6 Best Places to Paddle Board in Lake Mead, NV/AZ

Discover a desert oasis at its finest.

Have you considered seeking the best places to paddle board in Lake Mead?

This vast reservoir offers stunning landscapes and crystal-clear water just waiting for you to dive in.

Let’s embark on an unforgettable paddleboarding adventure at Lake Mead. Excited yet?

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Planning Your Paddle in Lake Mead

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs clear 59 °F from February through December. July is the warmest month, averaging 108 °F, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.

Where to Paddle Board in Lake Mead

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Boulder Beach

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Boulder Beach Picnic Area (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, mild winds most days
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Striped and largemouth bass, catfish, waterbirds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Surrounding desert landscape, distant mountain ranges
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boats, swim only in designated areas

Boulder Beach is a popular spot for paddleboarding on Lake Mead. The sandy beach offers easy access to the water, and the surrounding desert landscape provides breathtaking views.

Enjoy a leisurely paddle along the shoreline or venture out towards the islands.

#2 Echo Bay

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Echo Bay Marina (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Mostly calm, occasional winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Bass, catfish, desert birds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Overton Arm, surrounding desert landscape
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect marina rules

Echo Bay provides a beautiful and tranquil paddleboarding experience on the northern side of Lake Mead. The calm waters and picturesque Overton Arm offer a serene atmosphere for both beginners and experienced paddlers.

Admire the astounding desert landscape, fascinating rock formations, and abundant bird life as you glide across the water.

#3 Las Vegas Bay

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Las Vegas Bay Marina (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, occasional winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Large and smallmouth bass, carp, ducks and seagulls
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Distant skyline of Las Vegas, stunning desert landscape
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, adhere to marina regulations

Las Vegas Bay offers a unique, contrasting experience as you paddleboard on Lake Mead with the Las Vegas skyline in the distance.

This spot offers calm waters and striking desert views, making it a great location for a peaceful paddle. Keep an eye out for fish near the marina and a variety of waterbirds.

#4 Temple Bar Marina

English: Andrew Cattoir (Lake Mead National Recreation Area), Marina at Temple Bar (d4ec166b-83ef-4cc5-a159-bffec2585b4d), Scaling by stand-up-paddling.org, CC0 1.0

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Temple Bar Marina (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, mild wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Bass, catfish, herons, pelicans
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Temple Basin, Virgin Basin, desert landscape
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, adhere to marina rules

Experience an oasis-like setting at Temple Bar Marina, located on the eastern side of Lake Mead. Paddleboarders can explore the calm waters and surrounding Temple Basin and Virgin Basin.

Expect stunning views, vibrant sunsets, and an array of desert wildlife, including herons and pelicans.

#5 South Cove

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: South Cove Boat Launch Ramp (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm, occasional winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Bass, catfish, waterbirds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Ancient rock formations, Joshua trees, dramatic desert vistas
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect no-wake zones

South Cove is the gateway to the remote eastern end of Lake Mead. Paddleboarders can revel in the serene atmosphere and explore the rugged beauty of the region.

Take in the striking desert vistas while paddling among ancient rock formations and Joshua trees. This location is perfect for those looking to escape the crowds and enjoy nature at its finest.

#6 Overton Landing

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Overton Landing Road (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, light wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Bass, catfish, birds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Moapa Valley, distant mountain ranges
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect local rules

Overton Landing rests at the northern tip of Lake Mead and offers a peaceful paddleboarding experience.

Accessible via Overton Landing Road, this quiet spot boasts impressive views of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Moapa Valley, and the distant mountain ranges. Enjoy the tranquility and unspoiled beauty as you paddle in this remote location.

Lake Mead is huge, warm and low, with launch ramps that move as the water level does. Las Vegas is the base for it, Antelope Canyon the scenic upstream trip and Nevada the rest of the state.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case