How kayaking to Horseshoe Bend works
You cannot start a kayak trip at the overlook, which sits on the rim. The access point is Lees Ferry in Marble Canyon, off US 89A. A motorboat backhaul takes you and your kayak upstream on the Colorado River to a point above Horseshoe Bend. Then you paddle back down to Lees Ferry. There is no public kayak put-in at Glen Canyon Dam.
This is a river trip below the dam. Lake Powell is a separate paddling area above the dam and is not connected to this stretch, so you cannot paddle from the lake to the bend. For the lake, see the Lake Powell page.
Our picks: kayaking below Horseshoe Bend
The guided tour is the simplest start: kayak, life jacket, the motorboat shuttle, snacks and water are all part of it. The rental with boat shuttle is for paddlers who want to go on their own, and the float trip suits anyone who would rather ride the river than paddle it.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided kayak tour through Horseshoe Bend
- Guided kayak tour through the bend
- Motorboat shuttle upriver
- Snacks and water
A guide takes you upriver by motorboat and you paddle back down through the bend, with petroglyphs to see along the way. Kayak, paddle and life jacket are provided.
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Horseshoe Bend float trip from Page
- Interpretive guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
A guided float on the Colorado below the dam, with a ride from Page in an air-conditioned vehicle. You need a national park pass at check-in, and you can buy one locally.
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Kayak rental with boat shuttle to Horseshoe Bend
- Boat shuttle above the bend
- Life vest and paddles
- Single or tandem kayak
A captain drops you and your kayak above Horseshoe Bend, and you paddle back to Lees Ferry at your own pace. The boat dock is about an hour from Page.
Check availability →Kayak, raft and canyon tours near Page
Kayak trips, river outings and guided canyon tours around Page, with live prices and availability.
What the trip costs and who covers what
Prices are examples from one operator in 2026, not a full price range. Tax and the booking fee come on top.
| Item | Who provides it | Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Backhaul by motorboat | Operator | $80 per person with one boat under 50 lb (23 kg) |
| Kayak rental | Operator | From $40 |
| River permit | You, at the self-service kiosk | Free, one per group |
| Park entry at Lees Ferry | You | $30 per private vehicle for 7 days |
| Life jacket | Required for everyone | Ask whether your rental includes it |
Kayaks have no extra launch fee, but the park entry fee still applies. For most paddlers, the practical plan is to book a backhaul and a rental from the same operator, pick up the free permit at the launch and tell the operator exactly where you want to be dropped.
Permit, life jackets and the rules on the water
- River permit: every group needs one free permit for any boat use between the dam and Lees Ferry. Fill it in at the self-service kiosk at the launch, drop one copy in the box and carry the other. It does not reserve a campsite. Walking or fishing along the bank does not need it.
- Life jackets: everyone in a hand-powered boat must wear a US Coast Guard approved life jacket while underway.
- Near the dam: above the buoys close to the dam there is no normal recreational traffic.
- Below Lees Ferry: the river continues into the Grand Canyon, but that is not a continuation of this trip. Private multi-day trips there need a Grand Canyon river permit, which the free kayak permit does not replace.
Choosing your drop point
The distance upriver decides how long you paddle.
The usual trip
The typical trip is about 10 miles (16 km), to Petroglyph Beach, and about 15 miles (24 km) upriver is the maximum.
Ask for the bend
Say clearly that you want to be dropped above Horseshoe Bend. A shorter trip is not automatically a full pass through the bend.
Time on the water
No operator can promise a paddling time. Wind, river flow and daylight change it, so leave room in your day.
The overlook
The rim viewpoint is a separate walk of about 1.5 miles round trip. Read the overlook guide for parking and hours.
Cold water and river safety
The river is cold. Park staff warn of hypothermia and of flows that change during the day. A hot day on the rim does not mean warm water, and no one can give you a safe swimming time. Dress for the water, not for the air.
Heat is the other risk. Summer is very hot with almost no shade, so bring more drinking water than you expect to need. Our weather guide explains the seasons around Page.
There is no single season for the backhaul. Wind, river flow, daylight and each operator's calendar decide which days run. Ask for dates before you plan a trip around it. Looking at another big dam on the Colorado? The guide to kayaking below Hoover Dam covers that river stretch.
Getting to Lees Ferry and what else to see
Lees Ferry is about 42 to 45 miles from Page, plus a paved access road down to the river.
Kayaking to Horseshoe Bend: frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to kayak to Horseshoe Bend?
Yes, a free river permit, one per group, for any boat use between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry. You get it at the self-service kiosk at the launch. It is separate from park entry.
Can I paddle from the overlook?
No. The overlook is a viewpoint on the rim. The river access is at Lees Ferry, and you reach the bend by backhaul and paddle back.
How much does the backhaul cost?
One operator charges $80 per person for a backhaul with one boat under 50 lb, with kayak rental from $40, plus tax and a booking fee, in 2026. Other operators price differently.
How far do I paddle?
The usual trip is about 10 miles, to Petroglyph Beach, and the maximum is about 15 miles upriver. Agree the drop point with the operator before you book.
Is it suitable for beginners or children?
Operators set their own rules for experience and age, and cold water and changing flows are real risks. Ask the operator before you book.
When is the best time to go?
There is no single season. Wind, flow, daylight and the operator's calendar decide. Avoid the hottest part of summer days and ask which dates run.