Best Kayaking in Arizona

Trying to find the best kayaking in Arizona? Bivy has great hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, skiing, riding and more, with hand-curated trail maps, as well as detailed driving directions.

1

Nevada, Henderson

02 :03 hrs
4.8 mi
0.000061035156 ft
II

For an easy and fun water adventure in the Las Vegas area, consider the Boulder Island kayaking route. Leaving from the Hemenway Harbor, you’ll paddle to the very nearby Big Boulder, Little Boulder, and Rock Islands and explore their ever-changing coastlines (due to rising and falling reservoir water levels). Waves on Lake Mead can be a bit bigger than on smaller water bodies, upping the difficulty of cross-lake travel, but this is still a good adventure for novices.

2

Arizona, Coconino County

01 :45 hrs
4.7 mi
74.39551 ft
III

Running this section of Oak Creek provides paddlers with excellent scenery and lots of technical challenge. The rapids along this section are mainly class II-III depending on water levels. The real challenge in this segment of the river is the strainers and tree hazards that can arise which require skillful paddling to navigate. The river is more challenging when water levels are high and should only be attempted by more advanced paddlers during these times. The take-out can be on either side of the river but river right is within a state park and requires a fee whereas the left side take-out follows a dirt road to a parking area that is free.

3

Arizona, Tempe

01 :38 hrs
3.8 mi
6.871887 ft
I

Tempe Town Lake is one of the most popular destinations in the city as it offers abundant recreational opportunity. This urban lake is a man-made reservoir constructed to prevent flooding and provide a recreational area for the city. The boat launch area is located on the north side of the lake and offers plenty of parking. The lake prohibits motor boats and is popular for paddling, sailing, rowing, and fishing. The area around the lake offers beach and picnic areas, restaurants and shops, and hiking and biking trails.

4

Arizona, Yavapai County

01 :32 hrs
5.3 mi
213.8258 ft
IV

Originating from Fossil Springs, this small creek can offer some fun and exciting paddling for those willing to take a hike to have the experience. Starting from the start of the springs requires a 3-mile downhill hike. The flow in the creek is pretty low so you can expect to get stuck and have obstacles along the way but there is a decent amount of whitewater throughout that make it worthwhile. There are some waterfalls and large drops that may require portaging depending on water levels and skill level of the paddler so be pay close attention and scout the creek as much as possible. Also watch out for lots of strainers or log jams that may be present. Boat size is an issue when running Fossil Creek so smaller boats are recommended.

5

Arizona, Gila County

00 :06 hrs
1 mi
97.84985 ft
V

This short run is one that should only be attempted by the most advanced paddlers looking for a thrilling trip down a steep bedrock gorge. The run is only one mile long but requires hiking and portaging the boat down to the gorge and back up. The difficulty of the run is class V to V+ with several large rapids, drops, waterfalls, chutes, slots, and boulders that require skillful paddling. Scouting the run as much as possible beforehand is highly recommended to check possible portages and ensure that the run can be done safely depending on water levels and skill level.

6

Arizona, Yavapai County

06 :28 hrs
18.1 mi
367.79938 ft
V

This intermittent river offers some of the best whitewater in all of Arizona when the waters are flowing. The run offers multiple class III-V rapids with large boulder gardens, significant drop-offs, a waterfall, slots and chutes, and debris and strainers that all come together for a fun and thrilling challenge for advanced paddlers. The run is long and requires a lot of careful navigation, route-finding, and scouting along the way so leave early in the morning to ensure that the run can be completed before nightfall.

7

Arizona, Gila County

06 :36 hrs
18.2 mi
345.37183 ft
V

Located just west the town of Payson in the Mogollon Rim area, the East Verde River is a scenic and extreme run through rock-wall canyons and scenic desert landscape. There are many challenging rapids along this stretch including some class V rapids (possible V+ depending on current water levels) that will test even the most advanced paddlers. There are also tree obstructions, slots, strainers, and a few large drops and falls that require portaging. Pink Gorge and Tepeats Gorge both have sections that are typically portaged due to unsafe paddling conditions. The run is extremely challenging and can be very dangerous and should studied and scouted before running and only attempted by advanced paddlers.

8

Arizona, Gila County

08 :27 hrs
24.8 mi
639.1706 ft
V

Paddling this stretch of the Tonto Creek is a thrilling scenic run through multiple narrow rock gorges that provide multiple class IV to V drops that require expert paddling ability. The first really technical set of drops start along the Hellsgate section which consists of three major rapids, the first of which is the most treacherous and can be easily portaged. The remaining rapids in this section are not as intimidating and are typically runnable. After leaving the Hellsgate section there are multiple other gorges still ahead that provide many challenging class IV and V rapids with some tricky areas with large boulder gardens, most of which are usually runnable but can be portaged if necessary. The last section through Last Hurrah Gorge can be very dangerous, with multiple class V and VI drops, and usually requires portaging entirely when water flows are high. Running this entire section of Tonto Creek requires careful scouting all along the way and advanced kayaking skills to be run safety. This trip usually takes at least two days to complete but there are good camping areas available along the way.

9

Arizona, Coconino County

22 :22 hrs
55.8 mi
433.05316 ft
V

Flowing through a steep narrow canyon, this section of the Little Colorado River proves to be a thrilling multi-day journey in an incredibly scenic setting. The beginning of the trip is very a mild float through open desert landscape that is calm and relaxing. This does not last for too long, however, as quickly paddlers will find themselves entering a rugged narrow limestone gorge full of steep drops, large boulder gardens, and tricky strainers. The difficulty of the rapids along this section of river range from I up to V (with possible class V+ depending on water levels). The canyon is very difficult to access after entering so be prepared and make sure skill levels and current water levels are sufficient to make the run. The Little Colorado River comes to a confluence with the Colorado River which requires a permit of its own to float so paddlers need to take out before the confluence and hike out the Powell Route or have a permit or arrangements with a permitted outfitter to continue on the Colorado to another take-out. Permits are also required to float the Little Colorado River through the Navajo Tribe and the National Park Service.

10

Arizona, Coconino County

01 :40 hrs
4.8 mi
113.4939 ft
IV

This section of Oak Creek is a good option for a short outing in the Sedona area that offers lots of challenge and scenery. The run contains some major rapids, holes, strainers, boulders, and log jams that can present danger, especially during times of high water. There is one bridge that requires portage around if water levels are high and a few other sandbar sections that may also require portaging depending on water levels. The shuttle between the put-in and take-out is short and scouting as much of the run beforehand will be helpful in determining the current difficulty of the run.

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