20 Attractions to Explore Near Big Lake

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Crescent Lake

Crescent Lake

3.55km from Big Lake

Crescent Lake is located approximately 2 miles north of Big Lake. The lake sits at just over 9,000 feet elevation on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, as such the facilities located here are managed by that authority. Access is restricted in the winter when roads are closed due to snow, generally December to early April.

Thompson Trail #629

Thompson Trail #629

4.45km from Big Lake

Thompson Trail #629 is though one of the loveliest landscapes in the White Mountains. The trailhead is on a major forest road negotiable by vehicles. The trail is well-groomed and follows the West Fork of the Black River and remains always on the same side of the creek.

Reservation Lake

Reservation Lake

8.84km from Big Lake

Reservation Lake is an approximately 300 acre body of water located just inside the eastern boundary of the White Mountain Apache Reservation in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. This lake is not quite as accessible as the other lakes in the area. A 10 mile drive on a washboarded dirt road is necessary to get to Reservation Lake.

Lee Valley Lake

Lee Valley Lake

10.05km from Big Lake

Lee Valley Lake is Arizona's highest elevation reservoir, situated at 9,420 feet in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests near Mount Baldy. It is located approximately 35 miles from Pinetop-Lakeside, connected by Arizona highways 260 and 273 and forest road 113. Access is restricted in the winter when roads are closed due to snow, generally December to early April.

Mount Baldy Wilderness

Mount Baldy Wilderness

11.08km from Big Lake

Mount Baldy is a mountain in eastern Arizona in the United States. With a summit elevation of 11,409 feet, the peak of Mount Baldy rises above the tree line and is left largely bare of vegetation, lending the mountain its current name. The Mount Baldy Wilderness occupies the eastern slope of the mountain and is managed by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.

Drift Fence Lake

Drift Fence Lake

12.24km from Big Lake

Drift Fence Lake Campground is definitely a “be self-contained” campground. It’s a long way back if you forget anything here. The 16 acre lake itself is small but beautiful. Surrounded by Ponderosa and aspens. It is one of the iconic location for a trip and also there are so many other opportunities too.

Mount Baldy

Mount Baldy

13.3km from Big Lake

Mount Baldy is a mountain in eastern Arizona in the United States. With a summit elevation of 11,409 feet, the peak of Mount Baldy rises above the tree line and is left largely bare of vegetation, lending the mountain its current name. The Mount Baldy Wilderness occupies the eastern slope of the mountain and is managed by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.

Butterfly Lodge Museum

Butterfly Lodge Museum

15.86km from Big Lake

The Butterfly Lodge Museum is the historic hunting lodge of Indian adventure author James Willard Schultz and later, the studio-home of his son, Lone Wolf . Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a step back in time, you’ll enjoy the original furnishing, artifacts and a gift and book area that include the creative works of both father and son. Open Memorial day weekend through Labor day weekend.

Sunrise Park Resort

Sunrise Park Resort

16.84km from Big Lake

Sunrise Park Resort is is an alpine ski resort. it is Arizona’s Ultimate Mountain Adventure! With 3 mountains of fun, they offer the most skiing acreage in the state. The ski slopes spread across the 3 peaks and cover 1,200 acres, making it the largest ski resort in Arizona. During the winter, the resort's three mountains offer alpine skiing. Night skiing is occasionally offered in mid-January and mid-February. There is also a snowboard terrain park.

Tunnel Reservoir

Tunnel Reservoir

16.96km from Big Lake

Tunnel Reservoir is an artificial lake and recreational area located in the White Mountains around the town of Greer, Arizona. This reservoir is one of three lakes known as the Greer Lakes. The Greer Lakes include Bunch, Tunnel and River Reservoirs, and are a short distance apart from each other. The boating facility offers a boat launching area, boat trailer parking, restrooms, and space for recreational vehicles.

River Reservoir

River Reservoir

17.33km from Big Lake

River Reservoir is the largest and deepest of a trio of lakes collectively known as the Greer Lakes. Drained since 2004 because of safety issues, the dam at River Reservoir was repaired in 2005. Like the other two Greer Lakes, it has new amenities. The Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks River Reservoir with fingerling rainbow trout in the spring and catchable-sized rainbow trout in the spring and summer.

Greer Lakes

Greer Lakes

17.97km from Big Lake

Greer Lakes is a fishing and scenic destination in Arizona. It is an iconic destination for a day trip and also there are so many things to see and feel and also fishing is possible here. There are paths in and around the lakes that would appeal to day hikers, photographers, and mountain bikers.

Mexican Hay Lake

Mexican Hay Lake

18.24km from Big Lake

Mexican Hay Lake is located off State Route 260 southwest of Springerville in the White Mountains. IT is an iconic location for a daytrip and also there are various options for leisure too.

Sunrise Lake

Sunrise Lake

18.93km from Big Lake

Sunrise Lake is located on the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation and sits just below the Sunrise Mountain Ski Resort. The lake is situated in a scenic setting of ponderosa pine and aspen trees. The lake restricts motorboats to 10 horsepower or less. The lake is great for fishing and wildlife viewing. There are boat ramps and campgrounds available at the lake. The lake is operated by the White Mountain Apache Tribe and a White Mountain permit is required to access the area.

Hulsey Lake

Hulsey Lake

24.93km from Big Lake

Hulsey Lake is a lake near Escudilla Peak in the Apache National Forest, Arizona. It is located at 8,620 feet (2,630 m) on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. It is an impoundment of Hulsey Creek, a tributary of Nutrioso Creek. Due to snow and ice, the lake is usually inaccessible from November to mid-April.

Carnero Lake

Carnero Lake

28.18km from Big Lake

Carnero Lake is a high elevation shallow lake in Apache County, Arizona. Built in 1979, the lake quickly became popular with anglers, to the dismay of downstream water users. Because of the dispute, the Arizona Game and Fish discontinued stocking for many years. In 1999, the Arizona Game and Fish has acquired a major share of the water rights, setting the stage for a new and vigorous trout fishery.

Nelson Reservoir

Nelson Reservoir

29.17km from Big Lake

Nelson Reservoir is a reservoir located in Apache County, Arizona between Springerville and Alpine. The Reservoir is a long and narrow lake which follows the Nutrioso Creek Valley for nearly a mile. Fish that remain in Nelson Reservoir after summer stockings can grow to good size, making it a popular fishing site with local anglers.

Horseshoe Cienega Lake

Horseshoe Cienega Lake

29.59km from Big Lake

Horseshoe Cienega Lake is a lake in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. It is the one of the area's most popular fishing lakes due to its productivity and convenience to the main highway State Route 260. The lake is in Apache County. As the lake is on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, permits must be acquired in nearby Hon-Dah for all activities at the lake including fishing, camping and hiking.

Aker Lake

Aker Lake

29.93km from Big Lake

Aker Lake is located in the White Mountains southwest of Alpine, Arizona, off State Route 191. This lake is located in and administered by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The lake is stocked with trout and grayling. Tiger salamanders are also found in Ackre Lake.

Bear Wallow Wilderness

Bear Wallow Wilderness

30.73km from Big Lake

The Bear Wallow Wilderness is an 11,080-acre wilderness area in eastern Arizona in the United States.[2] The wilderness, located in the Apache National Forest, is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The area has been severely affected by the Wallow Fire of June 2011 which originated here. Bear Wallow Creek provides a habitat for the endemic and threatened Apache trout.

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Know more about Big Lake

Big Lake

Big Lake

Big Lake, Arizona 85927, USA

A beautiful a White Mountains' fishing lake, with attractive size, productivity and visitor amenities. Situated at 9,000 feet in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Big Lake is about 26 miles south of Springerville and Eagar. Primary fish species here include rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout, with an occasional Brown trout. It is an iconic location for a picnic and also bathing in allowed here.