10 Things To Know Before Kayaking Lake Havasu

Quick Start Guide To Kayak On Lake Havasu

Are Kayaks Allowed On Lake Havasu?

Yes, you can kayak on the lake, and the kayak remains one of the most popular vessels on the lake.

Visitors, locals, and students can easily rent a kayak from rental businesses in town. However most of the locals will often bring their own kayaks tied to the top of their SUVs to the lake for exercise and fun.

Lake Havasu is a beautiful recreational area in the midwestern part of Arizona. It has blue-green water, waterfalls, and even the London Bridge. Yes, you can kayak on Lake Havasu, and kayaking is becoming more popular than ever.

The lake was formed by the Parker Dam which was built between 1934 and 1938. Water flows into the lake from the Colorado River. It is known for great fishing and boating. The weather at this lake is almost perfect with an average of 300 days of sunshine annually.

Besides having fun exploring, you can also anchor your kayak and enjoy a refreshing swim in the warm water or rest on the beaches complete with white sand. Swimming is allowed anywhere along the coastline.

Best Times of the Day to Kayak Lake Havasu

Many people prefer to kayak in the morning because there is less heat and fewer watercraft on the lake if you launch early enough.

There is one other advantage to morning kayaking, and that is that there is more wind in the afternoon.

You may want to begin you paddling against the wind while you have a lot of energy in the morning.

Then, on your way back, you will gently glide along with the rapids using less energy.

Best Time of Year to Kayak Lake Havasu

Most kayakers agree that the best time for kayaking on Lake Havasu is in the Spring or Fall. The temperatures are warm, yet not overpowering. May and June plus September and October are popular months because of lower daytime temperatures.

The summer months in Arizona are extremely hot, making it uncomfortable under the summer sun with an average temperature of 98+ degrees or above in the daytime. The hottest weather begins at the end of May and lasts through September. July is the hottest month of the year with temperatures averaging 106 degrees!

In fact, Lake Havasu City is home to one of the hottest days in Arizona. The highest temperature on record was 128 degrees in 1994! That’s HOT!

Lake Havasu Kayak Launch Sites

The Arizona side of Lake Havasu is the most populated and therefore you have many more options to launch your kayak by choosing of the many boat ramps and recreational sites.

One of these is State Park Boat Ramp. The Site Six Launch Ramp is a great place for kayaks, and other non-motorized vessels.

This launch ramp has a fishing pier and a picnic area where you can have lunch before you take off.

Lake Havasu Marina is also a great place to launch, but it closes at 4 PM. Kayakers can stop by this location to purchase snacks and other merchandise related to boating.

Additionally, there are multiple RV parks and recreational sites on the California side where you can launch a kayak.

Best Places to Kayak on Lake Havasu

One of the best places to kayak on Lake Havasu is in the caves along the edges of the lake. These sites can be reached with a kayak, but motorboats are too large to fit in the caves. You can explore the caves and enjoy the peacefulness as you do.

You may want to paddle over to London Bridge for a closer look. You can also kayak under the bridge and tell your friends that you paddled under the London Bridge on your trip to Lake Havasu. It is the real London Bridge which was purchased from the city of London in 1968. It was finished being rebuilt in 1971 and is interesting to see.

Where to Rent a Kayak Nearby

Western Arizona Canoe & Kayak is one of the top choices for kayak renters at Lake Havasu. This location also offers self-guided tours of the lake. You can arrange for the delivery of your kayaks to the lake.

Another great rental site is Rentals on the Beach. It is located at Crazy Horse Campground. You can save vacation time by camping at Crazy Horse and renting your kayak right next door.

Beach Shack Rentals is located in London Bridge.

You may want to stop for a swim before launching your kayak. The area around London Bridge is said to have the whitest and best beaches near Lake Havasu.

Can I Bring My Own Kayak to Lake Havasu?

Absolutely! If you own your own kayak you are more than welcome to launch your own watercraft.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Into Lake Havasu?

The fee for entering Lake Havasu is $20 for one to four adults on Fridays, Saturdays, and State Holidays. On other days, the entrance fee is $15. For bike riders, the fee is only $3.

Camping is available on the beachfront or in the Overflow Area. Fees are $40 to camp on the beach and $25 for the Overflow Area. Cabins are also available on the lake.

There are additional parking fees and RV Campsite fees as well. You may want to plan your trip early and make reservations for campgrounds and cabins well in advance. There are 54 campsites and 13 beachside cabins at Lake Havasu.

What Do I Need To Bring To Kayak on Lake Havasu?

Kayakers will want to bring some gear with them that will help them have a comfortable, safe time on the lake. You will probably want to pack these things for your paddling adventure:

Planning ahead of what to bring on your trip to Lake Havasu will make your adventure much more fun when you have the basics that you need.

There are multiple resturants and bars that offers carry-out and eat-in food.

Other Things to Know about Lake Havasu Kayaking

Besides kayaking, Lake Havasu visitors can enjoy many other activities, such as fishing at Lake Havasu, swimming, outdoor cooking, camping, and hiking.

In fact Lake Havasu has ranked in the Top 12 Fishing Lakes in Arizona.

There are waterfalls located at Lake Havasu

London Bridge joins the main area of the lake to various marinas.

Water that has flowed over travertine rock, which is high in calcium carbonate, gives Lake Havasu its blue-green color.

Lake depths do not vary more than five feet. In the summertime, the lake is 98 percent full. Water is released from Lake Mead and Lake Powell, and it balances the amount of water in the lakes.

Lake Havasu City is 107.9 miles from the Grand Canyon Airport and 120.8 miles from Las Vegas. It is not possible to fly directly to Lake Havasu, but there are different options to get there. You may want to fly into Bullhead City Laughlin Bullhead which is less than 50 miles from Lake Havasu. You would need to rent a car to drive to the lake, or you could take a taxi to the lake.

Bus, shuttle, and train service is available from Los Angeles to Lake Havasu. If you live in Fresno, you might want to fly to Las Vegas and then take a shuttle to the lake.

Experienced kayakers recommend that you dress for the water temperature rather than the air temperature.

Save Since you will get somewhat wet, waterproof shirts or jackets are recommended while on the lake.

Water testing on Lake Havasu is routinely done. Results show that the water is safe for swimming.

Lake Havasu is open from April through October. Kayakers and others may be turned away at the entrance of the lake if it becomes overly crowded. This may happen when the parking lot is full.

Lake levels remain the same, however there can be alot of boating traffic – so watch out and be careful.

Some activities at Lake Havasu require permits in addition to the watercraft sticker.

Watercraft on the lake should travel in a counter-clockwise manner.

Hotels Near This Lake

Don’t want to camp and need a place to stay when you’re visiting this lake? Rest assured you’re covered!

Finding a quality place to stay can take a long time which is why we’re providing you with a list of quality travel options when you stay at this lake.

Check out this list of hotels and resorts you should consider staying at: