how long does it take to kayak horseshoe bend

When we heard that you could kayak up the Colorado River to Horseshoe Bend, we knew we had to do it! CamelBak Women's Sequoia 24 Hydration Pack. Arizona Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal includes his list of top 50 natural wonders. Do you have any national parks on your list this summer? You can buy a pass at the permit vending station upon arrival. We definitely recommend using the backhaul service. Youll want to make reservations online in advance, especially on the weekends, as the backhaul time slots tend to fill up. Thanks for sharing this adventure! Kayak rentals: $25 for a single inflatable or hard-body kayak; $45 for a tandem . A campsite right at the bottom of Horseshoe Bend. We totally recommend seeing Horseshoe Bend from above. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The guys from Kayak Horseshoe Bend were exceptional and well prepared. High winds do not make for an enjoyable kayaking trip, even in Horseshoe Bend! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Start your days EARLY or LATE. The scenery was gorgeous and the trip was fantastic. Once the rain lets up, you can start paddling again and, if youre lucky, youll see waterfalls cascading down the canyon walls. We did find a few twigs on the ground to help stoke the flames early on, but firewood was not abundant at the Ferry Swale campground. How much does Horseshoe Bend cost? 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 river was extremely navigable and I always felt safe. 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. The Bears Den B & B is one of the nicest places in Page. If you need a little adventure in your life, you can go kayaking between the two sites. I bet you were glad you didnt see her when you were camping in the open! During the summer, expect extreme heat with highs often in the 90s and no shade during the day. These cookies do not store any personal information. Being at the bottom of such a deep canyon, wind really accelerates down on the water. This may vary by the outfitter, so check with them first. All campsites are first-come, first-served. Best of all, however, are the resident wild mustangs! It's a quick moving river ride and you won't even have to paddle. We were happy to take that recommendation and enjoyed a much more leisurely paddle kayaking the Colorado River. From there, its approximately 10 miles back downstream to the boat launch. Take it slow and absorb all the wonder of drifting on clear water through the geologic story of the canyon. It has a hot tub and a made-to-order breakfast. Camp overnight at one of five primitive campgrounds. There are a total of five primitive campgrounds in the 15-mile stretch of river between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry. I'm wondering if it's possible to bring my small dog who loves to kayak? Here your captain will pull over on a sandy beach, help you get your kayaks into the water, and then youre off! If youre like me, youve probably been thinking of doing this adventure for a while. 300 Feet down then back up. . 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. You cant miss them. 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. Therefore, your smart phone will adjust as you travel through. It was purely serendipitous that the distance from . more, Multi-day Tours Taxis & Shuttles Boat Tours Fishing Charters & Tours Boat Rentals Day Trips. early in the morning for a ride up the river to Glen Canyon Dam with your gear. It depends on where we drop you off, but for most people, you can do the whole river in 6-8 hours with a stop or two on your way down. If you do experience heavy winds, find a spot to pull over for awhile and see if you can wait it out. Pack out everything you pack in. Location: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, near Page, Arizona. And I cant believe you saw a mountain lion! 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. I want to empower more people to take the steps to living their dreams and enjoy life on the road. Two Outliers may contain affiliate links we only recommend products we personally use and love. That has to be one of the most epic wildlife sightings ever! Theyre also both on the peninsula that forms Horseshoe Bend. I had never thought to kayak here before, but now I really want to! Thanks! However, we nestled behind some bushes to keep from being sandblasted by the wind. The route finding is easy and the paddling distances are reasonable. A backhaul boat taking kayaks down the Colorado River. #sequoianationalpark #superbloom #nationalparkphotography #wildflowers #waterfallhike #sequoia #getoutside #nationalparkobsessed, Just really, really happy to be here. Approximate hiking time - 30 minutes to an hour. Troy took us out and you could tell he knows his stuff. Mostly we were floating. However, note that some parks may not have full access due to seasonal roads or weather concerns. There are a total of 4 camping areas, each with an outhouse and many campsites available, so you should have no trouble finding a spot, even on busy nights. Enter your email address to receive updates and new posts straight to your inbox. In total, there are about 130 steps inside Lower Antelope Canyon. You can safely expect to encounter wildlife while kayaking the Colorado River. It is highly unlikely that when construction of the 710 foot tall Glen Canyon Dam was begun in 1956 that there was much thought given to kayaking. Now that I have answers, I can share some tips with you. The hike to Horseshoe Bend overlook begins at the parking lot south of the Carl Hayden Visitor Center off US Highway 89 and takes about 40 minutes or less to trek. There are organized kayak or paddleboard tours that go to Antelope Canyon but we opted to rent boats and do it ourselves. At the 10 mile marker is a day-use area with an impressive wall of petroglyphs down a short trail. Trust me, you wont regret the time and effort required to check this adventure off of your Arizona Bucket List. Take lots of water with you. Please call Kelly Outfitters for availability (48 hours ahead is preferred): 602-510-5511. To find it: Keep an eye out for a massive boulder on the right side of the river causing a large whirlpool that literally pulls you back upstream. Its a completely different perspective than the one you get from above, and Im sure not many people opt to do it either! To Kayak Horseshoe Bend, you will start from Lees Ferry, located in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, about 50 minutes from Page, Arizona and 1 hour 30 minutes from Kanab, Utah. The water is so crystal clear and reflects beautiful emerald green colors. The last campsite before Lees Ferry is located at mile 6. Ive always wanted to do this! You definitely want to pack lightly, but you should be able to bring a tent as long as you stick to the necessities. To avoid taking a backhaul you will need at least 2 days to kayak to Horseshoe Bend and back. We use cookies to give you a personalized, relevant browsing experience. The best time to kayak on the Colorado River is from spring through fall, around late March to late October. Heres what I take: For information on kayak camping gear check out my post on the best sea kayaking camping gear. If you like quirky, roam around the property to find a working piano at the community fire ring in the back. 1.1 Miles, 1.8 Kilometers (0.8 Miles, 1.4 Kilometers inside the canyon) Elevation Change. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River is a unique way to experience one of the Southwests most famous viewpoints! . 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. About 15 minutes in the slot canyon begins. ), plus a few bathroom breaks, and the route took us almost exactly seven hours. In fact, we decided well go back next year and camp! Did you bring a tent or just a tarp to sleep on? Thousands of people kayak the stretch of river between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry every year with no issues. I did it! Looking for more great things to do in Kanab? Experience the 15 miles of Horseshoe Bend Rafting Trip in just a half day with AdvantageGrandCanyon. flying overhead or diving to fish in the water, and scan the cliffs for bighorns. No reservations are available. National Park Service passes do not apply . do not leave it unattended, make sure to put the fire out before you go to bed, etc). It takes only a few minutes to hike up to the petroglyphs. Leave no trace. . I would have loved to do them but they were closed due to Covid when we visited. The whole hike takes about an hour. Paddle downstream with a few stops to rest and explore along the way. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. We stopped for the quarter-mile hike to the overlook at Horseshoe Bend on our way back to Page. The best way to get acquainted with this stretch of river is to learn the mile marker system that boaters use. How difficult is kayaking Horseshoe Bend? For more information, see our privacy policy. Hiking tours to Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon on Navajo lands are very popular. 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. . Were Sarah and Matt, two nomads road tripping across the United States with our cat, Fitzgerald, making a new place our home month to month while working full time and adventuring as much as possible. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Kayaking the Colorado from below is an experience of a life time. Do we have to start at 6am Bc we will be traveling from Sedona and plan to drive back same day. 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. The boat trip up to the dam is about 45 minutes. 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. . Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The backhaul costs $75 per person and sit-in hardshell kayaks were $35 per day. From the petroglyphs, you are just around the corner from the magnificent Horseshoe Bend. So many people see Horseshoe Bend from the top but so few see it from the bottom! The uniqueness of adventuring through canyons by water is a relief from the heat of the desert. We used Kayak the Colorado for our outfitter. Thanks. Located less than one hour from Boise! What an amazing sight! The most popular way to kayak Horseshoe Bend is by taking a backhaul service 16 miles up river from Lees Ferry to the Glen Canyon Dam, and then kayaking back down river. Send us an email and tell us you want to paddle Horseshoe Bend and want to reserve your kayaks, packrafts or paddleboards for OVERNIGHT. Its a busy place as the multi-day whitewater Grand Canyon trips with their huge rafts begin there. I want to be a part of an exclusive group of kick-butt woman and supportive men. Slowly floating around the bend, with nothing but the sound of birds chirping and water rippling as you soak in the stunning view of Horseshoe Bend from the Colorado River is a purely magical experience! You drift pretty fast on the river so its much easier paddling than Antelope Canyon, especially if the wind comes up on Lake Powell. The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect RV. I was practically swept into the spot by a whirlpool when I was hugging the right bank to make way for a powerboat cruising upstream. Its about 85 miles upstream from the Grand Canyon on the same river that carved it. Located just 10 minutes from Page, Arizona the Horseshoe Bend viewpoint that looks down over the Colorado River is wildly popular and attracts hundreds of visitors per day. When I called the office for a straight answer, they told me that we'll be okay as long as each person brings no more than 100 pounds of total weight onboard - kayak, life preserver and paddle included. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend. For a few more amazing canyons in the Southwest to explore, visit this post. However, the 6 Mile campground is the last one before Lees Ferry so unless we wanted a 15-mile day trip, this was our last chance to camp. This family-owned company rents kayaks, paddleboards, and packrafts in Page. . This unique geological wonder is located on the stretch of the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry. Thanks for the tips! Highly recommend backhaul service and SUP rental! We did an overnight camping trip on this 15-mile section between the Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry. To cut down on the length of the trip, you could have your backhaul drop you at mile 10, just north of Horseshoe Bend. Get off the beaten path! After the mountain lion took a lengthy drink, it slipped back into the bushes and out of sight. My back haul captain was friendly and helpful. The water is cold and youll have a safeguard against drowning. Instead, youd need to spend at least one night along the river. How difficult is the kayaking trip? Biggest risk: water temperature. Watch out for powerboats! Boats rentals are located in Page and at Lees Ferry. 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). To park in the parking lot, there is a fee of $10 per vehicle (car or RV). We were not prepared for the cold trip up the river to the drop off point (it was warm away from the river), but they had warm and comfy blankets for us. In this article, weve rounded up all the information you need to know to plan the perfect kayaking trip. We saw so many trout in the crystal clear water I wished I had a pole to catch dinner. Youll even have enough time to visit Horseshoe Bend fro above in the morning! I saw several people in other companys less stable boats take an unintentional swim. . Dont miss this kayak trip through the free-flowing section of the Colorado River in Glen Canyon. At Lees Ferry there are docks and a boat ramp to launch your kayaks. Since the lake is low, we had to wheel our boats down to the water over the gravel. The hour-long paddle through the canyon winds past huge cliffs of Navajo sandstone. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The charming Lees Ferry Lodge at Vermillion Cliffs was our favorite accommodations of the whole trip. And Lake Powell offers paddle boarding, kayaking, boat tours, and a scenic drive through backcountry roads. However, you do need either an America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) or a pass for the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area ($30). Remember to practice Leave No Trace when visiting Earth's spectacular places (and spending any time in nature at all), so that we can continue to enjoy them! You don't have to have a . Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour from Page, Lower Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend Half Day Tour from Page, AZ, Half Day Tour of Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon from Page Arizona, Upper Antelope Canyon Admission Ticket (Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours). This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. They also have tours if you want to explore with a certified guide. Yes, please report back with any tips for paddle boarders. Instead of going all the way up the dam, have them drop you off just upstream of Horseshoe Bend itself, at whats known as Petroglyph Beach. But we were definitely taking our time because it was so beautiful. If you get hot when its not raining, you can always splash the refreshing water on yourself to cool off. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The gem of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is iconic Horseshoe Bend, with its unique shape carved out of the massive rock. Posts may contain links to products and services I love. They fill 3 boats of ~6 people in 15-minute intervals; all departed on time. This pic is at sunset on a very busy Saturday, but we stopped between two uber-popular viewpoints. As this is Arizona, please make sure you check on fire restrictions ahead of time to find out if youre allowed to have one! How long does it take to kayak horseshoe bend? Although I was new to the area and unsure about finding the dock, the guides were very communicative and helped me locate the spot. During the spring and fall, you can expect cooler but generally mild temperatures, although conditions can vary and snow is possible. In the opinion of our backhaul boat driver, the summer months are the best time to make this trip because of the added excitement that monsoon rainstorms bring. Thank you! Best time to kayak horseshoe bend. Its tough to say theres one best time to complete this adventure. To combine those and then pair it with more kayaking and camping would be a dream. Starting upriver and kayaking down allows you to take your time, soak in the stunning scenery, stop at the viewpoints and hikes along the way, and of course, makes for a significantly easier trip! Each year, millions of people flock to Horseshoe Bend for selfies and other awesome photos from the top. It was an easy return of the gear as we could just leave it at the takeout with the outfitters at Lees Ferry. The Colorado River is incredibly calm here (Class I rapids), with just enough of a current to gently guide you downstream. #earthporn #icebergs #glacier #alaska #alaskagram #helicopterview #seward #travelgram #wheretonext, One of the most freeing, joyous feelings in the world Aside from the rustic, boat-in campsites at the bottom of Horseshoe Bend, there are several campgrounds and campsites in the general area. I am heading back for a day trip with a couple of my girlfriends in a couple weeksMay 2022 but this time I am paddleboarding. Yes. The day before you go come to the shop at 836 Vista Ave, Page AZ 86040, and pick up your gear after 3 pm. Have you done this experience or do you have more questions? It was an amazing experience. There are several outfitters that offer kayak rentals and backhaul services right at Lees Ferry. . How Long Does it Take to Kayak Horseshoe Bend? That was plenty for both an evening and morning fire. Our backhaul boat captain recommended we do the shorter Petroglyph Beach route, because in late fall you have very little sunlight in the canyon itself and it gets very cold. Getting to Horseshoe Bend. The City of Page requires visitors to pay for parking at the Horseshoe Bend trailhead. We camped at Ferry Swale campground about a mile upstream from Horsehoe Bend and had no complaints. During both time periods specifically October through early November and late March through early May the days are warm and the nights cool. Hi there - my wife and I are going to be in the area on our honeymoon and wanted to know how long in advance we needed to book a trip (2 inflatables, transport) for either March 10/11th of 2021? COPYRIGHT CHASING TRAIL 2022 Site Powered by Pix & Hue. Antelope Canyon and Glen Canyon with Horseshoe Bend are located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. My opinions are my honest assessment of the experience. . Can you kayak around Horseshoe Bend?

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