Cool Off The Right Way at Canyon Lake, AZ
Everyone thinks I’m crazy for wanting to venture off to the scorching Arizona desert during summer. Yet, this is still something I will frequently suggest for a summer weekend trip. Although traveling to a desert state in these conditions requires some special planning.
When it’s too hot during the day to hike I like to enjoy my other favorite outdoor activity – swimming in natural water!
Arizona is home to a multitude of beautiful swimming holes, river access points, and gorgeous lakes. Being surrounded by the desert landscape while floating through natural water makes me so giddy to the point I feel like I’m a kid again.
For this past weekend, we decided to visit Canyon Lake: one of the most beautiful lakes for swimming and boating just outside of Apache Junction.
🌻 Our content may contain affiliate links. If clicked through to make a purchase, the price remains the same for you and we will earn a small commission. This helps us to continue creating useful and valuable content for you and other visitors. 💜Where and What is Canyon Lake?
Canyon Lake is located about 30 minutes from Apache Junction and about 1 hour from Phoenix, Arizona. The lake is nestled in Tonto National Forest and is a popular recreation area for both locals of Arizona and summer travelers.
Closest places for nightly accommodation near Canyon Lake is either Apache Junction or in Mesa, Arizona. We stayed at a lovely AirBnb in Apache Junction, about 20 minutes from the lake. Honestly it was much more memorable than a standard motel.
If you prefer to cozy it up in an Airbnb, you can use our coupon code which saves you $40 off your stay!
The road up to Canyon Lake is a windy one, but the entire way I was awe struck by the impressive desert views. Saguaro cacti, large rock structures, and endless canyon views all within the quick 20 minute drive through the mountains.
This scenic desert lake is one of four lakes created from the damning of the Salt River of Arizona. Canyon lake is the third and smallest lake of the four. The other lakes include Apache Lake, Roosevelt lake (both upstream), and Saguaro Lake (downstream).
For being the smallest of the bunch, the lake still boasts a large surface area of 950 acres!
Location Details/Information
Canyon Lake is open year round. If you’re going to the lake to swim, you have multiple access points you can choose from. You can either park inside the recreation site, known as Acacia, or park outside on the highway.
If you have a lot of gear to bring in (ie cooler, chairs, umbrella, tubes) then I would recommend parking within the recreation area. You will have closer beach access making it easier to lug all your gear.
Parking at Acacia Recreation Site:
- $12 per car for a day pass
- Pay at electronic fee station a quarter mile down the road for a day pass
- 48 available parking spots
- Fills up fast during summer
- Close and easy access to swimming beach with tables, grass, and shaded areas
- No walk in access if lot is full
Parking off the highway:
- Free to park
- Many different areas to park along the road
- No access to recreation site
- Might have to walk down rocks or steep areas of the mountain depending on your location
Acacia Recreation Site – Swimming Beach & Boat Launch Area
We parked at the Acacia Recreation Site since we had a lot of gear we wanted to bring down to the water. For the price, this option was a no brainer for the convenience, plus funds go towards maintaining the park.
Despite how crowded the parking lot was the beach had plenty of space. Don’t get me wrong there were still lots of families and large parties but we never felt annoyed or cramped. Luckily, we found ample amount of shade under a larger tree. We didn’t even need to use the beach umbrella we had brought. Thanks tree!
Surviving The Arizona Summer Heat
As mentioned earlier, we were visiting during summer, specifically late June. So it was HOT. Temperatures reached just above 100°F which is normal for Arizona during this time.
These high temperatures are very manageable with the proper preparation and execution. Bring lots of water to hydrate, a large cover for shade, and sun protection like sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. Also, taking frequent dips in and out of the water helps immensely with keeping your body cool.
Without shade, I don’t think we would have lasted very long out here. Direct sunlight and heat zaps your energy fast.
Swimming and Tubing at Canyon Lake
Since we did not have a boat we opted for the next best thing at a lake – inflatable tubes!
After our tubes were inflated and our site was set up, we were ready to jump into the cool refreshing water. Be aware though, the beach is not actually sandy like a beach.
To get down to the water you need to cross over a rocky surface. Nothing bare feet can’t handle, but it definitely would have been more comfortable with some form of water shoes. (Nathan was smart and wore his Crocs; hideous, but admittedly functional) The rocks are a little slippery once in the water, so be careful and watch your footing.
Refreshing Cool Water and Epic Desert Scenery
Once in the water, I was in paradise! The water was a little cold when initially getting in, but almost immediately after I felt fully acclimated to the temperature. Honestly, I wouldn’t have wanted it any cooler or warmer. It felt perfect against my skin on such a hot day. After situating myself comfortably on my inner tube, I could now take in the surrounding epic views.
Directly across from you is Satchin Cliff which is an astonishing rock formation rising out of Canyon Lake. Outside of this incredible cliff side, you’re surrounded by many other marvelous desert mountains.
Canyon Lake is rated one of the top most beautiful swimming spots in Arizona, and we can easily see why.
Pack in & Pack out! Leave No Trace
If you’re here for the day, pack a lunch for a picnic or bring some snacks and drinks. Food and water will help revive you if you’re feeling fatigued from the desert heat. In general, packing and bringing food is a great way to save money while traveling.
One thing that definitely did bum us out was the amount of trash littered everywhere. Wherever we looked we saw trash left on the ground including bags, bottles, and food containers. Seeing this was very disheartening, especially in such a beautiful place.
Please pick up after yourself and leave no trash!
If you see any trash in your surrounding area, do the land a favor and pick it up and throw it away. Be mindful of our planet and leave no trace when out in nature. We’re so lucky to have these wonderful places to enjoy, don’t ruin it with litter. Trash bags are cheap and trash cans aren’t hard to find.
Boat Rentals and Other Ways to Cruise the Canyon Lake
As previously mentioned, boating is another common activity at Canyon Lake. Either from bringing your own or from renting at a nearby establishment. Rental boats cost around $80/hr or $400/day for a small pontoon. There were several boats on the lake during our entire visit. More affordable options include renting jet skis or kayaks.
Canyon Lake has a moderate current created from the waves of the many boats passing by. Nothing too intense, but noticeable if you’re relaxing in an inner tube.
One second we were right in front of our camp and the next we were pretty far down the beach. Not the flattest of waters if you’re looking to just float. If anything, I thought it made the experience more fun with the small waves making us bob up and down. Kind of similar to an actual beach!
The Beautiful Desert Oasis That Is Canyon Lake
Not too many people consider traveling into a desert during the summer months, especially the scorching hot state of Arizona. Heck, we even enjoyed hiking the Grand Canyon during June which was a little intense but totally worth it. But on a more chill note, I still highly recommend making the trip out to one of the many beautiful swimming holes of Arizona. If you’re near Phoenix, Canyon Lake makes for an amazing summer outing.
Go tubing along the river, enjoy boating or jet skiing, and bring delicious food for a barbecue or picnic.
When in the desert, lakes are as close as it gets when it comes to substitutes for coastal beaches. Except you’re lazing away the day alongside sweeping desert mountain landscapes and fields of cacti.
To me, that sounds just as good, if not better than the coast!
Looking for more water activities in Arizona? Check out our post on Salt River Tubing, also located in the Tonto National Forest just 45 minutes from Canyon Lake. Tube down the gorgeous Salt River over 2-5 hours depending on how far you want to go. This organized establishment makes enjoying the Salt River an easy and enjoyable experience.
For more information on lakes in Arizona, read about The Top 15 Best Lakes in Arizona according to The Crazy Tourist.com.
Where is your favorite spot to swim Arizona? Share with us in the comments below! We’re always looking for recommendations.
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