20 Attractions to Explore Near Nelson Reservoir

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Casa Malpais Archaeological Park & Museum

Casa Malpais Archaeological Park & Museum

11.8km from Nelson Reservoir

Casa Malpaís is an archaeological site of the Ancestral Puebloans located near the town of Springerville, Arizona. The site is a nationally recognized archaeological site. The site features an ancient staircase, a Great Kiva, a solar calendar, and rock art. The museum features an introductory video with commentary by Zuni and Hopi elders and an interactive guide to artifacts from the site.

Hulsey Lake

Hulsey Lake

14.08km from Nelson Reservoir

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.

Becker Lake

Becker Lake

15.05km from Nelson Reservoir

Becker Lake is a 35 acre lake located in Calumet County. It has a maximum depth of 52.5 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. The lake is stocked with sub-catchable rainbow trout twice a year and many of these fish survive the winter, reaching a good size the following spring. The lake has a boat ramp, dirt parking and barrier-free restroom. The Department has developed two hiking trails through the Wildlife Area.

Mexican Hay Lake

Mexican Hay Lake

15.38km from Nelson Reservoir

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.

River Reservoir

River Reservoir

22.62km from Nelson Reservoir

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.

Tunnel Reservoir

Tunnel Reservoir

23.26km from Nelson Reservoir

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.

Greer Lakes

Greer Lakes

23.52km from Nelson Reservoir

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.

Butterfly Lodge Museum

Butterfly Lodge Museum

24.22km from Nelson Reservoir

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.

Crescent Lake

Crescent Lake

26.71km from Nelson Reservoir

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.

Luna Lake

Luna Lake

26.84km from Nelson Reservoir

Luna Lake is a natural body of water that covers approximately 75 acres. It is the largest campground in the Alpine Ranger District. Even during peak season, you’re likely to find a site here. With opportunities for viewing wildlife, hunting, fishing, or just kicking back, you can bring your family and friends to experience an awesome camping trip.

Big Lake

Big Lake

29.17km from Nelson Reservoir

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.

Lee Valley Lake

Lee Valley Lake

31.3km from Nelson Reservoir

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.

Carnero Lake

Carnero Lake

31.64km from Nelson Reservoir

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.

Thompson Trail #629

Thompson Trail #629

32.13km from Nelson Reservoir

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.

Sunrise Lake

Sunrise Lake

33.18km from Nelson Reservoir

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.

Mount Baldy Wilderness

Mount Baldy Wilderness

33.41km from Nelson Reservoir

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.

Sunrise Park Resort

Sunrise Park Resort

35.56km from Nelson Reservoir

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.

Lyman Reservoir

Lyman Reservoir

37.09km from Nelson Reservoir

The Lyman Reservoir is the largest lake in the region. Lyman Lake State Park, is located in and administered by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, attracts anglers, as well as campers and water skiers year-round.The State Parks and Recreation Department maintains year-round visitor amenities. Due to the vast size of Lyman Lake, there are no restrictions on boat sizes. A wide variety of watercraft are also authorized in the park such as canoes, kayaks, and jet skis.

Lyman Lake State Park

Lyman Lake State Park

37.46km from Nelson Reservoir

Lyman Lake is one of the few bodies of water in northeastern Arizona with no size restrictions on boats. Created as an irrigation reservoir by damming the Little Colorado River, Lyman Lake State Park is a 1,200-acre park that encompasses the shoreline of a 1,500-acre reservoir at an elevation of 6,000 feet. The State Parks and Recreation Department maintains year-round visitor amenities. A wide variety of watercraft are also authorized in the park such as canoes, kayaks, and jet skis.

Reservation Lake

Reservation Lake

37.62km from Nelson Reservoir

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.

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Nelson Reservoir

Nelson Reservoir

Nelson Reservoir, Arizona 85938, USA

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.