Show Low, Arizona. Gateway To Four Seasons of Beauty.

By AZ Leisure Staff Writers

Last updated on May 4, 2026.

Show Low, Arizona is a popular four-season destination located in the scenic White Mountains of eastern Arizona. Known for its cool mountain climate, towering pine forests, and easy access to lakes and outdoor recreation, Show Low offers a refreshing escape from the desert heat. Visitors enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and scenic drives. Show Low is surrounded by several popular lakes, including Rainbow Lake, Fool Hollow Lake, and Show Low Lake all known for fishing, boating, and scenic shoreline access. These lakes provide year-round recreation and are a major draw for visitors to the White Mountains region.

Things to Do in Show Low

Visitors to Show Low enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing throughout the White Mountains. The area also offers golf courses, scenic drives, and winter recreation, making it a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Show Low sits among mountain lakes, streams, the forests of the White Mountains, and the Mogollon Rim. Four seasons of scenic beauty create an outdoor enthusiasts paradise. Meadows of wild flowers in the spring, cool refreshing summers, the changing colors of fall, and crisp winters of fresh fallen snow bring visitors year round. At an elevation of about 6,400 feet, Show Low is the popular high country vacation hub and it shares the astounding beauty and outdoor recreation paradise of Arizona's White Mountains country with its neighbor towns of Pinetop-Lakeside, Taylor, Springerville, Heber-Overgaard, Eagar, St. Johns and the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation.

Why People Enjoy Spending Time in Show Low

Visitors are drawn to Show Low for its relaxed mountain-town atmosphere and wide variety of outdoor activities. The area offers cooler summer temperatures, peaceful lakes, and easy access to trails and scenic landscapes throughout the White Mountains. Families, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the combination of fishing, boating, hiking, and camping, while the town also provides dining, shopping, and seasonal events. Whether visiting for a weekend getaway or an extended stay, Show Low offers a balance of recreation and relaxation that keeps visitors returning throughout the year.

Activities in Show Low

• Fishing & boating
• Hiking & biking
• Camping
• Golf
• Winter activities

Summer Activities

Summer in Show Low is ideal for fishing, boating, hiking, and camping, with cool mountain temperatures providing relief from the Arizona desert heat. Visitors enjoy spending time on nearby lakes, exploring forest trails, and relaxing in the shade of towering pine trees.

Fall Activities

Fall brings cooler temperatures and beautiful seasonal colors to the White Mountains. Visitors enjoy hiking, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing as the forests transition, making it a peaceful and picturesque time to visit Show Low.

Winter Activities

Winter in Show Low offers a quieter mountain experience, with opportunities for snow play, cross-country skiing, and nearby downhill skiing. The cooler weather and occasional snowfall create a scenic winter setting throughout the region.

Spring Activities

Spring is a great time to visit Show Low, with mild temperatures, blooming landscapes, and excellent fishing conditions. As the area comes out of winter, visitors enjoy outdoor recreation and fewer crowds before the busy summer season.

Show Low is located in Central-Eastern Arizona about 175 miles northeast of Phoenix and Scottsdale, and about 195 miles from Tucson, so it is a favorite vacation getaway place of the desert-dwellers to escape the heat of summer and to ski the slopes of the nearby Sunrise Ski Resort.

Best Lakes Near Show Low

• Show Low Lake: A popular local lake for fishing, boating, camping, and family-friendly outdoor recreation close to town.
• Fool Hollow Lake: One of the area’s most popular recreation lakes, offering fishing, boating, camping, hiking, and easy shoreline access.
• Rainbow Lake: A scenic White Mountains lake near Pinetop-Lakeside known for fishing, kayaking, boating, and relaxed lakeside scenery.
• Woodland Lake: A convenient lake near Pinetop-Lakeside with walking paths, birdwatching, picnic areas, and peaceful forest surroundings.

Outdoor Adventure and Recreation

Water recreation abounds both within Show Low and in the White Mountains area with beautiful mountain lakes and streams. Bass, Walleye, Crappie and species of Trout populate the waters in the area. This is the only place in the world to find the Apache Trout.

This high country is a hiker's dream where a variety of landscape features both easy and more difficult hiking trails from mountains to rugged cliffs, around lakes, alongside mountain streams and among thick pines and colorful aspens. An abundance of wildlife including black bears and elk and deer are often seen by hikers along with hawks and eagles that fly the skies above.

A few miles north of Show Low, the Pintail Lake Wildlife Area offers exceptional bird-watching opportunities. Migratory geese as well as the famed white-breasted pintail are a few favorites, but there are many other bird species to behold.

Show Low and the area also features several championship golf courses that meander through the forests and around the lakes. The cool summer temperatures makes the Show Low area a great place for a golf getaway.

How Show Low Got Its Name

Whether true or not, legend has it that two men who were bitter enemies, C.E. Cooley and Marion Clark decided that there wasn't enough room for both of them in the settlement. Mutually they both agreed to let the fate of a card game decide who would leave. According to the legend, Clark said, "If you can show low, you win". Cooley turned up the two of clubs, so Clark had to leave. The town became known as " Show Low " from that point forward.

Hon-Dah Casino

As if the outdoor activities were not enough, Show Low is just fifteen miles from the Hon-Dah Casino, which offers plenty of slots, poker, and more. The Native American-run casino offers additional year-round entertainment such as concerts, car shows, comedy shows, and pow-wows. The casino also features a hotel and restaurant that offers everything from gourmet faire to pizza. The casino is located at the junction of Highway 260 and 73.

Sunrise Ski Park Resort

If you are a snow ski enthusiast, the Sunrise Ski Park Resort is just about 34 miles from Show Low. You can escape into the wilderness, ski, mountain bike, enjoy our annual festivals and fish to your heart's content on Sunrise Lake. Or you can simply look out on some of the most beautiful land in Arizona. Summer or winter, when you come to Sunrise Park Resort in the White Mountains of Arizona, you'll find a land, and excitement, you'll want to experience throughout the year. The resort is owned and operated by the White Mountain Apache Indian Tribe.

Best Times to Visit Show Low

• Spring: A good season for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and mild mountain weather before the busy summer season.
• Summer: One of the most popular times to visit Show Low, with cooler temperatures, lake recreation, camping, golf, and family vacations.
• Fall: A scenic time for colorful foliage, comfortable hiking, fishing, photography, and quieter travel throughout the White Mountains.
• Winter: A good season for snow play, nearby skiing at Sunrise, cozy cabin stays, and quiet mountain getaways.

Getting To Show Low

From Phoenix. Take Highway 87 to Payson and then Highway 260 to Show Low. Phoenix and Scottsdale is about a 175 mile drive through beautiful country.

Show Low Area Map

Where To Stay

Choose from a variety of Show Low Hotels, Pinetop-Lakeside Hotels or Bed and Breakfast Inns in the White Mountains area.

Show Low Arizona FAQ

Where is Show Low Arizona?
Show Low is located in eastern Arizona in the White Mountains region, about 175 miles northeast of Phoenix.

What is Show Low known for?
Show Low is known for its cool mountain climate, pine forests, nearby lakes, fishing, boating, hiking, camping, golf, and access to White Mountains recreation.

What lakes are near Show Low?
Popular lakes near Show Low include Show Low Lake, Fool Hollow Lake, Rainbow Lake, Woodland Lake, and several other White Mountains lakes within driving distance.

Is Show Low good for summer vacations?
Yes, Show Low is popular in summer because its higher elevation and cooler temperatures offer relief from Arizona desert heat.

How far is Show Low from Phoenix?
Show Low is about 175 miles from Phoenix, with a typical drive time of about 3 to 3.5 hours depending on route, traffic, and weather.

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