While Lake Tahoe spans both California and Nevada, the Nevada shoreline offers some of the most scenic and accessible paddle boarding on the entire lake. Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in the United States, covering roughly 122,000 acres and known for its famously clear, deep-blue water.

Two standout paddle boarding locations on the Nevada side are Crystal Bay and Zephyr Cove, each offering a slightly different experience while showcasing Tahoe’s breathtaking beauty.

Crystal Bay is one of the clearest and coldest sections of Lake Tahoe. Launching from Incline Village is highly recommended, as it provides easy water access and convenient paddle board rentals if you’re traveling light.

Even in midsummer, water temperatures here often hover in the low-to-mid 50s, making a wetsuit a smart choice. The payoff is exceptional visibility, calm mornings, and glassy water that feels almost surreal beneath your board.

This is a must-paddle location for experienced SUP riders, photographers, and anyone looking for a pristine alpine paddle.

Zephyr Cove is slightly more sheltered and family-friendly, with wide sandy beaches and easier launch points. While water temperatures are often only marginally warmer than Crystal Bay, the protected cove makes this a great spot for beginners and longer relaxed paddles.

Launching from Zephyr Cove Marina or the surrounding beaches allows you to explore calm shoreline water, ideal for SUP yoga, casual cruising, or paddling with kids and dogs.

Just 20 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, Lake Las Vegas is a surprisingly peaceful paddle boarding destination. This 320-acre lake sits within a planned resort community and offers calm water, scenic architecture, and consistent conditions.

It’s an excellent spot for:

• First-time paddle boarders

• SUP yoga classes

• Escaping desert heat

Rentals, restaurants, and easy access make Lake Las Vegas one of the most convenient SUP locations in Nevada.

For paddlers who prefer moving water, the Carson River offers two excellent routes.

• Beginner Route: A 3.5-mile paddle from Carson River Park to Morgan Mill Road

• Advanced Route: The 14-mile Carson River Aquatic Trail

Along the way, paddlers may spot wild horses, turtles, hawks, owls, bald eagles, and other desert wildlife. Due to rocky sections, a durable inflatable SUP is strongly recommended.

Pyramid Lake is Nevada’s largest natural lake, covering nearly 125,000 acres. The iconic pyramid-shaped tufa rock formations create a dramatic landscape and a stunning backdrop for paddle boarding and SUP yoga.

SUP anglers will find Pyramid Lake especially unique, as it is home to the Cui-ui fish, a species found nowhere else in the world. Fishing regulations change seasonally, so it’s important to check with the ranger station before launching.

Dogs are allowed, but be mindful: Pyramid Lake is a sulfur lake, and pets should not drink the water.

High in the mountains, Cold Lakes are a series of glacial tarns that reward adventurous paddlers willing to hike in. These remote lakes are quiet, uncrowded, and surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery.

An inflatable paddle board is ideal here due to the carry-in access. Calm water and solitude make Cold Lakes an exceptional spot for SUP yoga and peaceful paddling far from crowds.

• Alpine paddle boarding on Lake Tahoe, Cold Lakes, and Pyramid Lake

• Beginner-friendly flatwater and SUP yoga near Las Vegas

• Scenic river paddling with wildlife on the Carson River

Nevada may be known for deserts and neon lights, but its paddle boarding opportunities are surprisingly diverse. From alpine lakes and desert rivers to remote mountain tarns, the Silver State offers unforgettable SUP adventures for paddlers of every skill level.

Whether you’re cruising Tahoe’s crystal-clear water, spotting wildlife along the Carson River, or finding serenity at Cold Lakes, paddle boarding in Nevada delivers scenery and variety few states can match.