If you need a little adventure in your life, you can go kayaking between the two sites. Shorten the downstream trip by about 3 hours by getting dropped off at Petroglyph Beach. In 2014, Paul Fiarkoski went on a hiking trip to world-famous Havasupai Falls in the Grand Canyon. I had brought my own equipment and needed hauling service to paddle the river, I was also hesitant to paddle 13 miles of the Colorado River by myself but after talking to Kayak Horseshoe Bend owner Wendy who took the time to explain how safe it was to paddle it by myself, I signed up for it, my only retreat I have is not doing the full river paddle from Glen Canyon Dam. Our boats were ready on arrival. The quality of their equipment and the knowledge and friendliness of the staff is unparalleled. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Since I have zero experience with a stand-up paddleboard, I checked to see what others had to say on this topic. OMG such a cool experience!! We did an overnight . They will man there own kayaks and kayak back home on ponds. We loved this trip with kayak the colorado at Horseshoe Bend and would highly recommend it to anyone. On canyon kayaking trips you need to protect yourself and your gear from sun and water. Ferry Swale campsite is next at 11 miles from the takeout at Lees Ferry. My daughter and I did a day kayak trip on Lake Powell into lower Antelope Canyon and then hiked into the gorgeous slot canyon. How long does it take to kayak from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry? 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. Its the second highest concrete dam in the U.S., second only to Hoover Dam. . Call now! Hi how far in advance would we need to book our trip if we wanted to go? All campsites are first-come, first-served. Hola, no quiero perderme la experiencia pues se ve maravillosa, pero voy en febrero y con una familia grande, de diferentes edades y gustos, podramos encontrar actividades activas para los jvenes y ms tranquilas para los mayores? No reservations are available. But we were definitely taking our time because it was so beautiful. Enter your email to receive updates and new posts straight to your inbox. The backhaul costs $75 per person and sit-in hardshell kayaks were $35 per day. Want to read about more adventures you can do? Make sure you have enough energy at the end of the trip to drag your boat back up the hill. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend is not only an epic adventure and the best way to skip the crowds at the wildly popular tourist attraction. My back haul captain was friendly and helpful. During the summer, expect extreme heat with highs often in the 90s and no shade during the day. There are several good times to kayak Horseshoe Bend. 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. Biggest risk: water temperature. The average time it takes to kayak Horseshoe Bend is about 3 hours. Here at Horseshoe Bend, the Colorado River created a roughly 1,000 ft (305 m) deep, 270 horseshoe-shaped bend in Glen Canyon. We totally recommend seeing Horseshoe Bend from above. So many people see Horseshoe Bend from the top but so few see it from the bottom! You can stay in a traditional Navajo hogan on a working farm. For those looking for a budget option, we stayed in the Rodeway Inn that was centrally located and had a nice pool. Paddle downstream from Glen Canyon Dam for 2-3 hours. It takes about 30 minutes to get from the Lees Ferry boat ramp to the drop-off point. Lake Powell and the surrounding Glen Canyon National Recreation Area are massive, so if you enjoy boondocking, youll find tons of free camping options on public land. This is by far one of the the most stunning places in the USA, the canyons are majestic, the waters clean and clear, there was wild life everywhere, huge trout, ducks and even ram, simply stunning! As I rounded a curve on the river, I saw an animal moving slowly out of the brush toward the river. But only a small fraction of adventurers get to experience the views from river level. To make things even worse, Arizona experiences monsoon season in July and August. Any tips I missed? And sunscreen. The water was so perfectly still in the morning, it was beautiful! February 23, 2022. The Colorado River current runs at about 3 mph. do not leave it unattended, make sure to put the fire out before you go to bed, etc). They also have tours if you want to explore with a certified guide. For a few more amazing canyons in the Southwest to explore, visit this post. Do You Need a Permit to Kayak Horseshoe Bend? How long does it take to kayak horseshoe bend? The Antelope Canyon hike begins at the landing. Trail - Sand and sandstone. Just give them a call, they're very helpful and super flexible, but there are probably limits to how late they'll take you out. The morning started off with us needing sweaters, but by late morning, we were perfectly comfortable in short sleeves and sandals. 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. #earthporn #icebergs #glacier #alaska #alaskagram #helicopterview #seward #travelgram #wheretonext, One of the most freeing, joyous feelings in the world First of all, this kayaking trip was EPIC because of the location alone- its seriously an Arizona must do. The short answer is NO. Seeing Horseshoe Bend in person is a magical experience, but imagine kayaking the Colorado River and being inside the iconic bend! 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. For instance, the 4-mile Recreation Area confirms youre four miles upstream from the Lees Ferry launch site. I had never thought to kayak here before, but now I really want to! Thanks! 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. The logistics of the trip involve a backhaul boat trip up to below Glen Canyon Dam. 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. Will it be safe taking a 11 & 12 years olds? The uniqueness of adventuring through canyons by water is a relief from the heat of the desert. At the 10 mile marker is a day-use area with an impressive wall of petroglyphs down a short trail. Take lots of water with you. The fee is $5 for motorcycles. That was plenty for both an evening and morning fire. The first downriver campsite at mile 14 is Ropes Trail. For a fee, Lazy River Outfitters offers tubing, canoe, and kayak rentals as well as shuttles to the Horse Shoe River Access Park. Horseshoe Bend is a unique natural wonder where the Colorado River makes a bend. As I floated closer I saw that it was a mountain lion taking a drink of water. The cool river water offers a nice reprieve from the summer heat, but be sure to pack appropriate sun protection, including a hat, sun shirt, sunscreen and sunglasses. The Antelope Canyon kayak trip was sponsored by Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks. There are several campsites along the way. Continue paddling downstream on Day 2 with a few stops to rest and explore along the way. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. This kayaking trip will put you in the bend. The first half of May and the second half of September into October is a fantastic time to visit many parks. When we went in October, we seriously took our time, stopping for lunch and to take endless photos (including of grazing wild horses! Its about 85 miles upstream from the Grand Canyon on the same river that carved it. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend. If youre like me, youve probably been thinking of doing this adventure for a while. He also told us how to signal a passing boat if we needed help and gave us a number to text in case of emergencies. 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. Have you done this experience or do you have more questions? The only amenities youll find at the campsites along the river are a composting toilet and a metal fire ring. Heres what I take: For information on kayak camping gear check out my post on the best sea kayaking camping gear. . Idaho whitewater rafting and kayaking trips departing daily. After Waterholes Canyon, continue for another 4 miles until you arrive back at Lees Ferry. It should go without saying, but please be respectful, and do not touch, carve or vandalize these precious remnants of Native American history in any way. 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Upon arrival the boat captain Jim welcomed me with a smile and offered to keep an eye on me. Any advice? Glen Canyon. We did about 3hrs which was perfect. Two Outliers may contain affiliate links we only recommend products we personally use and love. The wind that funnels up the canyon in the afternoon and evening affects paddling and sleeping. Antelope Canyon and Glen Canyon with Horseshoe Bend are located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. . Hello. You definitely want to pack lightly, but you should be able to bring a tent as long as you stick to the necessities. How Long Does it Take to Kayak Horseshoe Bend? 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. But did you know that you can escape the crowds and experience Horseshoe Bend by kayaking on the Colorado River?! The kayaking trip is moderate in difficulty. During both time periods specifically October through early November and late March through early May the days are warm and the nights cool. The Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River. Want to Kayak the Colorado River and see the awesome Horseshoe Bend from the bottom? However, if its truly the only time you can make it work, book the earliest possible launch time. With the river flowing, if the kids are tired of paddling with you they can just hang out. The campsite at Horseshoe Bend is right on the beachy shore of the river, and tends to be the most crowded of the campsites along the Colorado. They told us what to look for and discussed safety concerns. Both are all-day excursions. Experience canyon adventures in the Southwest USA including Kanarra Creek, Zion's Subway Canyon, Bryce, Antelope, Horseshoe Bend, and the Grand Canyon from the North Rim. 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. Antelope Canyon has been on my bucket list for so long. Keep in mind that flash floods will be a concern throughout much of the summer, and avalanches are also a major concern at higher elevations. Elevation at Overlook - 4214 feet. As this is Arizona, please make sure you check on fire restrictions ahead of time to find out if youre allowed to have one! We would not have made it to Horseshoe Bend from Lees Ferry if we did not use the backhaul service. Wind is the main thing that could make kayaking the Colorado River more difficult. Kayaking is one of my favorite things to do! Its located on river right, roughly between Mile 11 & 12. Hi! And woooowza for your hike along Antelope Canyon without the crowds. The water is cold and youll have a safeguard against drowning. We are coming out that way day before Memorial Day May 24th. Bottom line: pack as light as you can. Hiking tours to Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon on Navajo lands are very popular. Boats rentals are located in Page and at Lees Ferry. You should be able to book this on fairly short notice but a week before or longer if possible, would guarantee you the date and time that you want. Thousands of people kayak the stretch of river between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry every year with no issues. The best time to kayak on the Colorado River is from spring through fall, around late March to late October. PRO TIP: theres a freshwater spring that pours into the river directly beneath the lookout point at the top of Horseshoe Bend. How long does the Horseshoe Bend hike take? There are four campgrounds between Glen Canyon Dam and Horseshoe Bend at numerous points. 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. . The 6-mile paddle the next morning was more of a drift back to the landing as we didnt want the amazing time to end. CamelBak Women's Sequoia 24 Hydration Pack. This was experiencing nature at its best!During our drive up the river, Terry pointed out wild horses and big horn sheep. In this article, weve rounded up all the information you need to know to plan the perfect kayaking trip. ~ Edwin Markham It was wild to look up and see the crowds on the canyon rim at Horseshoe Bend looking down at us. Do you happen to see it or know where its located? . We were very pleased with the service Bobby and Brady provided. The most practical way to take on this adventure is to hire a backhaul service to carry you and your gear upstream from Lees Ferry. The kayaks are stable sit-on-top boats. 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. Their rule is that any kayak not returned by the end of the day, so that its available for rental the next day, is charged for two days. Its tough to say theres one best time to complete this adventure. Glen Canyon Dam. National Park Service passes do not apply . . It was great to see where we had paddled. Kayak rentals: $25 for a single inflatable or hard-body kayak; $45 for a tandem . The Backhaul taxi service is the most convenient way to see Horseshoe Bend and kayak . Note that Lees Ferry has a modern bathroom and there are vault toilets at each milepost except for the Glen Canyon Dam. Our shuttle boat is designed for speed and comfort. This family-owned company rents kayaks, paddleboards, and packrafts in Page. Mostly we were floating. We found it to be a nice and easy kayak because you go with the current. Pack out everything you pack in. Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks sounds amazing! We do short duration floats, day floats, and arrange for people to do multiple day floats while camping on the river. . At mile 10, beach your kayaks and take a short hike to see Native American petroglyphs carved into the canyon wall. It also gets COLD in this area in the winter, as Horseshoe Bend sits at 4,200 feet elevation. After the mountain lion took a lengthy drink, it slipped back into the bushes and out of sight. I think they would be fine. Taryn is happiest when she's outside and always up for an adventure especially if it involves a hike, sunset, road trip, or limited cell service. Kayakers at a campsite in Horseshoe Bend | Photo credit: Ivana Cajina on Unsplash. There are 5 designated campsites with toilets and fire pits. It takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes to get there.
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