Short and sweet? How about the shortest and sweetest? It is unlikely that any parking lot could be positioned closer to a trail near a body of water than the area surrounding the Parker Canyon Lake in southeastern Arizona. It’s also true that reaching this location in the Sierra Vista Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest requires a significant drive for most visitors. Even so, the trip of 77 miles from Tucson to a spot five miles north of the Mexico border is widely considered to be worth the effort.

Hikers who go around the full, five-mile loop are rewarded with some varied views.
Alan Stark/flickr
The sunset can produce a spectacular setting at Parker Canyon Lake, but be advised of mosquitos that also like to be out during that time frame during certain months of the year.
Monte Jarvis/alltrails
Spotting wildlife is part of the lake's appeal. Among the potential sights are eagles, osprey, ducks, deer, and roadrunners.
Chris Elkins/alltrails

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The trail has some rocky portions and caution is required near steep dropoffs, but the trail is generally flat and accommodating to hikers of all ages.
C W/alltrails
The lake is at an elevation of 5,400 feet, resulting in temperatures that are much lower than most sites in Arizona.
Lisa Taranto/alltrails
Kayaking, boating, fishing, and camping are among the activities offered at Parker Canyon Lake, in addition to merely walking around the water.
Bill Morrow/flickr
The sky seems to expand above Parker Canyon Lake, located in the Canelo Hills west of the Huachuca Mountains.
Alan Stark/flickr

A short, paved path goes from the main boat launch area at the marina to the dirt trail along the shore. Many hikers enjoy the varied views that come with covering the entire five-mile loop, but any portion of the trail provides some of the flavor of the trail. For more information about visiting Parker Canyon Lake, see the Coronado National Forest website.

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9000 S Parker Canyon Rd, Elgin, AZ 85611, USA