Colorado river kayaking from Horseshoe Bend tips / advice [camping, fishing, petroglyphs]

Kayaking the Colorado River from Horseshoe Bend. In this video I show you the beauty of this trip but also give you tips and advice on what to do, how to arrange a trip like this, what to expect and interesting things you can see.
Don't try to paddle upstream with your kayak haha. I did, and in 4 hour non stop paddling I only got as far as what was only 5 minutes by the boat. There is a very slow current going down, the river is otherwise super calm, but that current is strong. The second you stop paddling, the river will take you back down.
So there are 3 companies in the area that will take you up with their boat. They all charge about the same. Some have more trips, others less, but I was able to get a same day deal from Kayak Horse Shoe bend.kayakhorseshoebend.com
I paid $75 since I already had my own kayak, but you can rent one from them for $75. They're professional, helpful, and very friendly. They can also give you tips about fishing, or really anything, so ask them if you have questions.
They dropped us off (me and a family) passed the Horseshoe Bend. You can ask them to drop you off closer, or maybe even as far as the Lake Powell Dam.
Right at the Horseshoe Bend there is a sacred Native American site, 5-6000 year old petroglyphs carved into the wall. It was amazing to see. It's just a short walk up from the shore and there are some very clean and maintained bathrooms. Please don't touch the wall or anything around it.
Along the way you can see mountain sheep and wild horses.
You can get out where ever you want (and can), have a picnic, take a little break, lay on the sun, let the kids run around. There are some bathrooms along the way and some campsites as well. These primitive campsites have a bathroom, and only accessible by boat (obviously).
You can read about this on the Glen Canyon National Park's website, but they didn't make it clear that these sites are by boat access only. I guess they thought everyone knew - I didn't, and during my previous trip I was planning on camping there. Even on this trip I was planning on finding them but then quickly realized you can't drive to them.
When floating down, you don't have to do anything, the current will take you. Try to stay on the either of the sides but not too close if it's rocky. The boats coming and going will make some waves and they can throw you against the rocks. Not a good thing.
What I found best was to sit at 90 degrees to the waves when they come, that way you're facing them and are coming at yo from the front, not sideways rocking you. You probably wouldn't tip over, but it just doesn't feel safe to me, so I always face the waves.
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You can fish on the river.
You need an Arizona fishing license. The rules are not posted at the boat lunch, they're actually posted much earlier as you go towards them, so slow t=down and even stop to read them.
You are only allowed to use artificial lures and flies, but not even artificial salmon eggs or artificial marshmellows. Barbless hooks only. There is a limit on most (but not all fish)
The fish are abundant in the river and they're big. The water is so clear, you can see them a lot of the times.
This trip was so amazing. Calm and peaceful, not a lot of people there, although it will probably get busier in the summer. The beautiful views are some of the prettiest things you can see in this country.
I loved it so much that I'm planning on going back to camp on the river at one of those campsites. I will find one of these companies to take me up with their boat and drop me off at a campsite and then take me back a few days later.
Thank you for watching, hopefully you can take a trip and experience this, it is really worth it!
#kayaking #ColoradoRiver #ThingsToDoInArizona

[@lasvegasvegas4236]

Excellent video and production. Thank you for sharing your adventure.

[@Huntress308]

Thank you so much!!!

[@IamaDutch-Kiwi]

Stunning surroundings. I can see why you would want to revisit here. Though my kayaking days are over, I can still enjoy the experiences of others. Just gorgeous. Those goats, great balance 😂. Thanks for sharing. 👍 🎥 ❤️ 🌷 🙋‍♀️

[@Huntress308]

Thank you so much! Yes, it was amazing. I'm planning my trip in less than 2 months, step by step. I'm planning it around the doggie, planning hikes and activities she can go on. Apparently there's a lot. Not in national parks but there are plenty amazing places outside of them

[@AGoodEnoughMom]

This is so beautiful 🏞️ it brought back so many memories: my husband and I went kayaking down a river gorge on our honeymoon. Lovely video 🌷

[@Huntress308]

Thank you so much! I loved every minute of it and was kicking myself for not k owing about this before. Thank you for watching !

[@jackfishmagurkin9397]

Beautiful country, loved the video.

[@Huntress308]

Thank you! I can't wait to go back

[@TourwithLisa]

Thanks! Very helpful info.

[@Huntress308]

Thank you!

[@tiablasangoriti8347]

I looks like a wonderful experience.

[@Huntress308]

It really was. I wanna go back with a boat and camp there for a few days

[@Paul-rq8zs]

Going there in June of 2022. Staying at Cliff Dwellers Lodge, leaving next morning for kayaking and camping at one of the sites. I’m taking my wife and 2 daughters and can’t wait for the experience :)

[@Huntress308]

You're going to love it! Make sure you guys check out the petroglyphs. I'm hoping to go back in April (spring break) but this time I want to take a boat and camp at one of the sites for a few days. Fishing, relaxing and camping with the doggie 😊⛺️🐾

[@Paul-rq8zs]

@@Huntress308 good luck. I’m sure camping adds more fun to it :)

[@evopwrmods]

Wow what an amazing experience, to see all those wild animals too. I recently bought a kayak and have been RV-ing at Antelope Point where I kayaked and hiked some. I definitely want to do this, hire the boat take me up[ and then do my own thing from there........definitely be worth researching the immediate area so you can see more dwellings, and Petroglyphs.......Thank You for sharing, Im headed to Hurricane next, cant wait to see Bryce, Zion, etc. etc....

[@Huntress308]

Thank you so much for watching !! I love that area! I've been to Bryce Canyon (last summer), Zion (4 years ago) also Cedar Breaks is very nice as well You definitely have to try the float on the Colorado River!! Amazing experience

[@evopwrmods]

@@Huntress308 Yes I'm so excited with so much to see and do. I know that I will be back for years and years to come. I've set myself to live in my Rv full time since I retired a little early, I wanted to be able to do all these physical activities. ....always has been a dream and goal to retire and travel the west. Now Im doing just that...seems so surreal, all my friends back home keep up with my travels which is nice I can share my journey with them. Just like you did with your video. Thank You for that. I will definitely come back to this area and do all these other things I didnt even know about.....Hiking to White Pocket, etc.....

[@Huntress308]

@@evopwrmods that is so amazing! I'm so happy for you! RV-ing full time is a dream of many. I could never do it, I have too many things and set my roots lol. When I was there last year I met a couple who were full time rv-in for a couple of years now and they told me how it works, the good and the bad. Well, there's really no bad, just adjustments. Where I camped, it all public land, you can stay there for 14 days at a time, move your rv for another 14 days to another spot and keep going. And there is cell service. Perfect spot for spring ! Good luck and please stay in touch!

[@evopwrmods]

@@Huntress308 Thank You very much. Retired early and then full time RV living has been a dream and goal of mine since I was a teenager. I never had the opportunity to travel before now, all I did was work and work and work....so much work, but now I have the rest of my life to explore. I just adore the west, that big sky and those vistas where you can see for hundreds of miles away. Plus the many hikes, rivers, etc. to kayak and fish in, heck just explore.......I am all new to this RV life and traveling too. I must learn to do both, slow down and start spending more time in certain areas. I intend to build a Solar Power/Battery system, plus a water filtration system where I can go Boondocking almost exclusively. RV parks are ok but I would much rather be out all to myself in some fantastic place. Figuring out this rv, my trucks, motorcycles, etc...and how they all fit in together is a big education....