Here's how to see Emerald Cave, Arizona's glowing green hidden gem

EmmettTravel2025-07-174820

As far as hidden gems go, Emerald Cave certainly qualifies.

It’s a small grotto carved from the rocky walls of a canyon on the Colorado River in northwestern Arizona that can only be reached by a boat. Can’t get much more hidden than that.

But the place is no secret. Photos of Emerald Cave (also known as Emerald Cove) have been making a splash on social media for years. That’s always a recipe for landing on plenty of bucket lists.

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Is a kayak trip to Emerald Cave worth it? Absolutely. For many more reasons than just the small cave that cradles shimmering green water. And I say this as a novice and nervous kayaker.

A few years ago, I kayaked an upper section of the Colorado River. I started a few miles below Glen Canyon Dam, glided through iconic Horseshoe Bend and ended at Lees Ferry. That remains my absolute favorite of the half-dozen or so paddle trips I’ve taken. But the journey to Emerald Cave would be next on that list.

Where is the Emerald Cave?

Emerald Cave is on the Arizona side of the Colorado River about 2 miles north of Willow Beach.

In 2014, the 30 miles of the river flowing south from Hoover Dam was designated as the Black Canyon National Water Trail, the first national water trail in the Southwest and the first to flow through desert. Black Canyon creates a scenic setting with steep cliffs and narrow canyons.

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This entire section of the river is part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

What is the best way to visit Emerald Cave?

The trip is a paddler’s dream. Emerald Cave can be reached by kayak, canoe or paddleboard. Since this section of the Colorado is rated Class 1 — meaning it is all flat water with no rapids — the trip can be made by even inexperienced kayakers. If I can manage it easily, it is not challenging.

The best launch point is Willow Beach, which features a full-service marina. Here you can find a grocery store, café, boat and paddlecraft rentals, picnic tables and restrooms. There is also a campground and RV park.

From Willow Beach it is a 4-mile round-trip journey to Emerald Cave.

Can you go to Emerald Cave without a tour?

Emerald Cave is 2 miles north of Willow Beach on the Colorado River below Hoover Dam.

Yes. If you have your own kayak or paddleboard, you can put in from the sandy beach. The marina also rents all necessary equipment for a self-guided tour, including single and tandem kayaks, and canoes. 855-918-5253, willowbeachharbor.com.

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Many visitors (myself included) choose to sign up for a guided tour. Several outfitters based in Las Vegas and Boulder City, Nevada, offer a range of options.

Among these are three-hour paddle trips, which are pretty direct out-and-backs with a stop at Emerald Cave, and sometimes a quick refreshment break at a small beach along the way. Longer tours might involve additional stops, lunch and further exploration of Black Canyon.

Is Emerald Cave kayaking worth it?

Absolutely. Don’t expect solitude, yet it’s still a peaceful outing. Multiple groups set out from the commercial launch beach. They start together in little clumps, while guides assess how their people are doing. Then everyone begins to spread out and find their own pace.

It’s a big river and even with a flotilla of kayaks and conversations bouncing back and forth, there’s still something inherently serene about being on the water in this desert canyon.

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Scenery is relentlessly beautiful as we crossed the river and began tracing the Nevada shoreline. The river was clear as green glass, and almost as still on this windless day. Despite the heat, it was comfortable on the water, which maintained a temperature of approximately 56 degrees.

There were a few brief pauses as our guide pointed out geological and historical features along the way. Keep an eye peeled for bighorn sheep scrambling around on the steep slopes above. Bald eagles and great blue herons can often be seen as well. We also learned about the men who lived in this lonely place to gauge water levels, flow rate and silt content of the river prior to and during construction of Hoover Dam. Their homesite and gauging station are still visible.

Small beaches offer rest breaks along the journey from Willow Beach to Emerald Cave on the Colorado River in western Arizona.

Crossing back to the Arizona side, a few small isolated coves and beaches were visible. As the canyon narrowed, we moved closer to the rocky shoreline, now pockmarked with a few small clefts and gouges. Here we queued up for our turn to enter Emerald Cave. The wait was less than 15 minutes, and then one by one, my group backed our kayaks into the rocky opening.

Why is it called Emerald Cave?

Emerald Cave is small. It can hold about a dozen kayaks packed close together. When the sunlight streams in at just the right angle, it turns into a luminous grotto of shimmering green. The green tint is caused by the light reflecting off canyon walls and underwater algae.

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It was very pretty. Perhaps an hour later it would have turned magical. Hard to say. But I think it’s one of those spots that show up slightly better in photos than in reality. That seems to be important these days.

My favorite part of the tour was the return trip. By now, the crowd had dissipated and the river felt still and quiet. The melted jade color associated with the cave surrounded me for long stretches. The afternoon slant of sun on the water produced soothing green and blue hues throughout the day. Pair that with the tawny mountains and an azure sky, and it was the perfect day spent in Arizona, in Nevada, and Arizona again.

When is the best time to visit Emerald Cave?

Sunlight is what initiates the radiant colors that illuminate Emerald Cave. Specifically, the right angle of the sun. During the winter, the best time to visit is late morning, probably between 10 and 11 a.m. During summer months, the most vibrant hues are visible in the afternoon, approximately 1-2 p.m.

What day of the week you go will also be important. Summer is the busy time, especially on weekends. That can translate to longer waits to enter the cave. But most significantly, on Sundays and Mondays powerboats and personal watercraft are prohibited year-round between Willow Beach and Hoover Dam.

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That’s a big part of what made my trip so peaceful. I went on Monday (arriving at Emerald Cave about noon), so there were no jet skis or sleek motorboats blaring music traversing the river. Just a party of cheerful paddlers enjoying a long watery picnic.

How far is Emerald Cave from Las Vegas?

Willow Beach, the put-in location for Emerald Cave kayak tours, is about a 1-hour drive southeast of Las Vegas.

Can you swim in Emerald Cave, Arizona?

Swimming is not prohibited in Emerald Cave, but it's not practical because of the small space and numerous kayakers waiting for their turn inside the grotto. Swimming is allowed at Willow Beach.

Choosing an Emerald Cave kayak tour

I went with Evolution Expeditions. They provided a sit-inside Prijon touring kayak, paddles and life vest, as well as water and snacks. The company offers a shuttle service from Las Vegas. I chose the lower priced self-drive option and met the guide at Willow Beach.

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Guests who choose the self-drive option are responsible for the $25 per vehicle entrance fee to Lake Mead National Recreation Area. I used my America the Beautiful national parks pass.

Most outfitters offer a similar range of packages. Types of kayaks and tour times vary, so do the research and find an outing that’s right for you. Then put paddles in the water and go experience this special place.