This involves 2 nights of camping. I like to paddle upstream from Willow
Beach to a campsite at White Rock Canyon. Believe it or not, you can paddle up
the Colorado against the 6000-20000 cfs current if you do it before 10 AM when
the current is low. It is almost 9 miles from Willow Beach to the campsite, but
if you get on the water before 6 AM, you can get to White Rock Canyon before the
flow from Hoover Dam goes up. You can not paddle upstream against the maximum
flow.
Camp at Willow Beach, and the next day you can paddle 8 miles up to Hoover Dam,
starting before 6 AM. You can go downstream at any time, but in the springtime,
the afternoon upstream winds are so strong that they can be a problem. There are
a lot of hot springs on that stretch or river, including at the campsite. The
scenery is outstanding, but there are few places where you can land in case of
problems. The river is mostly closed in by canyon walls. A sea coast like that
would be called "iron bound." You will probably see big horn sheep along the
river.
Spend a second night at White Rock Canyon and paddle back to Willow Beach any
time the next day. You can also do the same trip starting at Hoover Dam, but you
must be shuttled to the put in by a commercial outfitter.
Willow Beach, AZ is 10 miles off of Rt 93, about 12 miles south of Hoover Dam,
and 52 miles north of Kingman, AZ.
Here is a link to an outfitter who can arrange access to the put in.
Black Canyon Willow
Beach River Adventures offer float trips on the Colorado River and boat rentals
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