Black Canyon River Adventures

Black Canyon River Adventures

Black Canyon River Adventures
4.5
About
Smooth water rafting on the Colorado River in the Black Canyon National Water Trail. The trip starts near the base of the Hoover Dam and spends 3 hours traveling 12 miles downstream to Willow Beach Marina. Experience the amazing views of the Hoover Dam and the Bypass Bridge. You will see waterfalls, hot springs and other geological wonders, possibly spot Desert Big Horn sheep, Osprey, Eagles, Great Blue Heron and much more. The trip is fully narrated by experienced, knowledgeable guides who offer incredible knowledge of the history of the dam and the area. Lunch is included. Smooth water rafting on the Colorado River below Hoover Dam in the Black Canyon National Water Trail. Fully narrated tour offering views of canyons, waterfalls, hotsprings, geological wonders and desert wildlife. Fun for the whole family!
Las Vegas, Nevada

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Tours and Tickets by Black Canyon River Adventures
Travelers talk about
(86 reviews)

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles486 reviews
Excellent
406
Very good
51
Average
18
Poor
5
Terrible
6

Vicki F
Lakeville, MN15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Family
Captain Crash/Dave was very funny and knowledgeable about the dam. We enjoyed how relaxing and organized it was too. Such beauty and those views that surrounds the dam and the water are amazing!!!! We enjoyed the snacks and water too as it was refreshing. It was only about 75 degrees but if it’s warmer when you go make sure you have sunscreen and a hat cuz it gets hot out on the boat. Got some great pics too!!!
Written April 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Janet S
22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
We took the Postcard tour on a beautiful day and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our raft guide, Russ, was funny, knowledgeable, and experienced. Next time I might opt for the 3 hour tour. I highly recommend this company.
Written March 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Taylor
Laurel, MD33 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022
This tour was a fantastic way to see and learn about the Hoover Dam and Colorado River. Our tour guide, Gianni, was excellent on informing us about unique structures and natural formations along the river, pointing out wildlife, and expertly guiding the raft, all with a very welcoming and friendly attitude. The provided lunch was great and they provided all of us with water and cold towels to beat the heat. Even with the hot weather, the breeze generated from riding the raft was very cooling. The entire experience was amazing, from checking in, riding the bus to the raft loading area, the tour, and the bus ride back to the check in spot. We highly recommend this tour to everyone looking for a fun, safe, scenic experience in the Las Vegas area!
Written September 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Trac102
90 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017 • Friends
My family and I had been looking forward to this trip and it was our last excursion before returning home. The day started ok, the company had sub contracted out our collection to another company so the first time we had any dealings with black canyon river adventures was when we arrived at lake mead. It was here we picked up the mini bus to go to the raft. This minibus driver was polite and a very considerate and careful driver, who got us to the raft pick up point in one piece.
The day was truly amazing and our tour guide Scott was great and very informative (so far so good)!!
After a really enjoyable day on the river and at times in the river it was time to return to the minibuses and head back.
This time the driver was not polite nor courteous. Nevertheless, we all pile on and strapped in, (good job too) - we take off, literally... not just rafting but now 'off roading' at great speed. From my seat in the back of the minibus it seems we are going from one side of the road to the other and hitting every hole and rough ground as we go. Finally we make it to the highway but the level of driving does not improve. Every now and then we hit the rumble strip at the edge of the carriage way. I didn't have a great view from where I was sat but it felt very unstable.
As we approach a right hand bend we are going far to fast to negotiate it and hit the concrete barrier. We are now in a very vulnerable position on the right hand side of the road on a right hand bend!! The driver JAMES HAMMOND did not even ask if we were ok nor was he going to call 911!! He did finally call emergency services after we all shouted that there was injuries and after he got off the phone to his boss.
His boss BRIAN then phoned back and suggested that we all phone cabs to get taken back to our hotels, when it was pointed out that we (there was now 7 British tourists left on the minibus) that we didn't have any numbers for cabs and actually it was his responsibility to get us off the highway- his reply was "yeah, but the cab companies don't know me" . Like they are going to know 7 British holidaymakers!!!

One member of my party were taken by ambulance to hospital.

At no time did JAMES HAMMOND show any remorse, even the attending police officer was stunned by his response of "yeah, I'm ok" before the officer even said anything.

JAMES HAMMOND spoilt the end of an amazing day by his incompetent driving. And ruined our last night in Las Vegas as I spent it at the hospital. When we did finally get back to the hotel we didn't feel like going very far so just got a quick bite to eat and back to the hotel and bed.
Great last night - thank you James Hammond and his boss Brian for screwing our last night Vegas!!!

Rafting on the Colorado river was a great experience and well worth doing but not with Black Canyon River Adventures!
Written June 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gemma G
Bridgwater, UK5 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017 • Friends
Great day rafting with Scott our guide. However this great day was quickly ruined by the drive home, James Hammond our driver was reckless and inconsiderate. From the moment we left Willow Beach the drive was trumatic, we thought that the day entailed not only rafting but the off roading experience on the bus, hitting pot holes and bends at speed, to top this off he crashed the bus by driving to fast up a bend. The driver James appeared to be either falling asleep or drunk. Which resulted in a evening at the ER with whiplash and chest pains. Totally ruined the day. Made worse by the fact he showed no remorse.
Written June 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Box23
26 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
The guides and drivers a friendly and Knowledgeable. The woman in the office area is aggressive about making sure you know she doesn't give a hoot about you or anything else. She hates you slready and asking a question ticks her off. The scenery is nice but if you've spent anytime outdoors its clear that the trip is a 45min trip streched into 3hrs. In other words, it is slooooow. Pleasant but slow. Save $ two ways: register online as there is a discount code on their site and drive yourself to boulder City/hacienda Hotel.
Written August 5, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cheryl C
Reno, NV119 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2015 • Family
Our day started at Willow Beach RV park. The seven of us bought our tickets at the general store. A bus picked us up out front and drive us over to the Hoover dam where we gathered at the marina for our raft ride. Brian, our guide was very knowledgeable and funny. The ride started out with some information regarding the process of the dam and other nuggets of interest. The temp was about 110• but a wet towel and random splashes from some very cold river water kept us cool. Remember, there is no shade. Bring a hat, your sunglasses, and sunscreen. Bring your swimsuit too. They offer a boxed lunch. The river is beautiful. If you took your own kayak or jet ski, there are some hidden grottos off the banks. Some areas have hot springs that pour from the canyon walls. These are 105• F all the time.
We stopped for lunch on a small beach where we are and played in the water.
We made one more stop to see the horned sheep on the side of the canyon and just to play in the water again.
Fantastic tour! The kids and adults had a great time. Don't forget to sit in the front.
The raft tour ends at Willow Beach.
Enjoy! Perfect for anyone.
Written July 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Momrat3
Hillsboro, OR388 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2014 • Friends
This was an extremely well-organized tour group. The guides (ours was Jeff) were knowledgable and entertaining, and obviously loved their jobs.

This tour operator has permission to set out from a restricted area right below the Hoover Dam and the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Jeff gave us a lot of information about both structures before we set off down river. This is a long and relaxing float. There is no paddling, and no white water. You don't have to do anything but gaze at the canyon walls, blue sky, and clear emerald water. If it's hot, you can swim, but the water is a constant 54 degrees. It would probably be very welcome on a blazing hot summer day.

Halfway through the trip, we stopped for a very good lunch of turkey, ham or veggie wraps, chips, apple, cookies and water. We sat on the sand or climbed up the rocks to eat, which was great for us, but other people found uncomfortable. There was a portable "loo", which some people thought to be "icky", but this is a remote area and there are no bathrooms in the canyon. So don't drink a lot of coffee before getting on the bus!

There is a lot of history on this river, and Jeff kept us entertained the whole time. We didn't see any wildlife other than water birds, but there are often bighorn sheep, we were told.

Be sure to use sunscreen and take a jacket/cover-up, as the sun reflecting off the water can give you a nice burn. If you take a hat, make sure you have a strap, as the wind can get pretty brisk in parts of the canyon and your hat may become a kite.

If you have active kids, this isn't a great activity for them as there isn't much to do but relax or sleep. And, not surprisingly, there aren't any cell towers or WiFi.
Written March 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jaimelv
Dallas, TX3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2019 • Friends
Wish I could give zero stars. Where to begin? So many things that were so poorly managed that I would not recommend this company at all.

-They set arrival time to 9:15-9:30 for a 10am tour. We arrived on time and sat around for a FULL hour in an RV park (after paying an additional $25 to get into the park), and none of the staff seemed concerned at all about timeliness.

-After waiting, we then found out there was a problem with the boat, so we were going to take the “scenic route” on the bus ride to the docking area to give the boat some more time. We then sat in 30 minutes of bumper to bumper traffic for once-a-year Memorial Day motorcycle parade (they have been in business for years, how do they not know about this and plan for it?) A drive that should have taken 8 minutes took 40.

-We FINALLY get to the boat and find out only 1 of 2 motors is working on it. Already an hour later than planned starting, we finally board. The tour guide then takes us in an aimless circle for 30 whole minutes talking before even getting down the river. I understand this is part of the tour, but after keeping the guests waiting over an hour and a half at this point, you would think they would want to get moving and make up time.

-Three full hours of pure misery ensue. As everyone in the boat starts to get soaked, we find out they never dropped off ponchos so the entire boat literally wraps themselves in trash bags. Trash bags!!

From there, we all are forced to sit in misery as terrible wind and water pound our boat as we hobble down the river on one motor. No one could look out at the scenery because we had to literally cower inside our trash bags.

After we survived the now 4+ hour ordeal, we later heard that other boating tours on the lake that day were cancelled due to wind. But Black Canyon apparently thought it was totally fine to forge ahead.

This was truly the most unfortunate experience, and I would not use this company ever again. For $100+/person (which in our case was 8 people) there are plenty of better ways to spend your time and money.
Written May 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cyruscyrus
liverpool2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Family
I spent a long time choosing this trip as had 2 teenagers with us (15 and 18) and worried that it would be a little too leisurely for them.Neednt have worried! I foolishly chose the front and side of the boat to stay cool as it was a roasting hot day.Started off with information and view of the Hoover Dam which I loved, then moved off down the river. Very entertaining and informative guide,Jeff clearly loves his job and made this experience even better.
Once we speeded up a bit we were all laughing as we were getting soaked from the spray but I found it quite exhilarating.
Stopped for a nice lunch at a little beach and got in for a swim,water cold but crystal clear and so picturesque.
Back on and back to shore,probably could do without the last half hour or so but obviously it has to start and finish at a certain point on the river.
Glad I chose this tour,it was not too fast and not too slow,we dont usually bother going on trips while we are away but this was a very welcome break from the exhaustion of Vegas
Written June 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Black Canyon River Adventures - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)