The city of Peoria is home to a scenic desert oasis - Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Surrounded by the Sonoran desert, it is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream destination for action and adventure. With more than 23,000 acres of water and beautiful, unblemished desert landscape, Lake Pleasant Regional Park is one of the most scenic recreation areas in the Valley. There are a number of adventures to embark upon including kayaking, fishing, scuba diving, camping, stargazing and even scorpion hunting.

At the Lake Pleasant Nature Center, guests can learn about the history of the area and desert wildlife. Step out onto the balcony surrounding the Nature Center to get a beautiful view of Lake Pleasant and a close up look at Waddell Dam. The breathtaking views offer visitors a great place to relax, whether it is from a boat or shoreline picnic site. The lake is a top destination for outdoor recreation, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

Lake Pleasant Regional Park is operated by Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department.

Public Boating and Kayaking

Lake Pleasant is a water enthusiast's dream with wake boarding, boating and kayaking among some of the most popular activities.

Lake Pleasant Regional Park offers two boat launching ramps: a 4-lane and 10-lane ramp for launching your own boat or watercraft. Both ramps have restroom facilities, paved parking lots, and are functional to a water elevation of 1,600 feet.

The 10-lane parking area allows for 480 vehicles, 355 vehicles with trailers, and 124 cars.

The 4-lane ramp is located at the north end of the lake and the parking area allows for 112 vehicles with boat trailers.

• Bring your own boat
• Boat rentals available - half-day or full-day
• Water skiing and wakeboarding

Pleasant Harbor Marina

Pleasant Harbor is conveniently located on the beautiful southeastern shores of Lake Pleasant They are open to the public and offer facilities to go boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, wakeboarding, scuba diving, sailing, hiking, kayaking and even flyboarding! Whether you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, or simply wish to have some fun in the sun, Lake Pleasant is the perfect anytime getaway. 

Here, you'll find Dillon’s Bayou Bar & Restaurant, Pleasant Harbor Boat Rental, Go Paddle, Go Sail and Lake Pleasant Boat Cruises.

Pleasant Harbor Marina
40202 N 87th Ave
Peoria, AZ 85383
(623) 235-6130 (Marina Office)

Scorpion Bay Marina

Scorpion Bay at Lake Pleasant offers convenience and world-class marina services for marine enthusiasts and family fun. With hourly and daily boat rentals including pontoons, fishing boats, ski-boats, kayaks and other water toys, you’re sure to find a full day of entertainment on the water.

Because it is part of Lake Pleasant Regional Park, visitors can also venture out for hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing in the area. Parking is easily accessible and our no cost electric tram will take guests and their gear from the parking lot to the dock in minutes.

After a day out on the water, hungry water goers can find fresh food, cocktails and a 365 degree view of all the beauty the Sonoran Desert has to offer.

Scorpion Bay Marina
10970 W. Peninsula Rd.
Peoria, AZ 85383
(928) 501 2628

Visit Scorpion Bay online for detailed driving instructions

Private Party Boat Rentals

View listings of private watercraft for rent at Lake Pleasant on mobile apps such as GetMyBoat. GetMyBoat is a service that allows users to rent boats and other watercraft from other individuals worldwide, including at Lake Pleasant.

Any reference obtained from this website to a specific product or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the City of Peoria of the product, service, or its producer or provider. 

GetMyBoat.com

Fishing

The fish are biting at Lake Pleasant! Individual and club fishing is available at Lake Pleasant by boat or shoreline. There is also a floating bridge located on the Pipeline Canyon Trail, just 0.6 miles from the trailhead. Please note: the floating bridge depends on lake levels, which fluctuate seasonally. Various clubs and organizations host amateur to pro-national fishing events at Lake Pleasant each year.

Spring and summer are the optimal times to fish at the lake. For anglers, spring is best due to the higher water level. Large-mouth bass in the shallows and white and striped bass are also in season.

Summertime heat pushes the fish into deeper water where it's cooler. Night fishing, a popular activity at Lake Pleasant, is one way to increase your odds for large-mouth bass. White bass or stripers are active in deeper water whereas catfish are most active at night in the coves.

Camping

You don’t have to drive far to sleep under the stars! With 148 sites for RV and tent camping in both developed and semi-developed sites, Lake Pleasant Regional Park is a great place to camp. All campground reservations are made through Maricopa County Parks, which operates Lake Pleasant Regional Park.

Campgrounds

Desert Tortoise Campground has 76 campsites, 25 Developed Sites, 41 semi-developed sites, and 10 tent sites.

Roadrunner Campground and Picnic Area offers 72 sites for RV and tent camping. All sites are developed.

Large groups can reserve the Desert Tortoise Group Campground. The Group Campground includes a parking area for RV's, picnic tables, and ramadas. The use of this area is by reservation only and requires a commitment of 10 units.

Restroom and shower facilities are available at both types of campsites. Lake Pleasant Regional Park also has shoreline/primitive camping during most of the year, depending on water levels.

For information on camping fees, click on the following link to be redirected to the "Fees" page: Make campsite reservations at Maricopa County Parks website

Learn more about camping at Lake Pleasant

Scuba Diving

Lake Pleasant is known for having some of the best inland scuba diving in the western states. With an abundance of rock walls, canyons and underwater structures, like the old Waddell Dam, scuba divers are bound to find something new to explore at the lake!

The lake contains approximately 10,000-acres of surface water which can reach up to depths of 260 ft. when the lake is full, and offers a wide variety of terrain for all levels of scuba divers.

Stargazing

There's something about the serenity of the lake and quiet desert landscaping against the backdrop of beautiful Arizona skies that makes for an ideal evening outdoors. Through Maricopa County Parks, visitors can engage in stargazing at one of Arizona's most treasured lakes. They even provide the telescope. This one-of-a-kind experience is something the whole family can enjoy where, visitors will view and learn about the moon, the planets, deep space objects like star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. Bring your own chairs and snacks.

These programs are conducted by Tony La Conte of Stargazing For Everyone. The cost for the program is in the day-use park park entry fee.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Kayak Rentals

Go Paddle AZ, a local paddle boarding and kayak rental company, offers rentals and classes, including Paddle board Yoga on the calming waters of Lake Pleasant. They provide all the Stand Up Paddle Board rentals and necessary equipment to get started. They are located at the Pleasant Harbor Marina on Lake Pleasant.

Go Paddle AZ
(602) 904-0519
www.gopaddleaz.com

Learn to Sail

Have you ever wanted to learn to sail? Go Sail AZ is an American Sailing Association (ASA) approved instructor that teaches the basics of sailboat operation. This program is designed for anyone with an interest in adventure to learn to sail safely and confidently. Whether you’re 8 years old or 80 years old, you are bound to enjoy your time! You can also enroll in ASA certification courses.

Go Sail AZ
(602) 882-4398
www.gosailaz.com

Moonlight Scorpion Hunting

Grab a blacklight, strap on your hiking boots and bring your sense of adventure while you hunt for scorpions under the light of the moon. Find and investigate scorpions, an Arizona desert dweller, in their Lake Pleasant habitat. Guided and self-guided "hunting" tours are available and are a great activity for the family. 

"This was a very cool signature Arizona event that my boys and I loved, highly recommended!" - travelinfam25 via TripAdvisor

Learn more about upcoming scorpion hunts and other events by moonlight

Dinner Cruises

In addition to its abundance of desert beauty, Arizona is known for its breathtaking sunsets. Experience an Arizona sunset in its finest form on a cruise around Lake Pleasant!

In addition to daily sightseeing, sunset dinner, and live music, cocktail cruises, Lake Pleasant Cruises offers special event cruises, such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day brunch, as well as private charters for wedding and parties.

Lake Pleasant Cruises
Pleasant Harbor Marina
8708 W Harbor Blvd.
Peoria, AZ 85383
602-456-9955

World's Largest Floating Water Slide

Lake Pleasant is home to H2 Whoa! This one-of-a-kind attraction is recognized by Guinness as the World's Largest Floating Waterslide. This floating platform launches riders into the air for a big thrill! Available for groups and private events as well. Not operated by or affiliated with City of Peoria.

H2 Whoa! at Lake Pleasant
Pleasant Harbor Marina Dock
40202 N 87th Ave
Peoria, AZ 85383
480-466-2904

Kayak Tours

Book a private, guided kayak tour of Lake Pleasant to experience the beauty of the desert from a unique perspective. Tours include kayaks, paddles, and life vests. Not operated by or affiliated with City of Peoria.

Desert Breeze Kayaking Tours LLC
41835 N Castle Hot Springs Rd.
Peoria, AZ 85342
(623) 499-8102