Lake Arrowhead Queen Tour Boat

What the tour is

The Arrowhead Queen is a small paddlewheel boat that runs a 50-minute narrated loop around Lake Arrowhead from the Village dock. A captain-guide walks you through the lake's history — the original 1920s dam, the reservoir that was meant to irrigate the desert and became a resort instead, and the famous homes along the shore. Lake Arrowhead has appeared in well over a hundred films (from Heidi to The Parent Trap to Space Jam), and the tour leans into that celebrity-and-movie angle.

It is a gentle sightseeing cruise. The boat tops out at about a walking pace, which is the point: this is the calm, scenic way to see a lake you otherwise can't touch.

The only public access to the water

Lake Arrowhead is private — you can't swim, launch a kayak, or bring your own boat unless you're an Arrowhead Lake Association member or their guest. The Queen is the exception: anyone can buy a ticket and get out on the water. If your family came up picturing a day on the lake and just discovered the docks are gated, this is the answer that saves the trip. Pair it with the lake access guide for the full picture of who gets on the lake and how.

Tickets, times, and how to not get stuck

Buy tickets in person at LeRoy's Boardshop, right on the dock in the Village, near where the boat boards — there's no online booking for the standard tour, so you show up, buy, and wait for the next departure. 2026 prices are $34.95 for adults (12–64), $32.95 for seniors 65+, $24.95 for kids 2–11, and free for children under 2.

Departures are frequent in summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day): every hour on weekends from 11am to 5pm, and roughly every 90 minutes on weekdays. In winter the boat still runs but on a shorter schedule — typically 11:00, 12:30, 2:00, and 3:30 — and cold or stormy days can cancel sailings, so call (909) 336-6992 in the off-season before you drive up. On a busy summer Saturday, buy your ticket when you arrive in the Village and then go eat or shop until your departure rather than waiting in line for a full boat.

Kids under 12 must wear the life vest the crew provides. The tour is dog-friendly; leashed dogs are welcome aboard, which is rare for a boat tour.

Is it worth it?

For a first visit, yes. It's the best way to understand the lake, and 50 minutes and ~$35 is a fair trade for an experience otherwise locked behind private membership. It's especially good with kids, older relatives, or anyone who can't hike. Repeat visitors and hardcore hikers may find it slow; if you're on a tight budget with a big group, know it adds up fast for a family of four (roughly $120). Private charters are available through the same operator if you want the boat to yourself for an event.