Arizona lakes for boating, fishing, and water recreation

Lakes In Arizona

Originally written by Tony Subia

Reviewed and updated by AZ Leisure Staff Writers on August 5, 2026.

Arizona may be famous for its dramatic desert landscapes, but it also offers dozens of beautiful lakes and reservoirs that attract boaters, anglers, campers and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year. From the massive waters of Lake Powell and Lake Havasu to scenic mountain lakes in the White Mountains and peaceful reservoirs near Phoenix, Arizona provides outstanding opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, camping and wildlife viewing. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway, a family vacation or a day on the water, this guide highlights Arizona's best lakes, seasonal recreation opportunities and popular destinations across the state.

Most Popular Arizona Lakes
Lakes Near Phoenix
Best Lakes By Activity
Camping At Arizona Lakes
Best Time To Visit
Arizona Lakes FAQ

Arizona lakes map showing major reservoirs, recreation lakes and popular boating destinations

Most Popular Arizona Lakes

Arizona's most visited lakes combine outstanding scenery with excellent boating, fishing, camping and water recreation. While every lake has its own character, these destinations consistently rank among the state's favorites for outdoor adventure.

Lake Powell
Lake Havasu
Lake Pleasant
Roosevelt Lake
Saguaro Lake
Canyon Lake

Best Lakes Near Phoenix

Phoenix is surrounded by several outstanding lakes, many within a one- to two-hour drive. These lakes offer excellent boating, fishing, kayaking, camping and day-use recreation, making them popular weekend destinations for Valley residents and visitors.

Lake Pleasant
Saguaro Lake
Canyon Lake
Apache Lake
Bartlett Lake
Roosevelt Lake

Camping At Arizona Lakes

Many Arizona lakes feature developed campgrounds ranging from lakeside RV sites with hookups to primitive tent camping surrounded by desert or mountain scenery. Popular lakes often include boat launches, picnic areas, restrooms, hiking trails and nearby marinas, making them excellent destinations for weekend camping trips and longer outdoor vacations.

Best Time To Visit Arizona Lakes

Spring (March – May)

Ideal weather for boating, fishing, and camping
Warming water temperatures increase fish activity
Less crowded than peak summer months

Summer (June – August)

Peak season for boating, jet skiing, and water recreation
Hot desert temperatures make lakes very popular
Best for early morning or evening activities

Fall (September – November)

Cooling temperatures improve outdoor comfort
Great time for fishing and scenic lake visits
Fewer crowds than summer

Winter (December – February)

Best for fishing and quiet lake experiences
Mountain lakes may freeze or have limited access
Desert lakes remain accessible year-round

Types of Lakes in Arizona

Desert Reservoir Lakes

Large lakes like Lake Pleasant, Roosevelt Lake, and Lake Havasu
Best for boating, jet skiing, and water sports
Located near Phoenix and western Arizona

Mountain Lakes

Cooler lakes in higher elevations near Flagstaff and the White Mountains
Great for trout fishing, camping, and scenic getaways
Popular lakes include Big Lake, Woods Canyon Lake, and Becker Lake

River & Canyon Lakes

Located along rivers and canyon systems
Offer dramatic scenery and unique recreation opportunities
Examples include Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, and Lake Powell

Best Arizona Lakes By Activity

Best Lakes for Fishing

Roosevelt Lake – Bass, crappie, and catfish
Lake Pleasant – Striped bass and largemouth bass
Big Lake – Excellent trout fishing

Best Lakes for Boating & Water Sports

Lake Havasu – One of the top boating lakes in the Southwest
Lake Pleasant – Popular for jet skiing and wakeboarding
Saguaro Lake – Scenic boating near Phoenix

Best Lakes for Scenic Views

Canyon Lake – Surrounded by steep canyon walls
Lake Powell – Famous for red rock formations
Apache Lake – Remote and rugged desert scenery

Best Arizona Lakes for Boating and Fishing

Lake Pleasant
Roosevelt Lake
Lake Havasu
Saguaro Lake
Apache Lake

Visit AA-Fishing for details about each of the best fishing lakes in Arizona.

Alamo Lake
Considered one of Arizona's best bass fishing lakes, Alamo Lake is a quick 120 miles northwest of Phoenix. Visitors can enjoy fishing, swimming, boating and water skiing.

Apache Lake
Located about 65 miles east of Phoenix, the Horse Mesa dam creates Apache Lake. Known for its quick weekend getaways, visitors enjoy swimming, boating and water skiing. Bass fishing at Apache Lake can be excellent year round.

Bartlett Lake
Bartlett Lake is a Verde River Reservoir Lake located approximately 30 miles northeast of Phoenix. As a national holiday hot spot, you can enjoy picnicking, boating, swimming, skiing and plenty of campground space. During less visited dates, fishermen can catch bass, catfish, smallmouth and largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill.

Becker Lake
Becker Lake is known primarily for large rainbow trout. You can find Becker Lake approximately two miles northwest of Springerville off US 60.

Big Lake
Stocked in the spring and fall with more than 30,000 trout, Big Lake is a great family getaway. Facilities include a grocery store, boat rental and plenty of nearby campsites.

Canyon Lake
Located approximately 16 miles outside of Apache Junction on state route 88, Canyon Lake is Salt River reservoir lake. Canyon Lake offers beautiful mountainous scenery and various fish such as the walleye, largemouth bass, yellow bass, rainbow trout, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie. It has a designated swimming site and a pair of boating ramps. The three recreation sites at the lake -- Acacia Picnic Site, the Palo Verde Recreation Site and the Boulder Creek Recreation Site -- are open year round and available at no charge.

Chevelon Canyon Lake
Chevelon Lake is an excellent source for brown trout fishing. Chevelon is located about 60 miles east of Payson off State Route 260. A slightly difficult one-mile hike is required to reach the lake.

Fool Hollow Lake
This is a great lake for rainbow trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish and walleye fishing. Fool Hollow Lake can be found approximately 5 miles west of Show Low off State Route 260.

Hawley Lake
Located on the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation, Hawley Lake requires fisherman to attain a permit. Popular for its ice-fishing, Hawley Lake amenities include a grocery story, boat rentals, cabins, plenty of campsites and the Hawley Lake Resort.

Horseshoe Lake
Known more for recreation than fishing, Horseshoe Lake is a reservoir lake that is usually near dry during the hot summer months. From October to May you can enjoy camping, picnicking, and hiking.

Lake Havasu
Arguably the most popular water-lovers location in Arizona, Lake Havasu offers every possible amenity to both fishermen and visiting tourists. Home of the London Bridge, Lake Havasu is located on Arizona's western border off Arizona 95.

Lake Martinez
Located 45 minutes north of Yuma, Lake Martinez is a great place to fish, boat, hike, water ski, trail run or just sitting back and relaxing. Created by the Imperial Dam, the lake offers excellent bass fishing.

Lake Mary (Upper)
Known for largemouth and yellow bass, crappie, sunfish, channel catfish, walleye, tilapia and yellow perch, Upper Lake Mary is one of the closest major lakes to the Flagstaff Arizona area. Aside from fishing visitors can go jet skiing, rafting, canoeing and water skiing.

Lake Mary (Lower)
Known for rainbow trout, sunfish and channel catfish, Lake Mary (lower) is one of the closest major lakes to the Flagstaff Arizona area. Dependant on local rainfall, the size of the lake can vary greatly from year to year. Boat use is limited to 8 horsepower.

Lake Mead
Created by the Hoover Dam, this visually spectacular lake is located on the Arizona/Nevada border. Visitors can camp, water ski, boat, rent houseboats, and hike. Fishing includes largemouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, crappie and bluegill.

Lake Mohave
Located about 60 miles south of the Hoover Dam, Davis Dam creates peaceful Lake Mohave. While offering boating, water skiing, visiting fisherman can find well stocked largemouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, and crappie.

Lake Pleasant
Lake Pleasant is one of the most popular boating lakes near Phoenix. As the closest major lake to the North Phoenix area, Lake Pleasant is known for its quick weekend getaways. Primarily a water sports lake, visitors enjoy water skiing, boating, jet skiing, camping, fishing, shoreline hiking and just plain water recreation fun.

Lake Powell
Lake Powell Arizona offers unparalleled opportunities for water-based and backcountry recreation. The recreation area stretches hundreds of miles from Lees Ferry in Arizona to the Orange Cliffs of southern Utah, encompassing scenic vistas, geologic wonders, and a panorama of human history. The scenery is almost undescribable with towering rock formations rising majestically straight up out of the water. It is the second largest man-made lake in the United States and is 187 miles long with 96 major side canyons and a coast line of approximately 1,960 miles-more than the west coast of the U.S. from Seattle to San Diego. The Lake holds approximately 8.5 trillion gallons of water and the summertime water temperatures approach 80 degrees.

Luna Lake
With great rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout, and close proximity to Alpine Arizona, Luna Lake is an excellent destination for weekend and vacationing fisherman. Luna is also known for ice fishing during winter freezes. Facilities include campgrounds, picnic tables, restrooms and a boat launch.

Lyman Lake
Located 17 miles north of Springerville, Lyman Lake fisherman can catch catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, walleye, and bluegill among others. There are no boating restrictions, so you can expect to see skiing, swimming and all manner of water sports at Lyman Lake. There is even electrical hook-up in some locations around the lake.

Lynx Lake
Home to rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish and channel catfish, Lynx Lake is one of Arizona most popular recreational lakes. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

Mormon Lake
Mormon Lake is located about 30 miles southeast of Flagstaff Arizona. While the lake can become dry during times of low rainfall, it remains an excellent place to boat, hike, bike, and view wildlife. Fishing includes sunfish and channel catfish.

Patagonia Lake
Patagonia Lake is located in Southern Arizona just 12 miles north of Nogales Mexico. Although known for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, channel catfish and flathead catfish, the lake can be nearly empty during low water/drought periods.

Reservation Lake
With a managed season from April to November, Reservation Lake is an excellent brown trout fishing lake high in Arizona's majestic White mountains. Reservation Lake is located 19 miles south of Arizona 260 using Arizona 273.

Roosevelt Lake
This is the largest of the six, Salt River Project lakes. Roosevelt Lake fishing options include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie. Roosevelt Lake is located 80 miles east of Phoenix and heavily visited during hot summer holidays. Facilities include fish cleaning station, picnic areas, restrooms, boating ramp, camping, and stocked fish.

Saguaro Lake
Saguaro Lake is one of six Salt River Project lakes created by Mountain Dam. Stocked by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, you can expect to find a good supply of walleye, largemouth and yellow bass, rainbow and brown trout, catfish and crappie. Saguaro is approximately 40 miles east of Phoenix.

San Carlos Lake
You can find San Carlos Lake just 25 miles east of Globe Arizona. Created by the Coolidge Dam, fishermen can catch catfish, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill all year round. Facilities include picnic area and boat ramp.

Show Low Lake
Situated only one mile off State Route 260 on Show Low Road is Show Low Lake. Show Low Lake fisherman can find large walleye, rainbow and brown trout, largemouth bass, sunfish and catfish. Boating is limited to 8 horsepower or less, and amenities include, parking area, tables, drinking water, fireplaces, and camping.

Sunrise Lake
Considered one of the best Trout Lakes in Northeastern Arizona, Sunrise Lake is a trout fisherman's dream. Sunrise Lake is located approximately 30 miles east of Pinetop Arizona. Amenities include campgrounds, stores, gas stations and boat rentals.

Tonto Lake
Tonto Lake is roughly 30 plus miles southeast of Fort Apache Arizona. Fisherman and can find a good supply of rainbow and Apache trout. Facilities include picnic tables and tent camping.

Woods Canyon Lake
Woods Canyon Lake is located 27 miles Southwest of Heber on State Route 260. Primarily a rainbow trout and bluegill fishing lake, Woods Canyon Lake's season lasts between May and October of each year. Electric Boat Motors are required.

Arizona Lakes FAQ

What are the best lakes in Arizona for boating?

Some of the best boating lakes in Arizona include Lake Havasu, Lake Pleasant, Roosevelt Lake, Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, and Lake Powell.

What are the best fishing lakes in Arizona?

Popular Arizona fishing lakes include Roosevelt Lake, Lake Pleasant, Big Lake, Lake Havasu, Saguaro Lake, Woods Canyon Lake, and Bartlett Lake.

Are there lakes near Phoenix?

Yes. Popular lakes near Phoenix include Lake Pleasant, Bartlett Lake, Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Tempe Town Lake, and several urban fishing lakes.

Can you swim in Arizona lakes?

Yes. Many Arizona lakes allow swimming, especially larger recreation lakes such as Lake Pleasant, Lake Havasu, Roosevelt Lake, Saguaro Lake, and Canyon Lake. Always check local rules, water conditions, and designated swim areas before entering the water.

What is the best time to visit Arizona lakes?

Spring and fall are usually the best seasons for comfortable weather, boating, fishing, camping, and sightseeing. Summer is popular for water sports, while winter can be good for quiet fishing at desert lakes.

Are Arizona lakes open year-round?

Many desert lakes are open year-round, including Lake Pleasant, Roosevelt Lake, Lake Havasu, Saguaro Lake, and Canyon Lake. Some high-elevation mountain lakes may have seasonal access limits due to snow, ice, or road conditions.

Which Arizona lakes have marinas?

Many of Arizona's larger recreation lakes feature full-service marinas, including Lake Powell, Lake Havasu, Lake Pleasant, Roosevelt Lake, Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake.

Can you rent boats at Arizona lakes?

Yes. Many popular lakes offer boat rentals, including fishing boats, pontoon boats, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and personal watercraft. Rental availability varies by lake and season.