Great info! How difficult is the kayaking trip? In fact, we decided well go back next year and camp! Hope you have a great trip, its such a beautiful spot! The company owns the adjacent Horseshoe Bend Farm, on which it donated a 360-acre conservation easement to Conserving Carolina in 2003. . The water is connected to Lake Powell. 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? So many people see Horseshoe Bend from the top but so few see it from the bottom! Most view it from above during a trip to Page, Arizona. The earlier you get on the water, the more you will have the canyon to yourself in the morning. These two kayak trips give you a chance to not only see but experience the iconic landmarks of the canyon country of northern Arizona. 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 long does it take to paddle around the Horseshoe Bend? Terry Gunn the owner, was totally agreeable to letting us use the 1 kayak we rented prior to our rescheduled float and we had a really fun day. Highly recommend backhaul service and SUP rental! It takes only a few minutes to hike up to the petroglyphs. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. The morning started off with us needing sweaters, but by late morning, we were perfectly comfortable in short sleeves and sandals. Thank you for supporting my blog. Once youre ready, the gentle flow of the river guides you back down to Lees Ferry over the course of several hours. Paddle downstream with a few stops to rest and explore along the way. 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. Check out our love of Hot Springs in this article about our visit to a Abandoned Hot Springs! Hiking tours to Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon on Navajo lands are very popular. Planning to go with my 6-yr old, but realize there wont be room to pack a whole bunch. Your email address will not be published. Watch out for powerboats! The Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River. I think they would be fine. There are several places to climb out of the slot canyon to see it from above. The whole hike takes about an hour. However, we nestled behind some bushes to keep from being sandblasted by the wind. We used Kayak the Colorado for our outfitter. Heres what I take: For information on kayak camping gear check out my post on the best sea kayaking camping gear. Other companies will help you strap them to your car, but I really didnt want to tie boats on top of my rental car. There is a longer route for kayaking Horseshoe Bend, the 15-mile trip from the Glen Canyon Dam downstream to Lees Ferry. Note that Lees Ferry has a modern bathroom and there are vault toilets at each milepost except for the Glen Canyon Dam. It was just enough to supply all my water needs for the two-day excursion. . 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. The canyon is sooooo beautiful!!! A Guide to Visiting Horseshoe Bend 'the Right Way' This may vary by the outfitter, so check with them first. It may take you around 6-7 hours of paddling to complete the whole stretch of Horseshoe Bend. What does Kayak Horseshoe Bend provide in terms of gear and equipment? Before long, you can see the viewing platform and crowds of people at the rim of the canyon! . Youll kayak back downriver to the boat launch to end your trip. The quality of their equipment and the knowledge and friendliness of the staff is unparalleled. My back haul captain was friendly and helpful. The first downriver campsite at mile 14 is Ropes Trail. That was plenty for both an evening and morning fire. Have you done this experience or do you have more questions? Ill let you know how that turns out. At the mouth of Antelope Canyon, the no-wake zone starts. Send us an email and tell us you want to paddle Horseshoe Bend and want to reserve your kayaks, packrafts or paddleboards for OVERNIGHT. How To Kayak Antelope Canyon? - Kayakaa Perhaps we were just tired and sunburnt by this time, but we found Waterholes Canyon to be somewhat underwhelming. We are coming out that way day before Memorial Day May 24th. To make things even worse, Arizona experiences monsoon season in July and August. Kayaking the Colorado from below is an experience of a life time. Kayaking Glen Canyon was a highlight of our Southwest trip! 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. What amazing views, this is definitely an adventure Id like to plan one day. SUP & Kayak Horseshoe Bend - Info - Lake Powell Paddleboards National Park Service passes do not apply . Learn how your comment data is processed. How much does Horseshoe Bend cost? I was glad to have a stable boat when the waves from power boats on Lake Powell bounced the kayaks around. [See document on camping.] Thanks for the tips! We do short duration floats, day floats, and arrange for people to do multiple day floats while camping on the river. First of all, this kayaking trip was EPIC because of the location alone- its seriously an Arizona must do. It takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes to get there. Since I have zero experience with a stand-up paddleboard, I checked to see what others had to say on this topic. This was one of the best things Ive ever done or probably will ever do on a trip and I would HIGHLY recommend that you book with them (go see Horseshoe Bend from above first, and then youll appreciate seeing the ants looking down on you as you paddle.). Timing: Anywhere from five hours to overnight; best from September . Youll even have enough time to visit Horseshoe Bend fro above in the morning! They have singles and doubles. Find out everything you could possibly want to know about kayaking Horseshoe Bend in this comprehensive guide, written by an Arizona local whos done it! KAYAK HORSESHOE BEND - Kayak Horseshoe Bend To get to Horseshoe Bend from Flagstaff, take Highway 89 north approximately 125 miles. I might get a little claustrophobic, but it looks like an absolutely incredible experience! The next 2 campsites are on Horseshoe Bend with views of the teeming hordes of tourists atop the cliffs across the river. If you didnt stop much and had a bit more hustle, the trip would take closer to five. Keep reading for my top tips on how to experience this epic adventure for yourself. It can get quite buggy out there along the river, so youd probably be more comfortable with a tent than just a tarp. 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. Do you have any national parks on your list this summer? Leave no trace. The Antelope Canyon hike begins at the landing. Yes, you can go to Horseshoe Bend by yourself as long as you're comfortable doing so. Experience canyon adventures in the Southwest USA including Kanarra Creek, Zion's Subway Canyon, Bryce, Antelope, Horseshoe Bend, and the Grand Canyon from the North Rim. . Questions about visiting any of the slot canyons on the list? But the Colorado River below the dam and its Lake Powell, became a Mecca for 'yakking individuals, families and groups. During this time, unpredictable thunderstorms and flash floods are frequent, and theres a ton of humidity to deal with (yep Arizona isnt always dry!). On canyon kayaking trips you need to protect yourself and your gear from sun and water. Here's how to do an easy day kayak through the beginning of the Grand Canyon. However, please continue to support the hiking tours to Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon run by the Navajo nation companies. To combine those and then pair it with more kayaking and camping would be a dream. Alternatively, you could kayak a few miles from Lees Ferry before turning back, but youd miss the highlight of the trip: Horseshoe Bend! 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. Elevation at Overlook - 4214 feet. High winds do not make for an enjoyable kayaking trip, even in Horseshoe Bend! . I get claustrophobic in tight spaces but this canyon was fineso beautiful. The weather was kind of cruddy and he offered blankets to keep us warm while it was raining and hailing. It was an awe inspiring trip which could have been scary but we knew we were covered with the help of KHB. 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. How many hours is the total excursion? Ive done the Navajo Tours hike through Upper Antelope, I didnt realize it was accessible other ways. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend at a Glance. For those looking for a budget option, we stayed in the Rodeway Inn that was centrally located and had a nice pool. #sequoianationalpark #superbloom #nationalparkphotography #wildflowers #waterfallhike #sequoia #getoutside #nationalparkobsessed, Just really, really happy to be here. The last campsite before Lees Ferry is located at mile 6. Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour from Page, Lower Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend Half Day Tour from Page, AZ, Half Day Tour of Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon from Page Arizona, Upper Antelope Canyon Admission Ticket (Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours). For years Ive seen those beautiful photos of horseshoe bend and want to visit so badly, but I never dreamed of being able to get that close and actually kayak it. Even early spring can be cold and unpredictable weather-wise and, in particular, windy. In general, kayaking Horseshoe Bend is easy. Once I got dropped off my epic adventure started, WOW. Dont count on finding wood at your intended campsite. Since there are no actual milepost signs along the river, the only way to know where you are at any given time is to reference a detailed map or to guesstimate your location in relation to some of the waypoints detailed above. . Mile 8 and Mile 9 campgrounds are the most popular because theyre at roughly the midpoint from top to bottom. . We were completely blown away by the beauty of the canyon and the glass-like water of the Colorado River. We want to hear from you! Bottom line: pack as light as you can. When you see the following landmarks, you can make a pretty decent guess about your position and progress along the route. I've been living on the road for the better part of five years. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. By clicking Accept, you consent to their use on this site. You don't have to have a . Dont miss an adventure! For more information, read mydisclosure statement. After 5 miles of kayaking, you will come upon the first campsite at mile 11. Thanks for sharing! Your hosts will take you by boat from Lee's Ferry to the starting point of the kayaking adventure just before Marble Canyon. Two Outliers may contain affiliate links we only recommend products we personally use and love. I may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you click or make a purchase through any of them. This kayaking trip will put you in the bend. 300 Feet down then back up. You can buy a pass at the permit vending station upon arrival. The kayak experience was incredible - stellar views the whole way. I did a 4 day trip down the river with camping for 3 nights, was absolutely magnificent, I rented a kayak and had the time of my life. We camped at Ferry Swale campground about a mile upstream from Horsehoe Bend and had no complaints. Want to read about more adventures you can do? Please build a fire only in the metal rings and be sure to practice safe campfire etiquette (ie. Enter your email to receive updates and new posts straight to your inbox. 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. Our kayak rental was sponsored by Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks. Have an amazing time! Paddle downstream from Glen Canyon Dam for 2-3 hours. To the left it continues to a dead-end in about 10 minutes; to the right, it opens up to a wider canyon. The Western Tanagers looked like they had spilled red food coloring over their yellow heads.