The Colorado River canoe trip from Hoover Dam to Willow Beach is 12-miles from point to point. Along the way, you’ll experience the beautiful canyon walls, hot springs, caves, beaches, and hikes. We were lucky enough to tag along with our friends Niko and Austin and 10 others on this self-guided trip in March of 2021 and I can’t wait to share what fun we had!
What to Pack for a 3-Day Canoe Trip down the Colorado River
Everyone packs differently when it comes to camping. Tim and I decided to pack fairly light for this adventure since we didn’t know what to expect making it into our 17′ long canoe. Here is a list below of what we brought, and a couple of items not pictured that our crew packed as well.
Packing List
Clothes
- Hiking Boots ( Hers )
- Hiking Boots ( His )
- Waterproof Jacket
- Fleece Jackets
- Tank Top
- Long Sleeve Shirts
- Leggings
- Waterproof Pants
- Water Shoes
- Shorts
- Socks
- Wide Brim Hats
- Swimsuits
Camera Gear
Gear
- Sleeping Bag & Pad
- Phone & GPS
- Day Backpack
- 2-Person Tent
- Backpacking Packs
- Canoe Seats
- Small Towel
- Headlamp
- Flashlight
- Tent Light
- Sunscreen
- Axe & Hammer
- Dry Bags
- Tarp & Rope
- Water Filter Bottle
- Bluetooth Speaker
- Bungee Cords
- First Aid Kit
- Small Chairs
- Bug Spray
- Lighter
Food
- Cooler
- Backpacker Meals
- Pot & Pan
- Smores Sticks
- Plates
- Forks & Spoons
- Sharp Knife
- Water Jug for Cleaning
- Jetboil & Propane
- Drinks
- Lots of Snacks!
Misc.
- Firewood ( 2 bundles / couple )
- Camp Table
- Hand Warmers
We only ate one of our backpacker meals because a couple we went with, Britney and Mark, brought food for our entire group! The recipes were amazing and were hands down some of the best food we have had while camping. If you’re looking for the camping recipes we did, here are some links to the foil pack french dip sandwiches and the campfire eclair dessert. My favorite was their carne asada tacos and pre-made breakfast burritos!
The photo above shows our Yeti cooler fitting perfectly into the mid-back part of the canoe. These 17-foot canoes can hold up to 750 pounds and since we packed light, we were able to get some of the other group’s items into our canoe as well.
Note: No glass is allowed on the river.
You also must pack out all your trash.
Please follow these Leave No Trace principles that apply.
Colorado River Self-Guided Canoe Rental and Required Permits
Launching at the Hoover Dam ( River Mile 64 ) requires a permit. Since only a limited number of boats can launch from this secure location, most people contact a company to reserve a spot 3-6 months in advance. Even if you have your own canoe or kayak, you must go through a company to drop you off here.
We all rented our canoes through Jerkwater Canoe Company up in Nevada near the start of this adventure at the Hoover Dam. Mark, one of our group leaders, has done this trip over 14 times, and thankfully for us, we were added to his 15th-year self-guided trip.
Departing the Hoover Dam
On the day of departure, our crew met at the Willow Beach parking area, which is where you leave the vehicles so they are there when you reach this point at the end. Then, the Jerkwater team arrives and you load up the trailer and vans with your gear and head to the Hoover Dam I.D. check and then the departure point.
You are limited to a max of 30 minutes to load your canoes at the base of the Hoover Dam. Everyone helps each other grab their gear and walk it down the rap to the small rocky area to launch. After launching, if you stay to the right, you can stop at the bank to re-adjust your belongings.
There is also a man-made hot spring at this bank – look for the little cave and a sign warning about the amoeba. Note: Do not get any hot spring water in your nose as it may contain Naegleria fowleria, an
amoeba, which can be deadly.
Navigating the Colorado River
Since this was my first time canoeing down a river from point to point, I was curious how we would know where to stop. There are large mile marker signs along the water and it makes it very easy to know when you need to pull off so you don’t miss a stop!
I loved that this section of the river does not allow for motored watercraft Sunday – Monday year-round so it’s nice and quiet and no fear of fast boats if you are traveling during that time.
Hoover Dam to Willow Beach Map
The map above gives a rough idea of where things are located along the way. There are many pull-offs and hikes in the area – I recommend using an app like All Trails to get detailed trail info before attempting as there are some that require the use of ropes and ladders.
Arizona Hot Springs Campground
For this 3-day Colorado River Canoe Camping trip from the Hoover Dam to Willow Beach, we had permits for 2 nights and stayed at the Arizona Hot Springs campground located near river mile 60. The campground does have outhouses but no running water other than the river of course.
Note: See the metal canoes above? Don’t camp anywhere in front of that area. Water levels may rise.
Check out that view! Since we had a large group, we set up to the left and right of the river bed. Britney mentioned water sometimes can make its way down through the camp so we split up just to be safe and that middle section is a walkway for hikers to get through to the river.
Arizona Hot Springs Trail ( from camp )
Just a short walk up the riverbed from camp is the Arizona Hot Springs pools. The beautiful 110-120 degrees water felt amazing with our slightly chilly weather we had the first two days. Not a bad spot to drink your morning coffee!
Note: There is a 20-foot ladder to get to this hot spring when coming from the camp. Climb at your own risk.
We woke up early to hike up the riverbed to the springs for some quiet time. There were a couple of other people already there but early morning is your best chance to see the pools before the crowds of hikers make their way in from the highway route ( highway route is 6-miles round trip ).
Above is what these springs look like on a Saturday in March. This is a popular time of year before it gets too hot and is the trail is closed from May 15-September 30 each year. Some people do the “clothing-optional” route here….mostly when visiting in the night or early mornings.
Hiking Spots on the Colorado River
There are many spots to pull off and take breaks while paddling down the river to camp. We got the chance to explore a handful of spots along our way to camp and to Willow Beach. A popular spot to stop is Goldstrike Canyon’s Hot Springs shown below.
Goldstrike Canyon
We visited the Goldstrike Canyon Hot Springs the first day before making our way to camp. This trail is also accessed from the road as well for visitors who did not canoe down the river. From the road options, it is a 6-mile strenuous hike with 8 fixed ropes you would need to climb down. The map above shows a rough location for that pull off on the river.
Emerald Cave – Colorado River
Last but certainly not least is the Emerald Cave! I had seen this beauty in old magazines and once I heard it was along this stretch of the river I was pretty excited to end my day soaking in those colors. Emerald Cave is located two miles upstream from the Willow Beach marina. If you catch it at the right time, it glows a beautiful green emerald color shown above. Thankfully we were blessed with gorgeous weather on our last day of the trip and it was glowing!
All in all, we had a wonderful time canoeing the Colorado River from the Hoover Dam to Willow Beach. We are grateful for our friends who invited us along for the journey and for the new friendships we made during this trip. I will definitely be back someday to explore this beautiful area more.
Colorado River Canoe Trip
Hoover Dam to Willow Beach
Length: Approx. 12-miles point to point
Difficulty: Moderate
- This trip above was self-guided down the Colorado River
- Leave from the Hoover Dam – End at Willow Beach Marina
- Canoe Rental and permits 3-6 Months in advance from Jerkwater Canoe Company
- Permit costs are approx $27/per person. Canoe rentals were about $88/per person + tax.
- Camp 2-nights at Arizona Hot Springs ( River Mile 60 )
- Weather may change quickly in this area – be prepared.
- The area has hot springs, waterfalls, hikes, beaches, and caves!
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