Discover Arizona's Hidden Cave With Emerald Waters Just An Hour From Las Vegas

If the glitz, glamour, and tourist traps of the Las Vegas Strip aren't your thing, and you're after a more natural shimmer, then a paddle out to experience the Emerald Cave in Arizona is a must. This hidden gem resides in the Black Canyon National Water Trail on the Colorado River, in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, under an hour's drive from Las Vegas. The 30-mile stretch was established in 2014 as the first national water trail in the Southwest, and the first to flow through a desert. Beginning at the historic Hoover Dam and terminating at Eldorado Canyon, the water trail and cave are also accessible from the Willow Beach Campground.

While meandering along the river, rich in natural beauty, visitors can encounter numerous caves for exploring, picnic-worthy beaches, hot springs, secret coves, and towering rock formations. People rave about their experiences of the Emerald Cave online, but the timing has to be just right in order to experience its beauty in full.

This small but mighty caves ignites in a rich emerald glow as the sun shines directly overhead to provide the natural phenomenon. The reflection of the sunlight against the cavern walls in conjunction with the vegetation and green-blue algae underneath the waters surface, turn a normal cave into a space worthy of reverence. The water shimmers like liquid jade, and the light filters through the cave's small entrance, creating an ethereal glow, and an otherworldly experience if for only a moment in time. Aim to visit around midday, when the sun is directly overhead. Most guided tours start around 10:30 or 11 a.m. to give you enough time to arrive at the cave when the sun is overhead.

May to October is typically the best time to visit as you're more likely to get a clear sky, but a sunny winter day can be just as enjoyable. The hidden cave is the main objective of the trip, but the journey itself is part of the epic kayaking adventure, as paddling along the serene Colorado River offers an intimate and rewarding way of reaching this sanctuary. En route, you will be immersed in solitude, mesmerized by the geology and various rock formations, and delighted by the bighorn sheep and other wildlife. It's a short trip from the Strip, but a stark contrast.

Arriving at this magical cave requires a watercraft, and the easiest and shortest way is to put in at Willow Beach Campground. Kayaks, tandem kayaks, and canoes are available for rent by the hour, or you can bring your own. From Willow Beach, paddle 2 miles upstream (about an hours time) and look for a small cable car hanging over the river. This is your clue that you're close to the cave! Don't confuse the large cave on your left for the Emerald Cave, its entrance is truly is hidden due to its small size. 

Try to give yourself extra time at the cave. The entrance can only fit about two or three kayaks through comfortably, and there is a chance it might be swarming with others aiming to get a glimpse, especially if you visit on a weekend. Because the dancing light show only happens when the light hits the water exactly right, extra time can increase the chances of revelling in this mesmerizing place.

Joining a tour might be the safest way to ensure you see the cave aglow in all its glory, as guides make a living out of providing this experience for others and know just when to visit. Whether you explore on your own or rest easy in the hands of another, the emerald waters of this hidden cave just outside of Vegas is a top-rated adventure.