Evolution Expeditions

You get better quality kayaks with this company. Also nice to ride to and from in a shuttle bus that is modern and clean. The price is competitive and close to other companies.
Our guide was Greg and appreciated his low key balanced approach. We learned a great deal of history and facts but also enjoyed the silence of the water and occasional sounds of wildlife. We went on a day when power boats were not permitted and it was an added bonus.

We had an excellent time on our kayak trip with Evolution Expeditions. We were originally looking for an ATV adventure, but I couldn’t find one that I felt confident about after searching through the reviews. So I decided to look for a different kind of adventure, and we are really very pleased that we did. From the staff, the beautiful weather, the hot springs (and the eccentric characters we found up there), the wild big horn sheep, the eagles, and plenty of other sights and stops along the way. this was by far our favorite day during our Vegas vacation.

Don’t know by what to start! Dangerous experience with unqualified staff that think security is a joke! Customer Service is non-​existent as they will insult you instead. I give one star just for the view and being in the world water. Beware!

Not worth the money… Very bad attitude from guide & pick-​up arrived 2hrs. late, leaving us with no choice but to cancel our Show & Dinner plans… Evolution Expeditions needs to get it together! We did see other kayakers that rented from Willow Beach & were on their own schedule. If we did not have the guide, «Dan»…we would have had a Better trip. he was the WORST Guide ever! Not sure he knew what was going on… Could not believe the unprofessionalism! Also then the owner or whoever is the guy that answers and is on their machine will call you daily and just start cussing at you, I’m in shock of the low level of class this company has showed.

The trip starts by being picked up at whatever hotel you are staying at.
I was picked up right on time by Celeste. She went to the different hotels and we picked up the few other boaters for the day. As we drove out to the canyon, she told us different facts about the local area and even drove us through Boulder City (which I would love to stop at next time) Celeste made the trip very fun!
When we got the the location, our kayak’s were already in the water and ready to go. We were given plastic baggies for anything that you wanted to take along.
What to bring: hat (I forgot to pack one but borrowed one of theirs), sunscreen, camera, money (tips and you can buy $ 2.00 big beers at the end if you have time), water shoes or sneakers that you don’t care get wet.
So, we met Seth, your tour guide. He gave us a rundown of the kayaks and set us up so we would have the perfect fit to the petals. Yes, petals! These fancy-​schmancy kayaks had foot petals so you could steer them so easily! I am a woman and choose to have a single kayak and was totally comfortable doing this trip myself.
Seth had already packed water in each of our kayaks so we could drink as we wished. We were off! The water is absolutely beautiful and clear! We could see nice size fish swimming 15 – 20 feet below us at times. Seth was wonderful! He pointed out all types of interesting points of view. We saw a great blue heron, a bald Eagle flying above us and tons of different birds and even a small lizard. We boated up stream for a few miles and it was breathtaking! Now, We went on a day that the air temps were 109 but the water was 56 so the air temps didn’t bother me at all. We visited the Emerald Canyon and had snacks on a beach. We couldn’t do cliff jumping that day because the water levels were a tad too low to be safe but we could go swimming.
After a bit, we were off again to paddle the 2^nd half of the trip. Again, Seth was awesome throughout the entire tour! He was fun to talk too and shares my enthusiasm about «good» beer– so right there should show you what type of guy he is. ;-)
When we got back to the dock area Celeste was ready to help pack up the boats and take us back to the hotel.
I can not say enough about this trip. This company went above and beyond what I expected and I absolutely will be back with my family next time.
My only negative was that I choose a shorter trip and I should have done their 12 mile/​all day trip, but it gave me a taste of the trip andI am itching to back and do it again soon!

I did the smaller tour on July 20 and it was a great time. I’ve done the full tour before, but this one was a good mix of views and kayaking for a beginner. The kayaks we were assigned had rudders, which made the tour so much easier. The guides were great and very knowledgeable about the river and anything you needed to know about kayaking.
We bought some cheap ($ 10) water shoes on amazon, but I guess any kind of sandals/​shoes would work, as you didn’t have to spend too much time wading in the water (getting into and out of kayak mainly). The lunch was pretty good (Jason’s Deli?) during our break and there were spots where people could jump off rocks into the river (water is very cold though…). The day we went was overcast, but still fun (a sunny day would be much better). This is something you should definitely try when in Vegas!

It’s worth getting up for…
Take the full day trip from Hoover Dam to Willow Beach. You’ll get bragging rights for a 12 mile trip but the boost from the current makes the paddling easy. The views and wildlife are spectacular. You’ll be sorry when it’s over.
Wear plenty of sunblock, a shirt that will protect you from the sun, shorts and a hat. Once you are wet, you won’t even notice the heat. have breakfast and your coffee before you leave. water, snacks and a great lunch are provided to fuel you during the day. Our guides, Mike and Ian, were safety conscious pros ready with running commentary on the sights, if you wanted it, but also ready to let you soak up the wonder of it all in silence.
This is a great day trip from Vegas. They’ll pick you up at your hotel if you don’t have a car. Enjoy!

I kayaked the Colorado River with my brother while in Vegas. It was an awesome trip, and it was put together by Evolution Expeditions — I can’t recommend them more highly. They picked us up at our hotel and dropped us back off in lovely, air conditioned vans with really friendly drivers. Our river guide, Jon, was a great guy, funny, knowledgeable, and a good teacher. If you feel like doing something outdoorsy and adventurous next time you’re in Vegas, check them out!

Yesterday, my boyfriend and I did a full day kayak tour from Hoover Dam to Lake Mead with Evolution Expeditions. They picked us up from our hotel at 5:30am and dropped us off to our hotel by 3:30pm. From the driver of the shuttle to the guides to the trip, and to the people in our group, the experience was full of adventure, knowledge, amazing, terrific, fun, and wonderful.
Our shuttle driver was Celeste. She was professional, super nice, personable, and knowledgeable. During the back and fourth drive, she gave us facts regarding the landmarks, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Colorado River, and more. She is an wonderful woman.
Before launching, we got a lesson on how to handle the kayak, how to get on and off the kayak, and more. The instructors were professional, patient, knowledgeable, and funny.
Our tour guides were Ian and Michael. Ian, who was our main guide was awesome. He was professional, friendly, knowledgeable, patient, flexible, and fun. Michael, who was the second guide on hand was just like Ian and he had 10 years of leading experience so I felt in qualified and safe hands. Both Ian and Michael filled our minds with interesting facts regarding the Colorado river, kayaking, the landscape, and the wildlife that lives in that area. They are incredible men.
I highly recommend Evolution Expeditions to anyone wanting a do an adventurous, positive, and guided kayak tour from Hoover Dam to Lake Mead.
Thank you Evolution Expeditions!

I booked the 3 hours «short» kayak trip from Willow Beach and it was perfect for kayak newb like me. They picked me up at my hotel at the appointed time and met up with our guide John who was swell. He was jovial and friendly and pointed out all the flora and fauna. He helped out with the kayaks and provided food and snacks and took photos. We stopped at the emerald cave and few of the more adventurous folks took a few jumps into the cold water (not me though). The starting point is a recreation area with restrooms, a shop, marina, and restaurant. The timing of my trip in mid March was good as the weather was warm but mild and the winds were light if at all. It can be pretty hot so sunscreen, hats, sun glasses, and other protection is a must as are water shoes or old grippy sneakers. The area is shared by boaters and other watercraft so if you don’t like fighting the chop of wakes it might be better to avoid the weekends and peak periods. I’d recommend this tour if you want to get away from the casinos and enjoy the outdoors, desert river style.

Very cool experience. Close to Las Vegas downtown. If you do not gamble. It is a good choice to experience.

Recently vacationed on a trip to Vegas for my 60^th birthday with family. Though I have 0 interest in the flash and glitz of the strip I agreed to go if we could could indulge in the outdoor part of that area of the country. Evolution Expeditions fit that bill perfectly. From the moment we were picked up from our hotel, by our very knowledgable driver, to our time on the river this was a first rate operation. We booked the 12 mile jaunt from the Hoover Dam down led by our very friendly, competent guide Scott. About 200 yards after we left the dam we pulled over and climbed a ways to what was one of my favorite parts of the trip that is not mentioned in the trip description. I won’t spoil it for anyone because it is a great surprise. The natural beauty and splendor of this part of the Colorado River is spectacular. The geo-​thermal pools I could have lounged in all day, entering several small caves along the way, bald eagles, big horn sheep nature at its finest. I might mention though I consider myself in good shape the last few miles I started to fade but it was an enjoyable fade. Most of our party of 10 were scattered ahead and behind us but I hung with Scott our guide and we had a nice chat about nature, family and life all while paddling some very serene water. A man who truly enjoys and has fun at what he does. If you are planning a trip to Vegas and really want to get back to the outdoors and reality this the trip for you.

My wife and I just returned from Las Vegas. Last Wednesday we decided to do something different since we are not big gamblers. We signed up for the Black Canyon Kayak Tour with Evolution Expeditions. What a day! Celeste picked us up at our hotel at 8:45 for a 10 am tour. She was extremely informative on our drive to Willow Beach AZ. Once there we were introduced to our guides, Adam and Rod, for our four hour tour. Celeste, Adam and Rod set us up and gave us instructions before setting our Kayaks in the water. It was a beautiful day Adam and Rod continued to provide us with information along our journey. They were a comical pair and we had a blast. Half way through we stopped on a beach for a picnic lunch that Evolution provided. It was actually very good and well needed. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone and will definitely return with our children as our son turns 21 next year. Thanks Celeste, Adam and Rod for a wonderful day.

Best part of our Vegas trip… Outstanding. The 12 mile kayak trip is the one to take. It provides opportunity to see so much (walk in a natural sauna, dip in a natural hot spring spa, jump into ~55 degree water, see the Hoover Dam from water level). Guides were great. Pick up from you hotel. Lunches were good. Everyone was there to help you have a good time. The kayaks were high end which made the paddling a breeze.
I would recommend Evolution Expedition to anyone.

We kayaked from Willow Beach through Black Canyon to the Emerald Cave. River was beautiful and the water at Emerald Cave was exactly as the pictures show. Lunch was tastey and Adam was helpful, positive and upbeat the whole time. I was feeling a little ill the day we went and the trip back to the beach was hard because the wind picked up really bad. Adam towed me in the last ½ mile as I was losing steam. Good call because we later read that a boater/​swimmer died that day at the same spot, we actually saw the medics and family when we came off the water — very very sad, but Adam did an awesome job keeping our group all safe. Bring serious sun screen and water.

Updating my review after the kayak hoover dam tour a few days ago. Another wonderful experience with Evolution Expeditions. Everyone we encountered at Evolution Expeditions was extremely nice, helpful, and funny. Adam did a wonderful job as our tour guide.
I highly recommend the Kayak Hoover Dam tour to everyone. What an amazing day! Yes, we kayaked ~12 mi in 108-​degree weather but it was so worth it. It’s an all day tour and probably our best day on the trip. The scenery was breathtaking. Sauna cave, hot springs, emerald cave were some of the amazing places we got to stop at. They also feed you yummy lunch, snacks, and water throughout the day. Our day started at around 5:30 am; don’t let that intimidate you, the experience is well worth it. I plan on taking a tour with EE every time I go to Vegas because staying on the Strip just does not compare.

Nothing but great things said about this company. I would give this company a ¹⁰⁰⁰⁄₁₀₀₀ if I could. The service was beyond superb. I was honestly expecting this kayaking/​hiking expedition to be just par, but my girlfriend and I had one of the best vacations because of this 1 day trip we took with this company. She had made reservations a week prior to our Vegas trip. Not many people see Vegas as an adventurous and outdoorsy place because Nevada is known for Vegas and Vegas is known for their gambling, strippers, shows, hotels, food, etc.
Just the thought of getting picked up at the front of the hotel at 4am on a Sunday plus a 12 mile tandem kayak down the Colorado River seemed mentally exhausting, but towards the end of the day, my girlfriend and I did not want the day to end! It was that much fun! Trust me, once you dip yourself into the extremely cold water of the Colorado River, you will be 100% completely wide awake, if that doesn’t work, I don’t know what will. The weather could not have been any more beautiful than the Sunday of June 1^st. The sun was out with a slight breeze and it did not affect the toughness of kayaking throughout the day. I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone!
Our guide Adam was awesome, couldn’t ask for a funnier or more socialable guide. He was very knowledgeable in the history of Colorado River, he knew all the secret hot springs, the waterfalls, caves, and took us to a few areas to go diving, which was a unique treat. He was just an awesome guide and took amazing photos. If you are to book with this tour company, make sure you ask for Adam. He has plenty of his life stories to share and you will be laughing you’re a$$ off throughout the trip. Rod is another tour guide whom had driven us to the kayak scene, but is a normal guide on half days, he provides great conversation and takes great pictures. You can’t go wrong with either guide!
We were extremely fortunate to see a herd of Rams coming down to the river to drink water during the 12 mile kayak at 3 separate incidences. It was absolutely beautiful and breathtaking, luckily Adam had taught us ahead of time on how to approach the Rams without scaring them off. We came about 10 feet close to them and took some close up photos… again, it was a great experience.
My girlfriend and I had enjoyed each and every minute of this trip from 5am — 2pm. We had taken tons of pictures, had great conversation, and enjoyed the spectacular and breathtaking views. Never really saw Nevada that way given that Sin City is the first thing that pops to people’s minds when they hear the state, Nevada. My views of Nevada have completely changed and I would definitely love to come back and do this tour. Shout out to Rod and Adam. You guys ROCK!

Our whole group had an amazing experience on this trip. Our guide Adam was very helpful and knew a great amount about the Hoover Damn and overall area. Not only did we see some awesome sights but we also learned some interesting facts on the history of the river. We hiked to some hot-​springs, a very cool hot cave and also cooled off by jumping in the frigged Colorado river. Adam took us to a great lunch spot where we all docked and ate the sandwich’s provided by them. If you are visiting Vegas, I definitely recommend taking a day and making this trip. With the professionalism you receive from the whole group and the peaceful relaxing paddle down the river, there is no way you will be disappointed. This was by far the highlight of our trip!

I was really excited for the tour, and in defense of the company I was told it was non-​refundable. The night before the tour I lost my cell phone and slept in past the shuttle pick up at 8:45 AM. They waited for me for 15 minutes and tried to get in touch with me. I called them 20 minutes past the shuttle pick-​up at 9:05, and confessed about losing my phone and tried pleading with them since I had paid $ 300.00 for myself and a friend.
I asked three options to work with them; Can I take a cab to the launching point? Can I reschedule the tour for tomorrow? and lastly of course, can I get a refund? This surprising response I got was one containing profanities, and it was insulting and degrading. I was completely shocked by their unwillingness to work with me and their unprofessionalism.
It is in your best interest to find another kayaking company in the area.

I did a kayaking trip with Evolution Expeditions in September 2008. It was a super day. Since they have their home in Summerlin, their first stop for pick up is at Red Rock Resort. I drove there and parked in the garage. They arrived right on time, and one person from the hotel went with me as the van took us to the Hacienda Hotel where the groups get their paperwork in order with the government person. This is necessary because of the heightened security at the dam.
From the Hacienda, we were driven to the launch area just south of Hoover Dam along the Colorado. It was a wonderful morning with lots of sun and little wind.
There are several stops as you make your way from hoover Dam to Willow Beach in Arizona – an 11 mile trip. The first stop is at Sauna Cave, a long test boring done before the dam was constructed. There is very warm water that steams up camera lenses quickly, and for some people, claustrophobia may be a problem. Sauna Cave is only a ½ mile or so down the river.
The next stop is lower Goldstrike Canyon. There are several hot springs in the canyon and a few warm waterfalls. There is one area where the water temperatures are about 110 degrees. Goldstrike is only a few hundred yards south of Sauna Cave.
From here, you kayak 3+ miles to the Arizona Hot Springs, which is about 4 miles from the beginning of the trip. Here you get a chance to climb up a new ladder that goes to the hot springs beyond this waterfall. Since I got careless before arriving here, my camera got wet when I tipped my kayak getting out and I have no photos from here on except the ones when I hiked to the Hot Springs.
After the springs, you travel 3 more miles and then stop for a lunch break. After the lunch break, the trip continues downstream where you can see Emerald Cave and then the river gauging system before finishing the last two miles to Willow Beach. The Evolution van will be waiting. You just get out, go get a soda or snack, and they load the kayaks onto the trailer. Then they drive you back to your hotel.
This was a super day. It is a great way to spend a day enjoying the scenery near Las Vegas. From the look of the photos already posted, I went the wrong day. (Big sigh!) :)