Lake Pleasant
General Windsurfing Info

(This information is provided to the best of my knowledge (which is quite limited). If you have other info you wish to share, please send via the feedback link)

Location: Lake Pleasant is in the Phoenix area, NW of the city, about halfway to Wickenburg.

From Phoenix or Flagstaff, take I17 (north or south, respectively) to Carefree Highway (Rt 74). Head west about 10 miles to Castle Hot Springs Road. This is on the west side of the lake and there's a sign to the Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Turn Right at the sign for the entrance. Don't turn at the east end of the lake off of Rt 74 into the Lake Pleasant Marina... this is private and they have their own entrance fee.

The best areas for launching and sailing seem to be near Desert Tortoise Cove.

Enter at the main (central) entrance, take the first right, then the first left (Desert Tortoise Road). Continue straight until you can't go any further. (Be careful of the roadway at the 'main intersection'... it's washed out and will do a job on your suspension).

Parking is lakeside, but either rocks, gravel, or pavement... you may want to bring a tarp to protect your equipment.

When the water level is up, more protected sailing is available by making a right at the 'main intersection' and proceding to the water.

Be aware that there are numerous power boats and jetskis in the area, expecially on the weekends. This is supposed to be a 'no-wake' zone, but they don't seem to always know it.

There is a daily usage fee of $5 plus a $2 Watercraft fee. This is not National Forest, so Golden Age Passport is not applicable. There are also annual passes available, for either all week ($160 / year) or Monday-Thursday ($100 / year).