I appreciate you! Kayak rentals: $25 for a single inflatable or hard-body kayak; $45 for a tandem . This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. If you choose not to use the backhaul service, the trip becomes significantly more challenging. Kayaking Horseshoe Bend is not only an epic adventure and the best way to skip the crowds at the wildly popular tourist attraction. Hi there - my wife and I are going to be in the area on our honeymoon and wanted to know how long in advance we needed to book a trip (2 inflatables, transport) for either March 10/11th of 2021? Since there were six of us in our party, we each brought a synthetic firelog that you can purchase in stores. Your email address will not be published. From the public boat launch, it is a half-hour paddle to the mouth of Antelope Canyon. . . It has a nice selection of restaurants and accommodations for all budgets. Trail - Sand and sandstone. Ive been looking at the backhaul trip starting at mile 10 and was told itd be about 5 hours paddling but the Antelope Canyon trip might be a better fit and Id love your thoughts. They have singles and doubles. If you like quirky, roam around the property to find a working piano at the community fire ring in the back. 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. Also surprised its still accessible despite COVID, I had just been assuming the closure meant you couldnt be on that land at all. We also did a 2-day overnight camping trip in Glen Canyon and kayaked around the iconic Horseshoe Bend. Youll kayak back downriver to the boat launch to end your trip. And Lake Powell offers paddle boarding, kayaking, boat tours, and a scenic drive through backcountry roads. However, if its truly the only time you can make it work, book the earliest possible launch time. Elevation highpoint on Trail - 4373 feet. However, you do need either an America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) or a pass for the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area ($30). It was great to see where we had paddled. 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. We were scheduled for a 3 day, 2 night float but had to cancel our departure day due to predicted high winds. 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. To find it: Keep an eye out for a massive boulder on the right side of the river causing a large whirlpool that literally pulls you back upstream. Parking Fees. . How to Kayak Horseshoe Bend: Insider Tips From a Local At mile 13, there is a trail located on the righthand side of the river that leads up and out of the canyon. Another unique place to stay in the Vermillion Cliffs area is the Shash Dine EcoRetreat. Horseshoe Bend - Your Hike Guide The Glen Canyon Dam was created in 1956-1966 and holds back enough water to form Lake Powell. By clicking Accept, you consent to their use on this site. How long does it take to kayak horseshoe bend? And Antelope Canyon is high on my to-do list. From there, its approximately 10 miles back downstream to the boat launch. Choose the Perfect RV for you with thisFREE E-Book. 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! I get claustrophobic in tight spaces but this canyon was fineso beautiful. We truly do not recommend anyone kayak Horseshoe Bend in the summer! Located less than one hour from Boise! 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. #giantsequoia #sequoias #kingscanyon #bigtrees #giantsequoias #sequoiatrees #kingscanyonnationalpark #snowshoeing #itsbetteroutside, TIP TUESDAY for visiting national parks this season The canyon eventually reaches a fork which is a good turnaround spot. Your hosts will take you by boat from Lee's Ferry to the starting point of the kayaking adventure just before Marble Canyon. The starting (and ending) point of all Horseshoe Bend kayak trips is the Lees Ferry Boat Launch. Our shuttle boat is designed for speed and comfort. You would not be able to make it to Horseshoe Bend and back in one day (18 miles total). Antelope canyon looks like another world. During both time periods specifically October through early November and late March through early May the days are warm and the nights cool. Our captain (Captain Luke) was very nice and extremely knowledgeable and helpful, pointing out interesting things along our ride upriver and landmarks so we would know how far we had gone on the paddle back. Great info! Do we have to start at 6am Bc we will be traveling from Sedona and plan to drive back same day. To avoid taking a backhaul you will need at least 2 days to kayak to Horseshoe Bend and back. So many people see Horseshoe Bend from the top but so few see it from the bottom! I saw several people in other companys less stable boats take an unintentional swim. Questions about visiting any of the slot canyons on the list? At this point in the river, youre heading almost directly west. How Difficult is Kayaking Horseshoe Bend? How Long Does it Take to Kayak 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. At the mouth of Antelope Canyon, the no-wake zone starts. more, Multi-day Tours Taxis & Shuttles Boat Tours Fishing Charters & Tours Boat Rentals Day Trips. 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. There are four campgrounds between Glen Canyon Dam and Horseshoe Bend at numerous points. And sunscreen. Its hard to describe exactly where each spring is located, but I can tell you that there are at least two each on river right and river left (when facing downstream) between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry. Every turn was a new panorama of red walls and emerald water. Leave no trace. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Alternatively, you could kayak a few miles from Lees Ferry before turning back, but youd miss the highlight of the trip: Horseshoe Bend! From the thousand-foot-high overlook, I noticed a few people on paddling kayaks on the river down below and the wheels in my head began to turn. In total, there are about 130 steps inside Lower Antelope Canyon. These cookies do not store any personal information. I did it! We did an overnight . early in the morning for a ride up the river to Glen Canyon Dam with your gear. In our opinion, kayaking Horseshoe Bend as an overnight trip is the best option, as you can take your time, really soak in the beauty of the canyon, and enjoy the peaceful serenity of early morning on the river, before the waters become busy with motor boats and other kayakers. 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. We did find a few twigs on the ground to help stoke the flames early on, but firewood was not abundant at the Ferry Swale campground. We want to hear from you! The weeks immediately before and after major holidays are also a great time. #sequoianationalpark #superbloom #nationalparkphotography #wildflowers #waterfallhike #sequoia #getoutside #nationalparkobsessed, Just really, really happy to be here. As this is Arizona, please make sure you check on fire restrictions ahead of time to find out if youre allowed to have one! The Western Tanagers looked like they had spilled red food coloring over their yellow heads. Promise you'll have a much better experience! If you dont have either, you can get the Glen Canyon pass in-person at the entrance to Lees Ferry or from a ranger station at Lake Powell. The short answer is NO. We definitely recommend using the backhaul service. Best of all, however, are the resident wild mustangs! The 54 campsites at Lees Ferry cost $20 per night and available first-come-first serve only, so arrive early to snag a spot. The boat trip up to the dam is about 45 minutes. It was from the upper vantage point that I first saw this natural wonder in 2019. Wow! This kayaking trip will put you in the bend. 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. Ive done the Navajo Tours hike through Upper Antelope, I didnt realize it was accessible other ways. After 5 miles of kayaking, you will come upon the first campsite at mile 11. Its located on river right, roughly between Mile 11 & 12. The Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam flows through ancient canyons on emerald green currents. I might get a little claustrophobic, but it looks like an absolutely incredible experience! Because youll be paddling downriver, the entire 16 miles can be kayaked as a day trip in about 6 to 9 hours depending on the wind and current. Getting to Horseshoe Bend. We camped at Ferry Swale campground about a mile upstream from Horsehoe Bend and had no complaints. Youll even have enough time to visit Horseshoe Bend fro above in the morning! Using the backhaul service, its possible to kayak the entire 16 miles from Glen Canyon through Horseshoe Bend and back to Lees Ferry in one day. It takes about 3 hours to kayak Horseshoe Bend. We were debating whether we could make it back when Troys colleague (Im told his name was LR) showed up and we opted to just jump back on the pontoon to be safe. The smooth undulating rock in reds and purples is like walking through a geological playhouse. It is highly unlikely that when construction of the 710 foot tall Glen Canyon Dam was begun in 1956 that there was much thought given to kayaking. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. There are several places to climb out of the slot canyon to see it from above. It has a hot tub and a made-to-order breakfast. It's fairly affordable to visit Horseshoe Bend. Note that the boats leave from Lee's Ferry Launch, NOT Cliff Dweller's Lodge, which was a bit confusing from the instructions sent to us. This unique geological wonder is located on the stretch of the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry. Hi! As much as I browsed the web, I couldnt find answers to all of my questions. But 1,000 feet directly below the viewpoint, others know that the best way to enjoy this spectacular area is to kayak Horseshoe Bend (yes, those tiny specks you can see from above are kayakers!). The . Ive not been on the official Antelope Canyon hiking tours, but I felt this hike to the very lower part of the canyon rivaled those hikes with fewer people and the ability to explore on your own.