Exactly How to Kayak Emerald Cave Las Vegas (in Arizona!)

If you’ve ever wondered how to kayak Emerald Cave Las Vegas, a tranquil escape barely an hour from Sin City, you’re in the right place. As longtime desert dwellers and paddling enthusiasts, we’ve gone Emerald Cave kayaking more than once. In this guide, we share every detail you need to know to plan your own trip.

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You’ve seen the photos and videos splashed across social media: vibrant, almost impossibly green Emerald Cave, an Arizona natural wonder just one hour from the Las Vegas Strip. 

Understandably, you may wonder if this visually striking hidden gem (ha—pun intended!) lives up to the hype. As a longtime Arizonan who spent many years exploring the Southwest in my free time, I’m here to assure you that, YES, Emerald Cave—or Emerald Cove, as some call it—looks exactly like the photos. 

The ONLY way to see this special place on the Colorado River is by boat, but it’s (much) more accessible and easier than it sounds. Stick around to learn everything you need to know to kayak Emerald Cave, plus loads of other tips about the surrounding area.

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Tucked away in Lake Mead’s spectacular Black Canyon section, also known as the Black Canyon of the Colorado, the crystal clear waters of Emerald Cove legitimately resemble jiggly green Jell-o.

That’s a silly but alarmingly accurate description—plenty of places have green water, but this particular green color is unlike anywhere else!

Despite being pretty dang remote, Emerald Cave is actually easily accessible. It’s on the Arizona side of the river, but much closer to Las Vegas than a single AZ city. Arizona Hot Springs (AKA Ringbolt Hot Springs) and the Hoover Dam are also nearby, so there’s plenty to keep you busy. 

Many first-timers are intimidated by the fact that it’s remote and can only be reached by boat, but we promise, Emerald Cave kayaking is super accessible in that regard, also. You don’t need any paddling experience and in fact, this is an awesome beginner kayak trip.

What’s so Special About Emerald Cave?

A combination of factors create Emerald Cove’s clear, deep jade green water: a specific mineral composition and textures in both the canyon walls and riverbed rocks that react to the sunlight, and lots of algae on the rocks underwater. 

Geothermal hot springs also pump fresh, naturally-filtered mineral water into the river. That’s right—hot springs. Arizona isn’t home to many (especially not the way Wyoming and Colorado are), but several mineral hot springs dot the Black Canyon stretch of the Colorado River. 

In fact, the first five miles immediately below the Hoover Dam make up one of the cleanest, clearest sections of the Colorado River, which is muddy almost everywhere else. 

Interestingly, this same phenomenon is found when you kayak Horseshoe Bend; the stretch of the Colorado just south of the Glen Canyon Dam near Lake Powell is clear as can be.

Is it Emerald Cave or Emerald Cove? 

Both…sorta. Emerald Cave is the main ‘attraction,’ where you kayak to and inside, but the cave is found ON Emerald Cove, and people use the terms interchangeably. 

Fun fact: it’s technically not a cave, making it a true misnomer…Emerald Cave Las Vegas is actually a grotto, about 20 feet by 30 feet inside.

How Difficult is Emerald Cave Kayaking?

This paddle trip is on the easy side and suitable for all skill levels. It’s not quite as easy as a float trip (Midwesterners, y’all know what I mean!), though, in that you do have to actively paddle upriver to Emerald Cave and back downriver. 

On windy days, the trip is a bit more strenuous but still manageable even for beginners. Most of the route passes through Black Canyon, with steep walls that act like a wind tunnel. When there’s no wind, however, the paddle is leisurely in both directions.  

Best Time to Kayak Emerald Cave

Emerald Cave is accessible year-round. However, there are several things to consider that make some seasons better than others. 

We recommend late October through December and late February through early May as the ‘best’ time of year.

The key thing when kayaking Emerald Cave is to be inside it at the exact right moment.

Because of the soaring canyon walls, the trick is to go when the sun is high enough in the sky that you get just the right angle so it reflects down to the bottom of the water, bouncing up and illuminating the cave

Basically, the sun must be directly overhead—or very close to it—for the water to appear bright green, and that specific best time of day changes throughout the year. 

In the months we recommend above, you’ll want to be at the cave somewhere between 11:30 am and 12:40 pm—no later than early afternoon. Check the exact time on this solar calculator (you want to aim to be at Emerald Cave at ‘solar noon’).

Work backwards from the time you want to be AT the cave and plan to leave Willow Beach about two hours before that. If you book a guided Emerald Cave kayaking tour, you won’t have to worry about timing, as the guides build their trips around the best times.

You obviously have a bigger, slightly later window of time in the summer and early fall, but it’s also dangerous to be outside at that time of year. And keep in mind, you’ll likely sit and wait outside Emerald Cave for at least a little while before going in…with the sun beating down on you. 

One last tip on the best time to kayak Emerald Cave: on Sundays and Mondays year-round, motorized watercraft including jet skis are prohibited in the Black Canyon stretch of the river. That means WAY less boat traffic!

How Long Does the Trip Take?

Budget 4-5 hours to kayak Emerald Cave. It’s four easy-going miles roundtrip from Willow Beach to the cave and you can absolutely hurry and get it done faster, but what’s the rush?

You’ll be actively paddling for about 2-3 hours, but allow extra time to hang out in Emerald Cave, plus stopping for photos, swimming, short hikes from the beaches, or just marveling at the natural beauty. 

There is also a much longer 12-mile trip launching from Hoover Dam and ending at Willow Beach. This route follows the Black Canyon Water Trail, passing several beaches, half a dozen hot springs, and of course, Emerald Cave. Allow 8-10 hours for this trip.

Can You Bring (or Rent) Your Own Kayak?

Yes! Most people book a guided kayak tour (largely because of the remote location), but those who prefer a DIY approach can absolutely bring or rent their own kayak. 

On our first trip, we rented kayaks from Evolution Expeditions and went the self-guided route. We’re all experienced paddlers and several of our group members even own inflatable kayaks, but we drove from Phoenix and didn’t want to haul all our stuff.

We’ve heard of some people kayaking Emerald Cove on their own, either hoping to beat crowded tours and have the cave to themselves or because they’re worried about getting lost. You won’t…on either thing.

This place has become such a popular destination that there’s not really an off-season at all. And with that said, simply follow the other paddlers.

Insider tip: Emerald Cave is truly hard to miss, but just in case, it’s directly across from the Willow Beach gauging station (on your right). If you see that on your left, you went just a bit too far.

While it’s 100% worth it even on the most crowded days, you won’t avoid other kayakers whether you book a guided tour or kayak to the cave on your own.

Emerald Cave Kayak Rentals

You have several options for renting a kayak or SUP at Willow Beach, including from the marina itself. All of them are pretty similar in price ($80-90 for a single kayak and $120-150 for a double), timeframes, and policies, so you really can’t go wrong. 

Can You Swim in Emerald Cave?

Technically, there’s nothing prohibiting you from swimming inside the cave (at least not when we’ve been), but it’s so busy—not to mention dark—that you should 100% NOT swim. 

Fortunately, there are lots of great small beaches and swimming areas along the route!

Getting to Willow Beach

Willow Beach, the main put-in and meeting point for most Emerald Cave kayaking tours, is one hour from the Las Vegas Strip and 30 minutes from the Hoover Dam. It’s in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, though it’s technically between Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. 

Coming from Vegas, you’ll head south out of town and take I-11 into Arizona, where it becomes US-93 and leads you right into the recreation area. 

Emerald Cave Packing List

• Plenty of water. A hydration pack is fantastic idea for kayaking Emerald Cave Arizona, and bring a couple extra bottles!
  • We prefer lightweight Nalgene bottles for paddling trips. Bring a carabiner, and you can even clip it onto your kayak or pack!
• Sun protection. Cannot emphasize this enough…sunscreen (reef-safe is best for the water), a large sun hat, sunglasses, and a sun shirt (see specific recommendations below)
• Water-ready hiking sandals like Chacos or water shoes
• Light layers. Even on the hottest days, wind in Black Canyon can be chilly! Look for built-in sun protection! We’re huge fans of the Freefly Bamboo Shade Hoodie and The North Face Wander Pullover Sun Hoodie
• Dry bag. Your tour guide may provide one, but unless you’re absolutely sure, it’s a good idea to bring your own. We’ve used this super affordable one for years. 
• Waterproof phone pouch
• Microfiber towel
• Bug spray. Not typically an issue to be honest, but it’s never a bad idea to have some!
• High-protein, low-sugar snacks (*that won’t melt!). We always bring meat sticks, nuts, oranges, peanut butter packets, and our favorite (non-chocolate!) protein bars.
• Just-in-case toilet kit. There are bathrooms at Willow Beach, but it’s always good to be prepared! Pack TP, a small shovel or trowel, and hand sanitizer.

Where to Stay

Emerald Cave Arizona is an easy one-hour drive from Vegas, so many people base themselves out of a hotel on The Strip (or nearby). If you’re looking for something a bit lower-key or you like the idea of camping, though, here are some other ideas.

• Willow Beach Campground & RV Park: Small 29-site campground with both tent and RV sites, open year-round and perched just above Willow Beach itself. Amenities include wi-fi, laundry, full bathrooms with running water, and dump station.

We highly recommend staying in Boulder City, on the Nevada side of the border 30-35 minutes from Willow Beach. To be honest, we were surprised by how cute, charming, and walkable the downtown area is!

• Boulder Dam Hotel: Historic boutique hotel that’s also part Hoover Dam museum, with a restaurant and speakeasy. 
• Best Western Hoover Dam Hotel: Traditional BW property with complimentary breakfast, an indoor heated pool, and free parking. Also pet-friendly.
• Hoover Dam Lodge & Casino: The casino is the big draw here, but there are also multiple restaurants and complimentary parking.
• Downtown Boulder City guest house/en suite: Walking distance to everything downtown and access to a private pool.
• 2-bedroom Boulder City condo: Super clean and modern, with a complimentary electric bike and access to the community pool and hot tub. 
• Huge 5-bedroom custom home for up to 16 people: Kayaking Emerald Cove Las Vegas with a group? Book this massive, state-of-the-art home!

None of these options exactly what you have in mind? Check out all area hotels HERE.

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