Northshore WaterSport Rentals

(52 reviews)

2.6 mi

I'm not sure if this is a review for the tube renting place or for just going at all. But I highly…read morerecommend buying your own tubes to own forever, and if you have the opportunity take 2 cars to go to the top and drop off spot so you don't have for rent a tube. If you own your own tube, you can still rent a bus ride for $19. This is definitely an Arizona summer classic. Wow!! I'm updating to say that in all my 21 years I didn't realize that there was a difference between rafting and tubing and that there were 2 different of options on what you can do to go down the river. How freaking cool and thank you to the business owner for educating me!

This review is for a RAFTING & CAMPING trip (lol, I can't believe how many people have left reviews…read morefor tubing)! It's going to be my longest review ever! Where do I start?!? I have wanted to raft the Grand Canyon (Colorado River) my whole life so when my friend asked me if I wanted to raft the Salt River I said "heck yeah"!! My 2 top takes from this trip are RESPECT (respect these guides, the river and the land...they are awesome and deserve every bit of it) and don't judge a book by its cover... Upon arrival my friend became really nervous (she even had me getting nervous). She walked over and found our guide Ara and immediately came back feeling a lot better. We had plenty of time to get our PPE, buy some shirts/stickers/sunglass straps (cheaper than Amazon) and use the porta potty. An awesome guide explained safety instructions and insisted people listen! Respect him - it could save your life. He made sure everyone could see and hear him. Safety is their #1 important thing! All the rafts left at the same time. Us 3 and our guide in one boat. The rest of the boats seemed to be a high school trip. You do some practice paddling in the eddy before the first rapid. On that first rapid you have someone from the team taking your picture! After some amazing fun we stopped for lunch where the guides gave us chips and salsa to start while they made chicken fajitas (the chicken is separate from the onions and peppers which my friend appreciated because she doesn't like those veggies). We had plenty of time to eat, drink water and use the porta potty. I highly suggest doing the full day because this is where it would end for the half day/no lunch trips. It is soooo worth it to continue on. We got to learn a lot about our amazing guide Ara, we instantly trusted her beyond words. She has years of experience and has paddled rivers from AZ to Alaska! She has her own raft and constantly going on new adventures. Looking at her...young and a girl...you may second guess going with her but this is why I say never judge a book by its cover! She was amazing!!! We all had absolutely 100% trust in her!!! The whole team is on top of things. I was so impressed how they handled a raft that was pulled over. One by one they pulled to the side and waited or assisted the stopped raft. Later I overheard one of the kids say he purposely fell off the raft - don't do that. It's not cool - respect the river and the guides!! They drove us back to our truck and dropped Ara off at camp (where we had lunch) to start preparing for our evening of appetizers and dinner. We drove back to camp and set up our tents and Ara brought over a wonderful charcuterie board (I love these)!! After setting up Ara had a nice fire going while she finished up dinner. She made the most amazing Alfredo/pesto tortellini, salad and bread! It was so good I forgot to take a picture!! While we were eating she mentioned something about baking a cake (I was thinking it must be one of the guide's birthday's). Nope!! She baked us a pineapple upside down cake in the cast iron Dutch oven! Omg so delicious! All the guides in the camp were so welcoming and friendly! They invited us to play horseshoes, sat with us by the fire and really made us feel included (after all this is their home for the season). The next morning Ara had yogurt, fruit, leftover cake (my friend was really happy about that) orange juice and coffee waiting while we tried to wake up. We took our time...Ara always made sure things flowed on our time. She never pressured us or rushed us - it was absolutely wonderful. She cooked us a nice breakfast of croissant sandwiches and we had to pack up and head out. We made sure to tip her (and if I could have made it 100% of the cost I would have) she hugged us and we said our goodbyes! Everyone we met was amazing!! Ara, Annie the dog, Stu and G-String (my ears must of been waterlogged because I swear that's what his name was - lol). I wish I remembered more names but these were our top favorites. They have me wanting to do the 5 day trip next!!

Nice fire Ara had going for us while she made dinner.

Camp/lunch spot.

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This is the original meeting spot.

Mild To Wild Rafting & Jeep Trail Tours

(7 reviews)

4.5 mi

I highly recommend Mild to Wild Rafting. We did the half day trip and it was a great intro to…read morerafting. The rapids were fun, the scenery was beautiful and our guide Nathaniel was very knowledgeable and helped calm any fears I had. He told us fun facts about the surrounding area and made sure our gear and equipment were safe. The staff was very professional and helpful and I would absolutely book with them again. I felt completely at ease knowing we were in good hands. It was very memorable experience and we can't wait to book a multi-day trip next!

My family of 8 just got done with a day of rafting trip on the salt river with mild to wild. What…read morean awesome day! Great guides! Great water! Great rapids! I can't recommend them enough. Safe. Reliable. Just an all around great day on the river with my family.

They provided us wetsuits, booties, life jackets, helmets & paddles.

Ready for an epic day!

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Advantage Grand Canyon

(24 reviews)

12.7 mi

I am forever grateful to have booked through AGC. I was trying to book the perfect trip, during the…read moreperfect time, with the perfect outfitter company and perfect group. AGC helped me find the perfect package! I don't recall how I find AGC, but somehow, Andy and I starting emailing back and forth in the beginning of January. Normally these trips are booked a year in advance. Luckily, he was able to find an available spot for us with one of his outfitters. He couldn't have picked the perfect outfitter for us to go with. Andy was very clear, concise and prompt when responding to my emails. Especially with the time difference (Hawai'i) and my graveyard hours work shift. I was still able to obtain all the details I needed for this trip of a lifetime and book it with ease. I couldn't have been better prepared with the loads of information that was provided before I sent him my credit card info. I felt a sense of security with no surprises. Thank you AGC for helping me experience this trip of a lifetime!!!

From placing our reservations to our helicopter ride and charter plane flight back to Las Vegas,…read morethis trip was spectacular and went off without a hitch! Advantage booked us on our 6 day/5 night motorized raft trip through the Grand Canyon with Wilderness River Adventures and it was amazing from start to finish. The absolute most fun we've ever had doing anything. My husband and I are active seniors, 69 and 67 respectively and we loved every minute. Advantage and Wilderness coordinated our trip with pre-trip packing list, complete and thorough directions about where and when to meet our connecting transportation to Page, AZ, booked our first night's lodging and got us to the river in a comfortable coach with a super friendly driver. Our river guides were amazing - can't say enough good things about them and how well they took care of us and managed every day of the trip from wonderful cowboy coffee and delicious breakfasts to start our day, thrilling rides through the canyon with stops for hikes and lunches and selection of beautiful camp sites each evening with gourmet meals that were over the top!! We would do this all again in a heartbeat and stay longer next time!! Thanks Advantage for a life changing experience!

River can get wild!

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Saguaro Lake Ranch Kayaking and Tubing

(67 reviews)

24.4 mi

I have rented Kayaks from Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch several times over the past few years and have…read morealways had great service and a wonderful experience. Reserving a spot and kayak is easy on the online website. Once you navigate down to the main road to the Guest Ranch, it can be a little confusing as they always have a roadblock as you progress towards the parking lot. Just proceed past the sign to the parking lot ahead. After parking, walk back towards the ranch and check in. Guest services will provide a wrist band as well as a parking pass to place on your dashboard. Once your reservation time is ready, you will be provided a quick orientation of the equipment, navigation of the river and where the staff will pick you up at the end of your float. The staff is always super helpful. Be sure to bring plenty of water and a carabiner to hook on your dry bag or backpack to the kayak. Even though the majority of the river is an easy float, there are some small rapids. You may accidentally flip the kayak if you get caught in a tough spot on the River. This will prevent you from losing your bag! I'm experienced and have flipped once or twice. Depending on the time of year and water flow, the float can take 2 or 3 hours. Beautiful views of the landscape, wildlife including various birds and the gorgeous wild horses! At the end of the float, the staff will load your kayaks and take you back to the Guest Ranch. In the main building, be sure to stop by the gift shop prior or after the float for souvenirs or in case you forgot supplies you may need. They have several items including sunscreen, water shoes, hats, shirts snd much more. I found prices to be reasonable. This is the perfect place to bring out of town visitors. They will love it.

Such a fantastic time! I cannot recommend this enough…read more My bf and I are not outdoorsy people so I was nervous about how to take on the salt river. This was PERFECT, so happy we did this over the tubing. There's a reason tubing has mixed reviews and these are all positive! It took us exactly 2 hours and it was very leisure. We wanted to sit and enjoy the beauty, it was fun to race in our kayaks, and one time we pulled over to jump in the water to refresh. We did the 7:15am Sat July 5 hoping we would get a nice serene time and compared to how it usually sounds, it was very peaceful. Few party people down the river but nothing too crazy. I recommend not going later than 7:30 if you want a more peaceful time to yourself and low crowds. Plus the sun wasn't as brutal. Saw a woman go on her own, and you're definitely fine to do it by yourself. Charge up your phone so you have plenty of juice for photos and videos and in case you need to make a "help call" "Rapids" are not bad at all so fun and simple. The quality of what they provide is very nice. They send detailed instructions of what to expect, including parking (refer to email). Do not forget your water shoes. We didn't need a snack during but it was nice to have after, obviously water is a must plus sunscreen. We wore rash guards and hats and I recc that. Pre buy a waterproof phone lanyard. I got wonderful photos and videos from something cheap on Amazon The most wild life we saw was one horse and like 5 fish lol I wish there was an easier way to keep my water in front with me because every time I went to grab it behind me I was worried I would tip myself. I also wish they had little signs to point which way to go, it's simple, but after the excitement heat etc, it's like "wait they did say left middle right left, right?" lol Can't think of any other tips, besides just do this, can't imagine you would regret. We are new to the area and wanted to do something that felt very Arizona, super happy with the decision

The Bulldog Cliffs!

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Epic cliff!

Arizona Rafting

(23 reviews)

12.7 mi

We had a great 1/2 day rafting trip. Mike was a great guide. My husband and I had one rafting trip…read moreunder our belts, and for the couple we were with, this was their first. He did a great job putting us all at ease, while teaching us some very important skills....which were important to know! My husband did end up in the water, and remembered Mike's instructions. Within seconds (that felt much longer!) Mike was quick to pull him back onto the raft. All that said...we'd do it again!

I went to the put in to see some friends who were on a private trip off and what I witnessed was…read moredeplorable. A lady was unloading her boat and she knew she needed to hurry as it is was the "wrong" beach but all privates drop their boats there and normally stay tight and out of the way. As she was unloading the big bus rolled up ( 8:30 am) and honked she went to move her truck instantly a guide jumped out of the truck and started dropping the f bomb, peacocking and threatening the lady to the point I was concerned for her safety. She said she was trying to move out of the way but the guide kept yelling at her in a totally unprofessional manner calling her a bitch, dropping the fbomb, threatening to throw her stuff in the river the whole time not allowing her to move as he was in between her and her truck. He just was escalating the problem all she kept saying was ok I am going to move but he kept preventing her. His mannerism was narcissistic, chauvinistic and his odor was suspect. As a guide professionally for 35 years at various rivers including the Salt, and now working promoting adventure tourism I find this behavior unacceptable and I will not be endorsing this company. I understand at the end of the season folks get burned out but maybe the guide should take anger management or work at the DMV. Start out with hello instead of " You stupid B@#$%h". Having thought about the incident of which I only witnessed it is sad that in such a beautiful spot it occurred.

Mike took our picture in the calm after the rapids.

Hiking to the raft.

Ready to go!

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Salt River Canoe Kayak & Raft Rentals

(12 reviews)

17.2 mi

Captain Ted is great!!! Will definitely rent from him again, call upon his expansive knowledge for…read moreadvice when I have any kayaking questions, or join up for his weekly paddling group! To say he is friendly is an understatement. Fantastic guy with kindness and a lot of character! We joined the paddle group because we are beginners, and he welcomed us with open arms. Even though it wasn't a tour, he led the way and taught us quite a bit about kayaking. I'll feel much more confident next time when I'm on my own thanks to Captain Ted. Some tips: cash only and each boat rental requires its own cash deposit! Also, expect to want to spring for a kayak in the $45 price range. The $35 are minis and not for beginners. Also, opt for high tops with soles and ankle protection over water shoes or flip flops. DO ask about rent the wheels for transporting the kayaks to/from the water. Plan to get wet and to get some sun!

The concierge at our hotel recommended this place for us when we asked about renting kayaks for…read moreSalt River. I called up to ask for rates and specifics. The owner goes by Captain Ted and he was more than patient in explaining the rates. Despite the short notice, we made an appointment to drop by the next morning to pick up two kayaks. He strapped the boats onto the top of our rental car, went over all the equipment we needed, and took the time to explain which parts of the river we should explore. Captain Ted works out of his private residence is located 20 minutes from Salt River. His rates are fair and he was a joy to do business with.

This is the real address, yelp and Google are wrong

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Map location and address

REI Adventure Center - Scottsdale

4.8

(207 reviews)

14.8 mi

Great service and fantastic high end bike rentals. Equipment is clean, well-kept, and top of the…read moreline. Everything you need to bike or hit the wilderness while in AZ PS - if biking trails you will need to transport your bike there (Brown's Ranch is a great spot)

Not enough can be said about REI Co-op bike rental. I was in Phoenix for vacation and rented a bike…read morefor nine days. Everything was easy, well communicated and reasonably priced. I got a solid performance bike, helmet, tire repair kit and a computer with distance and speed. I was able to install my own radar taillight and Wahoo ELEMNT with no problems. Due to covid, they didn't provide water bottles but I bought a couple from them for a very reasonable price. Drop off was simple and the staff was helpful and friendly.

Spring mountain biking in Scottsdale, Arizona

Guided Backpacking tour in the Superstition Wilderness near Phoenix

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Guided neighborhood bike tours in Scottsdale, AZ

Tempe Town Lake Boat Rentals

(178 reviews)

0.6 mi

Sometimes the best adventures are the simplest ones, and this ended up being one of my favorite…read moreways to spend this morning in Tempe! My friend and I rented a Surrey double bike at Tempe Town Lake, and from the moment we walked up, everything was effortless. The staff greeted us with a smile, got us checked in quickly, explained everything we needed to know, and had us rolling in just a few minutes. It's always refreshing when an activity starts with such friendly service. Once we hit the path, we spent the next hour cruising along the lake, taking in the gorgeous waterfront views, people-watching, and laughing our way around every turn. There's something so nostalgic and carefree about riding a Surrey bike--it instantly makes you feel like a kid again. It was the perfect mix of sightseeing, light exercise, and quality time with a friend. If you're looking for a unique date idea, a family outing, or just a fun excuse to get outside with your bestie, I can't recommend this enough. It's one of those simple experiences that ends up creating some of the best memories. Pro tip: Arizona's sunshine definitely doesn't play around! Pack the sunscreen, bring plenty of water and maybe even throw on a hat before you head out. You'll be able to relax and enjoy every minute of the ride. We'll absolutely be back for another ride around the lake. Sometimes the best way to experience Tempe isn't from behind a windshield--it's pedaling through it with the people who make you laugh the most.

The donut boat was so much fun but it is not safe getting on or off. There is nothing to hang on…read moreto. My group of 5 ladies were between 50 and 80 and 2 of them got hurt. There was a little 100 lb girl there but she was no help at all.

Harbor

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POV

Riverbound Sports Paddle Company

(135 reviews)

1.3 mi

We had a great time kayaking on the Salt River with Erin and Paul from Riverbound Sports . They…read morewere awesome!! Both were very professional, helpful and made the trip down the river entertaining and memorable. Thank you Erin and Paul ! Seeing the many horses and also a mountain goat really added to the experience. We highly recommend Riverbound Sports especially for a very fun and enjoyable kayak trip on the river and look forward to doing it again.

Such a fun and cool experience! We went on a holiday weekend so the water was busy, we were afraid…read morewe wouldn't see horses but we did! Paul and Steve made the experience fun and safe. And the snackle box was a nice surprise!

Riverbound Retail Shop. Recreation, Performance, and Fishing Paddle Gear.

All smiles paddling with this group.

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Salt River + Wild horses

Golfland Sunsplash

3.0

(518 reviews)

6.3 mi

My family and I went to Sunsplash this last Sunday and we had a great time. We opted to pack a…read morelunch that we kept in the car and ate it in the trunk of our car. The weather was perfect but it would be a lot to eat in the car during the hot summer. I feel like there was a lot of variety of things to do for the age difference of my kids. My main issue was with the flooring of the entire park. I'd like to see them do something to make the sidewalk more comfortable for the 99% of people who are walking around barefoot. All of our feet hurt from walking around on the really hard concrete. I guess I'd recommend you wear water shoes if you have them. We used a Get Out Pass and the whole process was seamless. It's worth getting because just a trip to Sunsplash is pretty much the same price as a Get Out Pass and you get so much out of it. I don't know if I'd go again because the cost is pretty high.

Could you maybe stop hiring slow children to attend your arcade? And I'm not trying to disparage…read morethe disabled, these teenagers do. not. care. Get rid of them. All of your card scanning machines are broken. I asked your clerk for service on a machine that needed to be refilled and she told me it would be "about half an hour" you still owe me a refund for those game plays. My son won a lava lamp from redemption and the girl climbed to the shelf and started to take down a lit, hot one until someone else had to tell her to get a new one out instead after she was obviously burning herself. Every time I turned around they were chatting with their friends or screwing around instead of doing literally anything of value. I can't believe your business is turning a profit. What is your training program? Two rocks and a wish for good luck?

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Miniature Golf

Sun Devil Fitness Complex

4.3

(9 reviews)

1.4 mi

There are SDFC locations at the ASU Downtown, Polytechnic, Tempe, and West Valley Campuses. One…read moreSDFC membership includes access at all four campus SDFC locations. While each location differs in offerings and size, each location also offers something unique to the ASU community. While I've been in all locations, I often go to events most often at the Tempe Campus (which is what I was doing last week though the campus I go to work out at or for work in general is the West Valley Campus. Regardless of campus, all of the SDFC locations have well-trained student staff and professional staff who care about fitness and helping others be Well Devils. The SDFC fitness training options include group wellness, personal training, swim lessons, lifeguard training, safety education, and adaptive recreation. Sports programs include sports clubs and intramural sports. Note that some of these options and programs may have extra costs associated with them. The Tempe SDFC amenities include the Bike Co-Op, Sun Devil Kids Camp, Shake Smart, Equipment Rental, and Locker Rental. It has been many years since I have taken part in personal training at the SDFC, though I have a faculty/staff membership currently and have used this location (and the Downtown and West Valley Campus locations) for working out and using the treadmills, bikes, walking, and using the weight machines. All ASU in-person students pay a fee that includes membership to the SDFC. Non-fee paying students can get a SDFC membership for $100 per semester or $25 per month. Faculty and staff can pay $110 per semester for membership and pay through payroll deduction. ASU affiliates (alumni, ASU contractors, and students attending other colleges or universities) can pay $130 per semester for membership. SDFC members can sponsor someone else for $10 per visit or $45 for five visits through guest passes. I also find myself at different events, most often at the Tempe SDFC. This past week was the annual Vendor Fair, which ASU staff who work most closely with vendors (food and products) and hotels will come to the SDFC and attend a fair in one of the gyms. I have been to conference events, department team-building days, student organization events, and much more on all four campuses. Compared to many other universities, all four of the SDFC locations are state of the art and really set up students to be healthy. I certainly recommend SDFC membership to all ASU students, staff, faculty, and alumni!

Maddox Hodges is the best fitness instructor at ASU SDFC he gives the best workout trainings.read more

Additional weight training area in what used to be Sparky's Yard.

2nd floor basketball courts

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Part of the new expansion

Candeeland

4.4

(22 reviews)

8.1 mi

This is a must stop for kiddos. Safe and clean and full of activities, playgrounds and food options…read morefor even the pickiest eaters!

We decided to go to Candeeland today for our son's 4th birthday. It was my husband, our two oldest…read more(13 & 14 year old), two littles (1 and 4 year old, and me. Since we did the all-day pass for the littles, the two older kids and husband and me were include. All-in-all, it was $76 for admissions and 6 pairs of socks. We hung out for a few hours, went home for dinner, and then came back for a couple hours. After spending the entire day, we decided to convert to a monthly membership. The facility was so clean in the playgrounds, eating area, and bathrooms. The staff were pleasant and patient. The play areas were so much fun and large enough for adults to follow around the kids. My husband and I had a blast playing with the kids and were able to navigate the playground fully. With summer coming, we will be spending a lot of time here and will recommend to any others.

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Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

7 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Lori P.

0

6

0

5 years ago

WOWWWW!! On a SCALE of 1-10... this place is a SOLID 12. Truth. What a great family owned Kayak & Paddle board shop! Heath the owner was so dang helpful & friendly; unlike another place nearby that not only got our reservation wrong, but treated us as casually as numbers. Heath gave us great directions to find the place; greeted us with such enthusiasm & even carried all the gear down to the shore. We all didn't expect him to stand in the water giving us instructions, & then helping patiently encourage two of our chicken pals out on the water! We had a blast! read more

Eric K.

41

5

3

6 years ago

We were trying to get away for a day up north in prescott to Watson Lake and Northshore was awesome to work with. I was able to call and pay over the phone and they gave me the code to pickup my 4 kayaks before they were open and drop them off after they were closed. Seems like it's the honor system so if you do this help them out and take and return what you rent. If we don't end up buying our own kayaks we will definitely keep renting from here. Thanks for the kayaks, fun and memories read more

Samantha G.

242

11

3

9 years ago

Had such a blast! The equipment is in great shape, the shops is clean and the prices are great for what you get. The customer service was exceptional, Chad is a personable and professional guy. We will be back soon! read more

Stefanie M.

78

17

2

9 years ago

We purchased their Groupon and we had a blast on their Kayaks! The owner Chad was great! Very friendly!! We will definitely be back to do the monthly rental!! Thank you! read more

Vanessa A.

113

3

0

9 years ago

If possible I would give zero stars. They lack customer service skills. All they care about is your money. Would not go again.

Laura B.

Elite 24

294

62

54

5 years ago

Very accommodating! Very friendly and able to give me exactly what I needed! Thanks guys!

Jermaine G.

2

5

0

4 years ago

Had a good time this place helped us get everything we needed for kayaking

Northshore WaterSport Rentals - paddleboarding - Updated August 2026

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Tempe Town Lake Boat Rentals

(178 reviews)

Sometimes the best adventures are the simplest ones, and this ended up being one of my favorite…read moreways to spend this morning in Tempe! My friend and I rented a Surrey double bike at Tempe Town Lake, and from the moment we walked up, everything was effortless. The staff greeted us with a smile, got us checked in quickly, explained everything we needed to know, and had us rolling in just a few minutes. It's always refreshing when an activity starts with such friendly service. Once we hit the path, we spent the next hour cruising along the lake, taking in the gorgeous waterfront views, people-watching, and laughing our way around every turn. There's something so nostalgic and carefree about riding a Surrey bike--it instantly makes you feel like a kid again. It was the perfect mix of sightseeing, light exercise, and quality time with a friend. If you're looking for a unique date idea, a family outing, or just a fun excuse to get outside with your bestie, I can't recommend this enough. It's one of those simple experiences that ends up creating some of the best memories. Pro tip: Arizona's sunshine definitely doesn't play around! Pack the sunscreen, bring plenty of water and maybe even throw on a hat before you head out. You'll be able to relax and enjoy every minute of the ride. We'll absolutely be back for another ride around the lake. Sometimes the best way to experience Tempe isn't from behind a windshield--it's pedaling through it with the people who make you laugh the most.

The donut boat was so much fun but it is not safe getting on or off. There is nothing to hang on…read moreto. My group of 5 ladies were between 50 and 80 and 2 of them got hurt. There was a little 100 lb girl there but she was no help at all.

Arizona Kayaking - Kayak & SUP Rentals Phoenix

(7 reviews)

These guys are super cool ! Best rental rates anywhere. I…read morebought one from them at a discount price compared to the retail stores and thinking of buying another for my wife. J.B.

Avoid at all cost. This company is a scam. I purchased two of the double kayak for my family of 4,…read morewe get there and the guy said the reservation was only for 2 persons. Also, take note that there is no reception at the Willowbeach. I wanted to pull up my receipt but was unable due to no service. We even asked Sup kayak if they have wifi and said no. Anyway, since my fam were already there, I ended up purchasing another double kayak and thats when they offered me to use their wifi so I can pay them via VENMO. Avoid avoid avoid.

Saguaro Lake Ranch Kayaking and Tubing

(67 reviews)

I have rented Kayaks from Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch several times over the past few years and have…read morealways had great service and a wonderful experience. Reserving a spot and kayak is easy on the online website. Once you navigate down to the main road to the Guest Ranch, it can be a little confusing as they always have a roadblock as you progress towards the parking lot. Just proceed past the sign to the parking lot ahead. After parking, walk back towards the ranch and check in. Guest services will provide a wrist band as well as a parking pass to place on your dashboard. Once your reservation time is ready, you will be provided a quick orientation of the equipment, navigation of the river and where the staff will pick you up at the end of your float. The staff is always super helpful. Be sure to bring plenty of water and a carabiner to hook on your dry bag or backpack to the kayak. Even though the majority of the river is an easy float, there are some small rapids. You may accidentally flip the kayak if you get caught in a tough spot on the River. This will prevent you from losing your bag! I'm experienced and have flipped once or twice. Depending on the time of year and water flow, the float can take 2 or 3 hours. Beautiful views of the landscape, wildlife including various birds and the gorgeous wild horses! At the end of the float, the staff will load your kayaks and take you back to the Guest Ranch. In the main building, be sure to stop by the gift shop prior or after the float for souvenirs or in case you forgot supplies you may need. They have several items including sunscreen, water shoes, hats, shirts snd much more. I found prices to be reasonable. This is the perfect place to bring out of town visitors. They will love it.

Such a fantastic time! I cannot recommend this enough…read more My bf and I are not outdoorsy people so I was nervous about how to take on the salt river. This was PERFECT, so happy we did this over the tubing. There's a reason tubing has mixed reviews and these are all positive! It took us exactly 2 hours and it was very leisure. We wanted to sit and enjoy the beauty, it was fun to race in our kayaks, and one time we pulled over to jump in the water to refresh. We did the 7:15am Sat July 5 hoping we would get a nice serene time and compared to how it usually sounds, it was very peaceful. Few party people down the river but nothing too crazy. I recommend not going later than 7:30 if you want a more peaceful time to yourself and low crowds. Plus the sun wasn't as brutal. Saw a woman go on her own, and you're definitely fine to do it by yourself. Charge up your phone so you have plenty of juice for photos and videos and in case you need to make a "help call" "Rapids" are not bad at all so fun and simple. The quality of what they provide is very nice. They send detailed instructions of what to expect, including parking (refer to email). Do not forget your water shoes. We didn't need a snack during but it was nice to have after, obviously water is a must plus sunscreen. We wore rash guards and hats and I recc that. Pre buy a waterproof phone lanyard. I got wonderful photos and videos from something cheap on Amazon The most wild life we saw was one horse and like 5 fish lol I wish there was an easier way to keep my water in front with me because every time I went to grab it behind me I was worried I would tip myself. I also wish they had little signs to point which way to go, it's simple, but after the excitement heat etc, it's like "wait they did say left middle right left, right?" lol Can't think of any other tips, besides just do this, can't imagine you would regret. We are new to the area and wanted to do something that felt very Arizona, super happy with the decision

Salt River Rafting

(52 reviews)

I'm not sure if this is a review for the tube renting place or for just going at all. But I highly…read morerecommend buying your own tubes to own forever, and if you have the opportunity take 2 cars to go to the top and drop off spot so you don't have for rent a tube. If you own your own tube, you can still rent a bus ride for $19. This is definitely an Arizona summer classic. Wow!! I'm updating to say that in all my 21 years I didn't realize that there was a difference between rafting and tubing and that there were 2 different of options on what you can do to go down the river. How freaking cool and thank you to the business owner for educating me!

This review is for a RAFTING & CAMPING trip (lol, I can't believe how many people have left reviews…read morefor tubing)! It's going to be my longest review ever! Where do I start?!? I have wanted to raft the Grand Canyon (Colorado River) my whole life so when my friend asked me if I wanted to raft the Salt River I said "heck yeah"!! My 2 top takes from this trip are RESPECT (respect these guides, the river and the land...they are awesome and deserve every bit of it) and don't judge a book by its cover... Upon arrival my friend became really nervous (she even had me getting nervous). She walked over and found our guide Ara and immediately came back feeling a lot better. We had plenty of time to get our PPE, buy some shirts/stickers/sunglass straps (cheaper than Amazon) and use the porta potty. An awesome guide explained safety instructions and insisted people listen! Respect him - it could save your life. He made sure everyone could see and hear him. Safety is their #1 important thing! All the rafts left at the same time. Us 3 and our guide in one boat. The rest of the boats seemed to be a high school trip. You do some practice paddling in the eddy before the first rapid. On that first rapid you have someone from the team taking your picture! After some amazing fun we stopped for lunch where the guides gave us chips and salsa to start while they made chicken fajitas (the chicken is separate from the onions and peppers which my friend appreciated because she doesn't like those veggies). We had plenty of time to eat, drink water and use the porta potty. I highly suggest doing the full day because this is where it would end for the half day/no lunch trips. It is soooo worth it to continue on. We got to learn a lot about our amazing guide Ara, we instantly trusted her beyond words. She has years of experience and has paddled rivers from AZ to Alaska! She has her own raft and constantly going on new adventures. Looking at her...young and a girl...you may second guess going with her but this is why I say never judge a book by its cover! She was amazing!!! We all had absolutely 100% trust in her!!! The whole team is on top of things. I was so impressed how they handled a raft that was pulled over. One by one they pulled to the side and waited or assisted the stopped raft. Later I overheard one of the kids say he purposely fell off the raft - don't do that. It's not cool - respect the river and the guides!! They drove us back to our truck and dropped Ara off at camp (where we had lunch) to start preparing for our evening of appetizers and dinner. We drove back to camp and set up our tents and Ara brought over a wonderful charcuterie board (I love these)!! After setting up Ara had a nice fire going while she finished up dinner. She made the most amazing Alfredo/pesto tortellini, salad and bread! It was so good I forgot to take a picture!! While we were eating she mentioned something about baking a cake (I was thinking it must be one of the guide's birthday's). Nope!! She baked us a pineapple upside down cake in the cast iron Dutch oven! Omg so delicious! All the guides in the camp were so welcoming and friendly! They invited us to play horseshoes, sat with us by the fire and really made us feel included (after all this is their home for the season). The next morning Ara had yogurt, fruit, leftover cake (my friend was really happy about that) orange juice and coffee waiting while we tried to wake up. We took our time...Ara always made sure things flowed on our time. She never pressured us or rushed us - it was absolutely wonderful. She cooked us a nice breakfast of croissant sandwiches and we had to pack up and head out. We made sure to tip her (and if I could have made it 100% of the cost I would have) she hugged us and we said our goodbyes! Everyone we met was amazing!! Ara, Annie the dog, Stu and G-String (my ears must of been waterlogged because I swear that's what his name was - lol). I wish I remembered more names but these were our top favorites. They have me wanting to do the 5 day trip next!!

Buzzed Up Adventures

(10 reviews)

I met Dylan over a year ago at a networking event, and ever since, I've been excited to share his…read moreincredible services. He owns Buzzed Up Adventures, where he and his team offer exhilarating guided kayak tours through Arizona's stunning waterways, like the Salt River, along with kayak and SUP paddleboard rentals. Dylan provides an unforgettable experience for visitors and locals alike who want to explore water sports outdoors. His top-quality equipment and thorough preparation ensure a fun, safe, and memorable adventure, all at competitive rates. Having lived in AZ since 2014, I was amazed to discover his services and am so grateful we connected. I highly recommend Dylan to anyone seeking a fantastic Kayak or SUP experience. AAA+++.

Dylan is incredible! He is insanely knowledgeable about the Salt River and provides such a safe and…read morefun environment out on the water. My wife and I had a few out-of-town friends in town and decided to hit up Buzzed Up Adventures for a summer friendly activity in the Valley. Dylan was very communicative and professional when coordinating with him. He was on-time the morning of our float and even had some coolers available for us to use that he stocked with ice and water. Dylan got the 6 of us all loaded into our kayaks and onto the water after a few quick admin things. Dylan gave us options on the river of different paths we could take, took some group photos for us, and taught us about some of the wildlife in the area. We ended up seeing close to 40 wild horses that were gorgeous! Having a guide like Dylan took a lot of stress and planning out of our hands, which we are forever grateful. I will definitely be booking more floats in the future with Buzzed Up Adventures!

Next Level Paddle

(1 review)

This place has everything you need for a fun day on the water. The highest quality equipment,…read moreHemlock hats, Sun Bum sunscreen, cooler backpacks, sunglasses, snacks, ice etc. We had so much fun paddlebaording at Canyon Lake. They also offer kayaks if that's more your style. I highly recommend this family owned business to rent or purchase your equipment.

Redline Kayak and Paddleboard Rentals and Sales

3.8

(4 reviews)

Had an amazing experience renting paddle boards from Redline! Very informative and helpful with…read moretalking to my wife and I, first time paddle boarders, about how to ride the boards. They suggested kayak paddles so we would have an easier time and more control going down the salt river. Even had other gear we could purchase or rent to make our time easier. The boards are extremely stable and glided across the water with ease! They're way easier to climb back aboard when we would get in the water to cool off. Will definitely be renting from them again. Couldn't ask for a better experience with renting any water crafts.

Cheap, easy purchase, and very knowledgeable about the products. The staff was very helpful in…read morepicking out the right paddle boards for our needs and wants. Zack was a big help and a great salesman.

Saguaro Lake

(63 reviews)

We love going to Saguaro lake. Boating, fishing, wildlife nature, trails, and excitement love the…read moreadventure every time.

My tips when visiting saguaro lake:…read more - Arrive early if you're planning to rent a boat or kayak, especially on weekends. The marina can get crowded and boats are in high demand. - Bring plenty of water! Arizona heat can be brutal, even in the fall and spring. Make sure to stay hydrated, especially if you're hiking or spending time on the water. - If you're visiting for the first time, be sure to take a boat tour to get a unique perspective of the area. - Watch out for wildlife . You might spot herons, eagles, and even bighorn sheep along the trails, so keep an eye out! Plan your visit during the off-season (fall or spring) to avoid the summer heat and the crowds.

East Valley Jet Ski Rentals