What Lakes Are in Arizona? | Desert Water Worth Visiting

Arizona has 128 lakes; the most useful shortlist starts with Powell, Havasu, Pleasant, Roosevelt, and Patagonia.

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The useful answer to what lakes are in Arizona starts with two facts: the state has far more water than its desert image suggests, and the lakes visitors actually plan around fall into a few clear groups. Some are huge Colorado River reservoirs, some sit close to Phoenix for boating weekends, and others are cool pine-country fishing lakes above 6,000 feet.

For a trip, the names that matter most are Lake Powell, Lake Havasu, Lake Pleasant, Theodore Roosevelt Lake, Bartlett Lake, Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, Patagonia Lake, Alamo Lake, Woods Canyon Lake, Big Lake, Watson Lake, Lynx Lake, and Tempe Town Lake. The right one depends less on the name and more on the kind of water day you want.

Arizona Lakes At A Glance

Arizona lakes range from houseboat-size reservoirs to small mountain lakes built for kayaking, trout fishing, and easy picnics. The table below sorts the main travel lakes by location and the trip each one fits best.

The Major Arizona Lakes Most Travelers Mean

Arizona’s best-known lakes are mostly reservoirs that now anchor boating, fishing, camping, and weekend travel. The official state tourism site lists Arizona as having 128 lakes and five major rivers on its Arizona lakes and rivers page.

Lake Powell is the dramatic northern Arizona choice, shared with Utah and reached most easily from Page. Travelers go for the flooded slot canyons, long paddles, boat rentals, and the red-rock waterline near Glen Canyon.

Page is the simplest base for the Arizona side of Lake Powell, especially if you want Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend on the same trip:

Lake Havasu is the warm, social Colorado River lake with beaches, marinas, and the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City. Lake Havasu works well for travelers who want more restaurants and hotels close to the water, not a remote campsite-only setup.

For a weekend built around Lake Havasu, stay in Lake Havasu City and keep the car parked after the water day:

Theodore Roosevelt Lake is the largest lake fully inside Arizona, and it feels more spread out than the Phoenix-area lakes. Roosevelt suits anglers, campers, RV travelers, and road-trippers looping through Tonto National Forest.

How Many Arizona Lakes Should You Shortlist?

Most travelers should shortlist three to five Arizona lakes, not the full statewide list. Pick one large boating lake, one easy day-trip lake, one cooler mountain lake, and one quieter lake if fishing or camping matters.

• For a first Arizona lake trip: Lake Havasu, Lake Powell, and Lake Pleasant cover three very different styles.
• For Phoenix-based travel: Lake Pleasant, Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Bartlett Lake, and Roosevelt Lake are the natural shortlist.
• For summer heat relief: Woods Canyon Lake, Big Lake, Show Low Lake, Lynx Lake, and Watson Lake sit higher and cooler than the desert basins.
• For a quieter camping trip: Alamo Lake and Patagonia Lake usually feel less urban than the lakes closest to Phoenix.

Arizona lake conditions can swing with drought, monsoon storms, road repairs, and boat-ramp access. Before towing a boat or reserving a campsite, check the managing agency for water levels, ramp status, fire rules, and permits.

Desert Lakes Near Phoenix And Central Arizona

Central Arizona has the easiest lakes for travelers already staying in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, or Mesa. Lake Pleasant is the broadest choice near the metro area, while Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake feel more canyon-bound and scenic.

Lake Pleasant sits northwest of Phoenix and has the best big-water feel close to the city. It is a strong pick for sailing, jet skiing, paddleboarding, and sunset shoreline stops without committing to a long rural drive.

Phoenix works as the most practical base for Lake Pleasant, especially if the lake is one part of a broader desert trip:

Saguaro Lake is east of Mesa on the Salt River chain, with cliff-lined water and a compact day-trip rhythm. Canyon Lake, farther along the Apache Trail area, is smaller and tighter, with steep rock walls that make even a short boat ride feel different from the open reservoirs.

Bartlett Lake sits northeast of Scottsdale and is a clean choice for boat ramps, coves, and a less polished shoreline day. Tempe Town Lake is the urban outlier: it is not a wilderness lake, but it is easy for kayaking, rowing, walking paths, and a water break in the middle of the Phoenix area.

Northern Arizona And Colorado River Lakes

Northern and western Arizona lakes are the ones to choose when the water itself is the trip. Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Havasu, and smaller Colorado River waters give Arizona its biggest desert-water scenery.

Lake Mead touches Arizona along the Nevada border and pairs naturally with Hoover Dam, Temple Bar, and Colorado River drives. Lake Mead is not as simple as one town and one marina, so build the day around the exact access point you plan to use.

Lake Mohave, south of Hoover Dam, is narrower and clearer than many low-desert reservoirs. It works well for boaters who want Colorado River scenery without the same destination-town feel as Lake Havasu.

Watson Lake in Prescott belongs in this northern group for a different reason. Watson Lake is smaller, cooler, and framed by granite boulders, making it better for kayaks and short shoreline hikes than for high-speed boating.

Cooler Mountain Lakes In Eastern Arizona

Eastern Arizona’s mountain lakes are the right call when the desert floor is too hot. Woods Canyon Lake, Willow Springs Lake, Big Lake, Show Low Lake, and Becker Lake are better for trout, cabins, campgrounds, and pine air than for resort-style lake travel.

Woods Canyon Lake and Willow Springs Lake sit on the Mogollon Rim, north of Payson. These lakes are popular with Phoenix-area travelers because they trade cactus heat for forest shade in a drive that can fit a weekend.

Big Lake is farther east in the White Mountains and has one of Arizona’s classic summer fishing scenes. Show Low Lake and Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area bring the same high-country feel closer to services in Show Low.

These mountain lakes are usually more seasonal than the desert reservoirs. Snow, winter road conditions, fire restrictions, and campground openings can shape the trip, so the safest plan is to verify access before driving up.

Smaller Arizona Lakes That Still Earn A Stop

Several smaller Arizona lakes are worth choosing when the goal is calm water, birding, or a slower camping trip. Patagonia Lake, Alamo Lake, Lynx Lake, and Parker Canyon Lake often feel more relaxed than the headline reservoirs.

Patagonia Lake is a southern Arizona favorite for swimming, cabins, birding, and mellow kayaking near the Mexico border. It pairs well with Sonoita wine country, Nogales, or a Tucson-to-south-Arizona loop.

Patagonia makes the most sense as an overnight if you want birding, cabins, or a slower southern Arizona weekend:

Alamo Lake, west of Wickenburg and near Wenden, is better for anglers and campers than casual resort travelers. Lynx Lake near Prescott is small, easy, and good for a half-day outside town. Parker Canyon Lake in southeastern Arizona is a quiet option for fishing, picnics, and a less crowded water stop near the Huachuca Mountains.

Pick The Right Lake For Your Trip

The right Arizona lake is the one that matches your weather, drive time, and water plans. Choose Lake Powell for red-rock canyon water, Lake Havasu for a lively lake town, Lake Pleasant for a Phoenix-area boating day, and Roosevelt Lake for a larger central Arizona camping or fishing trip.

• Best first pick: Lake Havasu if you want hotels, restaurants, marinas, and easy vacation logistics.
• Best scenery pick: Lake Powell if the goal is canyon water, kayaking, and northern Arizona landmarks.
• Best Phoenix day trip: Lake Pleasant for the simplest big-lake plan from the metro area.
• Best cooler summer pick: Woods Canyon Lake or Big Lake when desert heat is the problem.
• Best quiet camping pick: Alamo Lake if fishing and night skies matter more than nearby restaurants.
• Best southern Arizona pick: Patagonia Lake for families, birders, and travelers already near Tucson or Sonoita.

If you only have one day, pick the lake closest to where you are sleeping. If you are building a full Arizona route, pair one desert lake with one high-country lake so the trip shows both sides of the state.