Kayak & Boat Rentals Near Lake Arrowhead
You cannot rent a kayak, paddleboard, or self-drive boat on Lake Arrowhead itself — it's a private, members-only lake, and even your own kayak needs an ALA membership, boat decal, and operator license to launch. The only ways onto Lake Arrowhead's water as a visitor are captained: the Arrowhead Queen tour boat and McKenzie Water Ski School (captained ski/wakeboard trips). To rent and paddle a kayak or SUP yourself, go to a public lake nearby — Lake Gregory (~15 min) or Silverwood Lake (~30 min).
The facts
- On Lake Arrowhead itself
- No public/self-serve kayak, SUP, or boat rentals — private lake
- Captained options
- Arrowhead Queen tour boat; McKenzie Water Ski School (captained only)
- Rent & paddle yourself
- At public lakes: Lake Gregory, Silverwood Lake, Green Valley Lake
- Closest rental
- Lake Gregory (~15 min) — kayaks, SUP, Duffy & pedal boats
- Bring your own kayak?
- Only with ALA membership + boat decal + operator license
Getting there
Get directions →Why you can't rent a kayak on Lake Arrowhead
Lake Arrowhead is private, owned by the Arrowhead Lake Association (ALA). The rules are strict and they apply to every vessel, including a small kayak or canoe: to put anything on the water you must be an ALA member, your craft must carry a current ALA boat decal, and the operator needs a valid boat operator license. There is no public launch ramp, no walk-up rental kiosk, and no day pass that gets a visitor's kayak onto the lake.
So the answer to “where can I rent a kayak on Lake Arrowhead?” is: you can't, not on the lake itself. There are two workarounds. One gets you onto this lake with a captain; the other gets you paddling on your own a short drive away.
On Lake Arrowhead: the captained options
If it's specifically Lake Arrowhead you want to be on, two operators run out of the Village — both captained, because self-drive rentals aren't allowed:
The Lake Arrowhead Queen — a 50-minute narrated paddlewheel cruise, ~$35/adult, tickets dockside at LeRoy's Boardshop. The easy, everyone-can-do-it way onto the water.
McKenzie Water Ski School — on the Village docks since 1946, offering water-ski, wakeboard, and wakesurf sessions for all levels (they provide wetsuits; a ride-along around the lake is popular even if you don't ski). Their own listing is blunt about it: Lake Arrowhead is a private lake, all boats are run by McKenzie's captains, and there are no personal watercraft or vessel rentals. Book ahead; it's seasonal. Call the Ski Dock / McKenzie for current rates and times.
Rent and paddle yourself: the public lakes
To rent a kayak, paddleboard, or boat and drive it yourself, head to a public lake — all within about 15–30 minutes:
Lake Gregory (Crestline, ~15 min) — the closest and easiest. The park rents Duffy electric boats, and concessionaires rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and the classic pedal/swan boats; private kayaks, canoes, and SUPs are welcome too. An 86-acre lake, calm and beginner-friendly. The go-to for a spur-of-the-moment paddle.
Silverwood Lake (~30 min) — a state recreation area with a full marina: kayak, canoe, and patio-boat rentals, a public launch ramp, plus water-skiing and personal-watercraft zones. The pick for a bigger day on the water or for motorized boats. Note California now requires a Boating Card to operate a motorized vessel.
Green Valley Lake (~25 min) — small and quiet, with modest seasonal rentals; good if you want a mellow paddle away from crowds.
Because these are public, you don't need any membership — just show up (or reserve in peak season), sign the waiver, and go.
The quick decision
Want to be on Lake Arrowhead specifically? Take the Arrowhead Queen (sightseeing) or book McKenzie (water sports) — both captained. Want to rent a kayak/SUP and paddle on your own? Drive 15 minutes to Lake Gregory, or 30 to Silverwood. Bringing your own kayak? Skip Lake Arrowhead entirely (member-only) and launch at Lake Gregory or Silverwood, where private craft are welcome.
Frequently asked questions
Can you rent a kayak on Lake Arrowhead?
Not on Lake Arrowhead itself — it's a private, members-only lake with no public rentals or launch. Rent kayaks at nearby public lakes instead: Lake Gregory (~15 min) or Silverwood Lake (~30 min).
Can you rent a boat on Lake Arrowhead?
There are no self-drive boat rentals on Lake Arrowhead because it's private. The only ways onto the lake as a visitor are captained: the Arrowhead Queen tour boat, or McKenzie Water Ski School for ski/wakeboard trips. For self-drive boat rentals, go to Silverwood Lake or Lake Gregory.
Can I bring my own kayak to Lake Arrowhead?
Not unless you're an ALA member. Every vessel on Lake Arrowhead — including a private kayak or canoe — needs an ALA membership, a current boat decal, and an operator license. Bring your own kayak to Lake Gregory or Silverwood Lake instead, where private craft are welcome.
Where is the closest place to rent a kayak or paddleboard near Lake Arrowhead?
Lake Gregory in Crestline, about 15 minutes away. It rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, Duffy electric boats, and pedal boats, and welcomes private craft. Silverwood Lake (~30 min) has a full marina for larger and motorized boats.
Is McKenzie Water Ski School open to the public?
Yes — anyone can book a session; you don't need to be an ALA member. All trips are run by McKenzie's own boat captains (Lake Arrowhead being private means no self-drive rentals). It's seasonal, so book ahead and confirm current rates.
Facts on this page last verified July 28, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.