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

Just an hour from the shimmering lights of the Las Vegas Strip lies a very different kind of glittering strip—a ribbon of water that winds through a rock-walled canyon and glows a surreal shade of emerald green when the light hits it right.

This natural marvel, known as the Emerald Cave, is only part of the experience, which begins on the Colorado River where Nevada meets Arizona. Towering canyon walls rise on either side of the river, while the cave itself is a small, shadowed recess in the rock. From within it, you can watch the sunlight dance on the water, transforming it into a luminous emerald green.

“The emerald glow appears when the sun lines up between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., but we remind guests that the entire lake shimmers emerald green, not just the cave. That color comes from algae in the Colorado River reflecting the desert sun,” Gio Chavez, the director of operations for local tour operator Ez Kayak Tours & Rentals, told Travel + Leisure. 

He adds that while the initial draw is the cave, “the true spectacle is the Black Canyon corridor itself: the cliffs, the wildlife, and the history of the river tied to the Hoover Dam. Families often tell us they came for the cave but left talking about the wildlife—bighorn sheep, bald eagles, and osprey overhead—the peaceful emerald waters, and how calm they felt afterward.”

How to Visit

There are two ways to visit the Emerald Cave: You can book a guided tour or rent a kayak or paddleboard and create your own excursion. A guided tour with Ez Kayak Tours & Rentals starts at $89 per person and includes a single or tandem kayak (your choice), an experienced guide, a life vest, snacks and water, professional photos, and even extras like a waterproof phone case, dry bag, and sun hat. The trip usually lasts 3 to 3.5 hours, but varies based on the guests.

Either way, the journey begins at the Willow Beach launch point within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and continues down the Colorado River to the Emerald Cave. Along the way, you can explore the river’s edge, look for wildlife, and stop for a swim.

Chavez says the River Gauger House Site (also known as Bob’s Beach) is a popular—and historical—stopping point; the strip of land “was once used by Bob Bighorn, a river gauger who monitored water flows before Hoover Dam was built. Today it’s a peaceful landing spot where you can step out of your kayak, take photos, and look across the canyon to imagine what life was like before the dam transformed the river.”

Swimming in the crystal-clear water is another must, although Chavez warns that the river stays around 54 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. A dip is a popular activity in the heat of summer, but some guests take on the cool waters in the middle of winter as well. “We’ve had guests from northern Europe and Canada jump in happily, saying it feels warm compared to –10 degrees or even –35 degrees back home.”

When to Go

The best time to visit the Emerald Cave is from March to November, when the weather is warm and the canyon feels like a cool oasis. Midday trips tend to be the most popular since the midday sun—typically between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.—is what makes the water glow.

But that said, Ez Kayak Tours & Rentals and other tour operators run trips year-round, with Chavez noting that “even winter guests find something special—the contrast of the cold river against the desert stillness is unforgettable.” He adds that while midday tours are more popular, early morning trips are best for calmer water, cooler temperatures, and fewer crowds.

How to Get There 

The Emerald Cave is located southeast of Las Vegas in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. From the city, it is a one-hour drive to the Willow Creek launch point. (Because you have to drive into the recreation area to access the launch point, you will have to pay the $25-per-vehicle entrance fee.)

If you don’t have a car or don’t want to drive, you can book a shuttle from Vegas to the launch point.

“The majority of our guests prefer to self-drive,” shared Chavez. “The drive itself is scenic, and it gives them the freedom to explore the Hoover Dam, the Memorial Bridge overlook, or Hemenway Park—where Nevada’s wild bighorn sheep graze—before or after their tour.”