White Mountains Parks & Recreation Directory

An 850-acre recreation area at 6,300 feet surrounding a 149-acre lake, operated by Arizona State Parks inside the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Opened in 1994 as a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service, Arizona State Parks, Arizona Game & Fish, and the City of Show Low. One of the most complete public recreation facilities in the White Mountains.

Facilities: 20 tent-only sites; 62 electric RV sites (30/50 amp); picnic ramadas with grills; multiple boat ramps (note: ramps may close during low-water periods — confirm before hauling); paddle-craft rentals from on-site concessionaire; fishing piers; hiking trails along the lake shoreline; visitor center and park store (8 a.m.–4 p.m.); playground; showers and restrooms; fish cleaning station; dump station.

Fishing: Rainbow trout stocked year-round; smallmouth and largemouth bass; walleye; pike. Wildlife viewing includes elk, deer, bald eagles, and waterfowl.

Hours: Nov–Mar: gates 7 a.m.–8 p.m.  ·  Apr–Oct: gates 5 a.m.–8 p.m.  ·  Day use 8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily. Camping guests with reservations may enter after hours using gate PIN code. Reservations: azstateparks.com or (877) 697-2757.

Events: Annual 4th of July fireworks celebration (free park entry 7–8:30 p.m.). Adjacent WMTS trails — Los Caballos trailhead is minutes away.

A 1,200-acre state park encompassing a 1,500-acre reservoir at 6,000 feet elevation — the largest lake in the White Mountains region and one of the few bodies of water in northeastern Arizona with no motor size restrictions on most of the lake. Fed by snowmelt from Mount Baldy and Escudilla Mountain. Located approximately 61 miles from Fool Hollow Lake, on the eastern approach via St. Johns.

Facilities: RV and tent campsites with lakeside views; 8 camping cabins; group sites; boat ramps; swimming area; dump station; park store (May–Sept: Sun–Wed 7 a.m.–5 p.m., Thu–Sat 7 a.m.–7 p.m.); showers and restrooms.

Water recreation: Full-speed powerboating, water-skiing, wakeboarding, jet-skiing, sailing on the main body. No-wake zone (5 mph) on the western end for fishing. Fishery: walleye, channel catfish, largemouth bass.

Trails: Lyman Lake hiking trails including the Petroglyph Trail — boat across the lake to reach the Ultimate Petroglyph site. Wildlife viewing throughout the park.

Hours: Open 24 hours daily, year-round. Park store seasonal hours vary. Christmas: closed. Reservations: azstateparks.com or (877) 697-2757.

Called the "Crown Jewel" of Pinetop-Lakeside, Woodland Lake Park is the community's centerpiece recreation area on 18-acre Woodland Lake at 6,893 feet elevation. The park spans land shared between the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. A major planned expansion by Save Our Park, a dedicated nonprofit advocacy organization, will make it one of the largest recreation and nature areas of any community in Arizona.

Developed facilities: Volleyball court (sand); softball/baseball fields; two children's playgrounds; picnic ramadas (reservable through the Town); barrier-free ADA restrooms; barrier-free floating fishing dock; boat ramp; pickleball courts. "Sadie the Rock Snake" — a continuous community-painted stone art installation along the lake loop — is a unique public art feature.

Trails: 1.1-mile paved ADA loop around the lake plus WMTS-connected hiking, biking, and equestrian trails in the wilder sections. The park connects directly to the White Mountain Trail System — the WMTS Woodland Lake Park trail is an official non-motorized designated trail.

Fishing & boating: Rainbow trout (stocked spring and summer), largemouth bass, channel catfish. Electric motors only — no gas motors. Kayaking and non-motorized boating permitted. No swimming.

Note on water levels: The lake is part of the local irrigation district and subject to seasonal drawdown — levels may be significantly lower in late summer and after drought winters. The Save Our Park organization is actively working on alternative water sourcing. Check current conditions before visit.

Hours: Open daily — closes 8:00 p.m. No camping on-site; nearest campground is Lakeside Campground on Hwy 260 (82 sites, call 877-444-6777 for reservations).

A 100-acre lake at 6,500 feet, operated by Recreation Resource Management under contract with the City of Show Low. Show Low Lake is Arizona's premier walleye fishery — the last five state walleye records including the current record of 16 lbs. 2 oz. all came from this lake. Also produces rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, channel catfish (a 32-lb. channel catfish was recently caught here), bluegill, and green sunfish.

Campground: 75 campsites (some electric hookups, 30-amp); two group sites accommodating 75–150 people; dump station; showers (seasonal); drinking water; fish cleaning station; playground; picnic ramadas. Open year-round. Check-in 2 p.m., checkout 1 p.m. 2-night minimum on weekends; 3-night minimum on holiday weekends for reservations. Pets allowed on leash.

Boating: Electric motors or 10 hp gas maximum. Boat ramp on-site. Boat rentals available from J&T Wildlife Outdoors (928-892-6170). Seasonal convenience store sells bait, tackle, licenses, drinks, and snacks.

Hours: Day use closes at dusk. Open year-round. Reservation window: May–September peak. Reservations open all year online at campshowlowlake.com.

The primary community park for Heber-Overgaard, located on Highway 260 at the heart of the community. Free admission, open sunrise to sunset year-round. Heber-Overgaard hosts Oktoberfest, 4th of July fireworks, and Winterfest events at this park.

Facilities: Large children's playground (ages 1–8); sand volleyball courts; multi-use courts (pickleball, volleyball, softball); 18-hole disc golf course set among Ponderosa pines; 13-mile biking and hiking trail network; picnic areas; restrooms.

Hours: Mon–Fri 6 a.m.–7 p.m.  ·  Sat–Sun 6 a.m.–9 p.m.

For equestrian property buyers: Tall Timbers is the most accessible public recreation anchor in Heber-Overgaard — within walking distance of the Rusty Buck Inn and Big Pine Cabins and 38 miles from Show Low and Linden Valley Arena. The adjacent Rim Lakes Recreation Area and Mogollon Rim trailheads are minutes south on Highway 260.

Show Low's downtown community park on the Deuce of Clubs — the primary venue for community events including the 4th of July Freedom Fest fireworks display, Show Low Days, the annual BBQ Throwdown, and other seasonal events. Facilities include sports fields and community event space. The park is the civic heart of Show Low proper.

One of Arizona's flagship high-country recreation complexes at 9,000–9,100 feet elevation — a genuine alpine environment in mixed conifer, fir, spruce, and aspen forest. Big Lake itself is 575 acres (some sources cite 450–532 acres at varying fill levels). Also serves as a base for Crescent Lake (2 miles north), Lee Valley Lake, and the East and West Forks of the Black River.

Campgrounds (5 total):

• Apache Trout — Largest; full hookups (41 electrical sites), accommodates RVs to 82 ft; 22 double sites; 2 group sites (50 and 100 people); flush toilets and showers.
• Rainbow — 165 sites in 6 loops; most popular for families; no hookups; flush toilets; small store nearby.
• Grayling — 23 sites; secluded lakeside; no hookups; RV-accessible in some sections.
• Brookchar — 12 tent-only walk-in sites; nearest campground to the water; restrooms; showers 1 mile.
• Cutthroat — Tent only.

Facilities: Visitor center with naturalist programs; Big Lake Store (boat rentals, fishing licenses, bait and tackle, gas, groceries, ice, firewood); boat ramps; paved campground roads; dump station; showers. Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, bird watching, and wildlife viewing throughout the complex.

Fishing: Arizona's top high-country trout lake — rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and Apache trout. Arizona Game & Fish stocks regularly. Apache trout is a federally protected species native only to Arizona; Big Lake is one of the few places to catch one legally.

Note: High elevation — prepare for afternoon thunderstorms July–August and cool nighttime temperatures. Reservations strongly recommended for summer and holiday weekends via recreation.gov. Fire restrictions may apply; check USFS current conditions.

A series of lakes and campgrounds along the Mogollon Rim at approximately 7,500 feet elevation, accessible via Forest Road 300 south of Heber-Overgaard. Non-motorized use only — equestrians, hikers, and cyclists welcome; no motorized vehicles on the Rim trail corridor. This is the primary equestrian access point for riders based in Heber-Overgaard.

Lakes: Black Canyon Lake, Willow Springs Lake, Woods Canyon Lake, Chevelon Canyon Lake — each with fishing, some with boat ramps (electric/10 hp limits). Dispersed camping available via Forest Road 300. Spectacular Mogollon Rim views at 7,500-plus feet.

Equestrian note: The Rim Trail along the escarpment is open to horses — one of the defining equestrian access points for riders in the Heber-Overgaard corridor. Trail access directly from Forest Road 300.

Carr Lake Trailhead (Forest Road 9350): Horse corrals and vault toilets available — a dedicated equestrian staging area within the Rim Lakes complex. Confirm current corral availability with the Black Mesa Ranger District before trailering.

A Forest Service campground in the Alpine district specifically known for horse corrals and direct backcountry trail access — the most dedicated equestrian staging campground in the White Mountains backcountry. For riders planning multi-day rides into the Blue Range Primitive Area or the eastern Apache-Sitgreaves backcountry, KP Cienega is the base camp.

Facilities: Horse corrals on-site; vault toilets; backcountry trail access. Contact Alpine Ranger District for current corral availability and reservation requirements before trailering horses.

Constructed in 1994 and owned and operated by the City of Show Low — the only public indoor aquatic center in the White Mountains region. Open to the general public year-round, making it the primary swim facility for the entire region including riders and equestrian families based in Linden, Pinedale, Vernon, and surrounding unincorporated communities.

Facilities: 6-lane 25-yard lap pool; adjoining leisure pool with zero-depth entry; indoor spa; spray fountain; water slide.

Programs: Swim lessons (all ages); competitive swim teams; fitness classes; pool reservations for private events. Register at showlow.activityreg.com.

Note: The Best Western Paint Pony Lodge provides passes to this Aquatic Center for guests — worth confirming if staying there. Current hours and fee schedule at showlowaz.gov/page/aquatic-center.