FAQS

If you’re planning a day trip or just a local trip, there are a few items you’ll want to have. Remember, this is the desert, and you’ll want to protect yourself from extreme temperatures and high UV indexes.

• Water (1 Gallon per person per day)
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Swimsuit or Clothes
• You Don’t Mind Getting Wet
• Water Shoes
• Water Camera
• Lunch Or Snacks
• Towel Dry Clothes for After the Trip

You will want to bring everything mentioned for day trips, as well as camping gear and enough food to last the entire trip. However, keep in mind that if you are in a kayak, space is limited, and it’s similar to backpacking in terms of packing. Try to avoid excessive gear and only bring the essentials.

This advice also applies to canoeing, even though you have more room in a canoe. Aim to pack as lightly as possible. It’s recommended to use dry bags to ensure your sleeping bag and clothes stay dry.

We can’t guarantee that you won’t flip over, but we do take precautions to help minimize the risk of capsizing. We specialize in using Ocean Kayak brand sit-on-top kayaks in our rental fleet. These boats are designed for use on the ocean, so they can handle most water conditions on the river. They are very stable as long as you don’t overload them. We have over 10 O.K. models available for rentals, and we try to match you with the right boat.

If you opt for a touring kayak or canoe, please be aware that these boats handle differently. Your center of gravity may be higher, or the boat may be narrower, which can affect stability. Sit-on-top kayaks are also easier to self-rescue from, so we recommend contacting us for more information on the right boat for your needs. Use the link below to see what the Ocean Kayak looks like:

https://rb.gy/kvm6m

No, there are no rapids or whitewater on the lower river. Over the past 70 years, the river has undergone significant changes, resulting in the creation of several reservoirs for water storage and power generation. The flowing sections of the river maintain a current of approximately 3 mph. While it may appear to move faster, this is due to the volume of water rather than rapid currents.

Meanwhile, on the Davis Dam to Rotary Park trip, you can even make it to the end in about 4 hours without paddling.

We do not have specific age restrictions; it depends on what parents feel comfortable with. If you plan to bring a child, please ensure you have an appropriate life jacket for them. We offer children’s life jackets and recommend calling in advance to make the necessary arrangements.

However, please be aware that there are some trips that may not be suitable for smaller children. We also advise checking with other members of your group to ensure that bringing children aligns with the dynamics of the group.

Dogs are welcome as long as they’re comfortable around water.

Please remember, they must wear a life jacket, and be aware of the presence of rattlesnakes, mountain lions, and birds of prey

Since the lower river is considered a navigable waterway, motorized traffic is permitted throughout. However, there are some spots on Lake Mead and Mohave that are relatively isolated and see less boat activity, making them more suitable for those seeking a quieter experience. Please feel free to give us a call, and we’ll be happy to provide directions to these less crowded areas.

By default, our minimum requirement for the tours is 3 people. But yes! You can still go. Although, your cost will be higher. Figure what the trip would cost with the minimum participants and that is what it will cost if you cannot meet the minimum trip participants.

Some days it’s easier to go “upstream.” The way the current flows really depends on the way the winds are blowing that’s theprimary factor., And then, obviously how the two dam Hoover Dam, and Davis Dam are releasing water.

Both the cooler and dry bags have a capacity of 60 liters (60L).

We offer three launch times: 7 AM, 8 AM, and 9 AM. Before getting on the water, there is a preparation period of about 1 to 1 hour and 20 minutes, which includes ID check, loading gear, transportation from the security checkpoint (Hoover Dam Lodge) to the launch site, and unloading. Once you book, we will assign you a timeslot based on availability and send a confirmation email with your launch time. If you have a preferred time, please mention it in the notes during booking, and we will accommodate it if possible.

We offer two types of meetups to help you kick off your adventure the right way—Front End and Back End. Whether you’re bringing your own gear or renting from us, here’s what to expect:

Front End Meetup (For Guests with Their Own Gear) If you’re bringing your own kayak, canoe, and gear, the Front End meetup is for you. We’ll meet you at Willow Beach, where you’ll park your vehicle. After helping you tie down your kayak or canoe, we’ll drive you up to the security checkpoint near the Hoover Dam—your launch point. From there, you’re free to explore the river at your own pace, whether you’re doing a day trip, an overnight, or a 2-night adventure. Once your trip ends, you’re all done—no need to reconnect with us afterward. Meetup time: Set based on your requested launch time—usually 1 hour & 50 minutes before launch. (Example: For a 9:00 AM launch, we typically meet at 7:10 AM.)

Back End Meetup (For Guests Renting Gear from Us) If you’re renting a kayak, canoe, or gear from us, you’ll go with the Back End meetup. We’ll meet at the Hoover Dam Lodge—right where security checks IDs. That’s where you’ll park your vehicle, and from there, we’ll transport you and your gear down to the Hoover Dam base to launch. After your trip, we’ll pick up the gear and bring you back to your vehicle at the lodge. Meetup time: Set based on your requested launch time—usually 1 hour & 20 minutes before launch. (Example: For a 9:00 AM launch, we typically meet at 7:40 AM.)

Please review your roster details and email any updates to kayak@email.com at least 10 days before your launch date so we can request necessary changes from the Hoover Dam.

As you paddle toward Willow Beach, you’ll first pass the Fish Hatchery and the Fishing Pier—these are not your pickup points. Continue paddling past the Boat Ramp. The next beach you reach after the Boat Ramp is our designated pickup location.

The Grumman canoe size is 17 feet.

16 years old and below do not need to present anything.

Yes. One park pass will get a $15 per person discount for up to four people.

After the pit toilets, you’ll find trash and recycling receptacles available at Willow Beach, the final stop of your trip.

We will meet at the Hoover Dam Lodge on the side closest to Las Vegas. Look for the 18 Tesla Supercharging Stations — we’ll be in the smallest parking lot nearby. This is the designated back-end meeting location for gear pickup or post-trip coordination.

Our meetup location for the Emerald Cave self-drive tour is at Willow Beach (25804 Willow Beach Rd Willow Beach, AZ 86445). We will send a confirmation text with the exact details the night before your tour.

We’re not operating in Laughlin or Bullhead right now due to boat traffic, but we still offer trips from Hoover Dam and Willow Beach. We provide both canoes and kayaks. One of our most popular tours is the guided trip to Emerald Cave. For those preferring a self-guided experience, we offer the Hoover Dam Launch down to Willow Beach or even further to Nelson and Cottonwood Cove. Pricing will vary based on the length of the trip and the number of participants.

All of our tours follow Pacific Time (PT), specifically Las Vegas time. Please make sure to adjust your schedule accordingly if you’re joining us from a different time zone.

The meetup location is the kayak beach boat launch at the Willow Beach Marina. Please use this google map pin for directions to the exact meetup location.

Address: 25804 N Willow Beach, Willow Beach, AZ 86445

Our rentals use a Grumman 17ft Aluminum Double-Ended Canoe.

Specifications:

Length: 17 feet

Width: 36 1/8 inches

Center Depth: 13 1/8 inches

Ribs: 3

Keel: Standard

Capacity: 755 pounds

Weight: 75 pounds

These canoes are made from durable aircraft-grade aluminum and are built to perform reliably on the water.

The best weather station to check is WillyWeather, which provides accurate wind and weather forecasts for river conditions. Wind can greatly affect paddling, so checking the forecast before heading out helps you plan a safer and more enjoyable trip.

Check it here: https://wind.willyweather.com/search/search.html?query=Willow+beach

For Hoover Dam self-guided trips (excluding trips where you bring your own gear), our standard pickup time is 3:30 PM PST.

If you expect to finish earlier and would prefer an earlier pickup, please let us know in advance. We’ll check with our transportation team and do our best to accommodate your requested time, depending on availability and the day’s transportation schedule.