Emerald Cave
Tourist attraction · Mohave County ·

Emerald Cave

Tourist attraction · Mohave County ·

Kayaking to a small cave with glowing green water

kayaking
river
tour guide
scenic views
colorado river
underwhelming cave
boat rental
kayak rental
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null
Emerald Cave by null

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Willow Beach, AZ 86445 Get directions

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Willow Beach, AZ 86445 Get directions

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Last updated

Jan 25, 2026

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28,641 Postcards · 5,542 Cities

This Emerald Cave Glows Bright Green for a Few Hours Each Day—and It's Just an Hour From Las Vegas

"When sunlight hits the water just right, the cave glows bright green, creating a striking natural effect. Visitors can kayak or paddleboard from Willow Beach through the Black Canyon to reach the Emerald Cave, and although people come primarily for the cave, the area's fascinating history, diverse wildlife, and dramatic scenery make the journey worth it." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/emerald-cave-arizona-11822397
Emerald Cave
@travelleisure
28,641 Postcards · 5,542 Cities

51 Most Romantic Places in the U.S.A.

"Black Canyon, best explored by kayak, is home to a hidden cave where the water inside glows a brilliant green. This hidden gem on the Arizona-Nevada border makes for a magical and memorable photo opportunity, and it's especially perfect for couples who want to cozy up in a tandem kayak." - Travel + Leisure Editors

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/romantic-getaways/most-romantic-destinations
Emerald Cave

Cameron S.

Google
Love it here. Love it so much my family and I started a company focused on showing people this amazing place. It's not all about the cave. It's all about the river and overall 4 hour experience. All about the lighting being right. I've been here over 100 times and the river is always absolutely amazing but I suggest the afternoon trips with ADVENTURE CHILD to hit the right lighting or the Full Day Hoover Dam Kayak Trip. You want to get there at 3-4pm June-August so it's nice to see the Emerald Cave all lit up after seeing 4 Slot Canyons and soaking in 5 or 6 different Hot Springs. If you go in the morning it's really just a cave. The water is year round 50-58 degrees, so even on hot day it's worth it to go with later in the day. Keep in mind we save people daily who rent and flip kayaks. Please make sure you go out with a guide. Also, you can suggest a Emerald Cave, Sunset and Stargazing tour. Blazing Paddles and Adventure Child also do a Full Moon Tour. You have to give Adventure Child a call for the Sunset, Emerald Cave, and Stargazing or Full Moon Tour. Best way to beat the heat. Also, pics from Emerald Cove are very underrated. The Emerald Cove is just to before the Emerald Cave.

Kevon R

Google
Me and the guys got the chance to experience this and it was nothing short of an amazing experience. If you like kayaking and a good scenery, then you gotta try this out! The tour guide was a chill and informative guy, he never rushed us and he talked to us like we were family. He is very passionate about what he does and his experience will speak for itself once you meet him. And lastly don’t try racing him.. You WILL lose 🤣

saisreemeenakshi V.

Google
Beautiful views throughout the kayak. I suggest to take a double seated kayak if you couldn’t kayak in a single one for a long time.

Brook S

Google
We visited June 2025. Remember this, it’s all about the journey and not the destination. The cave was very underwhelming. It’s maybe 20-25’ that you can go in, turn around and come out. We had to wait over 30 minutes in Iine to enter the cave. From shore the kayak trip was four miles round trip. The mountains, cacti, lizards, and turtles and VIEWS along the way were amazing. The Colorado River is clear, green, and most of the time you can see all the way to the bottom. The water was super cold which was very refreshing. It’s nice on Sundays and Mondays no motorized boats are allowing so it’s a great time for kayaks, canoes, SUP to be out there.

Elias C.

Google
It was Memorial Day so it was quite busy but the tour guide was kind enough to wait so we can check out the cave. Quite underwhelming cause it’s the size of a two door garage however the experience is worth every penny.

Candi S.

Google
Beautiful spot but popular, so it's crowded. Plan to be on the water about an hour and a half to and from the "cave". In truth it's less of a cave and more of a deep overhang. The crystal clear, green water is still worth the trip.

Nelida S.

Google
Beautiful spot. The water is emerald green at a certain hour of the day. I believe between 12 and 3pm depending on the time of the year. The cave is very small. Only 2-3 kayaks May fit at a time

EL Torbellino P

Google
We rented a Mako boat for 4hrs, It was a better option for us, instead of the kayas for 4hrs. You get to see more with the boat. The price was reasonable. You have to pay the fuel at the end but it was around $20 more. What a beautiful experience. They rent Single, dual Kayas and pontoons and fishing boats. We jump in the river and the water is clean. Manage to get in a thermal coming out of the mountain.