Kinnikinick Lake Near Flagstaff Arizona

Originally written by Tony Subia

Reviewed and updated by AZ Leisure Staff Writers on August 18, 2026.

Kinnikinick Lake is a remote high-country lake southeast of Flagstaff in the Coconino National Forest, surrounded by open grasslands, juniper and pine country at roughly 7,000 feet in elevation. The lake is popular for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, small-boat recreation and wildlife viewing, with elk, deer, pronghorn and bald eagles among the animals that may be seen in the surrounding country. Kinnikinick is primarily a day-use destination, and overnight camping is prohibited within one mile of the lake.

• Kinnikinick Lake Quick Facts
• Why Visit Kinnikinick Lake
• Fishing At Kinnikinick Lake
• Boating & Kayaking
• Day Use & Facilities
• Wildlife Viewing
• Best Time To Visit
• Directions & Road Access
• Kinnikinick Lake Map
• Visitor Tips
• Nearby Flagstaff Lakes
• Kinnikinick Lake FAQ

Kinnikinick Lake Arizona Quick Facts

• Location: Coconino National Forest southeast of Flagstaff
• Elevation: Approximately 7,000 feet
• Primary use: Day-use recreation
• Overnight camping: Prohibited within one mile of the lake
• Fishing: Trout and channel catfish opportunities
• Boat motors: One motor of 10 horsepower or less, or one electric motor
• Watercraft: Kayaks, canoes and small fishing boats
• Wildlife: Elk, deer, pronghorn and bald eagles may be seen
• Road access: Paved Lake Mary Road followed by gravel Forest Service roads
• Winter access: Forest roads may close because of snow and seasonal conditions

Why Visit Kinnikinick Lake

Kinnikinick Lake offers a more remote experience than many Flagstaff-area lakes. Open grasslands and scattered juniper and pine create broad views rather than a densely forested shoreline, and the San Francisco Peaks can be visible in the distance.

The lake is especially appealing to anglers, paddlers, wildlife watchers and visitors looking for a quiet day trip away from more developed recreation areas. Because services are limited and the final approach is on gravel forest roads, visitors should arrive prepared with food, drinking water and other supplies.

Fishing At Kinnikinick Lake

Kinnikinick Lake supports a varied cold-water and warm-water fishery. Forest Service information describes the lake as a trout fishery associated with rainbow, brown and brook trout, while recent Arizona Game and Fish reports have specifically documented brown trout, tiger trout and channel catfish.

• Rainbow Trout: Historically stocked and part of the lake's established trout fishery
• Brown Trout: Present in the lake and particularly active during cooler fall conditions
• Brook Trout: Listed by the Forest Service among trout associated with Kinnikinick Lake
• Tiger Trout: Stocked by Arizona Game and Fish, including during summer 2026
• Channel Catfish: Recent Arizona Game and Fish reports describe anglers catching good-sized catfish on bait

Fish stockings and conditions change during the year, so anglers should check the latest Arizona Game and Fish report and stocking information before traveling.

Boating, Kayaking & Canoeing At Kinnikinick Lake

Kinnikinick Lake is well suited to kayaks, canoes, float tubes and small fishing boats. Arizona Game and Fish currently allows boats powered by one motor of 10 horsepower or less or by one electric motor.

• Gas Motors: Limited to one motor of 10 horsepower or less
• Electric Motors: One electric motor is permitted
• Kayaks & Canoes: Good choices for quiet exploration and fishing
• Boat Launch: Lake levels can affect launching conditions
• Safety: Carry required flotation and boating safety equipment

Arizona Game and Fish specifically asks visitors not to place rocks on the boat launch because submerged rocks can become hazards as lake levels rise.

Kinnikinick Lake Day Use & Facilities

Kinnikinick Lake is now managed primarily as a day-use recreation area. The former Kinnikinick Campground was converted to day use in May 2013, and overnight camping is prohibited within one mile of the lake to protect surrounding resources.

Visitors should plan for a relatively rustic outing. Restroom facilities are associated with the day-use area, but services are limited, so bring drinking water, food and other supplies rather than relying on full campground amenities.

If you want to camp overnight in the Flagstaff lake country, use a currently designated campground elsewhere in the Coconino National Forest rather than camping at Kinnikinick Lake.

Wildlife At Kinnikinick Lake

Kinnikinick Lake's open grasslands, water and surrounding forest create good wildlife-viewing opportunities. Elk and deer are common in the broader area, pronghorn may be seen in the open country, and bald eagles are occasional visitors throughout the year.

Use binoculars or a telephoto lens rather than approaching wildlife, and avoid disturbing animals near the shoreline.

Best Time To Visit Kinnikinick Lake

• Spring: Forest-road access normally improves after winter snow and seasonal closures end
• Summer: Popular for fishing, paddling and escaping lower-elevation Arizona heat
• Fall: Cooler water can improve trout activity, and fall can be especially good for brown and tiger trout
• Winter: Snow, ice and seasonal road closures can prevent vehicle access to the lake

Directions To Kinnikinick Lake From Flagstaff

From Flagstaff, travel south on Lake Mary Road for approximately 30 miles to Forest Road 125. Turn east on FR 125 and continue approximately 4 miles to Forest Road 82. Turn southeast on FR 82 and continue approximately 5.5 miles toward Kinnikinick Lake.

Lake Mary Road is paved, but the final Forest Service roads are gravel. Road surfaces can become muddy, snowy or temporarily impassable, so check current Coconino National Forest road conditions before traveling, particularly in spring, late fall and winter.

Official Kinnikinick Lake Information

• Coconino National Forest
• Arizona Game & Fish Department
• Arizona Fishing Locations & Conditions

Flagstaff Ranger Station
5075 N. Highway 89
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: (928) 526-0866

Kinnikinick Lake Area Map

Tips For Visiting Kinnikinick Lake

• Plan A Day Trip: Overnight camping is prohibited within one mile of the lake
• Check FR 125: Seasonal snow and road conditions can close access
• Bring Drinking Water: Do not assume potable water will be available
• Pack Supplies: Services at the lake are minimal
• Download Maps: Cellular reception can be unreliable on remote forest roads
• Check Fishing Reports: Stocking and fishing conditions vary throughout the year
• Protect The Boat Launch: Do not place rocks on the launch area
• Watch Wildlife From A Distance: Elk, deer, pronghorn and bald eagles may be present

Nearby Lakes Around Flagstaff Arizona

• Ashurst Lake: Popular fishing and boating lake southeast of Flagstaff
• Upper Lake Mary: Larger Flagstaff-area lake used for fishing and boating
• Mormon Lake: Arizona's largest natural lake when water conditions are favorable
• Marshall Lake: Seasonal wetland and lake southeast of Flagstaff
• Flagstaff Area Lakes: Explore additional fishing waters around Flagstaff and the Coconino National Forest

Kinnikinick Lake Arizona FAQ

Where is Kinnikinick Lake Arizona?

Kinnikinick Lake is located southeast of Flagstaff in the Coconino National Forest and is reached from Lake Mary Road by Forest Roads 125 and 82.

Can you camp at Kinnikinick Lake?

No overnight camping is permitted within one mile of Kinnikinick Lake. The former campground was converted to a day-use area in May 2013.

Is Kinnikinick Lake good for fishing?

Yes. Kinnikinick supports a varied fishery that includes trout and channel catfish, with fish populations and stocking changing over time.

What fish are in Kinnikinick Lake?

Fish associated with the lake include rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, tiger trout and channel catfish. Check current Arizona Game and Fish reports for the latest stocking and fishing conditions.

Can you boat on Kinnikinick Lake?

Yes. Kayaks, canoes and small fishing boats are allowed, and the lake has a boat-launch area.

What size boat motor is allowed at Kinnikinick Lake?

Arizona Game and Fish currently limits boats to one motor of 10 horsepower or less or one electric motor.

Is Kinnikinick Lake open year-round?

The lake itself is a day-use recreation area, but winter snow and seasonal forest-road closures can prevent vehicle access.

How high is Kinnikinick Lake?

Kinnikinick Lake sits at approximately 7,000 feet in elevation in the high country southeast of Flagstaff.

Is the road to Kinnikinick Lake paved?

Lake Mary Road is paved, but the final approach uses gravel Forest Service roads.

What wildlife can be seen at Kinnikinick Lake?

Wildlife in the area can include elk, deer, pronghorn and bald eagles.

Are there facilities at Kinnikinick Lake?

Kinnikinick is a rustic day-use area with limited facilities. Visitors should bring drinking water, food and other supplies rather than expecting full campground services.

When is the best time to visit Kinnikinick Lake?

Late spring through fall generally provides the most reliable road access. Winter snow and seasonal road closures can make the lake inaccessible by vehicle.

How far is Kinnikinick Lake from Flagstaff?

The route from Flagstaff follows Lake Mary Road for about 30 miles before continuing on Forest Roads 125 and 82, making the lake a remote day trip southeast of the city.

Arizona Lakes