how long does it take to kayak horseshoe bend

I'm Angelica. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend is not only an epic adventure and the best way to skip the crowds at the wildly popular tourist attraction. FAQ - Kayak Horseshoe Bend Here your captain will pull over on a sandy beach, help you get your kayaks into the water, and then youre off! As this is Arizona, please make sure you check on fire restrictions ahead of time to find out if youre allowed to have one! How To Kayak Antelope Canyon? - Kayakaa There are four campgrounds between Glen Canyon Dam and Horseshoe Bend at numerous points. He IS a kayaker. Please call Kelly Outfitters for availability (48 hours ahead is preferred): 602-510-5511. . The rooms are well-appointed with a desert flair. In addition, we rent kayaks and other float craft. Give them plenty of space and do not attempt to touch or feed them. February 23, 2022. Brady has been renting hard shell kayaks, canoes, SUPs, and inflatables at Lee's Ferry and Grand Canyon for over 20 years. We were completely blown away by the beauty of the canyon and the glass-like water of the Colorado River. Do you happen to see it or know where its located? 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. His advice is to pull over to a sand bar during a rain shower. Will it be safe taking a 11 & 12 years olds? Plan on the 15-mile trip taking between six and eight hours. The kayaks are stable sit-on-top boats. Its located on river right, roughly between Mile 11 & 12. I've been living on the road for the better part of five years. Learn more about me and the blog. That being said, the hike is a nice break from paddling and worth exploring if you have the time. 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. . 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. We had a great trip with Kayak Horseshoe Bend/Lee's Ferry Anglers. Ill definitely use them! I've tried it all. Bottom line: pack as light as you can. Other companies will help you strap them to your car, but I really didnt want to tie boats on top of my rental car. Keep an eye out for ospreys and eagles (look for their huge, impressive telltale nests!) The logistics of the trip involve a backhaul boat trip up to below Glen Canyon Dam. The backhaul costs $75 per person and sit-in hardshell kayaks were $35 per day. Beat them by being in the park at sunrise or waiting until 4ish pm. Hi how far in advance would we need to book our trip if we wanted to go? Ive yet to see one anywhere but I often feel like maybe their eyes are on me when I hike in Arizona. Kayak the Colorado provides kayak rental and backhaul taxi services to Horseshoe Bend and the dam. They fill 3 boats of ~6 people in 15-minute intervals; all departed on time. During the spring and fall, you can expect cooler but generally mild temperatures, although conditions can vary and snow is possible. Antelope Canyon and Glen Canyon with Horseshoe Bend are located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Antelope Canyon has been on my bucket list for so long. It may take you around 6-7 hours of paddling to complete the whole stretch of Horseshoe Bend. I love kayaking and especially in unique places like this. A backhaul boat taking kayaks down the Colorado River. However, we nestled behind some bushes to keep from being sandblasted by the wind. On canyon kayaking trips you need to protect yourself and your gear from sun and water. #giantsequoia #sequoias #kingscanyon #bigtrees #giantsequoias #sequoiatrees #kingscanyonnationalpark #snowshoeing #itsbetteroutside, TIP TUESDAY for visiting national parks this season Any tips I missed? For more information, see our privacy policy. We are looking to book the 15th, 16th or 17th. 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. 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. In this article, weve rounded up all the information you need to know to plan the perfect kayaking trip. . If you opt to use a backhaul service, kayaking Horseshoe Bend is a moderately difficult trip since youll be paddling downriver the entire time. While its technically possible to kayak the Colorado River without the backhaul, we would highly recommend using it. 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. flying overhead or diving to fish in the water, and scan the cliffs for bighorns. Yes, please report back with any tips for paddle boarders. From there, its approximately 10 miles back downstream to the boat launch. (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.) Keep reading for my top tips on how to experience this epic adventure for yourself. Its the second highest concrete dam in the U.S., second only to Hoover Dam. A campsite right at the bottom of Horseshoe Bend. I finally, and completely, checked Horseshoe Bend off my Arizona Bucket List. 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). How many hours is the total excursion? It also gets COLD in this area in the winter, as Horseshoe Bend sits at 4,200 feet elevation. The question of "how long does it take to kayak Horseshoe Bend?" is almost like "how high is up?". At mile 4, you can dock your kayak at the beach to the left hand side of the river and embark on a short 1.5 mile round trip hike up Waterholes Canyon. The gem of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is iconic Horseshoe Bend, with its unique shape carved out of the massive rock. My opinions are my honest assessment of the experience. . Love it. PRO TIP: theres a freshwater spring that pours into the river directly beneath the lookout point at the top of Horseshoe Bend. 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. Thanks for sharing this adventure! If all else fails, you can get fresh water there. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend. This is where we camped because we got a late start to the day due to our backhaul being scheduled for 12:30. Distance. I get claustrophobic in tight spaces but this canyon was fineso beautiful. Best time to kayak horseshoe bend. Seeing Horseshoe Bend in person is a magical experience, but imagine kayaking the Colorado River and being inside the iconic bend! Since I have zero experience with a stand-up paddleboard, I checked to see what others had to say on this topic. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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! The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect RV. 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. Kayaking the Colorado River is permitted on the 15-mile section below the Glen River Dam and above Lees Ferry. 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. Therefore, your smart phone will adjust as you travel through. The petroglyphs shown here are located about 1/8th of a mile hike from a beach landing just upstream from Horseshoe Bend on river left (lefthand side if youre heading downstream). Check out our love of Hot Springs in this article about our visit to a Abandoned Hot Springs! We found it to be a nice and easy kayak because you go with the current. 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. Adventure for all ages and skill levels with half and full day whitewater rafting trips. Yes. 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. Wind is the main thing that could make kayaking the Colorado River more difficult. You don't have to have a . Experience the same, just-as-scenic river in a calmer section (rated Class I rapids; practically flatwater) suitable for literally everyone without needing special skills, a permit, or any other red tape.. But it could seem a bit intimidating to anyone newer to kayaking/paddle boarding. Once youre ready, the gentle flow of the river guides you back down to Lees Ferry over the course of several hours. If you encounter them, remember that they are wild animals and therefore, unpredictable. The smooth undulating rock in reds and purples is like walking through a geological playhouse. Definitely one of the highlights of our vacation. To park in the parking lot, there is a fee of $10 per vehicle (car or RV). The wind that funnels up the canyon in the afternoon and evening affects paddling and sleeping. The short answer is NO. During this time, unpredictable thunderstorms and flash floods are frequent, and theres a ton of humidity to deal with (yep Arizona isnt always dry!). I would have loved to do them but they were closed due to Covid when we visited. How long does it take to kayak horseshoe bend? What's a Backhaul taxi to Horseshoe Bend? Why do so many people use it? But dont forget to soak up your last few minutes in this beautiful canyon! SUP & Kayak Horseshoe Bend - Info - Lake Powell Paddleboards Yes, campfires are permitted in fire rings only. There is a gas station and convenience store about 10 minutes from Lees Ferry in Marble Canyon. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend at a Glance. And Antelope Canyon is high on my to-do list. Remember to practice Leave No Trace when visiting Earth's spectacular places (and spending any time in nature at all), so that we can continue to enjoy them! 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.

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