For SUP fans, it’s not a summer road trip to the mountain states without your inflatable paddle board! By talking to the locals or doing a little research in advance, you’re sure to discover many hidden gems along the way. Whether you’re planning a trip for this summer or future summers, here are a few paddle boarding spots you won’t want to miss in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. The mountains are calling, and you must go.

More Than Just Mountain Biking: Moab, Utah

Moab is a major desert destination for mountain bikers, off-roaders, and other outdoor enthusiasts. But don’t forget your board because there’s plenty of water around town, too. The Moab Daily (Fishers Tower section) is a popular 13-mile stretch of the Colorado River. It floats by the backdrop of the LaSal Mountains and eventually into the boundaries of Arches National Park. Located along Highway 128, there are plenty of easy put-in and take-out spots. The Moab Daily offers flat sections and rapids for some excitement during the summer months.

The City of Trees Delivers: Boise, Idaho

Beautiful Boise, Idaho is considered a high desert terrain, but there’s definitely more than meets the eye in The City of Trees. People love their water sports in the Boise area. You can take your inflatable paddleboards on sections of the Boise River, which runs along the Greenbelt in the heart of the city. For something even mellower, there are plenty of in-town ponds that are perfect for paddling boarding, such as Quinn’s Pond. Or head out toward Lucky Peak State Park and paddle the Boise River below the dam at Sandy Point. Bring a picnic and hang out at Discovery Park when you’re done.

Cruise Among the Tetons: Jackson, Wyoming

Jackson is an epic place to visit and if the grandeur of the Tetons is calling, you’ll have a blast exploring the lakes in Grand Teton National Park. String Lake is calm and more shallow than other lakes in the park and an ideal setting for beginners. Jenny Lake, also in the national park, is another great spot for beginners where you’ll be captivated by the surrounding Teton peaks. This lake is over 400 feet deep. Jackson Lake is the largest lake in the park and a perfect spot for more experienced paddle boarders. There’s a lot of boat activity on this lake, so be aware.

Miles of Flathead Lake: Kalispell, Montana

Cold, sparkling, and huge, Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. There are many ways you and your friends can explore Flathead Lake from atop your inflatable paddleboards. If you’re staying in Kalispell on your way to Glacier National Park, opt for a sunset paddle boarding session on the northern part of Flathead Lake. Set off from Wayfarers State Park, an ideal location with great access. Just watch out for the Flathead Lake Monster, a tale that goes back over 100 years.

Spring means more time spent outdoors! As temperatures rise, you’re probably looking for every excuse to get outside—and on your paddle board. Well, here’s another reason to enjoy the great outdoors—a picnic! Why have a picnic on a blanket in the park when you can enjoy an afternoon on the water with friends and food! Need some gear to make this picnic happen? iROCKER has everything you need (minus the sandwiches, of course). You know this brand for their selection of stellar inflatable paddleboards, but they also have all sorts of accessories for just about any on-the-water adventure you can dream up, picnics included! Here are a few essential pieces of gear to help you make it happen.

Coolers Galore

iROCKER knows paddle boards, but they also know coolers. The iROCKER 45L Roto-Molded Cooler is their biggest cooler option at 45 liters. It can hold all the food and beverages you could possibly want for a picnic (up to 40 cans, plus ice). Toss it on the iROCKER inflatable dock and you’re good to go. Want something a bit smaller you can put on the back of your inflatable paddle board? Go for the iROCKER 25L Roto-Molded Cooler. It can hold up to 24 cans plus ice, giving you plenty of room for all your picnic essentials. Now, if you want an option that maximizes portability, iROCKER offers their backpack cooler. The backpack is designed with 30 liters of storage, which means all your picnic essentials should fit, no problem. And because you can throw it over your shoulders and go, you can take it just about anywhere!

Cup Holders for Every Drink

Keeping your drink secure on your paddle board is probably one of the most important parts of having a picnic on the water. You don’t want to set it down only for an unexpected wave to knock it over. This is where the iROCKER Cup Holder saves the day. It’s designed to accommodate pretty much any can, bottle, or cup under 3.5” in diameter. But where the cup holder really shines is in drink security. The cup holder adheres to the action mount found on all your favorite inflatable SUP boards from iROCKER (2019 models and newer) and BLACKFIN (2019 models and newer). It’s simple—attach it and go!

An Inflatable Dock for All the Food

Admittedly, this is less a SUP accessory and more a SUP companion. The iROCKER Floating Swim Dock is a multipurpose dock that gives you the perfect central area to gather for a picnic. The dock measures 7’ by 7’, so you can use it to hold coolers, prep food, and just relax. Everyone can gather on their paddle boards around the dock to create the ultimate on-the-water picnic spot. It also comes with eight action mounts to connect a variety of board gear—including cup holders! You can also pair the swim dock with the iROCKER Anchor to keep it in place. That way, your picnic doesn’t float away while you’re off paddling!

Get the best gear for your next paddle boarding picnic at www.irockersup.com!

Stand up paddling is one year-round activity that little ones can enjoy just as much as mom and dad! A day of family bonding on paddle boards can happen anywhere, anytime—even long after summer has ended. Sure, kids may be more into Netflix than nature these days, but we can help with that.

Pack a cooler with all their favorites and head to your local SUP spot to introduce your kids to an activity you already love. Start young explorers out on the sand or grass and teach them how to balance and use their paddles before hopping in the water. Swapping iPhones for iROCKERs might be hard at first, but kids are wired to love the outdoors and follow in their parent’s adventurous footsteps. Here are some tips for incorporating activities your kids already love into a day on the water.

For the Animal Lovers

You may be more interested in the health benefits and amazing scenery that come along with paddle boarding, but all kids really care about is how much fun they’re going to have. No matter where you’re paddling, you’ll most likely experience close encounters with wildlife and marine life such as fish, turtles, birds, dolphins, and more! Bring the family pup along for the ride and you’re guaranteed to see at least one animal having a good time! There’s nothing like exposing your kids to the incredible, beautiful, awesome world outside their own backyard. A paddle board is the best way to immerse your entire family in the habitats of hundreds of animals in one outing. We can’t wait to hear about what you saw!

For the Game Enthusiasts

Hang out in an area with other people or busy shorelines for hours of I Spy. If you and your kids are the more competitive types, pick a finish line and see who can reach it first. Or make your own obstacle course, paddling around buoys, trees, and other natural landmarks. The entertainment options are endless!

For the Budding Photographers

Swap the phone for a camera! Pick up cheap waterproof cameras at your local store or grab your GoPro and hit the water with the whole family. Let your little one snap fun underwater photos of themselves and their friends or capture the wildlife they meet along the way. Either way, they’ll create lasting memories and hone their both their camera and paddling skills.

For the Social Butterflies

Your young explorer has just found their favorite new activity. Now they can share it with a like-minded community! In popular locations and good weather conditions, fellow paddlers are sure to be out as well. You and your little one will have the opportunity to meet and interact with other families spending time on the water paddle boarders, kayakers, surfers, and swimmers. Watersports are the perfect setting for your kids to practice social skills with others while you supervise.

Make it a weekly thing and your kids will be pros before you know it. You get to spend quality time with your family, and they get to be a part of something that you enjoy and learn to love it too.

Additionally, if you get trouble in choosing the right paddle board for your little one, then do not hesitate to discuss with iROCKER's experts. 

Other activities our youngest paddlers enjoy: Bring along a tennis ball, spread the family out in the water and play catch. Challenge the kids to try different positions on their board without falling in the water (sitting down, doing a spin, lying on their back, etc.) At the beach, go a few practice rounds and then see who can catch a wave all the way to the sand!

 

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For the mom in need of me time, check out this mom collection!
Looking for a way to get little ones outside and involved in the adventure? With a perfectly gear, your kid will be itching to get out the door and onto the water. Check out our young explorer collection now!