CroMary/Shutterstock.com
One of the latest trends in water sport adventures involves standing on top of it! Created by Waikiki surfing instructors in Hawaii, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is fairly young as far as sports go. Many view SUP as therapeutic and healing as paddlers are connected to water and the nature surrounding them. You’ll find the best spots to paddleboard in Arkansas when you’re rollin’ on our beautiful rivers and lakes. Check out our picks for five of the greatest spots to paddleboard in the Natural State!
Beaver Lake is one of the most popular bodies of water in the Natural State, making it a perfect spot for paddleboarding as well as many other water activities. Formed by a dam across the White River, the 28,370-acre Beaver Lake is a man-made reservoir that is nestled high up in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas near Rogers, Arkansas. Check out nearby SUP-Outfitters for rentals, lessons, tours, and more!
This spot is not only perfect for paddleboarding, but it is also a historic journey that begins in the Boston Mountain region of the beautiful Ozarks. Established in 1972, the 135-mile Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas was our nation’s first national river and is one of just a few remaining free-flowing, undammed rivers in the lower 48 states.
As the only resort state park in Arkansas, DeGray Lake has much to offer when it comes to water sports. The man-made, 13,400-acre DeGray Lake is one of five “Diamond Lakes” in the Natural State, due to its crystal-clear waters. Formed by a dam across the Caddo River, DeGray Lake is nestled in the ridges of the beautiful Ouachita Mountains in West-Central Arkansas. Rent a stand-up paddleboard for a half day for $15 or $25 for a full day.
As well as being one of the most popular rivers in the Natural State, the Ouachita is also the 25th longest river in the United States and a great spot for paddleboarding. The 605-mile-long Ouachita River begins on Rich Mountain in the beautiful Ouachita Mountains of Polk and Montgomery Counties.
The 102-acre Lake Wedington is often overlooked when it comes to recreational water sports. This awesome lake is located next to the 424-acre Lake Wedington Recreational Area that was created out of the Great Depression and finished in 1938 by that era’s Works Progress Administration (WPA). Check out Love to Float Outfitters for rentals. Stand-up paddleboard rates are $15 per hour, $40 for a half day, or $60 for a full day.
