The best place to paddle board near Las Vegas is Lake Mead, launching from Canoe/Kayak Beach at Hemenway Harbor. For the most scenic paddle, rent a board at Willow Beach and head up the Colorado River into the Black Canyon; for the easiest first try, rent by the hour on Lake Las Vegas in Henderson.
Las Vegas works for paddling because of the Colorado River. Hoover Dam holds back Lake Mead, the river runs cold and clear through the Black Canyon below it, and Davis Dam backs it up again into Lake Mohave. All three sit inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area, run by the National Park Service. The desert sun and the afternoon wind are the main things to plan around.
Quick answer
- First time on a board: Lake Las Vegas, with an hourly rental and life jacket included.
- Most scenic: the Black Canyon from Willow Beach, paddling upstream to Emerald Cave.
- Big-lake paddling with your own board: Lake Mead’s Canoe/Kayak Beach at Hemenway Harbor.
- A quieter weekend: Lake Mohave at Cottonwood Cove, about an hour south of Las Vegas.
- Avoid: launching at the designated swim beaches (Boulder Beach, Cottonwood Cove and Katherine Beach), where paddle boards aren’t allowed.
The best places to paddle board in Las Vegas
Lake Mead (Canoe/Kayak Beach, Hemenway Harbor)
Directions
Best for: paddlers with their own board who want big open water. Flat lake water that turns choppy in wind.
Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the country by capacity, and Boulder Basin, at its southwest end, is the part closest to Las Vegas. It’s big, clear and ringed by desert mountains.
Where to launch: The National Park Service points paddlers to Canoe/Kayak Beach in the Hemenway Harbor area, where you can park right at the water’s edge. You can also launch from other shorelines, but not from the designated swim beach at Boulder Beach.
Fees: Lake Mead charges $25 per private vehicle for a 7-day pass, or $45 for an annual pass, at the time of writing. Paddle boards and other non-motorized craft don’t need the park’s vessel pass.
Good to know: Lake levels have dropped a long way during the drought, and the park says shorelines have changed and launching is at your own risk. Stay close to shore, watch for motorboat wakes near the marinas, and come off the water if the wind picks up.
Black Canyon of the Colorado River (Willow Beach)
Directions
Best for: scenery, wildlife and confident paddlers. Cold river water with some current.
The Black Canyon National Water Trail runs about 30 miles down the Colorado River from Hoover Dam, between steep volcanic walls. The section from Hoover Dam to Willow Beach is managed as a primitive zone, and motorboats and jet skis are banned on Sundays and Mondays all year, so those are the quietest days to go.
Where to launch: Most paddlers start at Willow Beach, on the Arizona side, and paddle upstream. Emerald Cave, a small cave that glows green when the afternoon light hits the water, is about 2 miles upstream. Launching directly below Hoover Dam requires a permit and is only possible through an authorized outfitter, which takes you (and your own board, if you bring one) into the dam’s security zone by bus. The park lists approved outfitters on its CUA directory page.
Rentals: Willow Beach has a full-service marina with canoe and kayak rentals, and several Las Vegas outfitters run paddle board rentals and trips on the water trail. Check the park’s list of authorized operators before you book.
Good to know: The water released from Hoover Dam is cold: the park says it stays in the low 50s°F all year. Between Hoover Dam and River Mile 43 (Chalk Cliffs) on Lake Mohave, everyone on a hand-powered craft must wear a life jacket while underway, paddle boards included. The park also makes temporary closures when Willow Beach is forecast to hit 95°F or more, so check its conditions page in summer.
Lake Las Vegas
Directions
Best for: beginners and a quick paddle close to the city. Calm, sheltered water.
Lake Las Vegas is a man-made lake in Henderson, surrounded by resorts and homes, with a small village of shops and restaurants on the shore. It’s sheltered and small compared with Lake Mead, so it’s the easiest place in the area to stand up for the first time.
Rentals: Lake Las Vegas Water Sports (20 Costa Di Lago, Henderson) rents paddle boards by the hour, starting at $40 for one hour and $60 for two at the time of writing, plus giant group boards. Rentals include a life jacket and a safety briefing.
Good to know: The shoreline is mostly private: beaches and docks belong to the resorts and homeowners. Unless you’re staying on the lake, renting is the simplest way to paddle here. Ask the rental shop before bringing your own board.
Lake Mohave (Cottonwood Cove)
Directions
Best for: a quieter day trip or a weekend with camping. Flat lake water.
Lake Mohave stretches about 67 miles along the Colorado River between Hoover Dam and Davis Dam. Cottonwood Cove, on the Nevada side, is about an hour south of Las Vegas through Searchlight, and has a marina, a campground and a motel.
Where to launch: Launch from the shoreline away from the swim beach. Like Boulder Beach, the Cottonwood Cove swim beach is closed to paddle boards. Paddle out of the cove and along the shore for coves and beaches you can reach only by water.
Rentals: Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina rents kayaks and other watercraft. The Lake Mead entrance fee applies here too.
Good to know: The marina rents houseboats and powerboats, so expect wakes in the main channel, especially on summer weekends. Weekdays and early mornings are calmer.
When to go
You can paddle around Las Vegas most of the year, but summer heat and winter cold both shape the day. The National Park Service says Lake Mead’s water ranges from about 45°F in winter to 85°F in summer. The Black Canyon is cold all year, in the low 50s°F, because the water comes from deep inside Lake Mead.
- Spring and fall (March–May, October–November): the best seasons. Pleasant air, fewer boats, and the lakes are warm enough by late spring.
- Summer (June–September): warm water but dangerous heat. Paddle at sunrise, carry far more water than you think you need, and be off the water by late morning. From July to September, monsoon storms can build fast with wind and lightning; head for a sheltered cove or shore if the sky changes.
- Winter: the water is cold everywhere. Wear a wetsuit or drysuit and stay close to shore. Our wetsuit check tells you what to wear for the water and air temperature.
- Wind: the lakes are flat in the morning and often choppy by afternoon. Check the National Weather Service forecast for Lake Mead or Lake Mohave before you launch.
Paddling upstream to Emerald Cave or along Lake Mohave’s shoreline? Our Trip time calculator estimates how long it will take at your pace.
Rules and safety in Las Vegas
Nevada treats a paddle board like any other boat once it’s on the water. According to the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the National Park Service:
- Life jacket: carry a Coast Guard–approved life jacket for every person. Children under 13 must wear one at all times. In the Black Canyon (Hoover Dam to River Mile 43), everyone must wear one. See our pick of the best PFDs for SUP.
- Sound device: carry a whistle.
- After dark: carry a white light.
Local rules on top of that:
- Quagga mussels: Lake Mead and Lake Mohave both have invasive quagga mussels. Nevada requires an Aquatic Invasive Species decal on canoes and kayaks, but paddle boards are exempt. Clean, drain and dry your board before you take it to another lake.
- No paddle boards on the swim beaches at Boulder Beach, Cottonwood Cove or Katherine Beach.
- Hoover Dam launches need a permit and an authorized outfitter.
- Heat is the biggest risk. Bring shade, sun protection and plenty of water, and tell someone your plan.
FAQ
Where can beginners paddle board in Las Vegas?
Lake Las Vegas in Henderson is the easiest: it’s sheltered, close to town, and you can rent by the hour with a life jacket included. On Lake Mead, Canoe/Kayak Beach at Hemenway Harbor is the place to start with your own board on a calm morning.
Can you paddle board to Emerald Cave?
Yes. Launch at Willow Beach and paddle about 2 miles upstream. It’s cold water with some current, so it suits paddlers who are steady on a board. Go in the afternoon for the green glow, but watch for wind.
Do I need a permit to paddle board on Lake Mead?
No permit or vessel pass is needed for a paddle board on Lake Mead, but you’ll pay the park’s entrance fee ($25 per vehicle for 7 days at the time of writing). The only paddling permit is for launching directly below Hoover Dam, which goes through an authorized outfitter.
Can you paddle board at Boulder Beach?
Not from the swim beach. The National Park Service doesn’t allow paddle boards to launch at the designated swim beaches at Boulder Beach, Cottonwood Cove or Katherine Beach. Use Canoe/Kayak Beach at Hemenway Harbor instead.
What board should I bring for Lake Mead?
A longer touring board handles wind chop on a big lake better than a short all-round board. Our Board Fitter suggests a size from your weight and how you’ll paddle. Heading somewhere else in the desert Southwest? See our guide to paddle board rentals on Tempe Town Lake.
