Arizona may be landlocked, but it’s packed with stunning desert lakes, rivers, and canyons that offer some of the most scenic paddle boarding in the Southwest. Here’s a curated list of the best places to paddle board in Arizona if you're looking for adventure, solitude, or beginner-friendly spots.
- Lake Powell
- Havasu Lake
- Watson Lake
- Saguaro Lake
- Lake Pleasant
- Salt River
- Canyon Lake
- Lynx Lake
- Tempe Town Lake
- Horseshoe Bend / Glen Canyon
Quick Comparison: Finding Your Perfect Arizona SUP Spot
| Location | Best For | Vibe | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Powell | Intermediate / Campers | Red rocks & slot canyons | Perfect for multi-day overnight SUP camping. |
| Watson Lake | Photographers / Beginners | Granite boulders & surreal views | Avoid high-wind hours; incredible photo-ops. |
| Salt River | Adventure / Wildlife fans | Downriver float & wild horses | Must check local shuttle service schedules. |
| Tempe Town Lake | Urban Paddlers / Newbies | City skyline & sunset views | Most accessible spot, great for SUP yoga. |
1. Lake Powell
• Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced | • Best Board: Touring Paddle Board | • Highlights: Red Rock Canyons, Overnight Camping
Paddle through jaw-dropping red rock canyons and slot passages at Lake Powell. Try early morning or sunset paddles for glassy water and cool temps, or even plan a multi-day expedition with camping on the remote shoreline.
Gear Tip: The best launch points are Antelope Point and Lone Rock Beach. For overnight trips, we highly recommend a dedicated THURSO SURF Touring SUP. Equipped with heavy-duty D-rings and an expanded bungee cargo system, it's built to securely strap down multi-day camping gear and dry bags without sacrificing tracking speed.
2. Havasu Lake
• Difficulty: Beginner Friendly | • Best Board: All-Around iSUP | • Highlights: Clear Water, London Bridge, Boat Life
Lake Havasu is popular for a reason. With crystal-clear lake waters, it attracts many locals and travelers to try paddleboarding, kayaking, and boating under the Arizona sun.
Paddler's Guide: Havasu Lake's calm morning waters are absolutely perfect for casual water activities, social cruises, and beach picnics.
3. Watson Lake
• Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate | • Best Board: All-Around Paddle Board | • Highlights: Granite Dells, Photogenic Stone Maze
Watson Lake will give you a surreal paddle among giant granite boulders and island-like formations. A great bonus is this lake is very photogenic and great for short, scenic paddles through narrow channels.
Pro Tip: These calm and flat waters are perfect for beginners and families. Navigating around rocks requires extra durability—an inflatable THURSO SURF Waterwalker 132 offers the ultimate blend of rock-solid stability and military-grade PVC toughness to handle shallow granite edges safely.
4. Saguaro Lake
• Difficulty: Beginner Friendly | • Best Board: All-Around / Multi-Person SUP | • Highlights: Wild Horses, Desert Cliffs, Epic Sunsets
Located near Phoenix, Saguaro Lake is a classic desert lake surrounded by saguaro-studded cliffs. Spot wild horses along the Salt River inlet and make sure you view a sunrise or sunset here as the views are breathtaking.
Launch Info: Saguaro Lake is a premium spot for paddlers and kayakers alike. Your best launch will be at Butcher Jones Beach (make sure to grab a Tonto Daily Pass before heading out).
5. Lake Pleasant
• Difficulty: Beginner (Morning) to Intermediate (Afternoon) | • Best Board: Yoga / Fitness iSUP | • Highlights: Massive Waterway, Private Coves, SUP Yoga
Lake Pleasant is a large lake with many coves and open water for exploring. However, because it is heavily shared with speedboats and jet skis, it's best to stick to early mornings for perfectly calm water.
Paddler's Guide: Early morning flat waters are ideal for SUP fitness, yoga, and social paddles. For less wind and fewer waves, paddle toward the designated northern no-wake zones.
6. Salt River
• Difficulty: Intermediate (Moving Water) | • Best Board: Durable Inflatable SUP | • Highlights: Downriver Drift, Wildlife Sighting
Go for some peaceful current paddling with high chances to see wild horses and desert wildlife drinking at the water's edge. The best time to go would be in spring and summer when the river water is flowing consistently.
Essential Tip: Pack everything in a high-quality waterproof dry bag and float with the current. Convenient local shuttle services are available to transport you and your board back to your vehicle.
7. Canyon Lake
• Difficulty: Beginner Friendly | • Best Board: All-Around SUP / Inflatable Kayak | • Highlights: Sheer Canyon Walls, Eagle Watching
Paddle through a narrow desert canyon with towering walls. This spot is absolutely great for birdwatching (eagles, herons, and hawks) and experiencing an intimate, shaded paddle adventure.
Launch Info: The easiest and most accessible launch points are from Acacia Recreation Site or Canyon Lake Marina.
8. Lynx Lake
• Difficulty: Beginner Friendly | • Best Board: Fishing / Utility SUP | • Highlights: Pine Forest, Cool Mountain Air, No Gas Boats
Vibe at a small, quiet mountain lake surrounded by a dense ponderosa pine forest. Sitting at a higher elevation near Prescott, Lynx Lake can be a beautifully cool retreat during the scorching summer months.
Fishing Tip: Since gas-powered motorboats are banned here, it’s the ultimate haven for SUP fishing. Grab a wide, ultra-stable multi-purpose platform like the THURSO SURF Max SUP Board, hook up your fishing rod holders, load up a cooler deck bag, and start catching trout in total peace.
9. Tempe Town Lake
• Difficulty: Perfect for Beginners | • Best Board: All-Around iSUP | • Highlights: City Skyline, Urban Convenience, Night Paddling
Right near the Phoenix Metro area, Tempe Town Lake is a one-of-a-kind urban SUP spot with beautiful city skyline views and convenient waterfront rentals. It is the perfect spot for an effortless after-work session.
Urban Tip: The predictable, calm, flat waters are best for SUP yoga, casual fitness paddling, or breaking in your new THURSO SURF All-Around board. Always double-check the local schedule for seasonal event closures or wind restrictions before heading out.
10. Horseshoe Bend / Glen Canyon
• Difficulty: Expert Only | • Best Board: Heavy-Duty Touring Board | • Highlights: Colorado River, Iconic Horseshoe Bend, Epic Canyons
Yup, that's right—you can actually paddle the Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam and right through Horseshoe Bend. However, due to strong currents, freezing water temps (risk of cold water shock), and the remote backcountry location, it's an experience reserved for experienced paddlers only.
Safety Warning: PFDs are strictly mandatory. Paddling in this canyon requires booking a professional boat backhaul shuttle service to drop you off at the base of the dam so you can safely paddle downriver back to Lee's Ferry.
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