For people who enjoy being around the presence of nature, Arizona is a great state to visit. With its many lakes and parks, there are plenty of natural areas to enjoy. Here are seven of some of our favorite lakes in Arizona to explore:

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1. Apache Lake

This 17-mile-long lake is located in the Superstition Wilderness Area and sees much fewer visitors than other lakes, making it a great place to get away from it all.

With its towering cliffs and mountains in the background, Apache Lake is a beautiful spot to spend a day or weekend to enjoy fishing, camping, kayaking, and more.

2. Canyon Lake

This reservoir is located in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix and is known for its deep, clear waters. It has over 80 miles of shoreline to explore and is a great place for water activities.

With its rocky cliffs and evergreen trees, Canyon Lake is one of the most scenic lakes in Arizona. It’s also home to several fish species, including largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, and crappie.

3. Goldwater Lake

This artificial lake is located in the Prescott National Forest and is over 25 acres. In the early 1900s, the lake was created when a dam was built on Bannon Creek.

Goldwater Lake is open to fishing, boating, kayaking, and more, except for swimming. The authorities prohibit swimming because of the many hazards in the area, including submerged logs and rocks.

4. Lynx Lake

This small, alpine lake sits at an elevation of over 1690m and is located in the Prescott National Forest. With its crystal clear waters and lush pine forest, Lynx Lake makes for great hiking, camping, boating, and fishing destination.

It also covers a wide range of wildlife, including geese, deer, elk, and moose. You’ll also likely see some local wildlife, including bald eagles and ospreys.

5. Bartlett Lake

Bartlett Lake is the place for you if you’re fond of sport fishing. This reservoir, located in the Tonto National Forest east of Phoenix, is home to largemouth bass, catfish, sunfish, and crappie.

Bartlett Lake also has a healthy population of walleye and striped bass. It is open to all types of watercraft, including powerboats, sailboats, and kayaks.

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6. Tempe Town Lake

From its location in the heart of Tempe, this artificial lake is a popular spot for boating, paddleboarding, and more. Town Lake is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening with its many parks and restaurants surrounding it.

Unlike many other lakes on this list, Tempe Town Lake is surrounded by urban development, making it a unique and thrilling place to explore.

7. Big Lake

This lake is one of the best fishing spots in the White Mountains, with an average depth of around nine meters and most fish species being trout.

Around 200 camping spots, picnic tables, showers, and restrooms are situated around the lake. Boats can also be launched from one of the lake’s two ramps. However, motors are limited to ten horsepower.

Arizona is a great place to visit with its many lakes to explore for those who love the outdoors. Whether you’re looking for a lake to enjoy fishing, camping, kayaking, or just taking in the scenery, there’s something for everyone in this great state. So get out and explore some of Arizona’s best lakes!

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