Do you like paddleboarding? 🏄♂️
If you’re into it, this sport will not only put your skill sets and strength to the test but also allow you to explore different paddleboarding locations that are ideal for paddleboarding while taking in the scenery.
Riders usually look for the best locations to practice, especially if they’re interested in it. Not just flaunting their most priceless SUPs, but they also search for the best places to do it! As you know, this water sport is becoming more and more well-liked everywhere, especially in the USA!
Having said that, people in this country have developed a passion for the activity and have discovered the best places to paddleboard.
Best Paddleboarding Locations in the United States
The Keys in Florida
Paddleboarding locations on the beach? The Florida Keys should be on your bucket list! With 137 square miles of tropical sand, this area is one of the best places to go paddleboarding! Fort Zachary Taylor, Higgs Beach, Smathers Beach, and Big Pine Key are some of the best places to visit with great scenery!
Lake Tahoe, California
Without a doubt, Lake Tahoe is one of the best locations for paddleboarding. This is situated where California and Nevada meet. Every SUP paddler would adore paddling through the lake’s glassy waters with the surrounding mountains in the background! Since Lake Tahoe is one of the world’s biggest and deepest alpine lakes. The El Dorado Beach at Lakeview Commons, Emerald Bay, Meeks Bay, and Sand Harbor State Park are a few of the best places to paddleboard in Lake Tahoe.
Glacier Bay, Alaska
Want to go paddleboarding in a cooler environment? Glacier Bay in Alaska would be among the best options! This is a fantastic location to explore and be mesmerized by icebergs while paddling! The sights will make you fall in love, and you can even go fishing or on a grand tour while exploring the hidden gems in this area. Glacier Bay is the best option if you’re looking for a challenging paddleboarding adventure in the cold.
Travel Safely with an ESTA
💡 Quick Note: Want to paddleboard in the United States but are from another country? If you want to visit the country for business or pleasure, you must apply for an ESTA. If you are from a VWP country, you are going to need an ESTA whether you are traveling by plane or another vessel.
Learn about the requirements to apply for an ESTA, and read all the information before traveling to the United States! You must double-check everything and ensure that you have met all of the requirements because you are going to need an ESTA and this is mandatory.
This is merely a quick and simple application.
How to Stay Safe While Paddleboarding in the United States
- SUPs should be in good condition.
- Wear Appropriate Outfit
- Bring All Necessary Paddleboarding Accessories
- Wear a PFD.
- Bring Your Cell Phone (Wear a Waterproof Fanny Pack)
- Examine the Weather Forecast
- Befriend the locals
- Paddling in a group is more enjoyable!
- Maintain Your Calm and Paddle Safely!
These are our top three picks for the best paddleboarding destinations in the United States! If you want to travel and experience these incredible paddleboarding locations, apply for an ESTA to guarantee entry into the country. Happy SUPing!
Review written by: Tom
Hi Tom. I am very interested in finding a lake that you can paddle on that is not affected by wind, especially for sunset paddles. I paddled Lake Crescent today, and it is beautiful but the wind was too intense to paddle. I have friends that live on Lake Tahoe and they say you can generally only paddle in the morning because the wind is too strong in the afternoon. I like to go on long paddles, 6 miles round trip, so don’t mind a challenge with some wind during part of the paddle but would prefer that find a lake that has more predicatable weather conditions.
Hi Donna,
Finding a large lake that is entirely immune to wind is challenging, as the geography and atmospheric conditions of larger lakes tend to make them more susceptible to some level of wind. However, there are lakes in various parts of the US that are known to be relatively calmer or are shielded by geography in such a way that they have less wind. You didn’t specify an exact location, so I’ll just give some examples, based on my personal experience:
1. Lake Placid, New York: This lake, located in the Adirondacks, is often calm, especially during early mornings and late evenings. The surrounding mountains help shield it from heavy winds.
2. Green River Lakes, Wyoming: Located in the Wind River Mountains, these lakes offer some protection from strong winds due to the surrounding peaks.
3. Walden Pond, Massachusetts: While not as large as some of the other lakes mentioned, Walden Pond offers relatively calm waters, especially in the early morning and late evening.
4. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota: This vast expanse of interconnected lakes and waterways provides numerous paddling opportunities. While some of the larger lakes can get windy, many of the smaller lakes and channels remain calm.
5. Lake Jocassee, South Carolina: This deep lake in the Blue Ridge Mountains is often calm, especially during the early morning. The surrounding mountains and forests can help shield it from heavy winds.
6. Flathead Lake, Montana: While it’s one of the larger freshwater lakes in the U.S., there are coves and areas on the lake that can be sheltered from wind.
7. Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia: The lake is nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains, providing some protection from heavy winds.
Let me know if this helped and happy paddling!