More about: 9 Best Day Trips to the Colorado River from Las Vegas
The power of the Colorado River has created the incredible rock formation of the Grand Canyon, which is one of the best things to see and do in Las Vegas while you take a break from the city lights.
There are many ways to experience the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon: take a dip at Willow Beach or go on a VIP helicopter flight; visit the unforgettable viewpoints on the west, south and north sides or tour the river by boat, kayak or hydrobike; walk along the Skyline Walk glass walkway overlooking the bottom of the canyon; or simply go hiking to enjoy every corner.
1. Quad bike tour of the Colorado River from Las Vegas
This is one of the best excursions to visit the west side of Lake Mead and the Colorado River. The journey begins at Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, where you will hop on a quad bike, a 4-wheel all-terrain vehicle, to embark on a tour of the Colorado River.
The terrain designated for the quad bikes is a recreational area of Lake Mead and the Colorado River. It is safe for beginners and you will have all the protective equipment you need. In addition, you can take spectacular photos and videos from the Hoover Dam bridge, which crosses the Colorado River near Hoover Dam.
Throughout the tour, a specialised guide will provide you with interesting information to help you get to know the area better and will give you safety recommendations. This activity is suitable for the whole family, including children. Everyone will love riding in a large Monster Truck limousine to and from Lake Mead.
The best time to take this tour is in summer, as you'll be able to swim for a while and relax while enjoying the best natural surroundings. This off-road tour in Las Vegas includes bottled water, soft drinks and lunch during the visit to make the most of your time.
Important details
- Price: around £220
- Duration: approximately 7 hours
- Transportation: Monster truck limousine and quad bike
2. Kayaking excursion on the Colorado River
This excursion is one of the best kayaking tours in Las Vegas. It consists of a trip down the Colorado River in a single or double canoe equipped with paddles. ** You'll navigate about 8 km** through Black Canyon, between Nevada and Arizona, and discover Willow Beach and impressive caves and waterfalls.
The excursion is led by a guide who specialises in the sport and will ensure your safety so you can enjoy it to the full. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner, as you'll receive a short lesson from the best instructor before you set off. All the necessary equipment is also provided.
These tours include rest stops and drinks, food or fruit to help you recharge your batteries. The best time to do this is in summer, from March to May, and it is postponed to another day if the weather is bad.
One of the best places you will see is the Esmeralda cave, known for the beautiful colour of its waters, which are coloured by the effect of the light.
Interesting details
- Price: around £80
- Duration: approximately 6 hours
- Transport: bus and kayak
3. Colorado River tour after flying over the Grand Canyon by helicopter
An original way to explore the Colorado River is to take a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon and land on the Colorado River to explore its waters by kayak or raft. This full-day tour is not cheap, but it is worth every minute.
The aerial tour guarantees phenomenal views of Hoover Dam, the west side of the Grand Canyon or West Rim, and Lake Mead, among other places. You can choose between rafting or kayaking, and whichever you choose, the water activity will take place before or after the helicopter tour.
The flight over the Grand Canyon lasts approximately an hour and a half. You can take this tour any day of the week, and children over the age of 2 are welcome. You will have a knowledgeable guide with you at all times to explain everything about the most important sites.
This tour usually includes pick-up at your hotel or meeting point to take you to Boulder City Airport, where you will board the helicopter. It also includes bottled water and lunch if you choose to go rafting.
Important details
- Price: from £540
- Duration: approximately 11 hours
- Transportation: van, helicopter, and kayak or float tube.
4. Van tour to the Colorado River and Hoover Dam
One of the best ways to see the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River is by van with up to 14 people. On this full-day tour , you'll see the western part of the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, and you'll have the option of walking across the Skywalk glass walkway, although admission is usually purchased separately.
Throughout the trip, you'll have a knowledgeable guide who will tell you all about this unique geographical formation. You can take this tour any day of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays, starting early in the morning. It is also suitable for children, generally over the age of 5, but I recommend that you check before travelling.
As it is a small group van, you will travel comfortably throughout the transfer and will be able to listen to the guide without interruption. The tour also includes pick-up and drop-off at hotels and meeting points, bottled water and lunch, but I recommend that you also bring your own snacks, as the tour is a full day.
During this excursion, there is usually a 3-hour stop on the west side of the Grand Canyon so that you can enjoy the incredible views at your own pace. Before returning, you will pass by the Skywalk, a glass walkway 1,200 metres above the canyon floor, where you can see the Grand Canyon at your feet. The approximate price is £35.
Details of interest
- Price: from £200
- Duration: approximately 9 hours
- Transport: minibus for 14 people
5. Bus tour of the Colorado River and its incredible National Park
One of the best excursions to the National Parks from Las Vegas is a visit to Grand Canyon National Park, on the South Rim, the southern side of the Grand Canyon. The tour is by bus with a specialist guide who will tell you all about how it was formed and the animals and plants that live there.
This full-day tour is available every day, including weekends, at any time of year. It is suitable for families with children and is one of the best things to see and do in Las Vegas in two days.
This bus tour consists of a tour of the south side of the Grand Canyon, with admission to the National Park, where some of the best viewpoints are located : Bright Angel Point and Mather Point. You can also visit Hopi House, a great place to pick up some original souvenirs.
The tour includes breaks for lunch and dinner at the best restaurants and bars, which are not usually included in the tour price. On the way back, you can enjoy the view of Las Vegas lit up at night, something that surprises many people.
Details of interest
- Price: from £100
- Duration: approximately 15 hours
- Transportation: bus for up to 56 passengers
6. Whitewater rafting on the Colorado River with helicopter ride
One of the most exciting ways to explore the Colorado River is by rafting its turbulent waters in a small boat.
The tour also includes a helicopter ride to an elevation of over 1,000 metres, where you will have the best panoramic views of the Grand Canyon.
During the tour, you will travel 65 km through the rapids of the Colorado River, where you will have privileged views of the Grand Canyon and discover hidden corners and waterfalls, such as Travertine Falls.
The excursion is carried out with a small group of people together with an expert guide in the area so that you can learn everything about the place. Transport to the rafting site is by bus. This tour can be done any day of the week and is suitable for children over 8 years old.
Details of interest
- Price: from £570
- Duration: approximately 15 hours
- Transport: bus, boat and helicopter
- Advantages: you will discover hidden places in the Grand Canyon and have fun on one of the best rafting trips on the Colorado River.
7. Hiking tour of Black Canyon from Las Vegas
If you love hiking, you'll love walking through Black Canyon, the Mojave Desert, discovering the petroglyphs of the ancient Mohave and Paiute civilisations, and enjoying a relaxing thermal bath. This excursion is one of the best things to do in Las Vegas in 7 days.
During the tour, you will be accompanied by an experienced guide who will make the excursion more interesting by telling stories and providing information about the places you visit. This excursion is not suitable for children as it is moderately difficult. It is carried out with a small group of 10 people.
The best time of year to take this tour is in spring. It is not available in winter and temperatures can be extreme in summer.
During the tour, you will walk along the magnificent Black Canyon nature trail and swim in the natural healing hot springs in the desert. You will love the fascinating views of White Rock Canyon and relaxing on the beach.
Details of interest
- Price: from £150
- Duration: around 6 hours
- Transport: coach and on foot
8. Hydrobike excursion on the waters of the Colorado River
Believe it or not, it is possible to "walk on the waters of the Colorado River". This tour offers a bike/raft ride down the river from Willow Beach, and one of the destinations is the amazing Emerald Cave, which stands out because its waters appear to be that colour.
This excursion is ideal in summer, so you can enjoy a dip in the waters of the Colorado River. The hydrobikes have a height restriction: they are designed for people at least 1.52 m tall. Before you jump into the water, you will receive a safety briefing and instructions on how to use the water bike.
This tour is ideal for stopping to admire the wild flora and fauna of the area, such as bighorn sheep, bald eagles and other birds. Throughout the tour, you will have a specialised guide who will teach you all about the places you visit.
This tour also includes round-trip pick-up from certain hotels. It is conducted in groups of up to 14 people.
Details of interest
- Price: from £150
- Duration: approximately 4 hours
- Transport: minibus for 14 people and hydrobike
9. Bus tour to Hoover Dam
Something very interesting that you cannot miss is a half-day excursion to Hoover Dam from Las Vegas. On the tour, you will see the dam's power plant, visit the Visitor Exhibition Centre, the Hoover Dam Museum and the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge, where you can take the best photos of the dam and the Colorado River.
You'll also get to walk for 45 minutes along the top of the Hoover Dam and enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the dam and the Colorado River.
The tour includes a professional guide who will tell you about the history of the Hoover Dam and interesting facts about how it works. The trip is by bus with a small group of people and is available every day, including weekends, in both summer and winter.
These tours usually include lunch at Omelet House, a renowned restaurant with a varied menu. Another extra that is often included is a ticket to see a show at The Comedy Club at The Strat, one of the best shows in Las Vegas.
Details of interest
- Price: from £100
- Duration: approximately 7 hours
- Transportation: bus