👨👩👧👦 Family Lake Weekend — Arizona 2026
The Perfect Memorial Day Weekend Itinerary for AZ Families: 3 Days, 1 Pontoon, 0 Stress
A day-by-day plan for the best family MDW on the water — from a dad who’s spent 30+ years on these lakes.
Here’s what I’ve learned after watching thousands of families head out for Memorial Day Weekend on Arizona lakes: the ones who have the best time aren’t the ones with the fanciest boat or the biggest budget. They’re the ones with a plan. A loose, flexible, “we know what we’re doing each day” kind of plan — not a rigid itinerary that falls apart when a kid melts down at 2 PM.
This is that plan. Three days, one pontoon rental, and zero stress. I’ve built it around what actually works for families with kids, based on what I see every MDW at Saguaro Lake.
What It Costs — Pontoon Pricing for a Family of 6
Let’s get the numbers out of the way first so you can budget the weekend:
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sea-Doo Switch Pontoon — 8-hour day | $699 | Seats up to 10, full tank at pickup (return it full) |
| Cooler, food, snacks (est.) | $60–$80 | Pack from home — no lake vendors |
| Parking at Saguaro Lake Marina | $10–$15 | Per vehicle, cash or card |
| Total for a family of 6 | ~$769–$794 | One full day on the water |
That’s roughly $130 per person for an entire day on a private pontoon (just bring it back with a full tank). Compare that to a day at a waterpark or a resort pool, and the lake wins every time — especially when your kids are still talking about it in September.
💡 Multi-day discount: Planning two or three days on the water? Call us at (480) 637-4848 — we offer multi-day rates for families booking the full MDW weekend.
Day 1 (Saturday) — Saguaro Lake, Full Send
This is your big lake day. Pick up your pontoon and trailer at our Apache Junction shop and tow to Saguaro Lake Marina. Plan for a 9 AM start — early enough to beat the worst of the ramp traffic, late enough that the kids are actually awake.
Morning: Explore and Swim
Head north from the marina toward the upper coves. Within 10 minutes, you’ll find sheltered spots where you can anchor, swim off the back of the pontoon, and let the kids jump in. The water in late May is usually mid-70s — warm enough for everyone, cool enough to feel refreshing.
Midday: Lunch on the Water
This is the move that turns a good lake day into a great one. Anchor in a cove, break out the cooler, and eat lunch on the pontoon. Sandwiches, fruit, chips — keep it simple. The Sea-Doo Switch has a flat deck with plenty of space to spread out. Kids eat, adults relax, everyone’s happy.
💡 Hidden Tip: The North Coves
Most people stay near the marina and the south end of Saguaro Lake. If you cruise north for 15–20 minutes, you’ll find quieter coves with shallow water that’s perfect for younger kids. The saguaro views up there are unreal — bring a waterproof phone case for photos.
Afternoon: Float and Wind Down
After lunch, find a wide-open stretch and just float. Let the kids swim, throw pool noodles in the water, and don’t look at your phone. Head back to the marina by 4:30–5 PM to avoid the sunset rush at the ramp. We’ll be there to pull the pontoon out — you just drive home.
Day 2 (Sunday) — Off-Water Recovery Day
Don’t try to do two lake days back-to-back with kids. Trust me on this. Sunday is your recovery day — and Arizona has plenty of options that don’t involve sunscreen.
- Goldfield Ghost Town — 10 minutes from our Apache Junction lot. Kids love the mine tours and the old-west scenery. Free to walk around, small fees for the rides and attractions.
- Superstition Mountain Museum — Right down the road from Goldfield. Low-key, educational, and air-conditioned when you need a break from the heat.
- Swimming pool day — If you’re staying at a hotel or Airbnb with a pool, lean into it. Let the kids burn energy in the pool while you plan Monday.
Day 3 (Monday) — Second Lake Day or Jet Ski Add-On
Monday is Memorial Day itself, and here’s the secret: the crowds thin out. Families who came for Saturday and Sunday pack up and head home. If you’ve got energy left, Monday is an incredible day to get back on the water.
Option A: Book a second pontoon day and enjoy a quieter version of Saguaro Lake. Option B: Rent a couple of jet skis ($219 for 4 hours each) and let the older kids or the adults rip around while the rest of the family watches from shore. It’s a completely different energy from the pontoon — fast, loud, and an absolute blast.
What to Pack Each Day
🎒 Family Lake Day Packing List
Everything you need — nothing you don’t.
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ (reef-safe preferred) — bring two bottles and reapply every 90 minutes
- Cooler with ice, water bottles (freeze some overnight), juice boxes, and snacks
- Lunch — sandwiches, wraps, fruit, chips. Keep it simple and packable
- Towels — at least two per person. Lake towels get sandy, so use your old ones
- Dry bag or waterproof phone pouch — one per adult, minimum
- Hats, UV shirts, and sunglasses for every family member
- Water shoes — non-negotiable for the boat ramp and rocky shoreline
- Pool noodles or inflatable floats — kids will use these for hours
Photo Ops You Won’t Want to Miss
Saguaro Lake has some of the most photogenic scenery in the Phoenix metro — and it looks even better from the water. The north coves give you towering saguaro cactus right down to the waterline, red desert cliffs, and mirror-flat water in the morning before the wind picks up. Golden hour (about an hour before your return time) is when the canyon walls light up orange. Set a reminder on your phone so you don’t miss it.
Book Your Family’s MDW Pontoon
Sea-Doo Switch pontoon — pickup from Apache Junction, tow to Saguaro Lake. Seats up to 10, full tank at pickup, 15-minute family safety walkthrough. Call for multi-day rates.
Book Now — Check Availability
(480) 637-4848
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a pontoon rental cost for Memorial Day Weekend in Arizona?
A Sea-Doo Switch pontoon from Wave & Ridge is $449 for a 4-hour session or $699 for a full 8-hour day. The pontoon goes out with a full tank of fuel — return it full, or pay the cost of fuel plus a $20 refueling fee. It seats up to 10 passengers, making it ideal for families. Call (480) 637-4848 for multi-day rates.
Is a pontoon safe for kids on Arizona lakes?
Absolutely. Pontoons are the most stable watercraft on the lake — flat deck, high railings, and no tipping. Our Sea-Doo Switch is specifically designed for families. We also run a 15-minute safety walkthrough before every rental so the whole family knows the basics.
What should I pack for a family lake day on Memorial Day Weekend?
Sunscreen (SPF 50+, reef-safe), a packed cooler with more water than you think, towels, a dry bag for phones and keys, hats and UV shirts for the kids, water shoes, and snacks. There are no food vendors on the water, so pack everything you’ll need for the day.
Can I get a multi-day discount on a pontoon rental for the full MDW weekend?
Yes — call us at (480) 637-4848 to ask about multi-day rates. We work with families on extended weekend bookings, especially if you’re planning two or three days on the water. Availability is limited for MDW, so book as early as possible.
Which Arizona lake is best for families with young kids?
Saguaro Lake is the top pick for families. It has the most accessible coves for swimming, a marina with restrooms, and wide-open water so you’re not navigating tight spots with kids on board. You pick up and tow your pontoon right to Saguaro Lake Marina — no trailer, no stress.