It’s never too early to start planning summer vacations, and tubing is always an essential activity to include in your itinerary. From rugged natural beauty to the finest resort waterparks the Grand Canyon State has to offer, there is no shortage of lazy rivers in Arizona to help you beat the heat.
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- Salt River
Flickr/Becca Kumar We wouldn’t dream of kicking off this list with anything other than the one and only Salt River. It’s easily the most popular destination for tubing in Arizona, and – in our humble opinion – for good reason! Float trips range from two to five hours with Salt River Tubing, all of which feature the same leisurely current, striking canyon views, and wildlife. Enjoy your summer at Salt River Tubing. Salt River Tubing, 9200 N Bush Hwy, Mesa, AZ 85215, USA
- Verde River
Flickr/Coconino National Forest Named after its unmistakable blue-green waters, the Verde River is only one of two Arizona rivers classified as “wild and scenic.” Its rugged beauty must be seen to believe, with lush greenery and jutting bluffs akin to a tropical oasis. Take a guided tour of one of the best floats in Arizona, or you can forge your own path! Verde Adventure River Trips by Sedona Adventure Tours, 612 N Main St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326, USA
- Colorado River
Facebook/Yuma River Tubing There are many opportunities for tubing in Arizona. The Colorado River is a great place to tube, from Yuma to Lake Mead and everywhere in-between. Yuma River Tubing offers rentals and van rides from West Wetlands Park (which has a new beach, by the way), to Gateway Park or the confluence of the Gila and Colorado Rivers. You can choose between a ~60 minute or 3.5-hour trip. Visit Yuma River Tubing for details. West Wetlands Park, 282 N 12th Ave, Yuma, AZ 85364, USA
- Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak (Phoenix)
Facebook/Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak If getting pampered in paradise is more on-brand for you, Arizona has no shortage of resorts with lazy rivers. The one at Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak is half a mile long and flows around a center island filled with palm trees. The rest of the four-acre waterpark features plenty of opportunities to splash the day away, including a 130-foot-tall waterslide! Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak, 7677 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85020, USA
- Golfland Sunsplash (Mesa)
Facebook/Golfland Sunsplash Both a waterpark and family fun center, Golfland Sunplash has no shortage of attractions to keep the whole family entertained. The 800-foot-long Endless River is one of the perfect lazy rivers in Arizona for some low-key fun in the sun, with water buckets spaced throughout offering a fun, lighthearted surprise. Check out one of the best floats in Arizona. Golfland Sunsplash, 155 W Hampton Ave, Mesa, AZ 85210, USA
- JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa (Tucson)
Facebook/JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa One of Tucson’s top-rated hotels, the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass is one of the Arizona resorts with lazy rivers. It also features a multi-level pool, and water slide. It’s an ideal place to soak up some rays! JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, 3800 W Starr Pass Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA
- Arizona Grand Resort & Spa (Phoenix)
Facebook/Arizona Grand Resort Rounding out the list is Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, another hotel boasting a rather impressive lineup of water attractions. Among them are a side-by-side active river, wave pool, hot tub, and 8-story tower with three exhilarating slides. Spend the afternoon enjoying one of the best floats in Arizona Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, 8000 Arizona Grand Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85044, USA
How many of these lazy rivers in Arizona have you checked off your bucket list? Did we leave off your favorite spot? Let us know, and check out our previous article to learn more about the Salt River: This All-Day Float Trip will make your summer complete.
Flickr/Becca Kumar
We wouldn’t dream of kicking off this list with anything other than the one and only Salt River. It’s easily the most popular destination for tubing in Arizona, and – in our humble opinion – for good reason! Float trips range from two to five hours with Salt River Tubing, all of which feature the same leisurely current, striking canyon views, and wildlife. Enjoy your summer at Salt River Tubing.
Salt River Tubing, 9200 N Bush Hwy, Mesa, AZ 85215, USA
Flickr/Coconino National Forest
Named after its unmistakable blue-green waters, the Verde River is only one of two Arizona rivers classified as “wild and scenic.” Its rugged beauty must be seen to believe, with lush greenery and jutting bluffs akin to a tropical oasis. Take a guided tour of one of the best floats in Arizona, or you can forge your own path!
Verde Adventure River Trips by Sedona Adventure Tours, 612 N Main St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326, USA
Facebook/Yuma River Tubing
There are many opportunities for tubing in Arizona. The Colorado River is a great place to tube, from Yuma to Lake Mead and everywhere in-between. Yuma River Tubing offers rentals and van rides from West Wetlands Park (which has a new beach, by the way), to Gateway Park or the confluence of the Gila and Colorado Rivers. You can choose between a ~60 minute or 3.5-hour trip. Visit Yuma River Tubing for details.
West Wetlands Park, 282 N 12th Ave, Yuma, AZ 85364, USA
Facebook/Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak
If getting pampered in paradise is more on-brand for you, Arizona has no shortage of resorts with lazy rivers. The one at Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak is half a mile long and flows around a center island filled with palm trees. The rest of the four-acre waterpark features plenty of opportunities to splash the day away, including a 130-foot-tall waterslide!
Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak, 7677 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85020, USA
Facebook/Golfland Sunsplash
Both a waterpark and family fun center, Golfland Sunplash has no shortage of attractions to keep the whole family entertained. The 800-foot-long Endless River is one of the perfect lazy rivers in Arizona for some low-key fun in the sun, with water buckets spaced throughout offering a fun, lighthearted surprise. Check out one of the best floats in Arizona.
Golfland Sunsplash, 155 W Hampton Ave, Mesa, AZ 85210, USA
Facebook/JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa
One of Tucson’s top-rated hotels, the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass is one of the Arizona resorts with lazy rivers. It also features a multi-level pool, and water slide. It’s an ideal place to soak up some rays!
JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, 3800 W Starr Pass Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA
Facebook/Arizona Grand Resort
Rounding out the list is Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, another hotel boasting a rather impressive lineup of water attractions. Among them are a side-by-side active river, wave pool, hot tub, and 8-story tower with three exhilarating slides. Spend the afternoon enjoying one of the best floats in Arizona
Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, 8000 Arizona Grand Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85044, USA
Are there any restaurants, businesses, or other attractions in Arizona you think the world should know about? Head over to our nomination page and give them a shoutout — you just might see your submission featured in an upcoming article!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Lazy Rivers In Arizona May 08, 2022 Libby Monson Where can I go kayaking in Arizona?
If you are looking for one of the best floats in Arizona, try kayaking on Lynx Lake in the Prescott National Forest. Cool off from the summer heat at this high-altitude lake surrounded by the Bradshaw Mountains. You can rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboat at the lake and float in the serene beauty. There are also a few family-friendly trails if you feel like taking a hike, and this lake is well stocked with fish so bring along your pole. Where can I enjoy the longest lazy river in Arizona?
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale boasts the longest of the lazy rivers in Arizona. This 900-foot lazy river will have you relaxed in no time. Rent a cabana or the Tommy Bahama Relaxation Reef for total luxury. While you are there, you can also surf at the Kierland FlowRider flow-board simulator. Who knew you could surf in the desert? Are there any indoor lazy rivers in Arizona?
People in other parts of the country are looking for indoor water parks and lazy rivers because it’s too cold to swim outside. We love indoor water fun here in Arizona because we can stay out of the sun and still have a great time. Great Wolf Lodge in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the perfect waterpark if you want to stay indoors. You’ll have fun on the slides and playgrounds, and you’ll enjoy one of the best floats in Arizona on the lazy river. Go for the day or book a stay and enjoy a well-earned staycation. The whole family will love Great Wolf Lodge!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Lazy Rivers In Arizona
May 08, 2022
Libby Monson
Where can I go kayaking in Arizona?
If you are looking for one of the best floats in Arizona, try kayaking on Lynx Lake in the Prescott National Forest. Cool off from the summer heat at this high-altitude lake surrounded by the Bradshaw Mountains. You can rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboat at the lake and float in the serene beauty. There are also a few family-friendly trails if you feel like taking a hike, and this lake is well stocked with fish so bring along your pole. Where can I enjoy the longest lazy river in Arizona?
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale boasts the longest of the lazy rivers in Arizona. This 900-foot lazy river will have you relaxed in no time. Rent a cabana or the Tommy Bahama Relaxation Reef for total luxury. While you are there, you can also surf at the Kierland FlowRider flow-board simulator. Who knew you could surf in the desert? Are there any indoor lazy rivers in Arizona?
People in other parts of the country are looking for indoor water parks and lazy rivers because it’s too cold to swim outside. We love indoor water fun here in Arizona because we can stay out of the sun and still have a great time. Great Wolf Lodge in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the perfect waterpark if you want to stay indoors. You’ll have fun on the slides and playgrounds, and you’ll enjoy one of the best floats in Arizona on the lazy river. Go for the day or book a stay and enjoy a well-earned staycation. The whole family will love Great Wolf Lodge!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Where can I enjoy the longest lazy river in Arizona?
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale boasts the longest of the lazy rivers in Arizona. This 900-foot lazy river will have you relaxed in no time. Rent a cabana or the Tommy Bahama Relaxation Reef for total luxury. While you are there, you can also surf at the Kierland FlowRider flow-board simulator. Who knew you could surf in the desert?
Are there any indoor lazy rivers in Arizona?
People in other parts of the country are looking for indoor water parks and lazy rivers because it’s too cold to swim outside. We love indoor water fun here in Arizona because we can stay out of the sun and still have a great time. Great Wolf Lodge in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the perfect waterpark if you want to stay indoors. You’ll have fun on the slides and playgrounds, and you’ll enjoy one of the best floats in Arizona on the lazy river. Go for the day or book a stay and enjoy a well-earned staycation. The whole family will love Great Wolf Lodge!
