Planning a trip to Las Vegas and thinking about kayaking on Lake Mead? Here’s everything you need to know to kayak Lake Mead Emerald Cove.
I just got back from Las Vegas a couple of months ago. Kayaking to Emerald Cove was the highlight of my trip, but finding all the logistical information to actually plan my Lake Mead kayak trip was rough.
I had a tight schedule and needed to be back in Vegas for dinner. I had the names of several kayak tour operators. I spent a lot of time on their websites comparing the options, trying to decide which tour operator was best given my time constraints. I had a lot of questions that never got answered until I actually went through with the tour.
I know how frustrating it can be to plan trips when you don’t have the answers. Especially when it comes to planning a day trip from Las Vegas by car, like our Lake Mead kayak trip.
I’ve put together this helpful guide on Emerald Cave kayaking so you don’t have to research the way I did. It’s packed with everything I wish I knew ahead of time, including frequently asked questions about Emerald Cave kayak trips. Since I kayak often at home, you can trust that I’ve taken my kayaking experience into account when writing up this review.
And while I did go with a tour operator, I paid for my own trip. It wasn’t gifted to me, and everything in the review below is my honest opinion.
Brief background on Emerald Cove and Lake Mead
Emerald Cove or Emerald Cave (since it’s called both names) is a small grotto near Willow Beach, AZ. The cave is tucked inside one of the rock walls on the Arizona side of the Colorado River.
From the pretty photos I saw online, I knew the paddle to Emerald Cave would include some stunning scenery. Our tour did not disappoint. The tiny grotto within the canyon walls, which is barely big enough for a dozen kayaks, comes alive with a deep green glow when sunlight hits the algae growing on the soft river bed.
First things first: Emerald Cave did not disappoint. It was the highlight of our Vegas tour.
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I learned about the history of the area from our knowledgeable guide. Paddling upriver and back down, we learned about the river gaugers who lived along the banks of the river and analyzed the water level.
Black Canyon, where we paddled, was one of the sites under consideration for the Hoover Dam. While ultimately the site was not chosen for the dam, relics of that time remain โโ from an old river gauger’s homestead to a rickety catwalk the men used to move from their home site to the office to report water levels.
Stopping on the rocky beaches that lined the narrow canyon, I could imagine rugged river gaugers setting up their camp for the night, building a bonfire under at a canopy of stars.
Las Vegas has transformed completely in the almost-100 years since construction began on Hoover Dam. But in many ways the canyon landscape seemed unchanged.
Now that’s a view I’d take over the Las Vegas Strip any day.
Keep reading for a review of my half day Lake Mead kayak trip, including what to bring, what kind of animals you can see at Willow Beach, and kayak safety tips.
Want more adventure guides like this? Sign up for the email list.
Getting There
The boat launch point for Emerald Cove is Willow Beach. The Willow Beach Marina is around one hour from downtown Las Vegas, inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
In this photo, you can see the marina from the kayak launch area. There are restrooms in those buildings if you need to use them.
Las Vegas traffic is notoriously heavy. We booked the early morning kayak tour and left ourselves an extra twenty minutes to get there. Knowing that we had a buffer built in helped us relax.
On our way back to Vegas, we stopped to visit Hoover Dam. We were lucky to get last-minute tour tickets. However, traffic was quite bad by the time out tour got out. The drive back to Vegas took twice as long as usual. Since we had plans and could not be late, this was so stressful!
If you book a late-afternoon kayak tour, you may wind up in similar traffic on your drive back to Las Vegas. I share this so you don’t make any plans you may not be able to keep!
What Do I Need to Bring To Kayak to Emerald Cave?
Affiliate Link Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases through links included in posts such as this. I only recommend products I personally use and love.
I kayak at home. I have my own paddle, my own boat, kayaking gloves โ the works.
Looking for a comprehensive paddlesports checklist? See my full kayaking gear list for safety and comfort!
Since I was on vacation, I wanted to make sure I had everything I needed for a comfortable day trip without dragging all my supplies from home.
Our tour operator provided kayaks, paddles, and life jackets. They told us to bring water shoes (these Astrals* are my favorite), a bathing suit, sunglasses, and a hat. They recommended dry bags for our phone. I like ones with see-through windows, like these dry bags.* My partner chose to bring kayaking gloves* since she sometimes gets blisters.
We always travel with rehydration tablets (I like Nuun*) and refillable water bottles. We brought these items and some snacks. But our tour operator provided tons of snacks and bottled water.
We drove ourselves to Emerald Cave to save money. Some operators give you a discount if you self-drive. But you don’t need to have a car to reach Willow Beach marina. Many operators offer hotel pickups in Las Vegas!
We chose Blazin Paddles for our half-day kayak tour of Emerald Cave. They offered a great experience and I would definitely recommend them again. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. There were only three other paddlers in our group, so it felt like an intimate tour with friends! And the snacks were top notch (raspberry fruit bars and cheez-its, mmmh)!
Kayak to Emerald Cove – What to Expect
A trip to Emerald Cave and back is around 4 miles round trip. It takes 3-1/2 to 4 hours to paddle to the cave, see the cave, and paddle back.
Between the half-day tour and the drive to Lake Mead, factor in 6 to 7 hours of your day.
Black Canyon is known for wildlife and we saw LOADS of animals. A blue heron perched on a tree right near the put-in spot. Bald eagles circled overhead.
I was hoping we would spot big horn sheep and I was not disappointed. But within seconds of launching our boats, we saw the cutest gray fox drinking water on the far bank! I paddled as close as I dared without spooking him.
Even though it was mid to late morning, the wildlife were active. We saw four or five sheep hanging out on the cliffs, with fluffy white butts and big curled horns.
I was a bit nervous to head out. The forecast was chilly with temperatures in the 50s. I would never kayak in that weather at home, and I didn’t have extra layers with me. But I need not have worried.
The sun was out. It warmed us up nicely and gave the water a pretty greenish glow. The water was so clear, at points you could see the river plants growing on the bottom.
There were several other groups out on the water. But the environment was so peaceful, it felt like we had the river all to ourselves.
We stopped once on the way there and once on the way back. Breaks were a chance to remove (or add) a layer, have a snack or a sip of water and explore the area’s history. We took a brief walk to an old homestead foundation.
When we got to the Emerald Grotto, we pulled off to one side. The cove is so small that only one group can go in at a time. Two groups were ahead of us. Within ten to fifteen minutes, we backed our kayaks inside the cove.
On the Nevada side of the river, the sun was about to pass behind a canyon bluff. It shone into the grotto, illuminating the water with green sparkles. Our guide explained that this trick of light is what gave the cove its name.
She also told us that if we had arrived half an hour later, it would have been too late!
The kayak companies don’t tell you what the best time of day to see Emerald Cove is. While the sun’s angle changes with the season, in December (when we went), you HAVE to be on the morning tour if you want to see the emerald sparkles in the grotto.
Otherwise, it’s too late.
The sun falls behind the canyon walls and you cannot see the light effect.
Our return trip took a little bit longer than the paddle there. We were going against the current, and a wind had picked up. But it was not a difficult paddle by any means.
If you’re a new kayaker and unsure whether you can paddle four miles or not, I’d encourage you to give it a go!
The beaches provide a pleasant resting point to break up the trip. With so much wildlife and beautiful natural scenery, you won’t be focused on how much farther you have to paddle. You’ll be soaking in the incredible views and marveling at how such a peaceful spot could be just an hour outside of the busy Las Vegas Strip!
Kayak Safety Tips
Life jackets are required. Your tour operator will provide you with those.
We lucked out and had calm waters and a clear, sunny day. The weather was not too warm or too muggy. The heat is not a big concern in the winter. In summer months, the heat can be oppressive. Always check the weather before setting out.
The sun is very strong. Bring plenty of sunscreen. Cover your skin with sunglasses, a hat and layers (we wore rash guards*). We brought rain jackets with us just in case, but we didn’t need them.
Avoid wearing cotton when you go kayaking. Cotton absorbs water. It stays wet, unlike moisture-wicking quick dry fabrics that dry rapidly.
Discover my favorite outdoor brands to wear or learn more about what to wear kayaking.
Common Questions About Emerald Cove Lake Mead Kayak Trips
Here are some frequently asked questions, including what I wish I knew when planning my trip. If you don’t see your question answered here, comment below! I’ll do my best to answer.
Can you bring your own kayak to Lake Mead?
Yes, you can bring your own kayak to Lake Mead. Review launch sites and boat requirements at the National Park Service website.
How far is Emerald Cove from Las Vegas?
Emerald Cove is around one hour from Las Vegas.
Important: the boat launch to reach Emerald Cove is in Arizona. Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings Time and Nevada does.
If you are meeting a kayak tour operator, make sure you know whether your meet time is in Arizona time or Nevada time. They will not wait for you if you are late!
How long does it take to kayak from Willow Beach to Emerald Cove?
It takes around two hours to kayak to Emerald Cove. Factor in another two hours for the return trip. Experienced paddlers may be able to do the trip at a faster pace.
Is Emerald Cove worth it?
Absolutely! The cave is a unique natural phenomenon. It was the highlight of my Las Vegas trip.
If I’m being honest, I’m not sure that I’d want to spend two extra hours waiting around to see Emerald Cove during the summer months.
So if you are trying to decide whether Emerald’s Cove is worth it in the summer, it depends on how long you want to spend waiting in a kayak in the Vegas summertime heat. Let me add: once you leave Willow Beach marina, there are no bathrooms.
Can you visit Emerald Cave without kayaking?
No. You need a small boat to access the cave.
Where is Emerald Cave kayak?
Emerald Cave is on the Arizona side of Colorado River, around 2 miles upstream from Willow Beach, Arizona.
Since Willow Beach is part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, one of the closest Nevada National Park sites to Las Vegas, you will need to pay a day use fee if you do the self-drive option.
If you get a ride from your tour operator, your park entrance is included.
When is the best time of year to kayak Emerald Cove?
Summer days mean longer sunlight hours. This makes the green glow brighter.
However, summertime is crowded. Our guide told us about extremely long waits to enter the cave.
An off-season visit in winter means no waiting around.
During the winter, the best time of day to see the green glow of Emerald Cave is morning, around 10 to 11 am. By afternoon, the sun has passed behind the canyon bluffs. Without the sun, the cave won’t have its signature green glow.
I loved Emerald Cove so much, I plan to do another kayaking trip if I’m back in Vegas. If you decide to go, I hope you enjoy every moment of the experience!
Happy travels!
Thank you for showing your support by commenting below or sharing this post on social media! If you really appreciated this post and would like to support my work, you can buy me a coffee or sign up for my newsletter.
