15 of the Closest Kayaking Places near Tucson, Arizona

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LOOKING FOR THE CLOSEST PLACES TO KAYAK NEAR TUCSON, ARIZONA?

If you’ve ever found yourself in Arizona during the summertime, you’ll know firsthand how hot it gets. What is a better way to cool down from Tucson’s heat than to grab a kayak and hit the water?! Here are 15 closest places to kayak near Tucson, Arizona.

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Closest Kayaking Spots Near Tucson: An Overview

Before we dive deeper into 15 of the closest spots to kayak near Tucson, here is a list of all the spots this blog post covers:

Tucson’s 15 Closest Kayaking Spots

When one thinks of the desert, water sports aren’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. Despite this overlooked luxury, there are plenty of places to go kayaking in Arizona! Let’s go over the fifteen closest places near Tucson!

1. Silverbell Lake

Distance: Located within Tucson – West
Kayak Rentals: Not available

Silverbell Lake is an urban recreation area in western Tucson. If you don’t feel like driving a long distance to kayak, you have the perfect spot right in town. Silverbell Lake is located in Christopher Columbus Park which is connected to Archer Lake, and is also a great spot for fishing!

2. Kennedy Lake

Distance: Located within Tucson
Kayak Rentals: Not available

Kennedy Lake is another urban man-made lake in Tucson. In addition to this dainty lake, the recreation area surrounding the lake has ball courts and a public pool available to the public. Kayaks and canoes must carry floating devices and must be properly licensed.

3. Sahuarita Lake

Distance: 23 miles; 27-minute drive
Kayak Rentals: Available on the weekends

Located just south of Tucson in the town of Sahuarita, this manmade lake is great for those looking for close and convenient kayaking. Despite it being on the smaller side, the surrounding mountains make for a perfect kayak getaway. On the weekends, you can even rent a canoe or kayak if you don’t have your own!

4. Peña Blanca Lake

Distance: 72 miles; 1-hour 3-minute drive
Kayak Rentals: Not available

Located close to Nogales and the Mexico border, Peña Blanca Lake is a beautiful kayaking spot due to its surrounding mountain peaks and dazzling blue water. Luckily for kayakers, this lake is open recreationally year-round. 

There is a park entrance fee, and this lake may become crowded on weekends and holidays. Unfortunately, no kayak rentals are available.

Looking for more outdoor activities in the area? Here are the 5 Best Trailheads in West Tucson!

5. Patagonia Lake State Park

Distance: 78 miles; 1 hour and a 15-minute drive
Kayak Rentals: Available

Patagonia Lake is located only a little over an hour away from Tucson, and it’s a great recreation area for swimming, fishing, and you guessed it – kayaking. Head to the marina to rent out a kayak for the day, or find a boat ramp to take out your own!

6. Parker Canyon Lake

Distance: 82 miles; 1-hour 42-minute drive
Kayak Rentals: Available

Located an hour and a half away from Tucson, Parker Canyon Lake and Marina is a fantastic place for a kayaking trip! Despite being fairly close, Parker Canyon experiences cooler temps in the summertime, which is perfect for watersports. Make your trip longer by staying at one of the park’s campsites!

7. Roper Lake State Park

Distance: 127 miles; 1-hour 55-minute drive
Kayak Rentals: Available

This Southern Arizona lake is great for kayakers who want to enjoy mountainous views, as this state park sits at the base of Mount Graham. Roper Lake is great for hikers, birders, kayakers, and boaters alike due to its fantastic scenery and prime location. 

Kayakers can launch from the boat ramp on the east side of the lake.

8. Saguaro Lake Ranch

Distance: 118 miles; 2-hour 11-minute drive
Kayak Rentals: Available seasonally

Arguably one of the prettiest kayaking trips you can take is located at the lower Salt River and Saguaro Lake. Experience the dramatic mountains that surround the Tonto National Forest as you weave through the calm waters. This is mostly a scenic route for kayakers, and there are plenty of opportunities to see wildlife, especially in the early morning. 

There are 2-hour and 4-hour trips that you can book online, however, if you have your own kayak, you can also make a reservation to self-launch. Reservations are required, and trips are open seasonally. 

>> Book your 2-Hour Kayak Rentals on Saguaro Lake Here! <<

9. Canyon Lake

Distance: 109 miles; 2-hour 12-minute drive
Kayak Rentals: Available

Canyon Lake is a 900-acre recreation area that is located along the Apache Scenic Byway by the Superstition Mountains. Experience the breathtaking views of the Salt River and nearby historic towns such as Tortilla Flats on your way there. Canyon Lake is a great place to hit the water and offers plenty of rental options for water sports (kayaking included). 

Passes are required to enter this park for any watercraft activities. Canyon Lake becomes crowded in the summer months, resulting in long wait times at boat ramps.

10. Lake Pleasant

Distance: 155 miles; 2 hours 17-minute drive
Kayak Rentals: Available

Lake Pleasant offers 23,000 acres of outdoor adventure for boaters, fishers, hikers, and kayakers alike. Located just northwest of Pheonix, this lake highlights the beauty of the Sonoran desert with a full-service marina. This lake is so popular that it’s open year-round.

>> UP NEXT: 23 Closest Beaches to Tucson, Arizona <<

11. Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area

Distance: 189 miles; 3 hours 32-minute drive 
Kayak Rentals: Available during the summer months

Tucked away in the quaint little town of Show-Low, Fool Hollow Lake is a kayaker’s paradise! With multiple boat and canoe launches and day-use areas, there are plenty of great spots for kayakers to hit the lake! Check out the wildlife islands to get away from the crowd!

12. Cattail Cove State Park

Distance: 291 miles; 4 hours, 30-minute drive
Kayak Rentals: Available

There’s absolutely no way to discuss the closest kayaking close to Tucson without bringing up Lake Havasu! If you’re looking for a quieter experience on Lake Havasu, this is the state park for you! Located 30 minutes south of Lake Havasu State Park, Cattail Cove State Park offers the same rental options listed below.

13. Lake Havasu State Park

Distance: 307 miles; 4 hours 45-minute drive
Kayak Rentals: Available

Lake Havasu State Park is located on one of Arizona’s most famous lakes! This 24-hour, year-round park is located on the Colorado River with lots of water access for all water activities. Lake Havasu State Park requires a fee to enter, but the views will be worth every dime!

14. Horseshoe Bend

Distance: 386 miles; 5 hours 43-minute drive
Kayak Rentals: Available

One of the most popular spots for kayaking is none other than Horseshoe Bend. Located in Page, Arizona, there are plenty of routes for all levels of experience. You’ll be sure to enjoy exploring the picturesque Antelope Canyon as you wind through the Colorado River.

15. Lake Powell

Distance: 460 miles; 9 hours 35-minute drive
Kayak Rentals: Available

Although quite a drive, Lake Powell is a fantastic getaway for all watersports. Located near the north side of the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell offers two different kayak rental options for your adventure. Check out the Oceans Kayak website for more information on rentals.

Urban Kayaking in and near Tucson

Now that we’ve covered 15 of the closest kayaking spots to Tucson, let’s dive deeper into some of the categories so you’ll know where to look for your perfect location. Here are three urban kayaking locations:

Kayak Rentals near Tucson, Arizona

If you don’t own a kayak but have been dying to go on a kayaking adventure, you’re in luck, because the majority of the locations mentioned above have rental options available to the public. Here are the locations you can rent from: 

B.Y.O.K. (Bring Your Own Kayak) Spots near Tucson

These three spots require you to bring your own kayak:

Kayaking Spots in Northern Arizona

Looking to kayak in Northern Arizona? Based on the list above, here are the kayaking spots that are located in the north: 

Kayaking Spots in Central Arizona

Let’s look at the kayaking spots in Central Arizona.

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Closest Kayaking Near Tucson: FAQ’s

Now that we’ve gone over fifteen of the closest kayaking spots to Tucson, Arizona, let’s go over some of the most frequently asked questions regarding this topic!

Is Saguaro Lake good for kayaking?

Saguaro Lake is a fantastic place to kayak! It is arguably one of the prettiest kayaking spots in the area, located in the lower Salt River. Kayaks are available for rent seasonally, and it’s only a two-hour drive from Tucson, Arizona.

What is the closest beach to Tucson Arizona?

The closest beach to Tucson, Arizona is Patagonia Lake State Park. If you’re looking for an oceanside beach, the closest is Puerto Peñasco in Mexico. Additionally, I wrote a blog post on 23 of the closest beaches to Tucson with additional spots to check out.

Can you kayak at Silverbell Lake?

Silverbell Lake is one of the urban lakes in Tucson that offers visitors the option to kayak. Unfortunately, there are no rentals, so you’ll need to bring your own to enjoy this water sport.

Is there water near Tucson?

Contrary to popular belief, there are plenty of water sources near Tucson! Some urban lakes in the area include Silverbell Lake, Peña Blanca Lake, and Kennedy Lake, however, there are plenty of waterfalls in the area to hike to as well.

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Wrapping Up: 13 Closest Kayaking Spots near Tucson Arizona 

Whether you’re looking to escape the heat of the city or are simply looking for a fun water sports adventure, there are plenty of spots that are located in and around Tucson. This post covers fifteen of the closest kayaking near Tucson with distance information and if rentals are available for purchase. Check some of the lists to figure out which spot is perfect for you!

Happy kayaking!