Arizona is usually associated with deserts, canyons, and dry mountain landscapes, yet the state also has dozens of lakes suitable for swimming, fishing, boating, and paddling. The source identifies around 40 lakes across Arizona, ranging from developed recreation areas near Phoenix to quieter reservoirs surrounded by wilderness.
There is therefore no single best lake in Arizona for every traveler. A family looking for an easy day trip may choose differently from someone planning a camping weekend, while boaters and hikers have their own priorities. These top 7 lakes in Arizona offer a useful starting point for comparing the main options.
1. Saguaro Lake
Saguaro Lake offers one of the strongest combinations of scenery, accessibility, and activities. Located about 43 miles east of Phoenix, the lake is surrounded by canyon walls and the Sonoran Desert covered with its namesake saguaro cacti.
Boating and waterskiing are popular, while fishing, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and picnicking make the area suitable for visitors who want more than one activity in a day. Tour boat trips are another distinctive option, and the upper reaches of the lake can provide more space when the main recreation areas become crowded on weekends.
For a first visit, Saguaro Lake is probably the most balanced candidate for the best lake in Arizona.
2. Apache Lake
Travelers who prefer a less developed setting may find Apache Lake more appealing. Stretching for more than 17 miles between the Superstition and Four Peaks Wilderness Areas, this dammed section of the Salt River offers swimming, boating and kayaking alongside beaches, hiking routes, and views toward the surrounding mountains.
Its relative isolation is part of the attraction. Boats and kayaks can be used to explore coves and inlets, while camping options make it practical for an overnight trip rather than only a few hours beside the water. Wildlife in the wider area includes mule deer, coyotes, and black bears.
3. Canyon Lake
Canyon Lake is a practical choice for visitors who want dramatic desert scenery without traveling particularly far from the Phoenix metropolitan area. It lies in Tonto National Forest, approximately 38 miles east of Mesa, and is surrounded by rugged mountains and rocky cliffs.
The main activities include swimming and kayaking, boating and fishing, hiking, camping, and picnicking around coves and beaches.
Its location between the city and the more remote Apache Lake makes Canyon Lake especially useful for a day trip or straightforward weekend escape.
4. Lake Pleasant
For convenience, Lake Pleasant is difficult to overlook. The lake sits about 45 miles north of Phoenix in the Bradshaw Mountains and combines open water with a surrounding Sonoran Desert landscape. Saguaros and spring wildflowers give the area a distinctly Arizona setting despite the extensive recreation infrastructure.
Fishing, paddleboarding, and kayaking work well for quieter visits, while swimming, watersports, and hiking provide more active alternatives. Its greatest advantage is flexibility: Lake Pleasant can support anything from a simple picnic to a full day of water activities without requiring a long drive from Phoenix.
5. Bartlett Lake
Bartlett Lake is smaller, covering about two square miles, but still offers boating, fishing, and kayaking within Tonto National Forest. The combination of desert mountains, beaches, and shaded picnic areas makes it suitable for visitors who want a calmer environment than some of Arizona’s larger recreation lakes.
Wildlife is another reason to visit. The surrounding area is associated with bald eagles and bighorn sheep, adding an extra dimension for travelers interested in nature rather than watersports alone.
At roughly 57 miles northeast of Phoenix, Bartlett Lake remains close enough for a day trip while feeling noticeably removed from the city.
6. Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake, officially Horseshoe Reservoir, works best for travelers seeking simplicity and relative solitude. Located around 58 miles north of Phoenix, it is primarily suited to fishing, paddling and camping.
Motorized boats are limited to 25 horsepower, helping preserve a quieter atmosphere than at several larger lakes. Nearby trails and mountain scenery provide alternatives when time on the water is not the main priority.
Visiting on a weekday or early during a weekend can make the setting even more peaceful.
7. Tempe Town Lake
Tempe Town Lake is completely different from the other entries in the top 7 lakes in Arizona, and that is precisely why it belongs on the list. Located directly within Tempe, about 10 miles east of Phoenix, it is designed as an urban recreation area rather than a wilderness destination.
Walking paths follow the shoreline, non motorized watercraft can be rented, and a pedestrian bridge crosses the lake. Restaurants, coffee shops and other city facilities are close enough to combine several hours of paddling or walking with the rest of a day in Tempe.
For travelers with limited time, it is the easiest lakefront experience in the Phoenix area.
Which Is the Best Lake in Arizona?
Among these seven options, Saguaro Lake offers the strongest overall balance for a newcomer, while Apache Lake is better for seclusion and Lake Pleasant for convenience. Canyon Lake suits a classic day trip, Bartlett Lake adds wildlife, Horseshoe Lake favors quieter recreation and Tempe Town Lake works when leaving the city is impractical.
The best lake in Arizona ultimately depends on the purpose of the trip. Together, these top 7 lakes in Arizona cover most of the main possibilities, from busy watersports and swimming to camping, wildlife viewing and short urban escapes.