Las Vegas and kayaking. Not exactly the most obvious combination, is it?
When you think of Sin City, it’s all casinos, neon lights, pool parties and trying to remember what happened at 3am, not sitting in a kayak in the middle of the desert.
But that is actually one of the fun things about Vegas. Get away from the Strip and there is a completely different world going on.
The Colorado River, Lake Mead and the canyons around them give you some cracking places to get out on the water. And if you fancy swapping the casino for a paddle for a few hours, here are some places to start.
Emerald Cave, Arizona
Emerald Cave is probably the obvious starting point.
It’s on the Colorado River near Willow Beach and, yes, there is a cave. The water inside can take on that brilliant green colour when the sunlight hits it, hence the name.
The paddle itself takes you through Black Canyon, so you get plenty of desert scenery along the way. Huge rocky walls, blue-green water and not a slot machine in sight.
Which might be exactly what you’re after.
Hoover Dam, Nevada
Then there’s Hoover Dam.
You’ve probably seen pictures of it. It’s difficult to miss, after all. But seeing the dam from a kayak is a rather different experience.
The Colorado River runs through some pretty spectacular scenery here, and getting down on the water gives you a chance to see the whole area from a completely different angle.
So although when thinking of Las Vegas, we naturally think of all our playing some of the most popular casino games, but hitting the Hoover Dam in a kayak could just be the highlight of your trip.
Black Canyon, Arizona
Black Canyon is another big one.
It’s the stretch of canyon below Hoover Dam, and this is where the scenery really starts doing the talking.
You’re surrounded by those massive desert cliffs as you paddle along the Colorado River. There are also hot springs, little beaches and various places to stop along the way.
Hemenway Harbor, Lake Mead
Fancy a change from the river?
Hemenway Harbor offers you a chance to experience Lake Mead, which is so massive that it almost doesn’t seem right to call it a lake.
You can find so many interesting places to check out, and the desert makes a unique backdrop for your day of kayaking.
Just remember that this is Nevada. The sun isn’t messing about, so take water, sunscreen and whatever else you need to avoid turning into a lobster halfway through the day.
Temple Bar Marina, Arizona
Finally, there’s Temple Bar Marina on the Arizona side of Lake Mead.
It’s a bit further out, which may actually be a good thing if you’re looking to get away from the crowds and spend a bit of time on the water.
You can head out from the marina and explore the lake, finding your own little corners of the shoreline along the way.
