Top 18 Lakes around Mesa

Several lakes around Mesa offer excellent family-friendly activities. Tempe Town Lake provides space for cycling, picnicking, paddleboarding, and fishing, with equipment rentals available. Kiwanis Lake, Red Mountain Lake, Riverview Lake, and Greenfield Park Community Fishing Lake are smaller, stocked lakes ideal for fishing and relaxed outings, often featuring playgrounds or picnic areas. Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake also have designated picnic areas and sandy beaches suitable for families.

The lakes near Mesa offer a wide array of water sports. You can enjoy boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, and jet skiing at larger lakes like Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, and Roosevelt Lake. Tempe Town Lake is excellent for kayaking, sailing, rowing, and paddleboarding, with rentals readily available. Bartlett Lake is also popular for water skiing and wakeboarding.

Yes, many lakes offer hiking trails. Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, and Roosevelt Lake, all located within the Tonto National Forest, feature trails with stunning desert and mountain views. For example, Papago Park Red Rock Formations offers hiking trails and fishing ponds. You can find various hiking routes in the region by exploring the MTB Trails around Mesa guide, which also includes trails suitable for hiking.

The lakes and their surrounding desert environments are home to diverse wildlife. At Saguaro Lake, you might spot American bald eagles, bighorn sheep, and wild horses. Apache Lake offers opportunities for bird watching and sightings of bighorn sheep and coyotes. Roosevelt Lake is also known for its impressive mountain views and wildlife. Many lakes are stocked with various fish species, attracting different birdlife.

The best time to visit the lakes around Mesa is typically during the cooler months, from late fall through spring (October to April), when temperatures are more moderate for outdoor activities like hiking and picnicking. Water sports are popular during the warmer spring and summer months, but summer temperatures can be very high. Mornings are often ideal for paddle sports due to calmer waters.

Equipment rentals are available at several locations. At Tempe Town Lake, you'll find many areas to rent items like paddleboards and kayaks. Apache Lake Marina and Resort offers boat rentals, and Roosevelt Lake also has an on-site marina with boat rentals. For smaller lakes like Kiwanis Lake, you can bring your own watercraft or rent from nearby services.

Mesa's lakes offer excellent fishing opportunities. Saguaro Lake is stocked with largemouth bass, yellow bass, rainbow trout, and catfish. Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, and Roosevelt Lake are also prime destinations for bass, crappie, and catfish. For urban fishing, Tempe Town Lake, Kiwanis Lake, Red Mountain Lake, Riverview Lake, and Greenfield Park Community Fishing Lake are regularly stocked with species like rainbow trout, catfish, and bass.

Yes, the Rio Salado Pathway – Tempe Town Lake Trail is a paved, wheelchair-accessible trail that runs along the Salt River and extends into Tempe Town Lake. Greenfield Park Community Fishing Lake also features an ADA-friendly fishing area, making it accessible for visitors with mobility needs.

For breathtaking scenery, Canyon Lake is renowned for its pristine, emerald-green waters surrounded by towering cliffs and lush desert vegetation. Saguaro Lake offers sparkling blue waters, rugged cliffs, and iconic saguaro cacti, with magical sunset views. Bartlett Lake is also recognized for its serene ambiance and picturesque scenery, making it a paradise for photographers.

Amenities vary by lake. Larger lakes like Apache Lake and Roosevelt Lake have marinas and resorts that offer lodging, camping, boat rentals, restaurants, and bars. While Saguaro Lake has picnic areas, cafes are generally found in nearby towns. For a wider range of amenities, Tempe Town Lake is close to urban centers with numerous dining and accommodation options.

Many outdoor areas around Mesa's lakes are dog-friendly, especially trails and open spaces, provided dogs are kept on a leash. For example, Papago Park Red Rock Formations is generally dog-friendly. However, specific rules can vary by park or recreation area, so it's always best to check local regulations before visiting with your pet.

The region offers various cycling routes. The Rio Salado Pathway – Tempe Town Lake Trail is a paved cycleway running along the Salt River. The Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt also features an 11-mile route passing small lakes. For more options, explore the Cycling around Mesa guide, which includes routes like the 'Usery Mountains loop' and 'Eastern Canal Path & Roosevelt Canal Path loop'.