Boston Kayaker

Kayaking on Colorado River and Black Canyon - in Willow Beach AZ


Rating: Four Stars - Our second trip here, first time we rented a boat this time kayaks. The Black Canyon gorge, the towering cliffs. Paddle time was 2 hours 40 minutes.

  Put in at the marina in
  Willow Beach AZ. 		Paddle upriver on the Colorado
  River and return. 		Estimated round trip
  distance = 8+ miles 		Black Canyon
  Gorge
  Willow Beach marina
  boat/kayak rentals 		Lake Mead National
  Recreation Area 		   

Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to determine the legality, suitability and safety of this route for yourself.

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Number of original photos on this page : 134
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On the way to Willow Beach, Lake Mead seen ahead.
Trip date is October 2021.


At the entrance to Willow Beach inside the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Fee applies.





The Willow Beach marina and kayak rentals.





The Boston Kayaker just launched to the Colorado River from Willow Beach.





This photo from my wife's camera just launched.





Out on the river, veeered right upstream north.


Willow Beach Marina on my right.





The Boston Kayaker on Colorado River.








This stretch of the Colorado River serves as the state border between Nevada (west bank on my left) and Arizona (east bank on my right).











A group of kayakers in front of us.







































































Taking a short break.






















































































Emerald cave on the Arizona side . . .


Crossing to the other side (eastern bank) to get closer to the cove.


People waiting for their turn to get into the Emerald Cove.








Really? This is it?




















We chatted briefly with these two kayakers and they told us this structure was a water gauge (no longer functioning).















































At this point, we decided to turn around and start heading back.


Now paddling south downstream on Colorado River.






































Longer line of kayakers waiting for their turn into Emerald Cove.


















































Back at the Willows Beach Marina.
Paddle time was 2 hours 40 minutes.


Later at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.


With friends from high school.