20 Attractions to Explore Near Bear Wallow Wilderness

The Apache and Sitgreaves National Forests, administered as one National Forest, encompass over two million acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona. The major attractions are the Mogollon Rim and the string of man-made lakes. From the Rim's 7600-foot elevation, vista points provide inspiring views of the low country to the south and west. With its high elevation and cool summer breezes it is a popular weekend destination from the hot desert for Phoenix, Arizona, residents.

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.

The Blue Range Primitive Area is the last designated primitive area in the National Forest System. The Blue Range and the presidential recommendation additions together total 199,505 acres and by law are managed the same as congressionally designated wilderness. This is an area of rugged mountains, stark ridges and steep and deep canyons in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest against the New Mexico border.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apache National Forest was established by the U.S. Forest Service in Arizona and New Mexico with 1,302,711 acres from portions of Black Mesa National Forest. In 1974 the entire forest was administratively combined with Sitgreaves National Forest to create Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Point of Pines Sites are a set of archaeological sites on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in the U.S. state of Arizona. Located around the settlement of Point of Pines, they are significant for associations with Ancestral Pueblo, Mogollon and Hohokam cultures. The sites were chosen as a field school location by Dr. Emil Haury because of the unusual presence of all three major prehistoric cultures of Arizona.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.