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Colorado River: Black Canyon Water Trail

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Fun and historic family adventure!
Trail Uses
Paddling
Location
Clark County
Length
25.00 miles (One Way)
Difficulty
Easy, Moderate
Towns
Boulder City, Laughlin
Surface
River/Stream
Pets
Permitted
Fees
No
Wilderness Areas
Black Canyon Wilderness Area, Eldorado Wilderness Area

Description

There are three main segments of the Colorado River, south of Hoover Dam:

  1. The Black Canyon Segment goes from below the dam down to Willow Beach Marina & Campground, and then on to the Eldorado Canyon access point.
  2. The Eldorado Canyon Segment goes from Eldorado Canyon through Lake Mohave and down to Davis Dam.,
  3. and the last segment goes from the bridge in Laughlin down to Avi Resort

The first of three main Colorado River Segments downstream from Hoover Dam is the Black Canyon National Water Trail, which is about 30 miles long. The Hoover Dam to Willow Beach portion of the river is managed as a primitive zone – only non-motorized watercraft are allowed. This trail was designated by the Secretary of the Interior as the first National Water Trail in the southwest.  Paddlers are able to launch at the base of Hoover Dam, but it requires a permit from a licensed vendor who will take you down to the launch site on a narrated bus ride. (See the National Park Service's website for a list of guides.) 

The Black Canyon Water Trail has two main segments; Hoover Dam to Willow Beach, and Willow Beach to Eldorado Canyon.  The put-in at Hoover Dam provides amazing views of the dam and bridge.  Farther down the river, take time to stop and visit sites such as Sauna Cave, Goldstrike Canyon, The Ear, and Emerald Cave.  There are several places along the river for primitive camping, or to stop and rest.  Arizona Hot Spring is a short hike from the beach up a beautiful slot canyon, and is a popular spot for hikers and paddlers.  Keep your eyes open and you may see some big horn sheep or coyotes in the rocky canyon hillsides. This portion of the trail ends at Willow Beach, which has a picnic area along with full marina & campground facilities.  Willow Beach is about 18 miles from Hoover Dam, and is accessible via Willow Beach Road and I-93.

The second portion of the Black Canyon Water Trail is from Willow Beach to Eldorado Canyon. This segment takes you past camping spots such as Burrow Wash and Big Horn Cove.  In Windy Canyon, expect strong winds year around.  There are also several unimproved campsites in the many coves to the south.

At the Eldorado Canyon take-out point, paddlers will need to carry their craft about ¼ of a mile up a sand wash to the parking area. Placer Cove is another take-out spot just downstream from the Eldorado Canyon Access Point.  The steep, high rock walls make this a popular spot for cliff jumping.

Other Information

National Park Service webpage on the Black Canyon National Water Trail which includes a detailed trail guide and a list of approved Hoover Dam vendors.

For information on Willow Beach, see their website.

TravelNevada’s website on the Black Canyon Water Trail.

Trail Manager

National Park Service: Lake Meade Natl. Recreation Area
Lake Mead Visitor Center
10 Lakeshore Rd
Boulder City, Nevada 89005
Phone: 702-293-8990
View website
Nevada Division of State Lands
901 S. Stewart Street, Ste. 5003
Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: (775) 684-2720
View website

Trail Tips

Dispose of Waste Properly
Keep the Twin States (Vermont & New Hampshire) green and clean! Pick up trash, even if it's not yours. Leave soon-to-be trash like excess packaging, stickers, and twist ties at home.

Trailhead Information

To access the river below Hoover Dam, paddlers must get a permit and parking information from a licensed vendor.

The Willow Beach Marina & Campground is about 18 miles from Hoover Dam in Arizona, via Willow Beach Road and I-93.

Eldorado Canyon Access point is at the end of SR 165, on Old Nelson’s Landing Rd.  

Legend
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