The Small Town Lake In Arizona That's An Idyllic Summer Day Trip
By Melissa Mahoney|Published June 20, 2023
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
When the summer heats up the Arizona desert, it can be hard to find relief unless you have a pool in your backyard. Otherwise, you’re stuck inside keeping it cool in the comfort of air conditioning. But that’s not all that fun, is it? Summer days are meant to be enjoyed outdoors and we are lucky to have well over 100 lakes where we can cool off and have some fun! Apache Lake in Arizona is located in a small town and it makes for a perfect summer day trip destination.
Located within the vast expanse of the Tonto National Forest is an idyllic hidden gem of a lake that's a perfect summertime destination. Apache Lake was created in 1927 when Horse Mesa Dam was built within the Salt River.
Apache Lake can be found northeast of Phoenix near Apache Junction and the Superstition Mountains. It offers quite a wonderful outdoor playground for those who love being on or in the water.
Take a drive along the scenic Apache Trail and you'll stumble upon this stunning lake. And what awaits you is a place to have fun and cool off under the hot summer sun.
The marina offers mooring, a boat launch, boat storage, and rentals. There's also an RV park and a lake-view motel for those who want to spend more than just a day here.
Rent a jet ski, a pontoon boat, a paddle board, or a kayak from the marina and head out onto the water. You can revel in the lake's beauty as you glide across the water. Swimming is also allowed in the lake.
Have you ever spent some time on the water at Apache Lake in Arizona? What is one of your favorite day trip destinations in the state? Let us know in the comments. To learn more about this incredible lake perfect to visit on a summer day trip, visit the Apache Lake website.
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