The lake is nestled in Tonto National Forest and is a popular recreation area for both locals of Arizona and summer travelers.
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. 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. For being the smallest of the bunch, the lake still boasts a large surface area of acres!
Canyon Lake is open year round. 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. 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.
Luckily, we found ample amount of shade under a larger tree. Thanks tree! As mentioned earlier, we were visiting during summer, specifically late June. So it was HOT. 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.
Direct sunlight and heat zaps your energy fast. 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.
We do NOT have any life guards on duty. All of the beaches and shoreline are swim if you choose. You are responsible for your family and friends that are swimming with you. Keep a vigilent eye on them and always wear a floatation device certified by the Coast Guard.
Arm floaties do not count as a quality floatation device. Other families and guests may need a vest so their kids can have a safe enjoyable day.
Picnicking Fishing Boating Parks. A slight trail to the left will take you along the shoreline to a more secluded spot. It's a bit rocky, so either bring a chair or a cushion to sit on. Floaties are a nice addition, and possibly a sun hat and a book. This is Texas chilling at it's finest, though technically there is a no alcohol policy. But with such a beautiful place to swim, you don't need it! Grab some sweet tea instead! After swimming, take a walk across the top of the dam.
It provides a beautiful view of the lake and the Guadalupe River it feeds. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.
I'm blessed to live very close to this area situated in the eastern Texas Hill Country. I love to walk my dog across the dam, swim and hike the trails around the lake. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly! Save View all 5 photos. All 5 photos.
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