Don’t bake, hit the lake
Need somewhere to cool off yet want to be sure to remain socially distant? Rent a boat and enjoy a few days of recreation on an Arizona lake.
To make the most of your summer, spend at least a few days on the water. It’s a great way to maintain social distance while reveling in wide-open spaces and combating the rising heat. Arizona may be an arid state but it is sprinkled with lakes. Sure, they’re almost all man-made but that just means they’re placed right where we need them most. They come in a variety of sizes, starting with the largest and second largest man-made lakes in the nation, Mead and Powell respectively, all the way down to some easily navigated ponds. But as long as they’re holding water, they make a perfect summer getaway.
Here are a few Arizona lakes that offer something special for visitors: boat rentals. Show up and rent a kayak, canoe, pontoon or houseboat, and for an hour or a day, it feels like the whole lake belongs just to you.
Reminder: When you’re out and about this summer, be sure to observe mask requirements and other coronavirus-related guidance.
Prescott lakes
You’re already cooling off by the time you reach Prescott’s higher elevations. Once there you’ll have two very different lakes to choose from. Watson Lake nestles amid the Granite Dells. The tall cliffs and jumbled boulders are reflected in deep blue water. Hidden coves, curving shorelines and a variety of waterfowl add to the allure of this popular lake.
Goldwater Lake offers a more secluded feel. It’s tucked away in the ponderosa pines just outside of town. This is a good place to watch for wildlife as you paddle across teal green water.
Prescott Outdoors rents solo kayaks, tandem kayaks and canoes hourly and by the day at both lakes. Stand-up paddleboards are available at Watson Lake. Online reservations are encouraged. Rentals are available on Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 7 at Goldwater Lake. At Watson Lake, rentals are offered through Oct. 18 (WednesdaysSundays in summer; Fridays-Sundays in the fall).
Details: 928-925-1410, https://www .prescottoutdoors.com.
Patagonia Lake
The 265-acre lake makes a shimmering oasis in the high desert. It’s a long, narrow waterway, almost fjord-like, tucked away in the rolling grasslands of southern Arizona. A campground with a collection of sites and cabins clings to the south side of the lake in this popular state park. A wide sandy beach features a roped-off swimming area.
Canoes, rowboats, paddleboats and pontoons are for rent from Lake Patagonia Marina (520-287-2804). The east end of the lake is a no-wake zone. The west end allows for speedboats to travel in a counter-clockwise direction. Water skiing is permitted on weekdays only in the summer. Park admission is $15 per vehicle during the week and $20 on weekends.
Details: 520-287-6965, https://azstate parks.com/patagonia-lake.
Fool Hollow Lake
With so many lakes scattered among the White Mountains, Fool Hollow is easy to overlook. But that’s a big mistake. The 149-acre lake just outside of Show Low fills a low-lying basing and is ringed by ponderosa pines and a woodland mix of junipers and piñon pines, grassy pastures and rocky cliffs.
There is no single vantage point in the state park that allows you to see the entire lake. You have to discover it one vista at a time and it gives you a lot of looks along the way. There’s big open water, several isolated coves, some quiet marshes and long channels.
In summer, JT’s Wildlife Outdoors (928-892-9170, http://jtwildlifeoutdoors.com) rents kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. They’re near the park’s east boat launch ramp. Park admission is $7 per vehicle Mondays-Thursdays and $10 FridaysSundays. Camping is available.
Details: 928-537-3680, https://azstate parks.com/fool-hollow.
Lake Pleasant
You’ll have plenty of ways to get on the water at Lake Pleasant Regional Park when you visit Scorpion Bay Marina (928-501-7368, https://www.scorpionbayaz.com). Half-day and daily rentals include pontoons, sport boats, kayaks and other water toys. Reservations must be made in advance. Paddleboards and water scooters can be rented from Pleasant Water Sports (602-714-7478, http://www.pleasantwater sports.com).
The marina includes a general store and the Scorpion Bay Grill. Park admission is $7 per vehicle.
Details: 602-506-2930, https://www.maricopacounty parks.net.
On the southeastern shore of the lake outside the park, Pleasant Harbor Marina offers sport boat, pontoon and water scooter rentals, a waterside restaurant and daily cruises. Go Paddle AZ (602904-0519, https://www.gopaddleaz.com) rents kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. You can even ride the wind when you rent a sailboat from Go Sail Arizona (602-882-4398, https://gosailaz.com). There is a $7 fee per vehicle for everyone visiting Pleasant Harbor Marina.
Details: 623-235-6130, https://pleasantharbor.com.
Lake Havasu
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When it comes to watery playgrounds, Lake Havasu always makes for an enticing getaway. That may explain why there are so many places in Lake Havasu City to rent just about anything
Forget everything you thought you knew about lakes. This long, sinuous body of jewel-like water stretches for 186 miles from northern Arizona into Utah. The towering red rock walls of Glen Canyon cradle the main body of water, leaving hundreds of miles of craggy shoreline accessible only by boat.
Wahweap Marina (888-896-3829, https://www.lakepowell.com) has a full fleet of houseboats, powerboats and personal watercraft rentals available. You’ll also find lodging, restaurants and boat tours. Some amenities might be temporarily unavailable during the pandemic.
If your route takes you across the Navajo Reservation, be aware of travel restrictions. The reservation is closed to tourism and periodic curfews and lockdowns have been implemented. Get the latest updates at https://www .navajo-nsn.gov.
Antelope Point Marina (928-6455900, https://antelopepointlake powell.com), which is adjacent to the Navajo Reservation, is closed. The target reopening date is July 5. Check the website for updates.
Lake Mead
Named for a massive rock formation, Temple Bar Marina is also known for its 20 mile-long unobstructed water ski runs. There’s also a seemingly endless stretch of coves and beaches to explore. Rental options include kayaks, fishing boats, open-bow ski boats and 26-foot deck boats. They are available by the hour, day and week. RV facilities, cabins, a motel and café are also on the property, located off U.S. 93.
Details: 928-767-3211, https://templebarlakemead.com.