Kayak Horseshoe Bend

Experience Horseshoe Bend

Like Never Before

Paddle Down the Colorado River

View Horseshoe Bend as few do – while paddling down the Colorado River in one of our rental kayaks or rental paddleboards or you can bring your own. Our specially designed and outfitted boats haul you upriver through spectacular Glen Canyon to Horseshoe Bend to get you started.

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Explore Marble Canyon

An Experience You’ll Never Forget

  • Skip The Crowded Overlook – see Horseshoe Bend from the water
  • Professional Backhaul Service – We take you up and you paddle back
  • Over 10,000 Happy Kayakers and Paddleboarders Served
  • All skill levels welcome

    We’ll help you to plan your paddle trip down the Colorado River from Horseshoe Bend – from start to finish we’ll make it one of the best trips you ever experienced.

    Dogs not allowed in National Park on backhauls or vessels

    Or Call: (928) 355-2211

    Plan Your Trip

    We’ll help you to plan your paddle trip down the Colorado River from Horseshoe Bend – from start to finish we’ll make it one of the best trips you ever experienced.

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    Backhaul Services

    We provide a backhaul service for kayaks, paddleboards, and small inflatable watercraft from the launch ramp at Lees Ferry 15 miles up the Colorado River.

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    About us

    Kayaking Horseshoe Bend

    Kayak Horseshoe Bend is a kayak and paddleboard backhaul service (water taxi) and kayak rental company. We move small boats from the launch ramp at Lees Ferry (the beginning of the Grand Canyon) 15 miles up the Colorado River to just below the Glen Canyon Dam that creates Lake Powell. You can make a day of it paddling back to Lees Ferry or ask your captain to drop you off anywhere along the way for a paddle that fits your schedule … even just a couple hours. Most people elect to go to Petroglyph Beach which is at the top of Horseshoe Bend and this paddle usually takes 4 to 5 hours to complete.

    Daily Departures Begin At 6 AM to 8 AM (depending on the season)

    Read Frequently asked Questions
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    Dining, Fishing, Kayaking

    Discover Marble Canyon

    marble canyon cliff dwellers lodge

    Cliff Dwellers Lodge

    Stay in one of our rooms and enjoy majestic views of the resounding area in northern Arizona. Our lodge is positioned close to all the nearby attractions.

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    Cliff Dwellers Restaurant

    Start your day with a hearty breakfast. Grab a quick lunch or end your day with a mouthwatering dinner. You’ll always get a great meal when you dine with us.

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    Outdoor Outfitters

    Cliff Dwellers General Store

    Whether you’re refueling for the next leg of your journey, gearing up with outdoor apparel, or grabbing a cold beverage, our store has you covered. Visit General Store
    Person in red shirt overlooking canyon
    Fishing store with nets, jackets, and angling supplies.
    Woman holding paddleboard by lake with mountains
    Colorful sweatshirts displayed in a clothing store
    Enamel mug with bird design on outdoor table
    Vintage car at rustic gas station under sunny sky
    Assorted adventure-themed stickers on red sand
    Interior of Lee's Ferry Anglers Shop with fishing gear
    Colorful Lees Ferry caps on sandy ground
    Retail display of outdoor clothing and accessories
    T-shirts with Marble Canyon and Horseshoe Bend designs
    Gray hoodie with logo on desert rocks
    Canvas tote bag with brand patches beside wood log
    Woman carrying kayak paddle on scenic bridge
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    What people are saying

    Guest Reviews

    The owner has many years of experience and knowledge of this river. He is very responsive in answering any questions that you may have. It was a pleasure to have met him and highly recommend using his company for your Colorado River experience!

    – Cynthia Ruiz | June 2022

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    OMG this was amazing! My wife, 11 year old daughter and I just had the time of our lives! We so appreciate how willing Wendy was to rebook our trip after a family emergency. We overnighted at Cliffdweller Lodge before taking off on our kayak adventure! Oh was it ever worth…

    – Julie W. | May 2022

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    My wife and I really enjoyed our Kayak/ Camping weekend out here. It started with this backhaul service. The crew loading the boat were professional and courteous. The Captain was friendly and knowledgeable providing us with blankets and a little tour…

    – Daryl B. | Apr. 2022

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    Unbelievable day on the river… Troy was a great guide that was extremely knowledgeable about the area and gave us awesome info on the canyon. The wind started picking up about halfway through our trip, but we tried to fight through it. The guides let us try our best…

    – Michael H. | June 2022

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    I had an absolutely spectacular experience renting kayaks over spring break. They were easy to work with and made everything run smoothly. Our boat captain Troy was awesome; super knowledgable and just overall super interesting to talk to. You could tell he absolutely…

    – Maegan L. | Mar 2022

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    Such a fun and beautiful experience! The most amazing views and surroundings, we had such a great day out on the river! Renting the kayaks was very affordable and the haulback service is so worth it and easy! And you get to take a boat ride to your starting destination…

    – Rebecca S. | Apr 2022

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    Kayak Horseshoe Bend

    Find us on a map

    Kayak Horseshoe Bend sits at the base of the Vermilion Cliffs and is adjacent to Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. We are in the center of all the National Parks in the region and an easy drive to the North and South Rim of the Grand Canyon as well as Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks.

    Got questions or need help with booking your trip? Click the button below to call or send us a message. We are excited for you to come visit!

    Contact us

    Love, Adventure, and the Colorado River: The Gunns' Journey in Fly Fishing

    1 terry and wendy gunn early years copy

    There is no other word to describe the meeting of Terry Gunn and Wendy Hanvold Gunn except as being a miracle of nature.

    It was the definition of serendipity.  It was a happenstance that literally changed the face and nature of Colorado River recreation, vacations, fly-fishing, and Northern Arizona/Grand Canyon accommodations.
    It was 1986 and Terry had just returned from a summer of guiding anglers for trout and salmon in Alaska.  He had begun guiding at Lees Ferry in 1983 and when he ran into Wendy in 1986, she was working as a waitress at Marble Canyon Lodge.  Wendy asked Terry if he could teach her to fly-fish. And that was the beginning.
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