how long does it take to kayak horseshoe bend

Approximate hiking time - 30 minutes to an hour. The uniqueness of adventuring through canyons by water is a relief from the heat of the desert. Start in Flagstaff, Arizona's third-largest city about two hours north of Phoenix. 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. I had no idea you could get to Antelope Canyon via kayaking! For a longer river trip: Click here for turn-by- turn directions or GPS uses . All campsites are first-come, first-served. . We found an isolated campsite with an amazing view of the moon rising over the canyon. Get off the beaten path! early in the morning for a ride up the river to Glen Canyon Dam with your gear. It's not easy, but there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of beating crowds. Because the Glen Canyon Dam is located 7 miles upriver from Horseshoe Bend, Lees Ferry is the only access point if you want to boat or kayak to Horseshoe Bend. 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. Youll kayak back downriver to the boat launch to end your trip. Hi Cyndi, I would recommend the Horseshoe bend kayak trip for kids. 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. To avoid taking a backhaul you will need at least 2 days to kayak to Horseshoe Bend and back. We found it to be a nice and easy kayak because you go with the current. Don't miss an adventure! 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. 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. Thank you for supporting my blog. Therefore, your smart phone will adjust as you travel through. If you opt to use a backhaul service, kayaking Horseshoe Bend is a moderately difficult trip since youll be paddling downriver the entire time. Mile 8 and Mile 9 campgrounds are the most popular because theyre at roughly the midpoint from top to bottom. So many people see Horseshoe Bend from the top but so few see it from the bottom! This looks like so much fun. 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. do not leave it unattended, make sure to put the fire out before you go to bed, etc). 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. 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! 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. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Choose the Perfect RV for you with thisFREE E-Book. At the 10 mile marker is a day-use area with an impressive wall of petroglyphs down a short trail. Each year, millions of people flock to Horseshoe Bend for selfies and other awesome photos from the top. Theyre labeled on this map. If youre an experienced kayaker and up for a challenge, you could kayak 6 miles up river on day one, spend the night at 6-mile campground, and continue 3 miles upriver to Horseshoe Bend in the morning before heading back down river to Lees Ferry. Beginner paddleboarders should only paddle on Lake Powell when visiting Glen Canyon for safety reasons. Ive done the research and made the trip. Your email address will not be published. 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. Enjoy! Horseshoe Bend is a unique natural wonder where the Colorado River makes a bend. A viewing platform was put in place to prevent people from getting too close due to an unfortunate act of vandalism in 2021, so please do not try to go beyond the rock wall. There are several outfitters that offer kayak rentals and backhaul services right at Lees Ferry. The river was extremely navigable and I always felt safe. But the Colorado River below the dam and its Lake Powell, became a Mecca for 'yakking individuals, families and groups. Avoid holidays altogether if you can. . 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). Thank you! Category: Kanab Tags: adventure, kanab, kayak, southern utah, utah. What an amazing sight! The 8 Mile campsite is a beautiful riverside site with good shade and hiking. Also, wear a good sun hat, slather on that sunscreen, and pack a ton of water. 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. For instance, the 4-mile Recreation Area confirms youre four miles upstream from the Lees Ferry launch site. 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! Even early spring can be cold and unpredictable weather-wise and, in particular, windy. 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 this time, unpredictable thunderstorms and flash floods are frequent, and theres a ton of humidity to deal with (yep Arizona isnt always dry!). . They have singles and doubles. It may take you around 6-7 hours of paddling to complete the whole stretch of Horseshoe Bend. This topic probably caused more stress for me and my crew than any other. If we are looking to only kayak 5-6 miles, could we be dropped off not as far down the river? I bet you were glad you didnt see her when you were camping in the open! First of all, this kayaking trip was EPIC because of the location alone- its seriously an Arizona must do. 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. Yes - you can be dropped most anywhere along the river. Every turn was a new panorama of red walls and emerald water. Horseshoe Bend is a unique natural wonder where the Colorado River makes a bend. It might be your first chance to play piano in the desert. It was great to see where we had paddled. No idea why this isn't better known, but what an amazing experience! Yes, Waterholes Canyon is accessible from the east bank of the river (left as you head downstream) at around the 4 mile marker. From the public boat launch, it is a half-hour paddle to the mouth of Antelope Canyon. 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. They fill 3 boats of ~6 people in 15-minute intervals; all departed on time. The dam is a major source of hydroelectricity, but more importantly helps maintain an equitable water supply and . When we went in October, we seriously took our time, stopping for lunch and to take endless photos (including of grazing wild horses! You must bring your own firewood and pack out everything. We did our Horseshoe Bend kayaking trip at the very end of October and I cant imagine more perfect weather conditions! #sequoianationalpark #superbloom #nationalparkphotography #wildflowers #waterfallhike #sequoia #getoutside #nationalparkobsessed, Just really, really happy to be here. 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. 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. Kayaking the Colorado from below is an experience of a life time. Take lots of water with you. Hi there! Many of them have seen a hundred human generations rise, give off their little clamors, and perish. For those who dont have a lot of time, great news: a half-day trip is enough to kayak Horseshoe Bend! I have to admit, paddling along this route looks even more fun that the hikes looking down from above the canyon. The entrance fee is $30, however, its covered under all the Interagency Passes. Horseshoe Bend campsite at mile 9 has some shade and great fishing. Keep an eye out for ospreys and eagles (look for their huge, impressive telltale nests!) It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. I had never thought to kayak here before, but now I really want to! There is a gas station and convenience store about 10 minutes from Lees Ferry in Marble Canyon. Be the first to get access to this essential guide that will help you determine your dream set-up: Motorhome, Trailer, Tent, Van. The canyon eventually reaches a fork which is a good turnaround spot. #giantsequoia #sequoias #kingscanyon #bigtrees #giantsequoias #sequoiatrees #kingscanyonnationalpark #snowshoeing #itsbetteroutside, TIP TUESDAY for visiting national parks this season Boats rentals are located in Page and at Lees Ferry. We kayaked leisurely (easy going with the current) and stopped twice to picnic/take photos; it took 4 hours (almost 5 hours including . 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. I may make a small commission from them, at no extra cost to you. Its also possible to do a 10-mile day trip on the river but we wanted more river time on this gorgeous stretch of the Colorado. . . Your hosts will take you by boat from Lee's Ferry to the starting point of the kayaking adventure just before Marble Canyon. We'd planned to kayak Lake Powell into Antelope Canyon but sounded crowded, and then we heard about this alternative from Shash Dine, where we stayed. We brought our small backpacking tent, and had no trouble fitting it in the kayak. How difficult is the kayaking trip? And Antelope Canyon is high on my to-do list. Bottom line: pack as light as you can. 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. Don't make a mistake! Seeing Horseshoe Bend in person is a magical experience, but imagine kayaking the Colorado River and being inside the iconic bend! Ive always wanted to do this! 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. We did about 3hrs which was perfect. Although you dont need any special skills or permits to kayak Horseshoe Bend, there are still a few things to consider and logistics to plan. Learn how your comment data is processed. I've traveled all different kinds of ways, from backpacks to tents to a 33 foot travel trailer. Can you kayak around Horseshoe Bend? Using the backhaul service, its possible to kayak the entire 16 miles from Glen Canyon through Horseshoe Bend and back to Lees Ferry in one day. Whats great about when you kayak Horseshoe Bend is that its an easy route even if you have exactly zero prior paddling experience. All Horseshoe Bend kayaking trips launch from the Lees Ferry Boat Launch in Marble Canyon, AZ, Beginning paddlers should start their kayak trip from Petroglyph Beach, while more experienced folks can tackle the entire length from the dam to Lees Ferry in one day, You can technically shuttle two vehicles and bring your own gear, like an, The water on this stretch of the Colorado is exceptionally calm, with Class I rapids (the gentlest), There are several little beaches, coves, and other places to safely stop or pull out of the water if you want to take a break, If you plan to camp overnight in Horseshoe Bend, keep in mind youll need to pack (and paddle!) Your email address will not be published. Kayak rentals: $25 for a single inflatable or hard-body kayak; $45 for a tandem . We did an overnight . . You can buy a pass at the permit vending station upon arrival. I hear there is slot canyon hike between horseshoe bend and lees ferry. . As with all canyon adventures, an early start is key to see more wildlife and avoid the heat of the day and the crowds. The Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam flows through ancient canyons on emerald green currents. Great info! Thank you! 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 quality of their equipment and the knowledge and friendliness of the staff is unparalleled. Best Time of Year to Kayak Horseshoe Bend, Half Dome Lottery Guide | Hike the Epic Cables Route. They would periodically come by on the pontoons as we floated along, and this became particularly important when, just like he said could happen, the monsoon winds hit out of nowhere towards the very end of our route. Please call Kelly Outfitters for availability (48 hours ahead is preferred): 602-510-5511. Here your captain will pull over on a sandy beach, help you get your kayaks into the water, and then youre off! During the spring and fall, you can expect cooler but generally mild temperatures, although conditions can vary and snow is possible.

Burger Buddies School Lunch, Difference Between Haitian And Jamaican Food, Richard Turner Sister, Wayne County, Ny Accident Reports Today, Boxing Participation Statistics Uk, Articles H