Black Canyon River Adventures focuses on tours that allow visitors to explore the wonders of Black Canyon. This spectacular natural attraction—which at its apex features majestic walls that stand some 2,000-feet above the mighty Colorado River—is located in beautiful Lake Mead National Recreation Area, not far from the famous Hoover Dam. All Black Canyon River Adventures outings depart from their headquarters at the Lake Mead RV Village, just a few miles northwest of Hoover Dam. However, there are add-on transportation options available for those guests who would like to go on a Black Canyon River Adventures tour but are staying in the greater Las Vegas area.
Popular Black Canyon River Tours
Black Canyon River Adventures offers two distinct tours. If you are in the mood for a real adventure, and would like to experience the Colorado River in a way most people never do, then you’ll want to consider going on the Black Canyon Raft Tour, which will get you rafting through this beautiful area for several hours. If you don’t have as much time or money, but you’d still like to enjoy the Colorado River for a bit while seeing Hoover Dam from a unique perspective, you’ll likely be interested in the Hoover Dam Postcard Tour.
Black Canyon Raft Tour
This tour usually departs around 9:30am each morning, and typically lasts approximately 3 hours. Along the way you’ll ride on a motor-assisted inflatable raft alongside some of the area’s most beautiful scenery. Highlights of the tour include Black Canyon National Water Trail, Hoover Dam, Willow Beach, and more. Tickets cost approximately $115 and includes National Park entrance fees and a box lunch.
Hoover Dam Postcard Tour
This unique Hoover Dam-centric excursion lasts around 90 minutes—30 or so minutes of which consist of a motorized-raft ride where you’ll have remarkable views (which means remarkable photo opportunities!) of Hoover Dam and Black Canyon. The shuttle ride that takes you to the water is even a Black Canyon River Adventures exclusive route. Tickets cost a little over $30 per person.
Things to Know & Insider Tips
- The price of any tour tickets you purchase from Black Canyon River Adventures does not include any sort of gratuity for your guide(s). If you enjoy your tour experience, it is considered polite to tip around 20%.
- For those traveling with small children, please keep in mind that kids under the age of 4 will not be charged a “raft fee,” and will be provided lunch free of charge.
- For those guests who are staying in Las Vegas, but would like to consider going on one of the tours offered by Black Canyon River Adventures, there are tour ticket add-on options that include round-trip transportation from any one of several different Las Vegas-area hotels. Make sure to inquire about such options at the time you decide to purchase your tour tickets.
- If you plan on traveling to the area as part of a large group, or are in the process of planning a special event, keep in mind that Black Canyon River Adventures also routinely runs group chartered rafting excursions. These special adventures are private and customizable, and can accommodate groups ranging anywhere from 25 to 300 people.
Is Black Canyon River Adventures the Tour Company for You?
The scope of Black Canyon River Adventures tours is very specific, but in essence, they subscribe to the old adage of “do one thing, and do it well.” If you find yourself in the Las Vegas area for a visit, and you’re looking for a way to explore Lake Mead National Recreation Area, but you don’t have a lot of time or a ton of resources, then this is probably the tour company for you. Their Hoover Dam Postcard Tour is short but unique, and pretty inexpensive compared to some other Hoover Dam-related tours. Likewise, their Black Canyon Raft Tour will get you out on the water, in the midst of a beautiful setting, all without taking up too much of your precious touring time or without breaking the bank. Of course, if you’re looking for a more in-depth rafting experience, then there are other, more expansive options elsewhere.
