Ruben Villegas

Colorado River Rafting From Las Vegas

Colorado rafting tours can give you an everlasting perspective at the absolute bottom of the Hoover Dam.

One of the most popular family-oriented attractions awaiting visitors to the Las Vegas area is the magnificent Hoover Dam. Officially designated one of America's Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1994, the dam is a must-see that you definitely won't want to pass up. But, instead of seeing it in the same way that everyone else does, why not take in the view from an entirely different angle? With Las Vegas rafting tours you can get the chance to literally see it from the bottom up.

The rafting tours start from a launch area on the Colorado River that is located near the famous dam's base. Large, comfortable rafts that meet all Coast Guard safety requirements will take you along the dam's very foot, providing a view that is as unparalleled as it is unique.

Once you have passed the dam, you will have the chance to experience a safe, yet thrilling, ride on the swift currents of the BlackCanyon, whose walls can reach heights of over two thousand feet. The BlackCanyon cuts through the surrounding EldoradoMountains, and gets its name from the black volcanic rocks that are found in the area.

As you drift along, an experienced guide with intimate knowledge of the area will provide you with a detailed account of its history. Eagles are often spotted here, as well as blue heron and osprey. You may even see desert bighorn sheep as they climb along the canyon cliffs.

Along the way, the raft usually makes a stop along the shore, so that you can spend some time enjoying yourself by swimming or just taking a relaxing stroll on the shoreline. The water can be quite chilly, so be prepared for it if you do opt for swimming. Because of the fast moving current, the water remains at a fairly constant temperature of between fifty and fifty-two degrees Fahrenheit all year long.

After covering a distance of about twelve miles, the tour arrives at WillowBeachHarbor, on the Colorado River's Arizona side. The rafting portion of your trip officially ends here. You may want to spend an hour or two enjoying the little town, or rent a boat at the Marina and do some fishing before heading back to Vegas if you are not continuing on as part of a combination tour.

If you are doing a combination tour, the next part of your trip is very likely a ground tour of the Hoover Dam. In that case, you will be transported from WillowBeach back to the dam on a mini-bus or coach. When you arrive, you will be given a tour of its interior, where you will have the chance to take photographs and see its visitor's center. Some tours will include a stop at a local park on the way back to Las Vegas, so that you can have an opportunity to see herds of bighorn sheep from a closer perspective than you were able to during your raft-ride in the BlackCanyon. Whether you choose to stay for a few days, or head straight back home, Las Vegas rafting tours are sure to leave you feeling satisfied.

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