Tempe Town Lake is the easiest place to paddle board in Phoenix: it’s in the middle of the city, flat, and has rental shops on both shores. For desert scenery, drive out to the Salt River lakes in the Tonto National Forest. Saguaro Lake is the closest, and Canyon Lake, with its red rock cliffs, is the most dramatic.
Phoenix works for paddling because the Salt River has been dammed into a chain of lakes within an hour of the city, and the weather lets you paddle most of the year. The challenges are heat, weekend boat traffic on the big lakes, and passes: the Tonto National Forest lakes need a Tonto Pass, and Tempe Town Lake needs a city permit for your own board.
Quick answer
- First time on a board: Tempe Town Lake, renting from a shop at the lake.
- Desert scenery close to town: Saguaro Lake, launching from Butcher Jones Recreation Site.
- Most dramatic: Canyon Lake, among the cliffs off the Apache Trail.
- Moving water: the Lower Salt River, for confident paddlers in the cooler months.
- West Valley: Lake Pleasant, a big reservoir northwest of the city.
The best places to paddle board in Phoenix
Tempe Town Lake
Directions
Best for: beginners, after-work paddles, sunset paddles. Flat water.
Tempe Town Lake is a man-made lake on the Salt River riverbed in downtown Tempe, fed mainly by Colorado River water. It has no current, it’s lined with paths and parks, and you can paddle under the bridges with the Tempe skyline beside you.
Where to launch: Tempe Beach Park on the south shore, near Mill Avenue, or the marina on the north shore. Boats and boards travel counter-clockwise around the lake.
Rentals: Northshore Watersport Rentals (555 North College Avenue, next to the north shore marina) rents paddle boards from self-service code lockers. Boats4Rent rents boards at Tempe Beach Park on the south shore. See our full roundup of Tempe Town Lake paddle board rentals.
Good to know: Every watercraft on the lake, paddle boards included, needs a City of Tempe boating permit, sold by the day or the year; ask your rental shop whether theirs covers it. You must wear a leash or a life jacket, swimming isn’t allowed, and you need a white light before sunrise or after sunset. The lake has closed to paddling during past algae blooms, so check the city’s site before you go.
Saguaro Lake
Directions
Best for: desert scenery, half-day paddles. Flat in quiet coves; boat wakes in the main channel.
Saguaro Lake is the lowest of the Salt River reservoirs, formed by Stewart Mountain Dam off State Route 87. Rugged cliffs and saguaro-covered hills rise straight from the water.
Where to launch: Butcher Jones Recreation Site, just past Saguaro Lake Marina, has a sandy beach and is the usual launch for paddlers. Stay in its cove and along the shoreline, away from the powerboats and jet skis in the main channel.
Passes: You need a Tonto Pass to park, $8 a day from retail vendors at the time of writing, or the $80 annual Tonto Discovery Pass. The watercraft sticker is only for motor-powered craft.
Rentals: Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch (13020 North Bush Highway, Mesa) runs kayak and paddle board trips on Saguaro Lake in fall and winter, with board, life jacket, paddle and shuttle included. Riders must be at least 10, and weigh under 275 lb.
Good to know: Weekends bring heavy boat traffic. Go early on a weekday, keep to the coves and shoreline, and watch for wakes bouncing off the cliffs.
Lower Salt River
Directions
Best for: confident paddlers who want gentle moving water. River current, shallow riffles.
Below Saguaro Lake, the Lower Salt River winds through the desert toward its meeting with the Verde River. It’s best known for tubing, but it’s also a scenic paddle when the water is running.
Where to launch: Phon D. Sutton Recreation Site, near where the Salt meets the Verde, is a popular access point. A Tonto Pass is required here too.
Rentals: Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch offers paddle board and kayak rentals with a shuttle for the Salt River in spring and summer, based at Phon D. Sutton. Riders must be at least 12, and should be good swimmers.
Good to know: This is moving water. Wear your life jacket, use a quick-release leash rather than an ankle leash that can snag on branches, and kneel through shallow, rocky stretches. River flows come from dam releases and change through the year, so check with the outfitter before you go.
Canyon Lake
Directions
Best for: dramatic scenery, sheltered paddling up the side canyons. Flat water in the coves.
Canyon Lake is a 950-acre reservoir on the Salt River, about 15 miles up the Apache Trail (State Route 88) from Apache Junction. It winds between steep red rock cliffs at the edge of the Superstition Wilderness, with side canyons like Tortilla Creek that are ideal on a board.
Where to launch: Canyon Lake Marina, off the Apache Trail, is the main access point. A Tonto Pass is required on the national forest shoreline.
Rentals: Yak N Sup rents paddle boards and kayaks at Canyon Lake Marina and runs tours up Tortilla Creek. It was closed for the season when we checked in October 2026 and plans to reopen in January 2027.
Good to know: The main lake carries tour boats and powerboats, especially on weekends. Head into the side canyons, stay close to the cliffs, and be careful of the steep, winding drive in.
Lake Pleasant
Directions
Best for: West Valley paddlers, long paddles in quiet coves. Wind and wakes on the open lake.
Lake Pleasant Regional Park, run by Maricopa County Parks, sits northwest of Phoenix in Peoria. The lake’s surface ranges from about 3,000 acres to nearly 10,000 acres when full, so the shoreline changes a lot through the year.
Where to launch: The park has two large boat ramps and a marina, Scorpion Bay. Launch from a quiet spot away from the ramp lanes, and explore the coves rather than the open water. The park charges a per-vehicle entry fee.
Good to know: Lake Pleasant is a big powerboat lake and gets windy. It’s best for confident paddlers on calm mornings. The main entrance opens at 5 a.m. from May to October and 6 a.m. from November to April.
When to go
Phoenix is the rare place where spring, fall and even winter are prime paddling season. Paddling is most comfortable from roughly October to May, when daytime heat is manageable.
- Summer (June–September): dangerous afternoon heat. Paddle at sunrise, carry far more water than you think you need, and be off the water by late morning. Sunset paddles at Tempe Town Lake are another option.
- Fall to spring: comfortable air and the best time for the Salt River lakes and the Lower Salt. Early mornings can be chilly, and the water is cooler; our wetsuit check tells you what to wear.
- Weekends: the Tonto lakes get busy with powerboats. Go on a weekday if you can.
Planning a paddle up Tortilla Creek or across Saguaro Lake? Our Trip time calculator estimates how long it’ll take at your pace.
Rules and safety in Phoenix
Arizona treats a paddle board as a watercraft. According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s boating rules:
- Life jacket: carry a US Coast Guard–approved wearable life jacket for each person. Children 12 and under must wear one while underway. See our pick of the best PFDs for SUP.
- Sound device: carry a whistle or horn that can be heard at least half a mile away.
- After dark: carry a white light.
Local rules on top of that:
- Tonto Pass for parking at Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake and the Lower Salt River.
- City of Tempe boating permit for any board on Tempe Town Lake, plus a leash or life jacket worn at all times.
- Stay out of boat lanes and ramp areas, and keep to coves on busy weekends.
- Heat is the biggest danger. Bring plenty of water, a hat and sun protection, and turn back early.
FAQ
Where can beginners paddle board in Phoenix?
Tempe Town Lake. It’s calm, in the middle of the city, and you can rent a board on the north or south shore. On the national forest lakes, try the cove at Butcher Jones on Saguaro Lake.
Do I need a permit to paddle board in Phoenix?
On Tempe Town Lake, yes: a City of Tempe boating permit for every board. At Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake and the Lower Salt River you need a Tonto Pass to park, and Lake Pleasant charges park entry.
Can I bring my dog paddle boarding near Phoenix?
Check the rules at each site, and avoid hot summer days, when sand and rock can burn paws. Read how to paddle board with a dog before your first trip.
Can you paddle board the Salt River?
Yes, on the Lower Salt River below Saguaro Lake, when water is flowing. It has current and shallow rocky sections, so it’s for confident paddlers. Guest ranch rentals include a shuttle.
What size paddle board do I need for Phoenix lakes?
A stable all-around board is right for Tempe Town Lake and the coves. On the bigger lakes, where wind and wakes build, a longer board tracks better, and an inflatable is tougher on the rocky Lower Salt. Our Board Fitter suggests a size based on your weight, skill and where you’ll paddle.
