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Nevada | Clark County / Black Canyon and Lake Mohave

Colorado RiverWillow Beach to Eldorado Canyon / Nelson Landing

The lower Black Canyon Water Trail reach from Willow Beach through beaches, coves and hot springs to the Eldorado Canyon endpoint.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 13.5 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAllow a full day with shuttle and shoreline stops
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Colorado River runs through Black Canyon below Hoover Dam on the Arizona-Nevada border.
River contextColorado River in Black Canyon; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Ken Lund via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 13.5 river milesWillow Beach to Eldorado Canyon / Nelson Landing
DifficultymoderateThe Black Canyon National Water Trail is generally Class I, but the Hoover launch security zone, dam and diversion hazards, wind, heat and remote shoreline make logistics and self-rescue planning essential.
ShuttleCar shuttleArrange a permitted downstream shuttle or stage the downstream vehicle at the named access before launching.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm NPS, authorized outfitter, marina and day-use rules before unloading.
CampingOptions nearbyPrimitive shoreline camping may require current NPS rules and permits; carry all water and pack out waste.
SeasonJan-DecReservoir releases are controlled but conditions can change with operations, wind and extreme desert heat. Check the direct gauge, NPS restrictions, permits and weather before every launch.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

The lower Black Canyon Water Trail reach from Willow Beach through beaches, coves and hot springs to the Eldorado Canyon endpoint.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Willow Beach Marina and launch ramp, Arizona side of trail
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use only named public, marina or permitted accesses.

Finish

Take-out

Eldorado Canyon / Nelson Landing public ramp, Nevada (refined water-entry edge)
Open mapDirections to take-out

Do not approach Hoover Dam, intakes or diversion structures.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use only named public, marina or permitted accesses.
  • Do not approach Hoover Dam, intakes or diversion structures.
  • Plan for extreme heat, wind and no-cell-service sections.

Watch for

  • Long remote shoreline with limited exits
  • Hot-spring and cliff access hazards
  • ¼-mile carry at Eldorado Canyon

Plan this paddle

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Route gallery

Photos

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The Colorado River runs through Black Canyon below Hoover Dam on the Arizona-Nevada border.
Colorado River in Black Canyon; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Ken Lund via Wikimedia Commons
CC BY-SA 2.0

Score & sources

Why this score

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Data status
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Why this scoreData reliability: checking

This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.

Why
  • Checking data sources and update times.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteColorado River below Hoover Dam, AZ-NV
DischargeChecking
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24h changeChecking
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Rain last 24hChecking
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Preferred range6,800 cfs to 20,300 cfs
Low threshold6,800 cfs
High threshold30,000 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeLocal route guidance
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreRiverScout Nevada Colorado River flow and reach guide
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NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named water-trail reachWillow Beach to Eldorado Canyon / Nelson Landing; 13.5 miles

    NPS identifies the Black Canyon trail access points and published river-mile boundaries for this reach.

    Source

  • Scoring band6,800–20,300 cfs community planning band

    RiverScout ties the band to USGS 09421500. Recheck current telemetry, operations notices and weather before travel.

    Source

  • GaugeUSGS 09421500 below Hoover Dam

    Direct Colorado River telemetry for the Black Canyon and Lake Mohave corridor; verify live value and trend.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

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Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Nevada

All 43 routes
Nevada route guideBrowse every tracked Nevada route.Clark County / Black Canyon and Lake MohaveJump to routes in this region.

More on Colorado River

All 6
Eldorado Canyon to Cottonwood Cove MarinaClark County / Black Canyon and Lake MohaveModerate · About 17 river milesHoover Dam permitted launch to Cottonwood Cove MarinaClark County / Black Canyon and Lake MohaveModerate · About 42 river miles, multi-day expeditionHoover Dam permitted launch to Eldorado Canyon / Nelson LandingClark County / Black Canyon and Lake MohaveModerate · About 25 river milesHoover Dam permitted launch to Willow BeachClark County / Black Canyon and Lake MohaveModerate · About 11.5 river miles

Quick answers

Colorado River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Willow Beach to Eldorado Canyon / Nelson Landing route on the Colorado River?

Paddle Today watches Colorado River below Hoover Dam, AZ-NV and treats 6,800 cfs to 20,300 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Willow Beach to Eldorado Canyon / Nelson Landing route on the Colorado River start and end?

This route starts at Willow Beach Marina and launch ramp, Arizona side of trail and ends at Eldorado Canyon / Nelson Landing public ramp, Nevada (refined water-entry edge), about 13.5 river miles on the water.

Is the Willow Beach to Eldorado Canyon / Nelson Landing route on the Colorado River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.

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