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No, permits are not required to camp along the Colorado River. Antelope Canyon has been on my bucket list for so long. 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. 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. It was purely serendipitous that the distance from . Up top on the viewing point, hundreds of people try to get that perfect social media-worthy photo, but 1,000 feet below the rim, youll be peacefully enveloped by the sandstone walls with clear water all around you. . What amazing views, this is definitely an adventure Id like to plan one day. In that time Ive helped thousands of people kindle a love of nature and outdoor adventure. 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. Squeee! To avoid taking a backhaul you will need at least 2 days to kayak to Horseshoe Bend and back. 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. The Antelope Canyon kayak trip was sponsored by Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks. 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Ill definitely use them! I definitely want to kayak here, it seems like the most self sufficient way to go, and the most cost effective. Below are some of the things I wish I had known before the trip. About 15 minutes in the slot canyon begins. From here youll find an awesome view of the bend from the opposite side, a sight that few people get to experience! It takes only a few minutes to hike up to the petroglyphs. 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. 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. 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. . Questions about how to kayak Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River? To the left it continues to a dead-end in about 10 minutes; to the right, it opens up to a wider canyon. Glen Canyon. The guide came by in a boat a few times so I also knew I could call him if I had any issues.The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 1 is that it wouldnt let me book just one person I had to book two. It was a wonderful day trip from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. . 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. 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. If we are looking to only kayak 5-6 miles, could we be dropped off not as far down the river? How To Kayak Antelope Canyon? - Kayakaa The . Its hard to describe exactly where each spring is located, but I can tell you that there are at least two each on river right and river left (when facing downstream) between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry. Kayak the Colorado | Horseshoe Bend | Grand Canyon KayakingUnited States It simply cant compare to the beauty of Horseshoe Bend and the Colorado River canyon. We had a great trip with Kayak Horseshoe Bend/Lee's Ferry Anglers. I saw many lobster bodies that were going to be hurting later. We wanted to stay in one of their sheep wagons but it didnt work out this time. Kayak the Colorado provides kayak rental and backhaul taxi services to Horseshoe Bend and the dam. Note that Lees Ferry has a modern bathroom and there are vault toilets at each milepost except for the Glen Canyon Dam. To cut down on the length of the trip, you could have your backhaul drop you at mile 10, just north of Horseshoe Bend. To make things even worse, Arizona experiences monsoon season in July and August. Your email address will not be published. There are a total of five primitive campgrounds in the 15-mile stretch of river between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry. The uniqueness of adventuring through canyons by water is a relief from the heat of the desert. in all your own gear. Avoid holidays altogether if you can. . I would have loved to do them but they were closed due to Covid when we visited. Brady has been renting hard shell kayaks, canoes, SUPs, and inflatables at Lee's Ferry and Grand Canyon for over 20 years. Difficulty - Easy, however there are steep dropoffs, stay away from cliff edges. 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 only thing that can top this is the once-in-a-lifetime experience of sleeping at the bottom of Horseshoe Bend! [See document on camping.] Kayak Horseshoe Bend (Marble Canyon) - All You Need to - Tripadvisor We want to hear from you! I want to be a part of an exclusive group of kick-butt woman and supportive men. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend at a Glance. We opted for the Mile 6 campsite as we were thoroughly enjoying drifting along in the 2-mile an hour current under the 1000 feet sandstone cliffs. Yes, campfires are permitted in fire rings only. They fill 3 boats of ~6 people in 15-minute intervals; all departed on time. We kayaked leisurely (easy going with the current) and stopped twice to picnic/take photos; it took 4 hours (almost 5 hours including backhaul). more, Multi-day Tours Taxis & Shuttles Boat Tours Fishing Charters & Tours Boat Rentals Day Trips. One can expect a paddle from the Petroglyph Panel drop point to take approximately 4-6 hours to paddle around Horseshoe Bend and back to the Lee's Ferry parking area. 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. Avoid whirlpools, as they may make your kayak tip over, If strong wind gusts or rain move in, take cover by getting over to a riverbank as quickly as possible and taking cover until conditions calm, There are plenty of bathrooms, campgrounds, beaches, and other places to stop on the route while youre kayaking Horseshoe Bend. Since I have zero experience with a stand-up paddleboard, I checked to see what others had to say on this topic. It was an easy return of the gear as we could just leave it at the takeout with the outfitters at Lees Ferry. Although permits or reservations are not required to camp, you must camp in designated camping zones, which are marked with a sign. 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. Glen Canyon Dam. I saw several people in other companys less stable boats take an unintentional swim. By this point, youre going to be hot, tired, and ready to be back at your car. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. early in the morning for a ride up the river to Glen Canyon Dam with your gear. This is a steep and challenging mile hike, which requires use of a rope to pull yourself out of the canyon, so its not recommended if you have a fear of heights. Being at the bottom of such a deep canyon, wind really accelerates down on the water. Another approach is to camp at Lees Ferry Campground and just plan for one long day on the river. The whole hike takes about an hour. Adventure for all ages and skill levels with half and full day whitewater rafting trips. 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. He dropped us off above horseshoe bend (at our request), gave us a brief our kayaks and then said you should check out the petroglyphs right there before you head it., Kayak Horseshoe Bend (Marble Canyon) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, Hotels near Vermillion Cliffs Scenic Highway, Hotels near Old Cliff Dwellers Lodge (Blanche Russell Rock House), Fishing Charters & Tours in Marble Canyon, Boat Tours & Water Sports in Marble Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs Scenic Highway: Tickets & Tours, Dunn's River Falls & Blue Hole Combo Tour from Ocho Rios, Intro to Scuba Diving in Lahaina (Swimming Ability Required), Paragliding Tandem Experience From Dajti Mountain, 1-Day Kisoji, Nakasendo Trail Tour: Tsumago & Magome Post Towns, Atlanta Ghosts: Hauntings, Ghouls, and Phantoms of Atlanta, 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Admission Ticket in Chicago. Posts may contain links to products and services I love. . There are several campsites along the way. It isnt at all necessary to camp overnight to enjoy kayaking Horseshoe Bend, but thats definitely a more leisurely way to take in the beauty of it all. Enjoy! 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. All are very rustic sites, although there are fire rings and pit toilets. Once the rain lets up, you can start paddling again and, if youre lucky, youll see waterfalls cascading down the canyon walls. Best of all, however, are the resident wild mustangs! Antelope Canyon is Instagram famous worldwide. It's a quick moving river ride and you won't even have to paddle. It has a nice selection of restaurants and accommodations for all budgets. If its at your back helping you along, that can be a good thing but if youre heading into it, youll be struggling to make progress the whole time. Beginner paddleboarders should only paddle on Lake Powell when visiting Glen Canyon for safety reasons. Kayaking at Horseshoe Bend. Leave no trace. However, a kayak trip to where Lake Powell meets the bottom of Antelope Canyon is a unique way to experience Antelope without a canyon tour. 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. Don't miss an adventure! The canyon eventually reaches a fork which is a good turnaround spot. The 8 Mile campsite is a beautiful riverside site with good shade and hiking. Once I got dropped off my epic adventure started, WOW. Kayaking the Colorado from below is an experience of a life time. (We have our own inflatable kayak, and my dog can stay in a carrier if you don't want a dog walking around your boat.) Get off the beaten path! . I've traveled all different kinds of ways, from backpacks to tents to a 33 foot travel trailer. 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. The Bears Den B & B is one of the nicest places in Page. From there, its approximately 10 miles back downstream to the boat launch. Its little effort for maximum adventure! This company is amazing. . Get an early start to avoid afternoon winds and intense heat. Crowds are significantly lighter Mon-Thurs. The water was so perfectly still in the morning, it was beautiful! At mile 10, beach your kayaks and take a short hike to see Native American petroglyphs carved into the canyon wall. To park in the parking lot, there is a fee of $10 per vehicle (car or RV). The water is cold and youll have a safeguard against drowning. Instead, youd need to spend at least one night along the river. Its also a fantastic alternative to whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon. I've tried it all. The first half of May and the second half of September into October is a fantastic time to visit many parks. We are planning on kayaking and camping Horseshoe Bend in May and I was wondering how long it took you to paddle out from the mile 6 campsite the next morning? The kayaking trip is moderate in difficulty. 300 Feet down then back up. This family-owned company rents kayaks, paddleboards, and packrafts in Page. Biggest risk: water temperature. After the mountain lion took a lengthy drink, it slipped back into the bushes and out of sight. 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. Each camping area has at least one metal fire ring available. While its technically possible to kayak the Colorado River without the backhaul, we would highly recommend using it. Whats great about when you kayak Horseshoe Bend is that its an easy route even if you have exactly zero prior paddling experience. Parking Fees. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend. At mile 13, there is a trail located on the righthand side of the river that leads up and out of the canyon. . There is a gas station and convenience store about 10 minutes from Lees Ferry in Marble Canyon. Youll want to make reservations online in advance, especially on the weekends, as the backhaul time slots tend to fill up. Therefore, your smart phone will adjust as you travel through. They have singles and doubles. 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? This kayaking trip will put you in the bend. From showing the wild horses, to warning us about monsoon winds in the canyon, to handing out extra water bottles (bc Im not from AZ and failed to bring enough), we felt completely at ease because we knew he and his colleagues would be around and could be reached by phone or text if anything came up. 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. I want to empower more people to take the steps to living their dreams and enjoy life on the road. It has a hot tub and a made-to-order breakfast. It might be your first chance to play piano in the desert. That being said, this isnt a lazy river floating trip and youll still need to paddle so expect to finish the trip with sore arms and an aching back! This is probably the second most popular campsite, but is less crowded than the site at Horseshoe Bend. I have to admit, paddling along this route looks even more fun that the hikes looking down from above the canyon. Another unique place to stay in the Vermillion Cliffs area is the Shash Dine EcoRetreat. Its a popular campsite with some shade. Getting to Horseshoe Bend. Since there were six of us in our party, we each brought a synthetic firelog that you can purchase in stores. Heres what I take: For information on kayak camping gear check out my post on the best sea kayaking camping gear. For more information, read mydisclosure statement. But only a small fraction of adventurers get to experience the views from river level. Send me Awesome RV Guides, How To's and Travel Tips! As you travel upstream, the numbers get bigger; coming downstream, they get smaller. Yes, Waterholes Canyon is accessible from the east bank of the river (left as you head downstream) at around the 4 mile marker. I get claustrophobic in tight spaces but this canyon was fineso beautiful. The guys from Kayak Horseshoe Bend were exceptional and well prepared. It was an amazing experience. 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. Looking for more great things to do in Kanab? How to Kayak the Colorado at Horseshoe Bend, How to install a Roof Top Tent on a Truck Bed, How to do the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike. So many people see Horseshoe Bend from the top but so few see it from the bottom! The backhaul service is very well run (they took us up to Horseshoe Bend - you also have the option to go up to Glen Canyon Dam). It's fairly affordable to visit Horseshoe Bend. . If youre like me, youve probably been thinking of doing this adventure for a while. Yes. Hi Cyndi, I would recommend the Horseshoe bend kayak trip for kids. The Colorado River current runs at about 3 mph. . Enter your email address to receive updates and new posts straight to your inbox. 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. With the river flowing, if the kids are tired of paddling with you they can just hang out. And Antelope Canyon is high on my to-do list. We hope that our experiences will help you plan for your next adventure and inspire you to be an outlier! Arrive at Lees Ferry boat ramp in early afternoon. In total, there are about 130 steps inside Lower Antelope Canyon. We were scheduled for a 3 day, 2 night float but had to cancel our departure day due to predicted high winds. There are 5 designated campsites with toilets and fire pits. The only amenities youll find at the campsites along the river are a composting toilet and a metal fire ring. Call now! Thank you! Ive done the research and made the trip. The trail to Horseshoe Bend is 1.5 miles long and gains about 480 feet in elevation. Always helpful to get recommendations on kayak rental companies too. 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. . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I travel extensively, I kinda like to hike and think of myself as "outdoorsy," and I'm a wannabe photographer. Learn how your comment data is processed. Horseshoe Bend is a unique natural wonder where the Colorado River makes a bend. . We visited Horseshoe Bend from the popular viewpoint near Page in 2019, and at the time never expected wed get to see the beautiful spot again. A backhaul taxi to Horseshoe Bend is a motorized boat that carries people, watercraft and gear upstream from Lee's Ferry to the base of the Glen Canyon Dam, Horseshoe Bend or anywhere along the Colorado river. Did you bring a tent or just a tarp to sleep on? What does Kayak Horseshoe Bend provide in terms of gear and equipment? Thanks for the tips! Tell us your favorite kayaking trip below! We saw plenty of kayakers pulled off there to make the hike up but my crew skipped it due to time constraints. If you plan to do the trip as an overnight, check out our complete list of backpacking gear essentials to help you pack! Here's how to do an easy day kayak through the beginning of the Grand Canyon. 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! Do You Need a Permit to Kayak Horseshoe Bend? Horseshoe Bend. The rooms are well-appointed with a desert flair. How to Kayak Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River Antelope Canyon and Glen Canyon with Horseshoe Bend are located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Its a busy place as the multi-day whitewater Grand Canyon trips with their huge rafts begin there. However, we nestled behind some bushes to keep from being sandblasted by the wind. Goodness! By clicking Accept, you consent to their use on this site. This post contains affiliate links. 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. Important: ALL of the outfitters offering backhaul service and Horseshoe Bend kayaking tours take an off-season break from mid- to late October through early March. Best-selling author and outdoor guide. Have you done this experience or do you have more questions?