When you first think about Las Vegas, you likely envision bright lights, crowds of people, and of course losing a sh*t-ton of money. I know that’s what I used to think and that is not my idea of fun. Turns out, Vegas is actually a great hub for many adventures. You can typically snatch a cheap flight and use the cheap hotels in Las Vegas for a home base for a weekend of adventuring and spending time in nature.
During our weekend in Vegas, one of my favorite things we did was a kayaking tour to the Emerald Cave. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to plan the perfect day trip to kayaking to the beautiful Emerald Cave.
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Table of Contents
Emerald Cave Frequently Asked Questions (Day Trip from Las Vegas)
Where is the Emerald Cave Located?
The Emerald Cave is located on the Colorado River. The landing area, Willow Beach, is about a one-hour drive from the Las Vegas Strip. As you can see in the map above, it’s right on the border of Arizona and Nevada. Even though the physical address is in Arizona, the river actually follows the state line. So you will be in a different state depending on the side of the river you are floating on! A perfect way to check two states off of your 50 states bucket list 🙂
Willow Beach Marina Physical Address: 25804 N Willow Beach, Willow Beach, AZ 86445
How do I get there?
If booking with a tour company, you can select the shuttle option where they will pick you up at select locations on the strip or you can drive yourself. If driving yourself, you will meet at Willow Beach Marina. From here, you will see a landing area, parking lot, restrooms, and a gift shop. Your specific tour will tell you the exact meeting location.
After leaving the marina, it’s approximately a 2-mile trip to the cave (and of course a 2-mile trip back). It took us about 3 hours (with a stop and hike at the beach).
Tip! If you are looking to rent a car, be sure to check out DiscoverCars for the best deals in Vegas.
Which tour should I book?
There are several different tour companies to book with, and I’m sure they are all great! I can only speak for RiverDogz as that is who we went with. We booked verrrrryyy last minute and they were able to accommodate us and squeeze us into the tour that day.
Michelle, our tour guide, was very friendly and knowledgeable and give us just enough fun and historical facts during the tour. She also was able to time arrival to the caves perfectly to line up with the right amount of sunshine. Our tour also included a stop at the beach (with swimming in the summer) and a hike up to an epic overlook of the river. At this stop, we also were given more water and snacks (fruit, chips, and granola bars).
Other Emerald Cave Tour Companies
- Las Vegas Outdoor Adventures
- Blazin Paddles
- OutdoorsterLV (Clear Kayaking)
- Twighlight Tour (Nighttime with light up Kayaks)
Can I go without a tour?
You can! If you are comfortable in a kayak (and in cases of emergencies ie. flipping, weather, etc), you can rent a kayak right at Willow Beach. You then can kayak the 4-mile round trip alone. It’s a straight shot down the river, so you’ll have no problem finding the cave. If you pass the work tower on the left of the river, then you’ve gone too far.
Willow Beach Marina has a variety of rentals including singles, tandems, and stand-up paddleboards. They start at around 65 dollars per day.
When is the best time of year to kayak to Emerald Cave?
In my personal opinion, the best time to kayak to the Emerald Caves would be the winter months (but that is due to me being a baby in the heat). I enjoyed being able to start the tour with a sweatshirt and have the ability to take it off if I became too hot. A con of the winter months is you will likely be competing with more clouds and therefore the water will not appear to be as green.
If you are a fan of the heat, you can book your tour in the warmer months and then go swimming as well!
Willow Beach Average Temperatures by month (from WorldClimate.com)
- January: 65/41
- February: 70/45
- March: 78/51
- April: 86/58
- May: 97/67
- June: 106/74
- July: 111/81
- August: 109/79
- September: 102/72
- October: 89/60
- November: 74/49
- December: 64/41
***In any month, it’s important to arrive at the caves when the sun is at the right angle. This is typically somewhere between 12:30-2:30 depending on the season. If you book with a tour company, they are professionals at timing this to the best of their ability.
What should I bring to kayak to Emerald Cave?
As with all kayaking trips, there’s always going to be a list of staples. I suggest bringing sunscreen, water, and snacks (if going with a tour they will likely supply these, but make sure to check), sunglasses, and waterproof shoes. My favorite shoes for kayaking are my keen sandals as they are comfy even when wet and great for hiking as well. This way when you get to the beach, you do not have to worry about putting your shoes and socks back on. If you are uncomfortable in a kayak or worried about flipping, I would also bring a waterproof bag and sleeve for your phone, keys, and other important items.
How long is the trip?
This depends on if you are being picked up by a shuttle, self-driving to the tour, or renting your own kayak.
If you were to rent your own kayak right from the Marina and kayak straight to the Emerald Cave and back with no stopping, you could likely do so in about 2 hours. (It’s 2 miles there and 2 miles back).
If you book with a tour company and have them pick you up from your hotel, expect to be gone from 9:00 am to about 3:00 pm (approximately 2 hours driving, 3 hours kayaking, and 1 hour for stops, swimming, eating, etc). Each tour will vary slightly with start and end times.
Is the Water Always that green?
If you are reading this guide, I’m sure you have already seen those Instagram pictures of the bright green water inside the cave. Although I’m sure some of those are edited and enhanced, I can assure you the water is actually a beautiful green tint.
We even went on a pretty cloudy day and it still was beautiful (although much brighter when the sun did come out).
The green tint is caused from a mixture of the sunlight, algae, and brown tints of the cave walls. It is best to visit early afternoon as that is when the sun is shining at just the right angle. When you book with a tour company, they will time this to the best of their ability.
Can you get to Emerald Cave without kayaking?
There are no roads or hiking trails leading up to the Emerald Cave, so you are only able to reach the cave via kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or boat. If kayaking is not your thing and you enjoy a more relaxing trek, you can also rent boats from the marina.
Is it worth it to kayak to Emerald Cave?
YES YES YES! Kayaking to Emerlad Cave was such a fun experience. Although the cave was beautiful, the scenery the entire trip was amazing. The guides also share such interesting facts about the history of the river (that I won’t spoil for you here).
Is there anything else to do near the Emerald Cave?
- Hoover Dam: The Hoover Dam is a quintessential road trip stop while in the area! Be sure to check out the Visitor Center, which offers educational exhibits that explain the dam’s construction and history. You can also take a guided tour of the dam or take a boat ride to explore the Colorado River.
- Goldstrike Hot Springs: The springs are accessible via a 3-mile hike (6 mile rt) along the Colorado River and provides stunning views of the Grand Canyon. This is a hard hike with bouldering and ropes so be sure you are prepared!
- Arizona Hot Springs: Another 6-mile trail that leads to 5 magical hot springs pools! Be sure to bring your Keens (or other water shoes) for both of these hikes!
Keep reading: One Weekend in Las Vegas!
Where should I stay near the Emerald Cave?
The Las Vegas Strip
During our weekend in Vegas, we choose to stay right on the strip. It was a perfect home base for adventures in both directions. We personally stayed at the Mandalay and it was a great experience. Other top rated strip hotels include The Bellagio, The Venitian, The Cosmopolitan, and The Mirage (if hoping to save a bit of money).
Willow Beach Campground
If hoping to spend more time near the river, there’s actually a campground right at the Willow Beach Marina. There are 9 walk-in tent sites and 28 RV sites that range from $35-70 a night.
Boulder City Nevada
Boulder City is just 30 minutes from the river and 30 minutes from the strip. It’s the perfect spot if you are not wanting to stay on the strip and hoping to explore more of the area. The Boulder Dam Hotel is the highest rated hotel in the area, but the Hoover Dam Lodge and The Sands Motel are both great options as well.
Emerald Cave Day Trip from Las Vegas Quick FAQs (For those of you who do not feel like reading alllll the details).
- How long is the kayak trip? 4 miles round trip
- How much does a guided tour cost? Between 90-150 pp
- Which tour did you book with? RiverDogz Self-drive
- Is the water always that green? It’s the most green in the early afternoons when the sun is angled correctly.
- Do you have to book a tour? No, you can rent kayaks at the Marina
- Where do the tours start? Willow Beach Marina
- Is a kayak tour to Emerald Cave worth it? YES!
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