Tempe Town Paddle Boarding Facts
Is Paddle Boarding On Tempe Town Lake Even Allowed?
Yes, you can stand up paddle board (SUP) on the lake, and the paddle board is one of the hottest trends on the lake. Additionally, kayaks, canoes, peddle boats, sailboats, and rowboats can all be seen on any hot day on Tempe Town Lake.
You will see numerous students from Arizona State University, which is across the street from 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.
According to the Tempe government website, Tempe Town Lake is visited by over 2 million visitors annually. The City of Tempe earns an additional $2 billion each year since the lake opened in 1999.
Best Times of the Day to Paddle Board
Paddle boarding in the evening is believed by many to be the best time of the day to paddle boarding at Tempe Town Lake. The temperatures are cooler with the sun going down, and it is possible to watch a beautiful sunset in the West as you travel along the lake. Proper lighting is required for paddle boardings in the evenings, between sunset and sunrise.
Lights are required on all watercraft after dark. They must be attached to the paddle board. These lights should be seen from all views. In addition, a white light must be attached to the stern of the watercraft so it can be accessible to one person in the vessel and be waved in case of an emergency.
Best Months to Paddle Board at Tempe Town Lake
The summer months in Tempe are very hot 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 or above with lows of around 84 degrees.
May and June plus September and October are popular months because of lower daytime temperatures.
Facts About Launching Your Paddle Board
Paddle boarders can launch their watercraft from the Boat Beach or from the marina. The Tempe Town Lake Boat Ramp is the most commonplace for launching paddle boards.
You can put your paddle board in the grass and park your car or truck nearby.
Will I Need a Permit to Paddle Board?
Yes, each paddle board needs a specific permit for Tempe Town Lake. They cost $50 for an annual permit, and if you are a resident of Tempe, the cost is reduced to $25. Residents and non-residents may want to buy a daily permit for $10.
Permits are available at the Tempe library or from the Pye Adult Recreation Center. It’s also possible to buy your permit online.
Paddle boards are available for rental, and you will be given a one-day permit from the rental business.
The Cost of Paddle Boarding on Tempe Town Lake
Once you have paid for a permit to paddle your paddle board on Tempe Town Lake, there is no other fee required. You will probably consider it a real bargain to have a fun day at the lake for such a low price.
Considering that an annual permit is only $25 if you live in the town of Tempe, paddle boarding only five times will cost you only $5 per day.
Best of all, there are over two miles of lake to paddle board.
Paddle Board Rentals Near Tempe Town Lake
If you don’t own a paddle board, you can easily rent one near the lake.
At the time of writing this report, Riverbound Sports offers a variety of rental models, including Inflatable models and hard-sided paddle boards. They enable one person to stand and paddle on the lake.
Rental includes all-day use when you pick the paddle board up after 9 AM and return it before 5:30 PM.
A weekend option is also available if you want to spend two days paddle boarding Tempe Town Lake.
There are two other businesses that rent paddle boards in Tempe. These are Northshore WaterSport Rentals and Tempe Boat Rentals.
Renting a paddle board can be expensive at about $21 per hour. Paddlers who spend about three hours on the water will owe over $60 for their rental upon return.
Do You Need a Registration for a Paddle Board in Arizona?
Paddle board must have permits at Tempe Town Lake. However, they do not need to be registered according to Arizona Law.
A motor on your paddle board would put your vessel in another category that requires state registration, but only electric motors are allowed in Tempe Town Lake.
Other Regulations for Tempe Town Lake
All SUP paddlers will need to be wearing a leash or a PFD. It is not enough to have them with you; one of the two must be worn.
Some floating devices not allowed on Tempe Town Lake are inflatable mattresses, inner tubes, rafts, float tubes, tube boats, or surfboards.
Swimming in Tempe Town Lake is not allowable except for occasional activities planned by the City of Tempe.
If you or your group wishes to host a special event, you must have a Special Event Permit.
Lifejackets are required for all watercraft except rowing shells. They must be lifejackets that are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Children 12 years old or younger must wear lifejackets any time they are on any boat or watercraft.
You must launch your vessel at a boat launch facility. In addition, traffic patterns should move in a counterclockwise manner on Tempe Town Lake.
Paddle boards and boats that are paddled must stay around the outer edges of the lake. Sailboats or those using electric power such as donut boats should stay near the middle of the lake.
All watercraft must maintain a speed under 5 miles per hour.
What to Bring on Your Paddle Boarding Trip
Paddle boarders will want to bring some gear with them that will help them have a comfortable, safe time on Tempe Town Lake. You will probably want to pack these things for your paddling adventure:
Now you know all about paddle boarding at Tempe Town Lake and you’re ready for a day of fun on the water!
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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.
