5 Arizona lakes for Memorial Day weekend fun

Memorial Day is one of the most popular times to get outside and enjoy the natural landscape. Here are 5 Arizona lakes where you can have fun that weekend. 

Memorial Day itself is a somber occasion marking a day of remembrance for those who gave their lives in the US military. Local institutions, such as the Heard Museum, host Memorial Day gatherings to provide an opportunity for people to honor loved ones and community members who have died in service to our country. 

The weekend leading up to this sorrowful day is typically used to enjoy the freedoms we’ve been afforded by the ultimate sacrifice of these military members. Memorial Day weekend is a long weekend for many, which provides ample opportunity to spend time with family and friends while you barbecue, go for a hike, or hang out at one of Arizona’s beautiful lakes. 

Many stunning bodies of water are found throughout the state, but we’re going to highlight the top five Arizona lakes where you can have fun on Memorial Day weekend. 

Watson Lake – Prescott 

Before we dive into what makes Watson Lake so special, it’s important to note that all of these locations will be especially busy over Memorial Day weekend, given the nature of this annual celebration. Bearing that in mind, make sure you plan your day accordingly to minimize traffic. Any way you look at it, though, all of these lakes are going to be busier than they would be at other points in the year. 

Located just outside of Prescott, Watson Lake offers a range of activities and amenities to visitors. Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, boating, fishing, and rock climbing are some of the most popular things to do here. You can go camping at Watson Lake, but access to the campground is only available in the summer. Some great year-round features of this gorgeous location include:

• Horseshoe pits
• Barbecue grills
• Picnic tables and ramadas
• Playground equipment 
• Restrooms
• Boat launches

Swimming is not permitted at Watson Lake, so you’ll need to leave your bathing suit at home. There’s a $3 parking fee, but otherwise you can enjoy everything else for free between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. 

A view of Watson Lake at sunrise. (Michael Wilson/CC BY-NC 2.0)

Alamo Lake – Wenden

As of writing, certain areas of Alamo Lake State Park are under construction, and the official website doesn’t indicate whether that will be wrapped up by Memorial Day. To make sure you can do everything you’d like to do over that celebratory weekend, click here to monitor the site for updates.

Alamo Lake is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The park store and visitor center are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Entrance fees to visit the lake and the surrounding state park are as follows:

• Per vehicle (one person): $10.00
• Per vehicle (two to four people): $20.00
• Individual/bicycle: $5.00

This option is geared more toward individuals seeking quieter, nature-driven ways to spend the holiday weekend. Alamo Lake is one of the best areas to fish for bass, and it’s great for wildlife and wildflower viewing, too. OHV riding trails are located just outside the boundaries of the state park if you’re interested in exploring the Sonoran Desert on your bonus day off.

Boating and camping are also available. You can swim at Alamo Lake, but we strongly encourage you to follow these safety tips when doing so.

A view of the Alamo Dam, located inside Alamo Lake State Park. (Los Angeles District USACE/CC BY-ND 2.0)

Lake Havasu – Lake Havasu City 

Activities abound at Lake Havasu, which remains open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The park store and visitor center are only open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. from March to October. Similar to Alamo Lake, a park entrance fee is required:

• Per vehicle (Monday-Thursday): $20
• Per vehicle (Friday-Sunday and holidays): $25
• Individual/bicycle: $5.00

Kayak and canoe rentals, along with all necessary safety equipment, are available at the concessionaires. Lake Havasu is a common port of entry for the Colorado River, and once you get here, you’ll understand why. If boating isn’t your thing, though, don’t worry; you can always plan a camping trip, go fishing, or take a relaxing swim on one of the lake’s many beaches. Please remember to follow these safety guidelines when swimming, especially since there aren’t any lifeguards monitoring these areas.

Biking isn’t permitted, but you (and your dog) can take a hike along the Mohave Sunset Trail or enjoy the Arroyo-Camino Interpretative Garden. 

Groups of people kayaking and canoeing on Lake Havasu. (Bureau of Land Management/CC BY 2.0)

Canyon Lake – Mesa

Surrounded by red-rock canyon (hence the name), Canyon Lake is a remote, scenic area of Mesa that’s perfect for Memorial Day weekend activities. Spanning over 30 miles of shoreline, this beautiful location is perfect for boating, water skiing, and fishing. Kayaks, canoes, pontoon boats, fishing equipment, and water skiing equipment are available to rent, but you’re of course welcome to bring your own if you already have access to these amenities. 

Hiking and wildlife viewing are popular at Canyon Lake, and if you want to enjoy everything this oasis has to offer but you don’t really want to be in nature, there’s always the Dolly Steamboat. This steamboat offers dinner and sightseeing around the surrounding Tortilla Flat, providing a great alternative for those who want to have fun without being stuck in crowds all day.

For additional information, click here.

A view of Canyon Lake and the surrounding cliffs. (Geoff Livingston/ CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Patagonia Lake – Patagonia 

With all due respect to the other Arizona lakes on this list, we saved the best for last: Patagonia Lake. Located inside Patagonia Lake State Park, this is the ultimate destination for all things Memorial Day weekend celebration and beyond. Here are just a few things you have access to here:

• Picnic areas with grills, tables, and ramadas 
• A campground
• A beach
• A marina and boat ramps
• A creek trail 

As if that wasn’t enough, there’s the Lakeside Market where you can rent a boat and all necessary supplies. Plus, you can fish for trout, bluegill, bass, catfish, and crappie on the lake, or you can go water skiing instead if fishing isn’t your thing. If you’re looking for alternatives to those water activities, consider going hiking, birdwatching, or simply spending the day enjoying a picnic with the people you love most. 

Patagonia Lake is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sundays, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays. The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but hours vary for the park store. Park entrance fees are as follows:

• Per vehicle (one to four adults) Monday through Thursday: $20
• Per vehicle (one to four adults) Fridays through Sundays and holidays: $25
• Individual/bicycle: $5

For additional information, including a list of upcoming events, click here.

A view of Patagonia Lake during the day. (Alan Schmierer/CC0 1.0 Universal)

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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