Arizona may conjure images of cacti and vast desert, but then I remember the Grand Canyon of the mighty Colorado River courses through it. Arizona is hot and dry, no doubt, but there are rivers and lakes that are great for standup paddleboarding throughout the state. Not only are there plenty of destinations, but with proper preparation for both the extreme heat of summer and chillier winter days, paddling is available year-round. And, in between, the spring and fall seasons are close to perfect.
From the Sonoran Desert down south to the pine-forested mountains in the north, the topography is visually stunning. Flora and fauna abound. Saguaro cactus and coyote yips, mountain lions and black bears, towering pines and wildflowers, and if you are really lucky, wild horses coming to the Salt River for a drink while you are paddling, are all possible encounters while navigating the waters of the locales highlighted here: the Phoenix area with Tonto National Forest and Prescott and its surrounding lakes.
The Best Places To Standup Paddleboard In Arizona
Tonto National Forest And Phoenix Area
Tonto National Forest is on the east side of Phoenix. It’s a rocky land with classic Sonoran Desert flora and fauna, where coyotes and wild horses roam and the iconic saguaro cactus reaches for the blazing sun. The Salt River runs through the Superstition Mountains out there, a hardscrabble terrain inhabited by humans going back thousands of years. For paddleboarding, two lakes serve as reservoirs on the river, and there is the Salt River itself. All three provide ample opportunities for paddling in the rugged landscape.
Canyon Lake
The dramatic red rock walls are the reason to paddle Canyon Lake, which technically sits in the Superstition Wilderness. It’s less than an hour from Phoenix, with access points right off of State Route 88.
Opposite the shoreline where I put in, the walls seemed to pull me in their direction like a magnet. While beneath the walls, I scanned above them for big horn sheep. I did not see any, but herons and hawks flew by and soared. With 950 surface acres of flat water, I had plenty of water ahead of me to open up the stroke count, though I did have to keep a watchful eye out for motorboats and water skiers.
More to Know
To access Canyon Lake, you’ll need a daily or annual U.S. National Forest recreation pass.
If you don’t have a board, SUPs and kayaks are available to rent at Yak N SUP, which is located right at the marina on the lake. They also offer guided trips.
When you finish paddling, the Tortilla Flat Saloon is up the road a few minutes’ drive, and worth the quick detour for a bite to eat.
Saguaro Lake
Butcher Jones Recreation Site is a flurry of activity. During my trip there, I arrived at the parking lot at six in the morning, and countless paddleboarders were already there. There is a small beach that is the access point, and, nearby, there are massive rock walls. But, instead of Canyon Lake’s red rock, they are black and shades of brown.
Willow Springs Canyon is across the lake from the launch at Butcher Jones, and it is the highlight. At that point, the lake is technically the Salt River. I paddled up it in the direction of a landmark called Ship Rock. Perhaps more great blue herons than I’d witnessed in one place in my lifetime fluttered by. Boaters powered by too, and two female endurance swimmers with buoys and a kayak support team were out for an eight-mile morning. At Saguaro, just about every type of water enthusiast you can imagine enjoys the scene.
More to know
If you are looking for an après SUP session, the Saguaro Lake Grill is just around the corner from the public boat ramp. Order some grog and grub and head to the expansive patio overlooking the lake. Sit back, relax and enjoy.
Salt River
Putting in at Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch, the Wild and Scenic Salt River gently flows beneath dramatic cliffs. Just after I launched there, an otter appeared and fished along the shoreline. In the first ten minutes of paddling, I accepted that if I didn’t see the wild horses claimed to roam along the river, the unexpected otter sighting was plenty satisfying, and I paddled on.
The mostly languid river is popular for paddleboarders and tubers, as well as kayakers. The Lower Salt has multiple launch points, and you can take a trip that is just a couple of miles or more than 10. Given the river’s popularity and its proximity to Phoenix, there are also shuttle services readily available.
I was told that a rapid called Pinball was a class II, and that some SUP paddlers navigate it fine and others fall in. Between my launch at the Guest Ranch and Pinball, open flatter sections of river pockmarked the descent. I could hear Pinball before I saw it. Entering it, I crouched down a little, feet slightly wider apart than normal. Paddle stroke here, paddle stroke there, and surprisingly, it was over quick.
In another small rapid I wasn’t as fortunate. After passing a bridge near the Blue Point Recreation Area, a small corner of whitewater makes a somewhat sharp left turn. To avoid a fly fisherman in an eddy, I took a shot for the swift water side of the rapid. As I came out of it, I paddled hard to the right, and the next thing I knew, I was in the river.
At the bottom, as I gathered myself and my gear, a woman seated on a SUP who volunteers with the forest service came by and said, “The Devil’s Elbow gets everyone at some point. It’s why I sit through it now.” I laughed and thanked her for her service.
After the Elbow, it was easy paddling. A few hundred feet before I finished, I had the encounter I’d hoped for. A group of wild horses came to the water’s edge to quench their thirst.
More to know
If you have your own SUP, Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch is your best shuttle option. They also have equipment rental options.
Prescott And Surrounding Lakes
In northern Arizona, the small city of Prescott is an outdoor recreation enthusiast’s playground. From hiking to mountain biking to trail running, Prescott is the place to be. I’ll add that SUPing is another option to mix in some paddling while you’re there.
Watson Lake
Watson Lake is a stunning place to paddle. Below and around the lake are boulders the color of camels, and few trees dotting the viewscape. The boulders are the Granite Dells the area is known for, and in places, they rise like camel humps out of the water to paddle around and through. Along the shoreline there is plenty of bird life to observe, and especially, great blue herons abound.
For nearly two hours, I SUPed nearly the entire shoreline of Watson Lake and the pathways between the boulder “fields” that were out in the water, cutting off the far southern end away from the put-in at the north boat ramp. It was a SUP experience I’d recommend to everyone.
Granite Basin
A beautiful bowl of shimmering water nestled in the Prescott National Forest, this is a perfect spot in the pines for kids to paddle. In fact, it is idyllic. It is very small. A place for teaching and learning. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it, enjoying the tiny beach area with your family.
Upper and Lower Goldwater Lakes
Upper Goldwater Lake is a gem. Surrounded by hiking and mountain biking trails, you can have an adventurous day in the Goldwater Lakes area. People fish along the shoreline, and Standup paddleboarders and kayakers enjoy the placid water. Whether you want to have a relaxing paddle or make the perimeter a sustained training session, the scene is serene. If you’re an advanced paddler, you might finish an outing in less than an hour. Like Granite Basin, it is a great spot for beginners.
Note that Lower Goldwater Lake is no-contact, so you cannot paddle it.
Lynx Lake
Lynx Lake has 55 acres of surface water surrounded by picturesque pine forest, and I heard numerous outstanding things about its natural beauty. Alas, I was not able to enjoy it. The lake was drained early in the year for dam repair, and the local paddling community said it may take years for the lake to completely refill; however, as of late 2025, the lake is at a lower level but still has enough water that is possible to paddle there. Just how much water is there? To put it into perspective, when Lynx Lake is full it is nearly four times the size of Upper Goldwater. According to local outfitter Prescott Outdoors, even at its current level, Lynx has more area to paddle than Goldwater.
Prescott Outdoors is located right at Lynx Lake and they are one of the best sources of information about the lake’s current status. They also provide paddleboard rentals onsite.
More to Know
If you don’t have your own paddleboard, rentals in the Prescott area are available from Born to be Wild Adventures.
All of Prescott’s lakes incur a nominal day-use fee of $3.00.
While in Prescott, be sure to walk downtown. Its historic buildings, restaurants and bars are make for a nice evening stroll of people watching, gallery peeping, and foot tapping to live music. Raven’s Café has it all: delicious food, beverages for youth and adults, and a very welcoming spirit. El Gato Azul is a wonderful spot for dinner. Sit outside on the side patio under the trees. It’s delightful.
