ended it feeling like a conquered the world! If I ever went back to Vegas, it would be to Desert Adventures, not for the strip.... now if only we could get some night clubs in that canyon........ I'd never leave! read more

Very skilled and knowledgeable guide! I did the black canyon in a kayak. It started at Hoover dam and went 12 miles downstream. Lots of stops along the way. My guide was Matthew. He was a wealth of information! I will book this trip again. I want to come back every year! I love Desert Adventures! read more

Updated review: I had previously left a less than positive review. We had a great day on the river but that was in spite of the really poor and unhelpful attitude and service of a member of the staff. I'm editing because I just saw the response from the owner and very much appreciate her attempt to follow up and make things right. I very much appreciate it and would certainly give it another try. We did have a really fun day on the river. read more

This company is amazing! We launched from the Hoover Dam on 6/20 for what was supposed to be an overnight camping trip up to Willow Beach. The heat wave hitting Vegas right now has temps near 120 and we were worried about how we would sleep. We decided to go directly to Willow Beach and see if there was any way we could get picked up a day early. Despite a totally full load of people and kayaks, Kristen managed to get our gear packed into creative spaces and fit our 2 kayaks on to the haul. She went above and beyond normal customer service to make sure we didn't have to sleep in the heat. We were not on the schedule to get picked up until 4 pm the next day and she got us in an air conditioned truck by 4 pm the day before. Also, an important side note is that the entire time they were trying to figure out what to do with is, they were super pleasant and we never felt like a burden- that meant the world to me. I can't wait to come back and use this company again (during cooler days) to do my overnight! Thanks Kristin and THANK YOU Desert Adventures for saving my bucket list adventure! read more

We had trouble finding where they were loading but other than that it was fun. Beware that there is no help on the river so if you tip over you're on your own read more

My Soccer team from Georgia had a Kayak tour on April 16th and had a wonderful time. Antonio was fantastic at explaining the history and natural aspects of the area. It really made our tour outstanding! Mike and Antonio worked well as a team. Antonio also promoted some of your other adventures and we will be back next year to take advantage of them! A great lunch, snacks and unlimited fresh water was provided! I highly recommend Desert Adventures and hope to come back for an overnight Thanks Missy read more

Gary was a great guide and super knowledgable. I enjoyed myself and would definitely go again. read more

Desert Adventures - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Boulder City, Nevada

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On Friday September 21st, 2018, my wife and I took the Black Canyon tour with Desert Adventures. Our guide RANDY was wonderful, full of interesting information, and very accommodating to my disabled wife. We had a great day on the river and would recommend Desert Adventures to anyone looking to get on the water in a kayak. read more

Please read this carefully if you are considering an unguided canoe trip down Black Canyon, particularly if you plan to do it with children and it's a windy day. Summary: The company delivered what they said they would, and didn't deliver what they said they wouldn't. I wish that we had been given a stronger warning about the high wind (like don't do it with kids!), and been given advice about how to boat with an uneven weight distribution in those conditions. Our party consisted of 8 adults, 1 older teen, and 5 kids in the 12-15 year age range, on Labor Day weekend. We arranged for six canoes. We were called by Desert Adventures the day before and told that the forecast was for wind and that "we would be working" the next day. I have no complaints about the service they provided. Our group and a few others met at the arranged area at 6a, and were instructed on waste disposal, advised about where to find restrooms, and then warned again about our use of time and the wind, and to be sure to be Willow Beach checkpoint in time for the pickup. We were also reminded that it's an unguided tour and that we were on our own - there was little or no cell service, and that if you had an issue and could not get out on time, be prepared to spend the night, since it was still too hot to try to hike out. Like many of our group, I (an adult) was in a canoe with my child (12 years old). When we boarded the canoe, I asked the guide where we should sit, given the difference in our weights. He told me that I needed to be at the back to steer, and my daughter should sit up front. The drop off point below the Hoover Dam was amazing, and for two miles the river was peaceful. The wind/water changed at the 5th mile, and it required a bit of work to keep the canoe directed where we wanted. The beach at Arizona Hot Springs was nice but crowded with the boy scouts and others that had stayed there overnight. We did the short (and beautiful) hike to see the first hot springs, took a restroom and hydration break, and then got back in the canoes. Right after leaving the beach, my daughter and I had trouble maneuvering the boat in the wind and the choppy waters. We did okay if we could go bough-first, but if the boat were allowed to get sidewise, we would get sent upstream. We battled the wind for the next mile, crossing the river several times in our attempts to turn the boat, and then using the paddle on the sidewalls of the canyon to help us right it. At that point, we made our way into a cove where we noticed a lot of the boy scouts resting, and took the time to recover, and I let my daughter eat her lunch, as there was no way we were going to be able to eat (or even drink much water) if we wanted to keep the canoe going the right way. Others in our group stopped to rest too, and we talked about how challenging the last mile had been. When they were recovered, they asked if I wanted them to stay, but I told them to go ahead so my daughter could have her lunch and we wouldn't hold them up. For the next 2 hours, my daughter and I battled the wind and choppy water for two milesAt the eight mile (right after mile marker 56) we were stuck. We tried sticking to the sides of the canyon as the guide had suggested, but kept getting blown into the trees and bushes on the right side of the canyon. After more than ten attempts to get out of there, and because I was very concerned that my daughter would get injured in the bushes and branches we kept being blown into, I guided us over to a small beach. I texted other people in my group, but the texts went undelivered. Desperate, I tried calling the number for Desert Adventures listed on the map provided to us by the company. To my surprise, the call went through, and I explained our situation to the woman who answered. She told me that she was sorry we were in the situation, but that there was nothing they could do. They didn't have guided tours out, so they couldn't send a guide to help us. Her advice was to try to flag down a motorcraft and see if we could get help. My daughter and I got back in the canoe to try again. Within minutes we were caught between two bushes on the side of the river. To our great relief, we looked up and saw one of the other boats from our group heading upriver our way. Our rescuers battled through the chop and the whitecaps, towing us 1/3 mile to the rest of group. One of the men said he was impressed that we had made it so far. The problem was weight distribution in the canoe - my daughter is much lighter, and I was in the back. The wind easily got the front of the boat and turned us sideways. Even two men with fairly even weight distribution were having a hard time making headway in the conditions. We regrouped - two adults in each lead boat, and we towed the boats with the kids in them. The next ~4 miles were very rough, even with two adults paddling hard. We made it to the pickup point on time, but beyond exhausted. read more

My wife and I have used these outfitters twice for non-guided kayak trips; once for Lake Mead (Sept. 2016) and once for the Colorado River from Hoover Dam to Willow Beach (the "Black Canyon" trip, on Memorial Day week-end, 2017). Great experiences with them both times, and the kayaking was phenomenal. Reasonable prices, quality equipment, and (mostly) knowledgeable, hard working staff. On rare occasion, the office staff has seemed a bit inexperienced, but the "field staff" responsible for drop offs and pick ups were all very knowledgeable, polite and efficient. Also, holiday week-ends can result in log jams at pick up, so be patient with the staff, who have a vested interest in getting people off the river and back to their cars/hotels as efficiently as possible. Some practical observations for the Black Canyon trip: The trip is about 12 miles, and we were provided with a very well-marked map showing key locations along the way. Plus, there are mile markers on the river, so you can gauge your progress. With minimal effort (we had a slight breeze at our back), you can cover a mile in fifteen minutes or less, so you have PLENTY of time to stop, view the sights, hike to various hot springs, etc. On the other hand, we have friends who have done the trip in canoes while having to contend with strong headwinds, and they found the paddling more challenging and the going much slower. DO take to heart the admonition that the river flow varies according to water being released from Hoover Dam. We met a couple who camped overnight and discovered their canoe, which they had left on dry ground, had floated away during the night (they were rescued the following morning by a kind commercial pontoon boat operator and reunited with their canoe, which lucky for them, had been retrieved about a half mine downstream, complete with paddles). Make sure you tie up your canoe/kayak whenever you leave it! Wearing some sort of water shoe is a must, given the slippery shore side rocks one must contend with when getting into and out of one's water craft. Enjoy! read more