The hour-long paddle through the canyon winds past huge cliffs of Navajo sandstone. Experience the 15 miles of Horseshoe Bend Rafting Trip in just a half day with AdvantageGrandCanyon. CamelBak Women's Sequoia 24 Hydration Pack. As much as I browsed the web, I couldnt find answers to all of my questions. 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. No reservations are available. At mile 10, beach your kayaks and take a short hike to see Native American petroglyphs carved into the canyon wall. Dont miss an adventure! 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. 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. To make things even worse, Arizona experiences monsoon season in July and August. . Hire a backhaul service (we went with Kayak the Colorado), who youll meet at the Lees Ferry Boat Launch at a specified time. Keep reading for my top tips on how to experience this epic adventure for yourself. Approximate hiking time - 30 minutes to an hour. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. But did you know that you can escape the crowds and experience Horseshoe Bend by kayaking on the Colorado River?! Thank you! Campsites are located at 6, 8, 9 and 11 miles from Lees Ferry. Brady, is a Captain, and all captains provide special knowledge for an adventure that fits your individual needs. I would have loved to do them but they were closed due to Covid when we visited. The water is so crystal clear and reflects beautiful emerald green colors. All the designated campgrounds and Petroglyph Beach also have campfire rings. PRO TIP: theres a freshwater spring that pours into the river directly beneath the lookout point at the top of Horseshoe Bend. Both kayaking trips are accessible to anyone with prior paddling experience. Alternatively, there are several camping areas along the shores of the Colorado River, meaning its possible to kayak Horseshoe Bend as an overnight camping trip. Note that the boats leave from Lee's Ferry Launch, NOT Cliff Dweller's Lodge, which was a bit confusing from the instructions sent to us. He showed us a short trail to some petroglyphs that I wouldnt have otherwise known about. Ive done the Navajo Tours hike through Upper Antelope, I didnt realize it was accessible other ways. By this point, youre going to be hot, tired, and ready to be back at your car. You can stay in a traditional Navajo hogan on a working farm. We definitely recommend using the backhaul service. It was a wonderful day trip from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Its a busy place as the multi-day whitewater Grand Canyon trips with their huge rafts begin there. The Backhaul taxi service is the most convenient way to see Horseshoe Bend and kayak . This topic probably caused more stress for me and my crew than any other. 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. 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. Best-selling author and outdoor guide. 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. During this time, unpredictable thunderstorms and flash floods are frequent, and theres a ton of humidity to deal with (yep Arizona isnt always dry!). This is probably the second most popular campsite, but is less crowded than the site at Horseshoe Bend. However, you do need either an America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) or a pass for the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area ($30). But it could seem a bit intimidating to anyone newer to kayaking/paddle boarding. A backhaul service will transport your kayak up the river and then take you down, allowing you to complete the whole trip in six to nine hours, depending on the conditions. Also, wear a good sun hat, slather on that sunscreen, and pack a ton of water. In addition, we rent kayaks and other float craft. Because youll be paddling downriver, the entire 16 miles can be kayaked as a day trip in about 6 to 9 hours depending on the wind and current. Thanks! The Glen Canyon Dam was created in 1956-1966 and holds back enough water to form Lake Powell. They fill 3 boats of ~6 people in 15-minute intervals; all departed on time. When we went in October, we seriously took our time, stopping for lunch and to take endless photos (including of grazing wild horses! within walking distance of downtown that sleeps 10, 12 Best Short & Easy Hikes in Yosemite National Park, The Wave Arizona Lottery: Winning a Permit in 2023, Unforgettable Yellowstone Glamping: Yellowstone Tipis, Telluride Camping Guide + 10 Epic Campsites Near Telluride, 7 Spectacular Waterfalls in Costa Rica You Need to See, Alyeska Hideaway | Charming Log Cabins in Alaska, Essential Guide to the 2023 National Parks Annual Pass, Fun & Unique Places to Stay in Florida: Kokomo Farms, Grewingk Glacier | Unforgettable Alaska Glacier Hike. At this point in the river, youre heading almost directly west. We all worried about being told wed overpacked. If you choose not to use the backhaul service, the trip becomes significantly more challenging. I have to admit, paddling along this route looks even more fun that the hikes looking down from above the canyon. Send us an email and tell us you want to paddle Horseshoe Bend and want to reserve your kayaks, packrafts or paddleboards for OVERNIGHT. in all your own gear. We recently used Kayak Horseshoe Bend on a family trip on the Colorado River. Your hosts will provide a unique Navajo cultural experience with an emphasis on connecting to the land. This is where KHB comes in. Choose the Perfect RV for you with thisFREE E-Book. Ive been looking at the backhaul trip starting at mile 10 and was told itd be about 5 hours paddling but the Antelope Canyon trip might be a better fit and Id love your thoughts. It's fairly affordable to visit 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. Do you offer kayak rentals and transportation.. Glen Canyon Dam to Lee's Ferry? Using the backhaul service, it's possible to kayak the entire 16 miles from Glen Canyon through Horseshoe Bend and back to Lee's Ferry in one day. Location: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, near Page, Arizona. Yes. . They fill 3 boats of ~6 people in 15-minute intervals; all departed on time. The uniqueness of adventuring through canyons by water is a relief from the heat of the desert. High winds do not make for an enjoyable kayaking trip, even in Horseshoe Bend! Youll kayak back downriver to the boat launch to end your trip. 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. I loved reading this so much! The earlier you get on the water, the more you will have the canyon to yourself in the morning. Arizona Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal includes his list of top 50 natural wonders. Paddle downstream with a few stops to rest and explore along the way. Once again, because of its distance from Horseshoe Bend, this campsite tends to be less popular. That was plenty for both an evening and morning fire. Kayaking Glen Canyon was a highlight of our Southwest trip! 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. 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. . When you see the following landmarks, you can make a pretty decent guess about your position and progress along the route. 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. Because it is north of Horseshoe Bend, the campsite at mile 11 tends to be the least crowded and still offers lovely views of the canyon. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River is a unique way to experience one of the Southwests most famous viewpoints! Pack out everything you pack in. Without a doubt, my favorite feature of this two-day adventure of the Colorado River was the tranquil spring-fed oasis shown in the video clip below. 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. . Keep an eye out for ospreys and eagles (look for their huge, impressive telltale nests!) About. Although I was new to the area and unsure about finding the dock, the guides were very communicative and helped me locate the spot. . Antelope canyon looks like another world. It was an awe inspiring trip which could have been scary but we knew we were covered with the help of KHB. Do You Need a Permit to Kayak Horseshoe Bend? 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. 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? We did about 3hrs which was perfect. In 2014, Paul Fiarkoski went on a hiking trip to world-famous Havasupai Falls in the Grand Canyon. It was surreal to experience such a popular spot from the quietly flowing water below, away from the crowds at the rim of the canyon. The Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam flows through ancient canyons on emerald green currents. The summer months are extremely hot and sunny, with daytime temperatures soaring above 100 degrees. I've been living on the road for the better part of five years. They have singles and doubles. The best way to get acquainted with this stretch of river is to learn the mile marker system that boaters use. . We loved this trip with kayak the colorado at Horseshoe Bend and would highly recommend it to anyone. . Squeee! Located less than one hour from Boise! How long does it take to kayak Horseshoe Bend? The first half of May and the second half of September into October is a fantastic time to visit many parks. Each year, millions of people flock to Horseshoe Bend for selfies and other awesome photos from the top. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. . You can buy a pass at the permit vending station upon arrival. 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. You must bring your own firewood and pack out everything. Its very cold and hypothermia can set in quickly. We highly recommend this trip and this company! Petroglyph Beach, the most popular launch point for kayaking Horseshoe Bend. (You can see it in the upper right corner of the video frame at the beginning of the video clip.) Sequoia National Park - mostly Paradise Creek Trail, but the flowers are poppin' EVERYWHERE! . Highly recommend backhaul service and SUP rental! Any advice? Enjoy! Given the cold water temperatures and high canyon walls that cast shade on the river, youll probably want to avoid the winter months of November through February. 300 Feet down then back up. 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. By clicking Accept, you consent to their use on this site. We did an overnight camping trip on this 15-mile section between the Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry.

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