Yes. Get off the beaten path! (You can see it in the upper right corner of the video frame at the beginning of the video clip.) We will definitely want to stay with Shash Dine EcoRetreat in the future. Kayaking the Colorado from below is an experience of a life time. The Arizona heat and sun exposure is no joke, and rescuers save people on the brink of death from dehydration or sun poisoning every single day. They use a numbering system that runs from 0 at the starting point (Lees Ferry) to 15 at the uppermost point (Glen Canyon Dam). You would not be able to make it to Horseshoe Bend and back in one day (18 miles total). It has a nice selection of restaurants and accommodations for all budgets. Highly recommend! We started at 7 or 8 and probably could have done later. Its cool to see Horsehoe Bend from the top, but I assure you many more amazing views and experiences await you down at river level. Glen Canyon Dam. There are several outfitters that offer kayak rentals and backhaul services right at Lees Ferry. . If you encounter them, remember that they are wild animals and therefore, unpredictable. The kayaking trip is moderate in difficulty. COPYRIGHT CHASING TRAIL 2022 Site Powered by Pix & Hue. 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. My opinions are my honest assessment of the experience. At mile 10, beach your kayaks and take a short hike to see Native American petroglyphs carved into the canyon wall. 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. It may take you around 6-7 hours of paddling to complete the whole stretch of Horseshoe Bend. Trail - Sand and sandstone. Some of the most awesome kayaking in Arizona are trips to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend near Page, AZ. Since there were six of us in our party, we each brought a synthetic firelog that you can purchase in stores. Camp overnight at one of five primitive campgrounds. If you didnt stop much and had a bit more hustle, the trip would take closer to five. However, the 6 Mile campground is the last one before Lees Ferry so unless we wanted a 15-mile day trip, this was our last chance to camp. Difficulty - Easy, however there are steep dropoffs, stay away from cliff edges. 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. However, we think the Colorado River is best enjoyed as an overnight camping . Your email address will not be published. We were completely blown away by the beauty of the canyon and the glass-like water of the Colorado River. The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect RV. High winds do not make for an enjoyable kayaking trip, even in Horseshoe Bend! Bottom line: pack as light as you can. . 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). Kayaking Glen Canyon was a highlight of our Southwest trip! This may vary by the outfitter, so check with them first. Watch out for powerboats! Kayaking Horseshoe Bend at a Glance. 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. 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. 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. That was plenty for both an evening and morning fire. It is really an easy float, can be done as a long day trip but we chose to do an overnight and got to camp just below the Horseshoe Bend overlook. Trust me, you wont regret the time and effort required to check this adventure off of your Arizona Bucket List. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend is not only an epic adventure and the best way to skip the crowds at the wildly popular tourist attraction. Will it be safe taking a 11 & 12 years olds? . Its a completely different perspective than the one you get from above, and Im sure not many people opt to do it either! Please call Kelly Outfitters for availability (48 hours ahead is preferred): 602-510-5511. Both are all-day excursions. The earlier you get on the water, the more you will have the canyon to yourself in the morning. As this is Arizona, please make sure you check on fire restrictions ahead of time to find out if youre allowed to have one! Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), How to Kayak Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River. However, we think the Colorado River is best enjoyed as an overnight camping trip! Alternatively, you could kayak a few miles from Lees Ferry before turning back, but youd miss the highlight of the trip: Horseshoe Bend! Avoid holidays altogether if you can. Arrive at Lees Ferry boat ramp in early afternoon. 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. . Yes. The ancient etchings are of the bighorn sheep that frequent the cliffs across the river. 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! Keep reading for my top tips on how to experience this epic adventure for yourself. February 23, 2022. Hi there! The kayak experience was incredible - stellar views the whole way. Definitely one of the highlights of our vacation. You can take a backhaul service (i.e. Location: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, near Page, Arizona. Other companies will help you strap them to your car, but I really didnt want to tie boats on top of my rental car. 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. I'm glad you're here and hope you'll stay awhile! Shorten the downstream trip by about 3 hours by getting dropped off at Petroglyph Beach. If you choose to camp here, you are close enough to Horseshoe Bend that you could set up camp and kayak back up river a bit to explore the bend further. Its about 85 miles upstream from the Grand Canyon on the same river that carved it. From the public boat launch, it is a half-hour paddle to the mouth of Antelope Canyon. Every turn was a new panorama of red walls and emerald water. Best Time of Year to Kayak Horseshoe Bend, Half Dome Lottery Guide | Hike the Epic Cables Route. Any tips I missed? We used Kayak the Colorado for our outfitter. Our shuttle boat is designed for speed and comfort. You can stay in a traditional Navajo hogan on a working farm. Questions about how to kayak Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River? 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. Ferry Swale campsite is next at 11 miles from the takeout at Lees Ferry. The logistics of the trip involve a backhaul boat trip up to below 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. Since the lake is low, we had to wheel our boats down to the water over the gravel. However, you do need either an America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) or a pass for the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area ($30). PRO TIP: theres a freshwater spring that pours into the river directly beneath the lookout point at the top of Horseshoe Bend. There are several good times to kayak Horseshoe Bend. The entrance fee is $30, however, its covered under all the Interagency Passes. It was an awe inspiring trip which could have been scary but we knew we were covered with the help of KHB. Instead, we checked in at the Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks well-stocked equipment store, picked out our lifejackets, and headed to the Antelope Point public boat launch. I brought my own kayak but a couple of my friends rented from the same company we hired for the backhaul shuttle Kayak The Colorado. 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. When I called the office for a straight answer, they told me that well be okay as long as each person brings no more than 100 pounds of total weight onboard kayak, life preserver and paddle included. Tell us your favorite kayaking trip below! The City of Page requires visitors to pay for parking at the Horseshoe Bend trailhead. Start in Flagstaff, Arizona's third-largest city about two hours north of Phoenix. I love kayaking and especially in unique places like this. 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? Please build a fire only in the metal rings and be sure to practice safe campfire etiquette (ie. 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. Our kayak rental was sponsored by Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks. To combine those and then pair it with more kayaking and camping would be a dream. The Colorado River current runs at about 3 mph. Make sure you have enough energy at the end of the trip to drag your boat back up the hill. About. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Excellent service and being that I am also a fishing guide please take care of the persons that provide a service. But, as stated above, if you don't have all day, ask your boat captain for suggestions on . 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! We had a great trip with Kayak Horseshoe Bend/Lee's Ferry Anglers. 45 minutes - 65 minutes depending on how crowded it is. Ive done the research and made the trip. There were several long stretches where we didnt paddle at all, and instead just leisurely floated along, taking it all in. The Bears Den B & B is one of the nicest places in Page. I like the sounds of an extended trip like that. I bet you were glad you didnt see her when you were camping in the open! Do you offer kayak rentals and transportation.. Glen Canyon Dam to Lee's Ferry? Hoping for views like these, featuringno people or cars whatsoever? 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. 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. Thanks for sharing this adventure! Youll even have enough time to visit Horseshoe Bend fro above in the morning! However, please continue to support the hiking tours to Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon run by the Navajo nation companies. Ill definitely use them! 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. Enter your email address to receive updates and new posts straight to your inbox. Theyre labeled on this map. They were also willing to take us up all the way so we could see Horseshoe Bend, but then drop us off farther down the river (we had children with us). Aside from the rustic, boat-in campsites at the bottom of Horseshoe Bend, there are several campgrounds and campsites in the general area. . 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. 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. Whats great about when you kayak Horseshoe Bend is that its an easy route even if you have exactly zero prior paddling experience. . Biggest risk: water temperature. Even early spring can be cold and unpredictable weather-wise and, in particular, windy. 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. 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. . 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.
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