Web1. The Outdoor Amphitheatre hosts several events during summer, including musical concerts. WebJoin or Renew Today. CLOSED NOW. Why We Recommend This Beach. Some of the best beaches near Tucson, AZ, are the ones along a lake, and this one is no exception. This is the experience you expect to find in the White Mountains, a pristine high-country lake ringed by pine and fir trees. You can hike, fish, swim, boat and view wildlife. Roper Lake State Park contains the 32-acre Roper Lake. Its known for the hot spring, a lake, and beautiful palm trees that contribute to the oasis atmosphere. You can camp, boat, fish, swim and hike here. Camping is first come, first served or through reservation. The rocks in Slide Rock are slippery, so practice caution when crossing on foot. During the summer, Patagonia Lake becomes Tucsons unofficial beach. Riggs Flat Lake sits in a bowl at 8,600 feet on the shoulder of Mount Graham. You can rent kayaks, pedal boats, stand-up paddle boards and fishing gear. Just a little bit away from the Mexican border, Parker Canyon Lake is an Arizona secret that not many visitors know about. If its lake life youre after youll find that too. Recommended Hotel Near Pea Blanca: Fiesta Inn Nogales, 101 East Roper Lake RoadSafford, AZ 85546(928) 428-6760. There is a primitive camping site next to the lake but without any amenities. Its a 260-acre lake in a well-developed state park that offers tons of water activities and hiking trails. Nestled in rolling hills and framed by mountains, Parker Canyon Lake contains stocked rainbow trout and resident bass, sunfish and catfish. The last 2miles are well-maintained gravel. It sits by the Santa Cruz River in Christopher Columbus Park. Even in the summer. But it is also the safest beach for kids thats near Tucson. This mountain lake is just under 80 miles away (toward Patagonia Lake) and includes a marina where you can rent boating and fishing equipment and buy last-minute supplies like food, snacks and cold drinks. WebAny decent body of water is worth a look for an open water swim, but here are the more popular places where swimmers congregate. 15 Best Swimming Holes in Arizona: Grasshopper Point, Sedona, AZ. Luckily, there are a few great lakes within two hours of Tucson, making them the perfect option for a day trip or quick weekend getaway. It is also one of the best drives, as you will be treated to fascinating views of the rolling hills of Sonoita and Elgin. Water is probably the last thing you would expect to find in a desert but if you look aroundyou'llbe surprised. In Safford you'll find restaurants, antiques and museums if you want to venture into town. Reverence pairs Lambrechts embroidered photographs on linen with Schneiders gilded photographs, highlighting recent directions in object-based photography. If you take Ruby Road to Arivaca Lake, take the Ruby Road exit off Interstate 19. Recommended Hotel Near Puerto Peasco: Peasco del Sol Hotel & Conference Center-Rocky Point, 28085 AZ-188Roosevelt, AZ 85545(602) 977-7170. Etherton Gallery is pleased to present its new exhibition, Reverence, highlighting the work of photographers Laurie Lambrecht and Wendi Schneider. Family Destinations Guide is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Recommended Hotel Near Roosevelt Lake: Roosevelt Resort Park, Also See:Best Beaches Near Scottsdale, AZBest Beaches in Arizona, 11570 N Oracle RoadTucson, AZ 85737(520) 628-5798. Bull Pen, Camp Verde, AZ. The number of beaches around the lake means you have plenty of space for all these relaxing activities. Visitors to Grasshopper Point love cliff jumping from the rocks, but it is actually discouraged. You are allowed to swim here, but there isn't a designated swimming area. Romero Pools, Tucson, AZ. Campsites cost $20-$30. WebWell worth the drive. Las Conchas is a six-mile golden sandy beach that has gentle waves. WebSwimming hole near Sedona: Wet Beaver Creek. Some of the best beaches near Tucson, AZ, are the ones along a lake, and this one is no exception. (see the restrictions onthe official page). The lake goes down 50 feet, so you may not be able to see the bottom well but the water does become a lovely shade of blue-green here. When it comes to accommodation, there are plenty of options. JOIN NOW. Get on the five-mile trail around the shoreline that offers excellent vantage points to watch the ducks, waterfowls, Bald eagles and osprey. Montezumas Well is about 3 hours and 10 minutes away from Tucson and is located in Camp Verde. You will probably spot other desert dwellers, including doves and roadrunners. Take a dip at these awesome places to swim in and around Tucson, AZ. Bell Trail follows Wet Beaver Creek to one of the most sought-after swimming holes in the region: The Crack. Still, its a quiet and undeveloped setting, ideal for escaping the busy cities and recharging in nature. Paddle Games3 Fun Games To Play On The Water, Paddle Your Way To See The Best Fall Colors, The Best Reasons You Should Try Wakeboarding This Summer, 5 Excellent Places for Beginners to Kayak in Arizona, 5 Exhilarating Jet Skiing Spots in Arizona, Rincon Valley Farmers And Artisans Market, Dr. Ganns Diet Of Hope Cinco De Mayo 10K, Some Images Courtesy of Polaris Adventures. Because this crucial element is so scarce here it becomes much more important and enchanting when you do find it. The lake was drained and dredged in 2008 in an effort to rid it of mercury that was accumulating in year-round species like bass, crappie and catfish. Where: 101 E. Roper Lake Road, Safford. Disadvantages. For Dankworth Pond, continue south on 191 for an additional 3 miles. BEST LAKES NEAR TUCSON AZ PATAGONIA LAKE STATE PARK ROPER LAKE STATE PARK PENA BLANCA LAKE ROSE CANYON LAKE PARKER CANYON LAKE RIGGS FLAT LAKE ARIVACA LAKE URBAN LAKES NEAR TUCSON AZ KENNEDY LAKE SILVER BELL LAKE SAHUARITA LAKE LAKESIDE LAKE MAP OF THE LAKES NEAR TUCSON AZ BEST LAKES Its an 11-acre lake located in the Mt Graham area, making it hard to get to. Some of the best beaches near Tucson, AZ, are the ones along a lake, and this one is no exception. Plenty of parking is available, so get out to Aqua Caliente!". It's a tropical oasis in the desert. You might also find the crowd here to be smaller, which is a definite plus! On the water, you can go swimming in the designated area, as well as fish, kayak, and boat. Its a rare gem in the otherwise baren Tucson area, well worth the drive. Slide Rock, Sedona, AZ. CLOSED NOW. Theres plenty of shady spots and the water stays a refreshing 70-degrees. You can swim, boat, fish, hike, camp, picnic and more. Although the lake remains closed for any activity, during the winter, you can still fish in Rose Canyon with a valid fishing license. Day-use fee is $8 per vehicle. It is about 1 hour and 55 minutes away from Tucson. Plus, there are a separate model boat lake and a model airplane area in Christopher Columbus Park which can be fun to watch. Silverlake Park is a nice city park in the South Park neighborhood of central Tucson. Claire A. Wardens I am proud to say that my 4&5 year old are. Grasshopper Point Christine Riggle/Flickr Yet, the most versatile options with camping and boating require a drive. You can also hike and camp around Parker Canyon Lake. 928-428-6760, azstateparks.com/roper-lake. Bell Trail follows Wet Beaver Creek to one of the most sought-after swimming holes in the region: The Crack. Kino Veterans Memorial Pool. Sahuarita Lake is one of the famous urban fishing lakes near Tucson. For a desert dweller, there is no better feeling than to discover water where water shouldnt be. Just, Well as long as you keep the a/c in your car in good condition, don't work outside, and make friends you won't turn into some one like Tucsonsux.. Or head towards Mt Lemmon to find the pine-studded Rose Canyon Lake. Related: 12 Fantastic Lakes near Payson, AZ 3. If youre not looking for views of the sea, the Colorado River is an excellent spot for swimming. Fossil Creek, Phoenix, AZ. Like, really hot. Also, the town of Patagonia is pretty cute, so you could explore a little before or after you hit the lake. Chuck Ford Lakeside Park 14 Lakeside Park You can do all the things at Patagonia Lake. You can also sometimes spot bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, and rabbits. You can hike, fish, swim, boat and view wildlife. There is a launching ramp to aid boaters; however, check the water levels with the park as its known to get shallow during the dry season. It is small, beautiful and ecologically fragile. Even if there wasnt a lovely body of water waiting at the end of the road, this is a drive worth making. One such, For a landlocked state in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, Arizona is home to some fantastic kayaking locations. There are many paths to wander, and benches throughout. There are restrooms, paid parking, and drinking water available. Get the StepOutside Newsletter specially curated by Outdoor experts. Go on weekend beach trips from Tucson in this beautiful Mexican City. Related: 11 Fabulous Lakes near Flagstaff, AZ. Your contribution helps our team bring you stories that keep you connected to the community. Where: From Tucson, drive south on Interstate 19 to the Pea Blanca-Ruby Road exit, about8 miles north of Nogales. Among the animals, you can spot whitetail deer, mule deer, javelina, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, and jack and cottontail rabbits. Spanning 10 acres, the lake is also a top spot for families looking to picnic, walk their dogs, or play with kids. Or you can also choose to do the Mariah Mesa loop trail in the park. La Milagrosa Canyon is a hidden gem just east of Tucson, Arizona and north of the Tanque Verde area. The lake features a campground with primitive sites, a marina where you can rent kayaks and boats, and a 5-mile trail that loops around the lake. What they lack in size they more than make up for in beauty. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! The road narrows but is paved all the way as it reaches the shore of Parker Canyon Lake. Now, you can even lounge around on the sandy banks of Centennial Beach when youre not in the water. Seven Falls, Tucson, AZ. Plus, its spotless and manicured. Since the lake is classified as fragile, no swimming, boating and other water activities are allowed. Its the best recreational lake near Tucson. Web3700 S. Mission Rd. Why You Need to Take Your Kids Paddling Today, Paddling With Your KidsHow To Get Started, Kayak Adventures5 Warm-Weather Escapes To Try Right Now.