We all worried about being told wed overpacked. Approximate tour time. Our captain (Captain Luke) was very nice and extremely knowledgeable and helpful, pointing out interesting things along our ride upriver and landmarks so we would know how far we had gone on the paddle back. But the Colorado River below the dam and its Lake Powell, became a Mecca for 'yakking individuals, families and groups. The vast majority of people start their day between 8am - noon. Ive done the Navajo Tours hike through Upper Antelope, I didnt realize it was accessible other ways. Below, well describe in more detail each section of the kayaking trip, starting at mile 16 and working our way back to Lees Ferry at mile 0. They were also willing to take us up all the way so we could see Horseshoe Bend, but then drop us off farther down the river (we had children with us). When we heard that you could kayak up the Colorado River to Horseshoe Bend, we knew we had to do it! If you've been looking for an excuse to get out and hike or visit those national and state parks that have been on your list for awhile, here it is! Related: Read this before you go see Horseshoe Bend in Page, AZ. Thanks! This is probably the second most popular campsite, but is less crowded than the site at Horseshoe Bend. It's a backhaul service, meaning they meet you at Lee's ferry and take you upriver in a powerboat to wherever you want to start, then you paddle back at your leisure. Your email address will not be published. Enter your email to receive updates and new posts straight to your inbox. At the 10 mile marker is a day-use area with an impressive wall of petroglyphs down a short trail. Upon arrival the boat captain Jim welcomed me with a smile and offered to keep an eye on me. . You saw a mountain lion from your boat!? Assuming you opt to use a backhaul service, youll be driven 16 miles upriver from Lees Ferry in a motor boat until you reach the Glen Canyon Dam. Boats rentals are located in Page and at Lees Ferry. A viewing platform was put in place to prevent people from getting too close due to an unfortunate act of vandalism in 2021, so please do not try to go beyond the rock wall. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. If youre like me, youve probably been thinking of doing this adventure for a while. Your email address will not be published. I bet you were glad you didnt see her when you were camping in the open! . . I saw many lobster bodies that were going to be hurting later. The canyon is sooooo beautiful!!! Beginner paddleboarders should only paddle on Lake Powell when visiting Glen Canyon for safety reasons. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The Glen Canyon Dam was created in 1956-1966 and holds back enough water to form Lake Powell. Kayaking Three Sisters Swamp on the Black River, Sea Kayaking to the Benagil Cave in the Algarve, Amazing Places in the Berkshires for Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Best Cross Country Skiing Centers near Burlington, Best Kayaking Trip to See the Flamingos of Celestun, 6 Amazing Canyon Adventures in the Southwest USA. ~ Edwin Markham The 54 campsites at Lees Ferry cost $20 per night and available first-come-first serve only, so arrive early to snag a spot. Thanks for sharing this adventure! Start your days EARLY or LATE. Continue paddling downstream on Day 2 with a few stops to rest and explore along the way. Mostly we were floating. They told us what to look for and discussed safety concerns. Hello. Distance: 10 miles round-trip to Petroglyph Beach (5-7 hours) and 15-16 miles round-trip to the dam (8-10 hours; best as an overnight) Difficulty Rating: Easy to Moderate. To savor the view a little longer, you can beach your kayaks at the Horseshoe Bend campsite and hike up the rock formation that forms the inside of the horseshoe. Hi! This is where youll board your backhaul boat along with all your gear, then head up to the point upriver where you start your paddle. Keep an eye out for ospreys and eagles (look for their huge, impressive telltale nests!) If youre an experienced kayaker and up for a challenge, you could kayak 6 miles up river on day one, spend the night at 6-mile campground, and continue 3 miles upriver to Horseshoe Bend in the morning before heading back down river to Lees Ferry. Its a busy place as the multi-day whitewater Grand Canyon trips with their huge rafts begin there. For those who want to take their time, you can opt to stay the night at a campsite directly along the river, breaking your paddle up over two days. If you could only do one kayak trip and you had younger kids (6), which would you do? It might be your first chance to play piano in the desert. We rented a boat on Lake Powell about a month ago but the water was too low to get there via boat. I want to empower more people to take the steps to living their dreams and enjoy life on the road. Squeee! . Dont miss this kayak trip through the free-flowing section of the Colorado River in Glen Canyon. They seem indeed to be forms of immortality standing here among the transitory shapes of time." However, if its truly the only time you can make it work, book the earliest possible launch time. You can kayak from Lee's Ferry up the river to the Glen Canyon Dam and back down the river with a backhaul service. . For a fee, Lazy River Outfitters offers tubing, canoe, and kayak rentals as well as shuttles to the Horse Shoe River Access Park. (We have our own inflatable kayak, and my dog can stay in a carrier if you don't want a dog walking around your boat.) . . Depending on how long/far you want to paddle, they'll drop you off at an appropriate place upriver. Ive not been on the official Antelope Canyon hiking tours, but I felt this hike to the very lower part of the canyon rivaled those hikes with fewer people and the ability to explore on your own. Page, Arizona is the best base for exploring these canyons. OMG such a cool experience!! That said, its a river and special safety precautions should be taken by everyone. Seeing Horseshoe Bend in person is a magical experience, but imagine kayaking the Colorado River and being inside the iconic bend! Rental kayaks come with paddles and Personal Floatation Devices or PFDs. Alternatively, you could kayak a few miles from Lees Ferry before turning back, but youd miss the highlight of the trip: Horseshoe Bend! As we made an early start on the river for the kayak trip in Glen Canyon around Horseshoe Bend, we stayed near Lees ferry only 10 minutes from the put-in. How many hours is the total excursion? Thanks. Yes, please report back with any tips for paddle boarders. Here's how to do an easy day kayak through the beginning of the Grand Canyon. The Bears Den B & B is one of the nicest places in Page. What amazing views, this is definitely an adventure Id like to plan one day. However, note that some parks may not have full access due to seasonal roads or weather concerns. But we were definitely taking our time because it was so beautiful. Make sure you camp on a flat, previously disturbed patch of land and avoid trampling the fragile desert plants or cryptobiotic soil. What a treat! There are organized kayak or paddleboard tours that go to Antelope Canyon but we opted to rent boats and do it ourselves. Ill definitely use them! Take it slow and absorb all the wonder of drifting on clear water through the geologic story of the canyon. Youll want to make reservations online in advance, especially on the weekends, as the backhaul time slots tend to fill up. Location: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, near Page, Arizona. Here are a few companies that offer kayak rentals and backhaul services: We used Kayak the Colorado, and had a great experience, but each of the companies above offer similar services and prices. Its very cold and hypothermia can set in quickly. Can I camp out overnight? . We used Kayak the Colorado for our outfitter. Before long, you can see the viewing platform and crowds of people at the rim of the canyon! The one-way paddle to the landing for the canyon hike is about 2.5 miles and takes 1.5 hours. Many of them have seen a hundred human generations rise, give off their little clamors, and perish. The only thing that can top this is the once-in-a-lifetime experience of sleeping at the bottom of Horseshoe Bend! . I loved reading this so much! Excellent service and being that I am also a fishing guide please take care of the persons that provide a service. Also, wear a good sun hat, slather on that sunscreen, and pack a ton of water. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. This pic is at sunset on a very busy Saturday, but we stopped between two uber-popular viewpoints. To avoid taking a backhaul you will need at least 2 days to kayak to Horseshoe Bend and back. In our opinion, kayaking Horseshoe Bend as an overnight trip is the best option, as you can take your time, really soak in the beauty of the canyon, and enjoy the peaceful serenity of early morning on the river, before the waters become busy with motor boats and other kayakers. When you see the following landmarks, you can make a pretty decent guess about your position and progress along the route. Thousands of people kayak the stretch of river between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry every year with no issues. Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks sounds amazing! Even though the current moves at about three miles per hour, you likely wont travel downstream that fast when you factor in stops for rest breaks or to explore the surroundings. We found an isolated campsite with an amazing view of the moon rising over the canyon. Kayaking at Horseshoe Bend. Arizona Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal includes his list of top 50 natural wonders. It was from the upper vantage point that I first saw this natural wonder in 2019. Take lots of water with you. This unique geological wonder is located on the stretch of the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry. Experience the same, just-as-scenic river in a calmer section (rated Class I rapids; practically flatwater) suitable for literally everyone without needing special skills, a permit, or any other red tape.. Both are all-day excursions. We offer kayak rentals and transport you and the kayak from Lees Ferry to Glen Canyon Dam and you float back to Lees Ferry. We were very pleased with the service Bobby and Brady provided. He IS a kayaker. Great info! On one page of the website for the backhaul outfitter we hired, they referenced 30 pounds max carry-on weight. Keep in mind, you dont need to camp along the river. Learn more about me and the blog. For those who dont have a lot of time, great news: a half-day trip is enough to kayak Horseshoe Bend! It takes about 30 minutes to get from the Lees Ferry boat ramp to the drop-off point. Visit on weekdays if possible. From the public boat launch, it is a half-hour paddle to the mouth of Antelope Canyon. in all your own gear. #yosemite #yosemitenationalpark #elcapitan #elcap #tiptuesday #sunsetchaser #nationalparkgeek #nationalparkobsessed #getoutside, There really are places that are so spectacular, it seems impossible they exist. Heres what I take: For information on kayak camping gear check out my post on the best sea kayaking camping gear. The . Do you have any national parks on your list this summer? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. How difficult is kayaking Horseshoe Bend? They also rent single and double sit-on-top and inflatable kayaks and canoes. The question of "how long does it take to kayak Horseshoe Bend?" is almost like "how high is up?". . Out of curiosity, we attempted to paddle up river a few times, and it was not easy at all! This may vary by the outfitter, so check with them first. The backhaul service is very well run (they took us up to Horseshoe Bend - you also have the option to go up to Glen Canyon Dam). The quality of their equipment and the knowledge and friendliness of the staff is unparalleled. The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect RV. Heres what the leading paddleboard rental company in the area has to say: Due to the long paddling distance and very cold water temperatures, this trip is NOT recommended for beginner paddleboarders. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Best of all, however, are the resident wild mustangs! In general, kayaking Horseshoe Bend is easy. In other words, you could technically bring your own kayak and put-in near Lees Ferry in the winter, but youll have to either coordinate your own vehicle shuttle or paddle upstream as well as downstream. To cut down on the length of the trip, you could have your backhaul drop you at mile 10, just north of Horseshoe Bend. There were several long stretches where we didnt paddle at all, and instead just leisurely floated along, taking it all in. Although you can technically do it year-round (with stipulations; more on that in a minute), the best time to kayak Horseshoe Bend is during fall or spring. In addition, we rent kayaks and other float craft. Have you done this experience or do you have more questions? Kayaking the Colorado River is permitted on the 15-mile section below the Glen River Dam and above Lees Ferry. Most view it from above during a trip to Page, Arizona. Combining two tips, if you must visit on a weekend, hit the popular sites early/late and spend peak hours at less-visited areas. But did you know that you can escape the crowds and experience Horseshoe Bend by kayaking on the Colorado River?! To make sure your trip goes as smoothly as possible, below are a few key tips for planning your adventure: Below are a few essentials to make sure you pack for your Horseshoe Bend kayaking trip: P.S. The next 2 campsites are on Horseshoe Bend with views of the teeming hordes of tourists atop the cliffs across the river. It looks like a beautiful kayak trip to Antelope Canyon and combined with the hike makes the perfect adventure. For more information, read mydisclosure statement. Terry Gunn the owner, was totally agreeable to letting us use the 1 kayak we rented prior to our rescheduled float and we had a really fun day. Questions about how to kayak Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River? Ive been an outdoor adventure leader and educator for almost a half-century. The 15-mile section of the Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam is mostly calm water with a few gentle rapids and plenty of places to pull over and take breaks. The route finding is easy and the paddling distances are reasonable. Although you dont need any special skills or permits to kayak Horseshoe Bend, there are still a few things to consider and logistics to plan. (You can see it in the upper right corner of the video frame at the beginning of the video clip.) If you dont have either, you can get the Glen Canyon pass in-person at the entrance to Lees Ferry or from a ranger station at Lake Powell. As this is Arizona, please make sure you check on fire restrictions ahead of time to find out if youre allowed to have one! That being said, the hike is a nice break from paddling and worth exploring if you have the time. From the thousand-foot-high overlook, I noticed a few people on paddling kayaks on the river down below and the wheels in my head began to turn. Every turn was a new panorama of red walls and emerald water. Trail - Sand and sandstone. flying overhead or diving to fish in the water, and scan the cliffs for bighorns. . Watch out for powerboats! . It was an easy return of the gear as we could just leave it at the takeout with the outfitters at Lees Ferry. The company owns the adjacent Horseshoe Bend Farm, on which it donated a 360-acre conservation easement to Conserving Carolina in 2003. . The first part involves walking over sand through a wide canyon. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend. Have questions? Both kayaking trips are accessible to anyone with prior paddling experience. However, a kayak trip to where Lake Powell meets the bottom of Antelope Canyon is a unique way to experience Antelope without a canyon tour. During this time, unpredictable thunderstorms and flash floods are frequent, and theres a ton of humidity to deal with (yep Arizona isnt always dry!). Wind is the main thing that could make kayaking the Colorado River more difficult. Once youre ready, the gentle flow of the river guides you back down to Lees Ferry over the course of several hours. This kayaking trip will put you in the bend. The Arizona heat and sun exposure is no joke, and rescuers save people on the brink of death from dehydration or sun poisoning every single day. The Backhaul taxi service is the most convenient way to see Horseshoe Bend and kayak . The first half of May and the second half of September into October is a fantastic time to visit many parks. I did it! In sum, enjoy connecting to the rhythms of the water and the canyon. You cant miss them. While itd be pretty cool to say youve camped at Horseshoe Bend, wed recommend the campsites at miles 8 or 11 if you want to avoid some of the crowds and the ensuing search for a good camping spot. Iwould definitely enjoy the kayaking piece. The river route goes around Horseshoe Bend, the iconic, most photographed viewpoint near Page. I loved my kayaking experience! Antelope Canyon has been on my bucket list for so long. Ive always wanted to do this! How long does the Horseshoe Bend hike take? Brady has been renting hard shell kayaks, canoes, SUPs, and inflatables at Lee's Ferry and Grand Canyon for over 20 years. No special pass or permit is required to kayak this stretch of the Colorado River; however, a National Parks Pass is required for all activities in this area known as Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which spans sections of northern Arizona and southern Utah. Get off the beaten path! It was a wonderful day trip from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. All the designated campgrounds and Petroglyph Beach also have campfire rings. We truly do not recommend anyone kayak Horseshoe Bend in the summer! This trip takes about eight hours, of course depending on the number of stops and how quickly you paddle. The Antelope Canyon kayak trip was sponsored by Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. . Hoping for views like these, featuringno people or cars whatsoever? We are planning on kayaking and camping Horseshoe Bend in May and I was wondering how long it took you to paddle out from the mile 6 campsite the next morning? Once again, because of its distance from Horseshoe Bend, this campsite tends to be less popular. . Horseshoe Bend is located 9 miles up the Colorado River from Lees Ferry in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in northern Arizona. ; a shuttle) to go upstream and get dropped off wherever you wish. I think they would be fine. That being said, this isnt a lazy river floating trip and youll still need to paddle so expect to finish the trip with sore arms and an aching back! However, we think the Colorado River is best enjoyed as an overnight camping trip! Enter your email address to receive updates and new posts straight to your inbox. Thank you for supporting my blog. kayaking can be challenging, but these views make it so rewarding! In addition, here are some other places to camp near Horseshoe Bend. email info@kayakthecolorado.com or give a holler 928-856-0012. Once the rain lets up, you can start paddling again and, if youre lucky, youll see waterfalls cascading down the canyon walls. Love it. #giantsequoia #sequoias #kingscanyon #bigtrees #giantsequoias #sequoiatrees #kingscanyonnationalpark #snowshoeing #itsbetteroutside, TIP TUESDAY for visiting national parks this season
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