Top 13 Lakes around Scottsdale

The lakes around Scottsdale offer a wide range of water activities. You can enjoy boating, water skiing, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, and fishing. For example, Tempe Town Lake provides rentals for various water sports, while Saguaro Lake is popular for paddle camping and fishing. Lake Pleasant is known for jet skiing, wakeboarding, and even scuba diving.

Yes, several lakes near Scottsdale are great for families. Tempe Town Lake and Tempe Beach Park offer picnic areas, cycling, and paddleboarding. Chaparral Lake in Scottsdale is also a convenient urban option for quick recreational outings with fishing and electric boats. Many lakes, like Saguaro Lake, offer swimming at designated beaches such as Butcher Jones Beach.

Many lakes are surrounded by hiking opportunities. For instance, Lake Pleasant features hiking trails within its park. You can also find trails near Canyon Lake, offering stunning views of the red-rock canyon walls. For more general hiking options, explore guides like Easy hikes around Scottsdale or Hiking around Scottsdale, which include routes like the Lost Dog Wash and Ringtail Loop.

Saguaro Lake is often called Scottsdale's 'unofficial beachfront' due to its stunning turquoise waters and the iconic Saguaro cacti that frame the landscape. It's a blend of adventure and serenity, offering boating, water skiing, kayaking, and fishing. Visitors can also take a leisurely cruise on the Desert Belle paddleboat and spot wildlife like bald eagles and bighorn sheep.

Bartlett Lake is the second-largest lake in the area and offers a quieter, more tranquil experience with less boat traffic compared to some other lakes. It features pristine waters surrounded by scenic desert mountains and Saguaro-studded foothills. Activities include hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and paddleboarding, with rentals available. Wildlife sightings, such as javelinas, wild burros, and eagles, are frequent.

Lake Pleasant is a major water recreation destination offering extensive opportunities. You can enjoy jet skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, boating, water skiing, paddleboarding, swimming, fishing, and even scuba diving. The park also provides two campgrounds, hiking trails, and picnic areas, making it a year-round playground for outdoor enthusiasts.

Canyon Lake stands out with its dramatic red-rock canyon walls and tranquil, clear turquoise waters, creating a breathtaking backdrop. It's popular for water skiing, jet skiing, sailing, and fishing. You can rent pontoon boats, canoes, and kayaks, or take a Dolly Steamboat dinner cruise to experience its beauty. The scenic drive along the historic Apache Trail to reach the lake is also a highlight.

Yes, Chaparral Lake is a convenient urban oasis located within Scottsdale as part of Chaparral Park along the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt. This 10-acre lake is stocked with fish and allows for fishing, kayaking, and electric boats, providing an easily accessible option for quick recreational outings without leaving the city.

The lakes and surrounding desert landscapes are home to diverse wildlife. At Saguaro Lake, you might see bald eagles and bighorn sheep. Bartlett Lake is known for frequent sightings of javelinas, wild burros, eagles, and coyotes. Desert bighorn sheep can often be spotted along the rocky cliffs of Lake Pleasant.

Many lakes are excellent for kayaking and paddleboarding. Saguaro Lake offers miles of shoreline and finger coves to explore, with options for paddle camping. Bartlett Lake also provides rentals for paddleboards and kayaks. For an urban experience, Tempe Town Lake is a great spot with equipment rentals available, and Canyon Lake has secret coves on its east end favored for non-motorized watercraft.

Yes, the Rio Salado Pathway – Tempe Town Lake Trail is a paved, wheelchair-accessible cycleway that runs for more than 10 miles along the Rio Salado and Tempe Town Lake, offering scenic views and easy access.

The lakes near Scottsdale are generally enjoyable year-round, but the cooler months from fall to spring (October to April) are ideal for hiking and extended outdoor activities due to more comfortable temperatures. During the hot summer months, water sports are particularly popular for a refreshing escape. Spring also brings vibrant blooming cacti and wildflowers around lakes like Bartlett Lake.