13 Best Places to Paddle Board in United States

Discover the thrill of gliding on water.

Have you ever imagined paddling alongside majestic wildlife or amidst breathtaking scenery?

The best places to paddle board in the United States await you.

Embark on this incredible journey, exploring America’s stunning waterways.

Are you ready for the adventure?

Table of Contents

1 🗺️ Map
2 Where to Paddle Board in United States
3 FAQ

🗺️ Map

Where to Paddle Board in United States

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 Lake Tahoe

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Kings Beach State Recreation Area (🔗 Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, Clear Alpine Lake Water, Can be Windy in Afternoon
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Trout, mountain whitefish, ducks, geese, ospreys
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Emerald Bay, Vikingsholm Castle, Cave Rock, Rubicon Trail
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Use caution in windy conditions, cold water can be a risk

Lake Tahoe is a freshwater jewel nestled between California and Nevada. Its azure blue waters and surrounding alpine vistas make it an absolute favorite for paddle boarding.

Whether you’re cruising along the lake’s edges or venturing deeper into its crystalline depths, Lake Tahoe promises an unforgettable experience. Remember to explore the nearby Emerald Bay for a scenic paddle adventure.

#2 Florida Keys

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (🔗 Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, clear waters, mild ocean currents and winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Manatees, dolphins, turtles, tropical fish
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Coral reefs, mangroves, shipwrecks
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect marine life, follow designated routes

The Florida Keys offer a diverse range of paddleboarding experiences, from tranquil mangroves to vibrant coral reefs. Glide through the crystal-clear water, spotting colorful marine life and exploring shipwrecks as you go.

There’s never a bad time to visit the Keys, with year-round warm weather and numerous paddling opportunities to suit all skill levels.

#3 Oahu, Hawaii

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Waikiki Beach (🔗 Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, mild ocean currents and winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Turtles, dolphins, tropical fish
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Diamond Head, Waimea Bay, North Shore
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for surfers, respect marine life

Oahu, Hawaii, provides a world-class paddle boarding experience with its warm turquoise waters, stunning coastline, and iconic landmarks like Diamond Head. Beginner-friendly spots like Waikiki Beach offer gentle waves, while more experienced paddlers can head to the North Shore for bigger swells.

Beyond the surf, Oahu’s marine life is a major attraction, with turtles and dolphins often spotted swimming alongside paddlers.

#4 Lake Powell, Arizona/Utah

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Wahweap Marina or Antelope Point Marina (🔗 Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm, occasional winds and currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Striped bass, rainbow trout, bass, catfish
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Glen Canyon Dam, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Heed water level warnings, watch for boat traffic

Lake Powell, straddling the border between Arizona and Utah, is a paddleboarding paradise with its red rock canyons, crystal-clear water, and miles of shoreline. Navigate through narrow slot canyons, towering cliffs, and hidden coves, taking in the astonishing beauty of the Southwest.

Lake Powell’s calm waters and diverse wildlife make it an ideal destination for paddleboards and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

#5 Colorado River, Arizona

🏖️ Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Below Glen Canyon Dam or Lee’s Ferry (🔗 Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Variable currents, generally calm winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring and Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Rainbow trout, beavers, bald eagles, deer
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Marble Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Grand Canyon
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Check river conditions, respect Native American land, no unguided access within Grand Canyon National Park

Embark on the adventure of a lifetime as you paddleboard the majestic Colorado River in Arizona. Be captivated by the stunning red rock formations of Marble Canyon and the sheer scale of Horseshoe Bend as you travel toward the Grand Canyon.

The Colorado River offers an unparalleled paddling experience as you encounter diverse wildlife, pristine beaches, and captivating landscapes around every bend.

#6 Charleston, South Carolina

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront, Bay, River
📍 Access Point: Shem Creek, Folly Beach, or Kiawah Island (🔗 Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm to moderate waters, tidal currents, mild winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round, but especially Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, pelicans, herons
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Marshlands, historic buildings, Charleston Harbor
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect wildlife, check tide conditions

Paddleboarding in Charleston, South Carolina, offers the chance to explore diverse ecosystems, from coastal marshes to open oceanfront beach breaks, along with stunning vistas of the city’s historic architecture. Glide through tidal creeks, watch dolphins play, or venture out to Charleston Harbor for a truly unique experience.

With its picturesque landscapes and abundant wildlife, Charleston provides a memorable paddleboarding adventure for enthusiasts of all skill levels.

#7 Chesapeake Bay, Maryland/Virginia

🏖️ Location Type: Bay
📍 Access Point: Sandy Point State Park, Terrapin Nature Park, or Kiptopeke State Park (🔗 Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm to moderate waters, tidal currents, mild winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Blue crabs, ospreys, herons, bald eagles
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Historic lighthouses, Chesapeake Bay Bridge, marshlands
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect wildlife, check tide conditions

Spanning Maryland and Virginia, Chesapeake Bay offers an enriching paddleboarding experience with its diverse ecosystems, rich history, and picturesque views. Glide through marshlands, past historic lighthouses, and beneath the impressive Chesapeake Bay Bridge as you explore America’s largest estuary.

Witness a remarkable array of wildlife, from herons and bald eagles to the iconic blue crab, making every paddle session a unique adventure.

#8 Lake Austin, Texas

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Emma Long Metropolitan Park or Mary Quinlan Park (🔗 Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm to moderately choppy waters, mild winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Bass, catfish, ducks, turtles
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Austin city skyline, Colorado River, limestone cliffs
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect local regulations

Nestled in the heart of Texas, Lake Austin offers a unique urban paddleboarding experience with stunning views of the city skyline, limestone cliffs, and the meandering Colorado River. Paddlers can choose between peaceful coves or lively sections near popular waterfront restaurants and bars.

With its calm waters and diverse scenery, Lake Austin is an ideal spot for paddleboarders of all skill levels to explore.

#9 Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

🏖️ Location Type: Mountain Lake
📍 Access Point: Coeur d’Alene City Park or Higgins Point (🔗 Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm, chilly waters
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Bass, trout, osprey, eagles
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Breathtaking mountain scenery, pine forests, hidden coves
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect local rules, be prepared for changing weather

Surrounded by picturesque mountains and towering pines, Lake Coeur d’Alene in Idaho offers serene alpine waters for paddleboarders to explore. From hidden coves and sandy beaches to panoramic vistas, the lake provides endless opportunities for adventure.

Experience the beauty of the Pacific Northwest as you glide across the pristine waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene.

#10 Indian River Lagoon, Florida

🏖️ Location Type: Lagoon
📍 Access Point: Titusville or Fort Pierce (🔗 Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm to moderate waters, tidal currents, mild winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, pelicans, herons
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Mangroves, seagrass beds, uninhabited islands
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect wildlife, check tide conditions

The Indian River Lagoon, located along Florida’s eastern coast, is a diverse and expansive paddleboarding destination. Paddle through mangroves, past uninhabited islands, and over vibrant seagrass beds as you traverse the diverse environments of the lagoon.

Encounter wildlife such as manatees, dolphins, and an array of birds, making each paddle session a delight for nature lovers.

#11 Lady Bird Lake, Austin, Texas

🏖️ Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Zilker Park or Auditorium Shores (🔗 Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, minimal currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Turtles, fish, herons
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Austin city skyline, Barton Springs, Stevie Ray Vaughan statue
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: No motorized boats allowed, watch for kayakers and rowing crews

Lady Bird Lake, located in the heart of Austin, Texas, offers paddleboarders a unique urban experience with stunning views of the city skyline, trails, and parks. Navigate the calm waters, taking in iconic landmarks such as Barton Springs and the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue.

With its central location and quiet atmosphere, Lady Bird Lake is an oasis for paddleboarders right in the heart of the city.

#12 Lake Norman, North Carolina

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Ramsey Creek Park or Blythe Landing (🔗 Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm, occasional winds and currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Bass, catfish, waterfowl
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Wooded shoreline, expansive lake views
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, adhere to designated zones

Lake Norman, North Carolina’s largest man-made lake, offers calm waters and miles of shoreline for paddleboarders to explore. Paddle beneath a canopy of trees or venture out to open water, taking in the endless expanse of the lake.

With its convenient location near Charlotte, Lake Norman is a popular destination for paddleboard enthusiasts seeking to escape the city’s hustle.

#13 Puget Sound, Washington

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Alki Beach Park or Golden Gardens Park (🔗 Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Moderately calm waters, tidal currents, variable winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Seals, sea lions, porpoises, whales, bald eagles
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Seattle skyline, Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, be aware of colder water temperatures, check tide and wind conditions

Puget Sound, a vast estuary in Washington State, provides a picturesque setting for paddleboarding. Paddlers can take in the impressive views of the Seattle skyline, Mount Rainier, and the Olympic Mountains while navigating the sound’s calm waters.

Keep an eye out for the area’s abundant wildlife, including seals, sea lions, and whales, as you explore the expansive waters of Puget Sound.