Any advice? How Long Does it Take to Kayak Horseshoe Bend? As with all canyon adventures, an early start is key to see more wildlife and avoid the heat of the day and the crowds. However, we nestled behind some bushes to keep from being sandblasted by the wind. Beat them by being in the park at sunrise or waiting until 4ish pm. This is where the Grand Canyon begins at Marble Canyon just outside of Page, Arizona and a short trip from the Grand Canyon North Rim. We saw plenty of kayakers pulled off there to make the hike up but my crew skipped it due to time constraints. The Western Tanagers looked like they had spilled red food coloring over their yellow heads. I saw many lobster bodies that were going to be hurting later. It depends on how far up-river you go, but generally 5-8 hours. You can have them drop you off just upstream from Horseshoe Bend, or up closer to Glen Canyon Dam like my friends and I did. If you need a little adventure in your life, you can go kayaking between the two sites. 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! . Brady, is a Captain, and all captains provide special knowledge for an adventure that fits your individual needs. 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. The last campsite before Lees Ferry is located at mile 6. This was experiencing nature at its best!During our drive up the river, Terry pointed out wild horses and big horn sheep. The summer months are extremely hot and sunny, with daytime temperatures soaring above 100 degrees. Best of all, however, are the resident wild mustangs! Hi! Iwould definitely enjoy the kayaking piece. The 54 campsites at Lees Ferry cost $20 per night and available first-come-first serve only, so arrive early to snag a spot. ~ Edwin Markham For more information, read mydisclosure statement. email info@kayakthecolorado.com or give a holler 928-856-0012. 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. Youll even have enough time to visit Horseshoe Bend fro above in the morning! He IS a kayaker. 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. And I cant believe you saw a mountain lion! The first one we discovered is located on river right about 1/4-mile downstream from where the backhaul service dropped us off. early in the morning for a ride up the river to Glen Canyon Dam with your gear. From the petroglyphs, you are just around the corner from the magnificent Horseshoe Bend. 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. Yes. . How Difficult is Kayaking Horseshoe Bend? Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Approximate hiking time - 30 minutes to an hour. If you could only do one kayak trip and you had younger kids (6), which would you do? flying overhead or diving to fish in the water, and scan the cliffs for bighorns. . It was great to see where we had paddled. We use cookies to give you a personalized, relevant browsing experience. To combine those and then pair it with more kayaking and camping would be a dream. The hour-long paddle through the canyon winds past huge cliffs of Navajo sandstone. We saw so many trout in the crystal clear water I wished I had a pole to catch dinner. You definitely want to pack lightly, but you should be able to bring a tent as long as you stick to the necessities. At the mouth of Antelope Canyon, the no-wake zone starts. I had to tell myself it wasnt a dream! Now that I have answers, I can share some tips with you. For a fee, Lazy River Outfitters offers tubing, canoe, and kayak rentals as well as shuttles to the Horse Shoe River Access Park. I've traveled all different kinds of ways, from backpacks to tents to a 33 foot travel trailer. Keep in mind, you dont need to camp along the river. If you opt to use a backhaul service, kayaking Horseshoe Bend is a moderately difficult trip since youll be paddling downriver the entire time. Theyre also both on the peninsula that forms Horseshoe Bend. OMG such a cool experience!! Youll kayak back downriver to the boat launch to end your trip. There are four campgrounds between Glen Canyon Dam and Horseshoe Bend at numerous points. I've tried it all. . For years Ive seen those beautiful photos of horseshoe bend and want to visit so badly, but I never dreamed of being able to get that close and actually kayak it. It's not easy, but there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of beating crowds. It takes about 3 hours to kayak Horseshoe Bend. There is a gas station and convenience store about 10 minutes from Lees Ferry in Marble Canyon. We will definitely want to stay with Shash Dine EcoRetreat in the future. However, note that some parks may not have full access due to seasonal roads or weather concerns. Enjoy! Page, Arizona is the best base for exploring these canyons. View all posts by Paul. more, Multi-day Tours Taxis & Shuttles Boat Tours Fishing Charters & Tours Boat Rentals Day Trips. We camped at Ferry Swale campground about a mile upstream from Horsehoe Bend and had no complaints. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend is not only an epic adventure and the best way to skip the crowds at the wildly popular tourist attraction. The logistics of the trip involve a backhaul boat trip up to below Glen Canyon Dam. 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. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. . The day before you go come to the shop at 836 Vista Ave, Page AZ 86040, and pick up your gear after 3 pm. Do you offer kayak rentals and transportation.. Glen Canyon Dam to Lee's Ferry? We recently used Kayak Horseshoe Bend on a family trip on the Colorado River. Start your days EARLY or LATE. Yes, please report back with any tips for paddle boarders. Just around Horseshoe Bend is the mile 8 campsite. 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. As I rounded a curve on the river, I saw an animal moving slowly out of the brush toward the river. You can take a backhaul service (i.e. The rooms are well-appointed with a desert flair. . You can book a horseshoe bend backhaul trip completely online by clicking the green button on this page or call us at +1(435) 275-2925 to book over the phone. 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. Antelope Canyon is Instagram famous worldwide. I've been living on the road for the better part of five years. Yes - you can be dropped most anywhere along the river. Hire a backhaul service (we went with Kayak the Colorado), who youll meet at the Lees Ferry Boat Launch at a specified time. Ill let you know how that turns out. We totally recommend seeing Horseshoe Bend from above. Although I was new to the area and unsure about finding the dock, the guides were very communicative and helped me locate the spot. Although there arent any physical signs along the river, boaters use a mile marker system for navigation, with 0 being the Lees Ferry launch point and 15 being the Glen Canyon Dam. 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. The water is cold and youll have a safeguard against drowning. Posts may contain links to products and services I love. 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. COPYRIGHT CHASING TRAIL 2022 Site Powered by Pix & Hue. High winds do not make for an enjoyable kayaking trip, even in Horseshoe Bend! . If you do experience heavy winds, find a spot to pull over for awhile and see if you can wait it out. There were several long stretches where we didnt paddle at all, and instead just leisurely floated along, taking it all in. Ive always wanted to do this! Each year, millions of people flock to Horseshoe Bend for selfies and other awesome photos from the top. Love it. This post contains affiliate links. But 1,000 feet directly below the viewpoint, others know that the best way to enjoy this spectacular area is to kayak Horseshoe Bend (yes, those tiny specks you can see from above are kayakers!). We spend any free time we can get hiking, camping, backpacking, and exploring new places! If youd prefer slightly cushier accommodations to round out your adventure kayaking Horseshoe Bend, there are plenty of options. The water is so crystal clear and reflects beautiful emerald green colors. Kayaking is one of my favorite things to do! 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. We were very pleased with the service Bobby and Brady provided. Once youre ready, the gentle flow of the river guides you back down to Lees Ferry over the course of several hours. Even the evenings often dont see temps lower than the 80s! We wanted to stay in one of their sheep wagons but it didnt work out this time. Do you happen to see it or know where its located? But dont forget to soak up your last few minutes in this beautiful canyon! Located just minutes from the Lees Ferry boat launch is Lees Ferry Campground, the perfect spot to spend the night before your kayaking trip if you plan to get an early start. Horseshoe Bend is a unique natural wonder where the Colorado River makes a bend. I may make a small commission from them, at no extra cost to you. 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. Famous sites are well worth seeing, but once you do, find lesser-known hikes, get away from the main areas for lunch, and seek hidden gems to catch sunset. The best way to get started is to just put a firm date on the calendar, then used the resources above to start taking care of the details. Be the first to get access to this essential guide that will help you determine your dream set-up: Motorhome, Trailer, Tent, Van. Both trips were highlights and a magnificent way to explore the canyon country of northern Arizona. All the designated campgrounds and Petroglyph Beach also have campfire rings. Promise you'll have a much better experience! Difficulty - Easy, however there are steep dropoffs, stay away from cliff edges. We found an isolated campsite with an amazing view of the moon rising over the canyon. 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. 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. We are coming out that way day before Memorial Day May 24th. In general, kayaking Horseshoe Bend is easy. [See document on camping.] Biggest risk: water temperature. The map below displays each of the key sites, landmarks and campsites along the Colorado River from Lees Ferry to Glen Canyon Dam: After hopping on the backhaul from Lees Ferry, it takes about 45 minutes to boat up river all the way to Glen Canyon Dam, at which point its not possible to continue any further. Out of curiosity, we attempted to paddle up river a few times, and it was not easy at all! Ive yet to see one anywhere but I often feel like maybe their eyes are on me when I hike in Arizona. . Horseshoe Bend as an overnight camping trip, Our Essential Backpacking Gear List & Spreadsheet, Moqui Caverns: Exploring the Kanab Sand Caves, Coyote Buttes South: An Epic Alternative to the Wave, Toadstool Hoodoos: An Otherwordly Hike near Page, How to Hike the Worlds Longest Slot Canyon: Buckskin Gulch, Adventurous One Week Road Trip in Arizona and Southern Utah, Toadstool Hoodoos: an Underrated Adventure, Grand Canyon Skeleton Point via South Kaibab Trail: Ultimate Hike Guide, How to Hike to Soldiers Pass Cave: Sedona, Az, Adventurous One Week Arizona to Utah Road Trip, Best Things to Do in Page, Arizona in One Day, 18 Best Things to Do in Escalante, Utah: A Complete Guide, How to Visit Stunning Laguna Humantay in Peru from Cusco, Experience a classic viewpoint from a different perspective, away from the crowds, Enjoy the beauty of the Colorado River and soaring canyon walls, Offers the chance to find solitude, although the campsites tend to be busy, Somewhat expensive to rent kayaks and backhaul service, Campsites tend to be crowded, so you wont have the backcountry wilderness experience you may be hoping for, Motor boats towing kayakers up river detracts from the peace and quiet of the river canyon, If you plan to camp overnight, be sure to. The river route goes around Horseshoe Bend, the iconic, most photographed viewpoint near Page. My daughter and I did a day kayak trip on Lake Powell into lower Antelope Canyon and then hiked into the gorgeous slot canyon. 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. 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. 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! We are going kayaking next week from petroglyph beach. 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 best way to get acquainted with this stretch of river is to learn the mile marker system that boaters use. 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.
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