Complete Guide To Paddle Boarding On Lake Pleasant
Are Paddle Boards Allowed On Lake Pleasant?
Yes, you can paddle board on the lake, and the paddle board remains one of the most popular vessels on the lake.
Visitors, locals, and students can easily rent a paddle board from rental businesses in town. However most of the locals will often bring their own paddle board tied to the top of their SUVs to the lake for exercise and fun.
Lake Pleasant is Northwest of Phoenix, Arizona in the Western area of the United States. The water in the lake originates from the Colorado River traveling the CAP Canal and runoff from the Aqua Fria River. The purpose of the lake is to be a reservoir for the cities of Phoenix and Tucson. Lake Pleasant is approximately 126 feet deep.
Lake Pleasant is less than an hour’s drive from Phoenix and is considered to be one of the best places to paddle board in Arizona. The lake is six miles long, and there are islands, canyons, and cliffs along the way to add interest to your paddling.
This beautiful lake is one of the paddlers’ favorites for several reasons. It features an outstanding view of mountains plus other interesting features. It has 116 miles of shoreline, so paddle board can try different areas of the lake to see which they like best.
Teens and adults of all ages enjoy paddle board at Lake Pleasant. Expert paddle board recommend paddle board near the shoreline. This is due to the water movement in the middle of the lake where motorboats travel at high speeds.
Best Times of the Day to Paddle Board
Paddle boarding Lake Pleasant, many paddlers prefer to be on the water in the early morning, preferably before 7 AM. Seeing a variety of wildlife is more likely at this time. Many birds are on their early morning flights including bald eagles. You may also see a mountain lion or deer on the shore as you paddle by.
The park opens at 5 AM and closes at 9 PM daily between May 1 and October 31, which makes early morning paddle boarding easy to do. Once campers are awake and workers have arrived at the park, more human activity makes it less likely to see wild animals.
Furthermore, if you paddle boarding on a Saturday or Sunday the lake can get very busy and windy, so most paddle boarders will either go out in the morning, or stick close to shore during the day to avoid all the boating traffic.
Best Time of Year to Paddle Board Lake Pleasant
Most paddle boarders agree that the best time for paddle boarding on Lake Pleasant 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!
Lake Pleasant Paddle Board Launch Sites
Lake Pleasant has three launch sites that paddle boarders may use. One of them is a four-lane boat launch at the north entrance. Paddlers will need to hike for about ten minutes to reach the water or they may take the shuttle which arrives about every ten minutes.
There is a ten-lane boat ramp at the park’s west main entrance. There is ample car or truck parking for almost 500 vehicles. Launching a water vessel from the shoreline is prohibited.
And the third is the Lake Pleasant Harbor Boat Launch on the south east end of the lake.
The weather at Lake Pleasant can change suddenly, so paddle boarders should check the forecasted weather before launching their paddle board.
Where Are Best Places to Paddle Board at Lake Pleasant?
Lake Pleasant’s natural environment provides interesting places for paddle boarders to stop and explore. One of these is the islands in the middle of the lake. They are a good place to rest for a short while and to enjoy a drink and a snack. There are numerous cliffs that also attract paddle boarders where they can anchor their vessel and get out to see the cliffs up close. Some of them are climbable and make a unique background for photos.
Canyons are another interesting sight to see, and one of the best canyons is The Pipeline Canyon Trail. This trail is two miles each way, so it will take a while to hike. There are many interesting sites along the trail, including wildlife and wildflowers. There is also a floating bridge that links different parts of the trail.
Other interesting sites to investigate are the coves along the shoreline. Many of them are narrow and can only be reached by paddle boards. They make a great place to hike through the cove area to see some bald eagles or bobcats.
Can I Rent a Paddle Board on Lake Pleasant?
Paddlers may want to stop at Riveround Sports in Tempe to rent their paddle board for the day. You can get everything you need for a day on the lake for only $40.
Scorpion Bay on Lake Pleasant also rents paddle boards for visitors. Rentals are by the hour, and reservations are recommended.
Go Paddle rents paddle boards at Pleasant Harbor Marina on Lake Pleasant. You can take a shuttle from the North Ramp Parking Lot to this marina. Another paddle board rental location is EV Kayak Rentals. They not only rent paddle boards but will help you get settled on the lake if you bring your own paddle board.
Rentals include all necessary equipment, such as life jackets, paddles, pumps, fins, universal roof racks, and leashes. There are also other paddle board rental businesses at Lake Pleasant.
Can I Bring My Own Paddle Board to Lake Pleasant?
Yes, you can bring your own paddle board to the lake and launch it from either the 4-lane marina or the 10-lane marina.
Everything you may need is available, including convenience stores and restaurants.
How Much Does It Cost to Go into Lake Pleasant?
The fee for a vehicle to enter Lake Pleasant is $7. If you take your own paddle board to the park (strapped to the top of your vehicle), the additional fee for it is only $2.
You can purchase an Annual Entry Pass for $85. There are discounts for seniors and for disabled visitors.
Will I Need to Pay for An Extra Permit to Paddle Board on Lake Pleasant?
Paddle boarders 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:
Other Things to Know About Paddle Boarding at Lake Pleasant
There are regulations concerning paddle boards on Lake Pleasant.
You do not need a boat registration because only watercraft with motors require them.
A state requirement for lifejackets is that children who are twelve or under must wear a lifejacket whenever they are in a watercraft. Adults might want to consider lifejackets for themselves.
Paddle boarding after dark requires your paddle board to have lighting. You will want to be sure to place the lights on your paddle board and not on a paddle.
There are some large fish in Lake Pleasant, and there may be fishing competitions. The largest fish caught in the lake was a striped bass weighing in at 29 pounds.
Besides paddle boarding, Lake Pleasant visitors can enjoy many other activities, such as fishing Lake Pleasant, swimming, outdoor cooking, camping, and hiking.
In fact Lake Pleasant ranked in the Top 12 Fishing Lakes in Arizona.
It is best to check online updates about Lake Pleasant because parts of the park may be closed. Some reasons for this are high water, a full parking lot, and increased traffic in the park.
A few of the campgrounds in the park are temporarily closed, but will probably open in time for the busy summer months.
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George Servinson
My name is George and I'm been fishing my entire life and love all things outdoors. My passion is helping anyone catch more fish. The newest things I've been doing lately is learning how to break down and clean all my reels, teaching my boy how to kayak fish, and bushcraft wilderness survival.
