Arizona might be surrounded by land on all four sides, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a day at the beach! These five sandy oases are as close to paradise as it gets here in the Grand Canyon State, and they all deserve a spot on your summer bucket list. We bet you didn’t know there are indeed beaches in Arizona – they’re just not attached to an ocean.
- Boat Beach (Grand Canyon National Park)
Flickr/Grand Canyon National Park One of many beaches hidden deep within the Grand Canyon, crystal-clear water from Bright Angel Creek laps onto sandy shores at this hidden alcove. Known as Boat Beach, it’s a popular starting point for rafters during river-running season. Hikers also enjoy cooling off here after a long, sweaty trek. Less than a mile away, you’ll find a tourist camp with a variety of amenities. Grand Canyon, Arizona 86052, USA
- Cattail Cove State Park (Lake Havasu City)
Google/Patrice CHEVIET With palm trees everywhere you look, Cattail Cove State Park is reminiscent of a tropical paradise. It’s located on the pristine Lake Havasu, known for its deep blue waters as alluring as a sapphire gem. This 2,000-acre destination features a beach, boat ramp, and 61 campsites, allowing for a vast array of water recreation activities. Set sail, cast a line, or just relax with your toes in the sand for a memorable summer adventure. Cattail Cove State Park, Arizona 86406, USA
- Roper Lake State Park (Safford)
TripAdvisor/CMPTexas Just five miles south of Safford, this gorgeous state park has, easily, some of the bluest water in Arizona. At the base of Mt. Graham, this 32-acre lake is a quiet and relaxing spot for boating, fishing, camping, and swimming. The swim area is located along a day-use island that stretches into the lake. Roper Lake State Park, Arizona 85546, USA
- London Bridge Beach (Lake Havasu City)
TripAdvisor/compcrzy Along the famed Bridgewater Channel, this Lake Havasu beach is accessible by car and boat. Not only does it offer gorgeous white sand, but also buoyed swimming area, two playgrounds, fully enclosed dog park, basketball and sand volleyball courts, and a community stage. Tall shade trees, covered picnic areas, and plenty of green grass for lounging make the park an ideal place to soak up the sun. Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and other personal watercrafts are available for rent, so get ready to have a blast while marveling at our beloved London Bridge. Check this article out to learn more about Lake Havasu City. London Bridge Beach, 1340 McCulloch Blvd N, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403, USA
- Redwall Cavern (Grand Canyon National Park)
Facebook/Grand Canyon National Park Last, but certainly not least, is Redwall Cavern. This awe-inspiring natural amphitheater was carved by water flowing into the limestone Grand Canyon walls. Near the cave entrance, you’ll see incredibly well-preserved fossils of ancient marine creatures. This otherworldly place is only accessible via raft, so book an excursion with a reputable outfitter for safety purposes. Redwall Cavern, North Rim, AZ 86052, USA
How many of these hidden beaches in Arizona have you visited? Did we miss one of your favorite spots? Let us know, and check out our previous article for a few more off-the-beaten-path sandy oases: 7 Little Known Beaches In Arizona That’ll Make Your Summer Unforgettable.
Flickr/Grand Canyon National Park
One of many beaches hidden deep within the Grand Canyon, crystal-clear water from Bright Angel Creek laps onto sandy shores at this hidden alcove. Known as Boat Beach, it’s a popular starting point for rafters during river-running season. Hikers also enjoy cooling off here after a long, sweaty trek. Less than a mile away, you’ll find a tourist camp with a variety of amenities.
Grand Canyon, Arizona 86052, USA
Google/Patrice CHEVIET
With palm trees everywhere you look, Cattail Cove State Park is reminiscent of a tropical paradise. It’s located on the pristine Lake Havasu, known for its deep blue waters as alluring as a sapphire gem. This 2,000-acre destination features a beach, boat ramp, and 61 campsites, allowing for a vast array of water recreation activities. Set sail, cast a line, or just relax with your toes in the sand for a memorable summer adventure.
Cattail Cove State Park, Arizona 86406, USA
TripAdvisor/CMPTexas
Just five miles south of Safford, this gorgeous state park has, easily, some of the bluest water in Arizona. At the base of Mt. Graham, this 32-acre lake is a quiet and relaxing spot for boating, fishing, camping, and swimming. The swim area is located along a day-use island that stretches into the lake.
Roper Lake State Park, Arizona 85546, USA
TripAdvisor/compcrzy
Along the famed Bridgewater Channel, this Lake Havasu beach is accessible by car and boat. Not only does it offer gorgeous white sand, but also buoyed swimming area, two playgrounds, fully enclosed dog park, basketball and sand volleyball courts, and a community stage. Tall shade trees, covered picnic areas, and plenty of green grass for lounging make the park an ideal place to soak up the sun. Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and other personal watercrafts are available for rent, so get ready to have a blast while marveling at our beloved London Bridge. Check this article out to learn more about Lake Havasu City.
London Bridge Beach, 1340 McCulloch Blvd N, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403, USA
Facebook/Grand Canyon National Park
Last, but certainly not least, is Redwall Cavern. This awe-inspiring natural amphitheater was carved by water flowing into the limestone Grand Canyon walls. Near the cave entrance, you’ll see incredibly well-preserved fossils of ancient marine creatures. This otherworldly place is only accessible via raft, so book an excursion with a reputable outfitter for safety purposes.
Redwall Cavern, North Rim, AZ 86052, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Beaches in Arizona March 25, 2022 Tori Jane What are some fun secret beaches in Arizona? Arizona might be a landlocked desert state, but we still have some pretty lovely beaches. Sure, they’re alongside our lakes and/or rivers, but hey – a beach is a beach, right? Some of our favorite “secret” beaches that even a lot of locals have never heard about include hidden gems like Butcher Jones Beach, which is at Saguaro Lake east of Phoenix. The cliffs and mountains surrounding Saguaro Lake are exquisitely beautiful, and Butcher Jones Beach encompasses a lot of that beauty all in one little place. If you’re a skilled enough hiker, hit the 11-mile one-way hike to Havasu Falls, within the Grand Canyon, and experience one of the best waterfall/beach combos in Arizona! A permit is tough to get and must be booked way in advance, so again – planning! Finally, head to Roper Lake State Park and check out the waterside beaches there; it’s a little slice of heaven right here in the Sonoran Desert. Need more ideas? Check this article out for plenty of beachy getaways in our own backyard. Where can I find Arizona beaches to visit this season? As we outlined above, Arizona has no shortage of beaches to visit; they’re just not oceanic ones. Our state parks tend to have some pretty great beachy areas, like River Island State Park, near Parker in far western Arizona, and Cattail Cove State Park, which is known for its sandy beaches and located on the banks of Lake Havasu. Otherwise, head to Centennial Beach in Yuma; it’s a public park but the beach is wonderful, and a family favorite for those who come during the summer months. Visit during the off-season for the best, least-crowded experience! Then, hit Lake Powell and head to Waheap Way, which is another Arizona beach famous for, well, being a beach in Arizona.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Beaches in Arizona
March 25, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some fun secret beaches in Arizona? Arizona might be a landlocked desert state, but we still have some pretty lovely beaches. Sure, they’re alongside our lakes and/or rivers, but hey – a beach is a beach, right? Some of our favorite “secret” beaches that even a lot of locals have never heard about include hidden gems like Butcher Jones Beach, which is at Saguaro Lake east of Phoenix. The cliffs and mountains surrounding Saguaro Lake are exquisitely beautiful, and Butcher Jones Beach encompasses a lot of that beauty all in one little place. If you’re a skilled enough hiker, hit the 11-mile one-way hike to Havasu Falls, within the Grand Canyon, and experience one of the best waterfall/beach combos in Arizona! A permit is tough to get and must be booked way in advance, so again – planning! Finally, head to Roper Lake State Park and check out the waterside beaches there; it’s a little slice of heaven right here in the Sonoran Desert. Need more ideas? Check this article out for plenty of beachy getaways in our own backyard. Where can I find Arizona beaches to visit this season? As we outlined above, Arizona has no shortage of beaches to visit; they’re just not oceanic ones. Our state parks tend to have some pretty great beachy areas, like River Island State Park, near Parker in far western Arizona, and Cattail Cove State Park, which is known for its sandy beaches and located on the banks of Lake Havasu. Otherwise, head to Centennial Beach in Yuma; it’s a public park but the beach is wonderful, and a family favorite for those who come during the summer months. Visit during the off-season for the best, least-crowded experience! Then, hit Lake Powell and head to Waheap Way, which is another Arizona beach famous for, well, being a beach in Arizona.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Arizona might be a landlocked desert state, but we still have some pretty lovely beaches. Sure, they’re alongside our lakes and/or rivers, but hey – a beach is a beach, right? Some of our favorite “secret” beaches that even a lot of locals have never heard about include hidden gems like Butcher Jones Beach, which is at Saguaro Lake east of Phoenix. The cliffs and mountains surrounding Saguaro Lake are exquisitely beautiful, and Butcher Jones Beach encompasses a lot of that beauty all in one little place. If you’re a skilled enough hiker, hit the 11-mile one-way hike to Havasu Falls, within the Grand Canyon, and experience one of the best waterfall/beach combos in Arizona! A permit is tough to get and must be booked way in advance, so again – planning! Finally, head to Roper Lake State Park and check out the waterside beaches there; it’s a little slice of heaven right here in the Sonoran Desert. Need more ideas? Check this article out for plenty of beachy getaways in our own backyard.
Where can I find Arizona beaches to visit this season?
As we outlined above, Arizona has no shortage of beaches to visit; they’re just not oceanic ones. Our state parks tend to have some pretty great beachy areas, like River Island State Park, near Parker in far western Arizona, and Cattail Cove State Park, which is known for its sandy beaches and located on the banks of Lake Havasu. Otherwise, head to Centennial Beach in Yuma; it’s a public park but the beach is wonderful, and a family favorite for those who come during the summer months. Visit during the off-season for the best, least-crowded experience! Then, hit Lake Powell and head to Waheap Way, which is another Arizona beach famous for, well, being a beach in Arizona.
