The Black Canyon Water Trail is located within Lake Mead National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park System. The trip begins as the river flows, at the base of Hoover Dam, one of the engineering marvels of the world. We meander through 11 miles of the clear, cool, upper Lake Mohave where the steep canyons and current is reminiscent of the Colorado River before the dams were built. The western wall of the gorge is in the El Dorado Mountains (the name El Dorado is taken from the name of a legendary gold mine). The eastern wall is in the Black Mountains of Arizona (The western face is made of meta-sedimentary beds).
History
Among the earliest inhabitants of the area were the Ute bands, who had an intimate knowledge of the canyon's rugged terrain. Moving into the early 1800s, fur trappers exploring the region in search of valuable beaver pelts almost certainly encountered the canyon, although their illiteracy prevented them from leaving any written records of their experiences.
European exploration of the area began with Spanish expeditions. In 1765, Juan Rivera led one of the first recorded European journeys into western Colorado, and in 1776, Fathers Dominguez and Escalante embarked on a quest for a passage to the California coast. Both of these expeditions passed by the Black Canyon, leaving behind valuable historical connections.
Hot Springs
Among the multitude of hot springs found along this section of the canyon, the Arizona Hot Springs stand out as they are nestled within an exceptionally dramatic slot canyon, characterized by canyon walls measuring as narrowly as six feet apart. Accessing these hot springs entails ascending a twenty-foot ladder installed by the National Park Service.
Other Points of Interest
Sauna Cave: On the Nevada side of the river at the end of the lagoon is a long gravel spit with tamarisk bushes growing on it. The cave drips water, and some drips of water are hot, while others are cold.
Goldstrike Canyon: The mouth of Goldstrike Canyon is 50 yards below the entrance to the lagoon on the Nevada side. The rock formations are spectacular and there are many hot pools. The rocks and pebbles in the hot stream are sharp and tennis shoes are advised. A short walk up this canyon leads to warm pools and a warm waterfall.
Volcanic Dike: A volcanic dike high on the Arizona canyon wall is a remnant of past volcanic activity that took place deep beneath the earth’s surface. It is known locally as the Dragon’s Back.
Itinerary:
Tuesday - Depart campus in the afternoon and drive to Las Vegas and Willow Beach to camp.
Wednesday - Wake with the sun, load up canoes with our camping equipment and paddle 7 miles up river to our campsite along the river's edge. Soak in a hot spring after dinner.
Thursday - stretch out legs with a morning hike and opportunity to reflect and express gratitude. Everyone contributes to creating a special dinner. Time for story telling and desert around the campfire.
Friday - Paddle up river toward the Hoover Dam. Hike in unique canyons and soak in a number of hot springs.
Saturday - Pack up camp, load the canoes and paddle downriver back to our vehicles. We begin our drive back toward USD and camp along the way.
Sunday - Finish our drive back to campus by early afternoon.
Trip Details
Dates: November 25-30, 2025
Price: $399. Includes all transportation, equipment, permits, campsites, trained leaders.
Is cost a barrier to your participation? Submit a funding request through the Associated Student Government Get Involved fund. This fund is designated to assist need based undergraduate students who are being limited in their involvement due to affordability. Students have the opportunity to apply for funds to be involved in various university sponsored activities.
ASG Get Involved Fund Request Form
Financial assistance is available. Please contact markceder@sandiego.edu for more information.