All Day Arizona Kayak & Paddle Board Rentals

Our location is the last commercial stop to rent kayaks in Mesa before heading out to the Salt River and Saguaro Lake. Whether you are coming from the north or south side of the 202 Freeway, our location is ideal. Our kayak rentals include everything you need to be safe and have fun: Paddles, Life jackets, Universal mount for any car, Ratchet straps to secure & more!

Closest Shop to the Water

Moving from a garage to a shop down by the river! In March of 2024, we completed the purchase of AZ Kayaks!

We moved into a shop at Ellsworth and Brown  1035 N Ellsworth Rd #107, Mesa, AZ 85207 that put us on the map as the closest shop to the water.

OUR 5 STAR GOOGLE REVIEWS

EXCELLENT
140 reviews on
Kaleigh Sather
Kaleigh Sather
2024-04-07
Love this place! The location is hard to beat, they are super helpful, and their inventory of kayaks and paddle boards are some of the best on the market! Highly recommend!
Amy Brunette
Amy Brunette
2024-04-05
Gary was fantastic! I asked him all the questions and he was nothing but helpful!
Malia Newcomb
Malia Newcomb
2024-03-25
I wish I could give more than 5 stars!! We rented paddle boards which came with the inflatable boards, paddles, manual pumps, and life jackets. The owner also offered us an electric pump that was a game-changer for sure. The gear was in great shape, and they were so accommodating of our schedule to pick up and drop off the gear. They were quickly responsive to our texts. He also helped us to figure out how to get the needed parking passes for the lakes we planned to go to. Would highly recommend!
Jewel T
Jewel T
2024-02-27
Our experience renting paddle boards was great! Gary was very helpful and we had a great time thanks to him!
Scott Brown
Scott Brown
2023-12-05
Gary is a wonderful guy. Outstanding customer service. Goes above and beyond. Highly recommend.
Sandi Snyder
Sandi Snyder
2023-11-15
Great place to rent paddleboards. Would use them again FOR SURE
Jenny Brooks
Jenny Brooks
2023-11-14
Amazing service! Great equipment! Worked perfect for a beginner like me. Highly recommend!
Christy Askew
Christy Askew
2023-10-03
Horseshoe Bend with Canyon Paddle Co. was “EPIC” on 9/29/23 - 9/30/23. One of the best adventures I have ever been on! The owner Gary (guide) is absolutely amazing! He is so organized & protective that it makes the trip absolutely enjoyable with no stress! He loves everything about water & paddling! I 110% recommend this trip for anyone that loves nature & paddling, you will remember & reminisce this adventure for a lifetime for sure! ❤️❤️
Valerie Leach
Valerie Leach
2023-10-01
This was truly an amazing experience made even better due to Gary’s expertise and knowledge of the area and the water. Booking with Canyon Paddle Co. was the best decision in seeing Horseshoe Bend and the Colorado River this way. Gary went out of his way for our group many times and we will 100% book with him again.
Allison Mellin
Allison Mellin
2023-09-28
Renting here was perfect for our afternoon trip to Canyon Lake. We rented two paddle boards and Gary gave us great recommendations for where to go! They were really flexible and easy to work with. 100% recommend Canyon Paddle Co.

Paddle Board & KAYAK Rentals 2024

FAQ

What is your weekend pricing?

We have single kayaks and paddle boards available for $35/day and double kayaks are $49/day. On Friday-Sunday, and holidays our pricing changes to $49/day for single kayaks and paddle boards and $69/day for double kayaks. 

What is the Address to the Shop?

1035 N Ellsworth Rd #107, Mesa, AZ 85207

We moved into a shop at Ellsworth and Brown  that put us on the map as the closest shop to the water, but, standing on the water and paddling down the river offered a totally different experience.

Can I walk in to order?
We might be picking up inventory or out for lunch, but yes, you can walk in at the shop. Reservations are preferred as they help us be efficient, prepared for your order, and ready give you the time and attention during your scheduled time.
How long do the rentals last?

Our kayak and paddle board rentals last all day long ☀️. Just enjoy your day and bring back your rental when you are ready.

What times can I pick up or drop off?
You can reserve your kayak or paddle board rentals as early as 6:30am and return as late as 8:00pm. If you have to return later than 5pm, we most likely won’t be at the shop, but we can give you our secondary drop-off location if you ask us.
Does my rental come with lifejackets and paddles?
Yes, we won’t leave you hangin’. Every rental comes with a lifejacket and paddle.
What do I need for my adventure?
You will need to purchase a Tonto Pass to avoid being towed or ticketed at the lakes or rivers. They can be purchased at our shop or next door to our shop at Bashas’ or the Chevron gas station for $8, or at a Tonto Pass Machine at the lake or river for $12.

UPCOMING 2024 PADDLE/KAYAKING EVENTS, RACES, Cost sharing trips, & GUIDED TOURS

COST SHARING TRIPS

Horseshoe Bend

Trip Details:
  • Overnight camping trip under the world-renowned Horseshoe Bend Lookout, starting from Gilbert, Arizona, with a five-hour travel to Lees Ferry, just outside of Page, AZ.
  • Take a backhaul (boat ride) from Lee’s Ferry up to Glen Canyon Dam to reach the top for paddling downriver.

Day One:

  • Paddle 6 miles to the campsite, usually mile nine campgrounds, observing petroglyphs and natural springs along the way. Camping in Marble Canyon offers amazing stargazing opportunities.
Day Two:
  • Paddle 9 miles back down to Lees Ferry, optionally visiting a slot canyon hike 4 miles from Lee’s Ferry. Stop in Flagstaff for lunch on the return trip to Gilbert.
Meeting Options:
  • Meet the group at Lee’s Ferry with provided details. Rental boards available if needed.
Amenities:
  • Shuttle to Horseshoe Bend includes a continental breakfast. Overnight camping includes provided firewood, games on the beach, and sometimes live music with a resident guitarist. Itinerary, packing list, and assistance offered.

2024 Dates:

DATES COMING SOON

2 Options (Please reach out to let us know the date before you pay):

  1. Horseshoe Bend Adventure - Shuttle with us - $260
  2. Horseshoe Bend Adventure - Meet us at Lee’s Ferry - $160

We are a member and an outfitter with the American Canoe Association.

GUIDED TRIPS & TOURS

AZ Hot Springs/ Emerald Cave Guided Tour

Trip Details:

  • 2-day trip starting just below Hoover Dam and spanning 12 miles to Willow Beach.
  • Abundance of history and sights, including Sauna caves, waterfalls, AZ hot springs, Emerald Cave, and more.
  • Overnight camping at AZ hot springs with pit toilets available.
  • The area is inhabited by critters (skunks, racoons, snakes), so a hard shell container was provided for food storage.

Logistics and Safety:

  • Colorado River trip along the Arizona-Nevada Border.
  • Guide equipped with a satellite phone for emergencies (no phone service), WAG bags (required by forest service), and plastic containers for food.
  • Guide's extensive knowledge of the water and the specific section of the Colorado River.
  • A background check is required for security clearance at the top.

Experience:

  • Beginner and Intermediate
  • Unforgettable trip with the potential for repeated visits.

2 Options (Please reach out to let us know the date before you pay):

  1. Shuttle with us
  2. Meet us at willow beach and shuttle with us through security

We are a member and an outfitter with the American Canoe Association.

2024 EVENTS & RACES

Full Moon Paddles

A whole new world opens up on the river at night, especially under a full moon. You won't believe how bright it gets on the water.

More dates are coming soon!

Havasu Heat April 6 - Rotary Park

Join us for the 5th annual Havasu Heat Race in Beautiful Lake Havasu Arizona. Paddlers come together from Arizona, California, Utah, New Mexico and Hawaii to participate in either short or long course racing.

The Havasu Heat Race is one of the classic desert lake races featuring OC-1's, OC-2's, OC6's, Surfski, Traditional Paddleboard, Standup Paddleboard, V1 and Kayak.

PFD's and leashes are highly encouraged.

Salt River Speed Paddles

Speed Paddle with us on Friday Mornings in the Summer. Contact us for more details.

Another Dam Race

Blue Water Resort & Casino
Parker, AZ
November 9 & 10, 2024
Registration opens April 21.

OUR HISTORY

1976  & Beyond – Arizona Natives

1976 and beyond- the owner of Canyon Paddle, Gary Krauser, was born in Tempe, AZ in 1976. He grew up in Mesa, AZ and all growing up he camped and swam all over the state. Many weekends were spent during high school years on both Canyon & Saguaro lake. As a lot of AZ kids did growing up, many summers were spent in San Diego snorkeling, surfing, body boarding and body surfing. Gary spent 1 1/2 years living in San Diego in Junior high and has always had a love for the water. Not only does Gary love his home state of AZ, he has a deep connection to San Diego and Southern California. Gary graduated from Westwood High School in Mesa, AZ in 1994 and moved to South America in 1995 where he learned to speak the Spanish language in Bolivia. He has lived in the same house in Gilbert, AZ since 1998. Gary loves to travel with his family and Canyon Paddle Boards have been in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico and many rivers in between.

 

2010 – First Canoe Trip Down the Salt River

Our love for the river started on a random trip with some friends and some rented canoes. It was that day that we began introducing others to the beauty of the river. Many river trips with canoes were made.

2011 –  Introduced to Kayaking & the Upper Salt River

A whole new world was opened up once we sat in a kayak. The control difference was amazing and our love for the river only intensified. We spent as much time as we could on the lower salt river and were limited to one time per year on the upper salt.

2017 – The Paddleboard Era Began

While kayaking with a group, a friend brought his paddleboard. In his words, “it’s the best way to go down the river”. While we thought he was crazy, he was right. Canoeing was fun, kayaking was amazing but, standing on the water and paddling down the river offered a totally different experience. On a paddleboard, you can see so much more of the river and its banks. We continue to kayak rapids on the Verde and upper salt but our greatest love is truly paddle boarding the lower salt.

2024 – Moving To A Shop Down By The River

Moving from a garage to a shop down by the river! In March of 2024, we completed the purchase of AZ Kayaks and moved into a shop at Ellsworth and Brown that put us on the map as the closest shop to the water, but, standing on the water and paddling down the river offered a totally different experience.

VIEW THE FLOW OF THE SALT RIVER

Shop Address:

1035 N Ellsworth Rd #107, Mesa, AZ 85207

We moved into a shop at Ellsworth and Brown that put us on the map as the closest shop to the water.

Business/Shop Number:

480-690-3222

Canyon Paddle Co