Lynx Lake

Near Fort Whipple, Arizona · on Lynx Lake · Prescott National Forest

Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: $5
SEASON: Best in summer

About Lynx Lake

Lynx Lake is a roughly 55-acre reservoir and swimming hole on Lynx Creek in Prescott National Forest, about 3 to 4 miles southeast of Prescott, Arizona, at around 5,500 to 5,800 feet elevation. It is the largest and deepest of the forest's four lakes and functions as a developed day-use and recreation area with campgrounds, boat ramps, and picnic sites.

The lake sits in the pine-covered Bradshaw Mountains foothills within Prescott National Forest, ringed by developed shoreline facilities (north shore boat rentals/store, south shore picnic areas) and adjoining the Lynx and Hilltop campgrounds.

Swimming at Lynx Lake

According to a local news account, swimmers use several spots around the lake with solid footing underwater, particularly near the dam, the east side, and the southwest side, suiting wading and casual lake swimming rather than a designated sand beach. The U.S. Forest Service's own recreation page lists swimming among the site's water activities, though it does not name a specific designated swim beach.

How to get to this swimming hole

From downtown Prescott, take Highway 69 east and then Walker Road south to reach Lynx Lake, roughly a 10-15 minute drive.

Parking: Day-use parking requires payment of a National Forest day-use fee (an annual forest pass is also accepted); no specific lot capacity or layout was found.

The hike in

Lynx Lake Trail #0311 (Lynx Lake Recreation Loop Trail)

To the water: 0 mi one-way to reach the water from either parking area, this is a drive-up lake and the main swim spots (dam area, plus day-use shorelines) are a short walk (well under 0.1 mi) from parking.
Time on foot: About 2 hours to walk the full 3-mile loop; reaching the drive-up swim areas themselves takes only a few minutes from parking.

Difficulty: Easy overall (the paved north segment to the dam is flat and accessible); the unpaved south/east segment has occasional rugged, rocky footing, moderate in a few short stretches.

Trailhead: Starts from either day-use parking area at Lynx Lake Recreation Area (north shore near the dam/marina-store, or south shore near the campground fee kiosk), Prescott National Forest, about 3-4 miles southeast of downtown Prescott via Hwy 69 then Walker Rd.

The full loop trail is about 3.0 miles around the entire lake (paved from the north shore out to the dam, then unpaved with a few rugged/rocky stretches along the south and east shoreline). It is an optional scenic perimeter trail, not required to reach the swim areas, but the quieter east-side and southwest-side swim spots locals mention lie partway around this loop rather than right at a parking lot, so reaching those specific spots involves some walking along the trail rather than a straight drive-up.

During heavy monsoon runoff, one section of the loop can become impassable with deep moving water, forcing hikers into an out-and-back instead of the full loop (per Hiking Project trip data).

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

Several spots around the lake (dam area, east side, southwest side) have solid footing underwater suitable for wading/casual swimming, but there is no designated sand beach, no lifeguard, and small motors (electric or gas up to 10 HP) share the same water, so young kids should be supervised closely. Note a lingering conflict in sources: the official USFS page lists swimming as an activity and a local news account names swim spots, while two Prescott tourism aggregator sites (helloprescott.com, prescott.com/experienceprescott.com) state swimming is not permitted, check current shoreline signage before relying on this for kids.

Parking

Paid, $5/day day-use fee (exact cash, self-pay envelope at the kiosk); free on Wednesdays

Two separate day-use entrances/parking areas (north shore near the dam/marina-store/boat ramp, and south shore near the campground), each with its own small paved lot; a National Forest annual day-use pass is also accepted.

Restrooms

Yes

Vault/pit toilets at both the north shore (near the dam/store) and south shore day-use entrances; the south shore also has a drinking-water fountain, seasonally available May-October.

Hours

Seasonal day-use hours per the official USFS page: Mar 1-Apr 30 7:00am-7:00pm; May 1-Aug 31 6:00am-8:00pm; Sep 1-Nov 30 7:00am-6:00pm; Dec 1-Feb 28/29 7:00am-5:00pm.

Swim smart

The lake was historically affected by concerns over E. coli and heavy-metal contamination linked to mining activity dating to 1863, which led to a swimming closure; Arizona Department of Environmental Quality testing later found the lake safe and swimming resumed in 2020. As of research, the USFS page also lists active alerts for a boat launch closed due to low water and a bald eagle nesting-area/trail closure.

Rules: Pets must be leashed (6 ft maximum); only electric motors or gas motors of 10 HP or less are allowed on the water; a valid Arizona fishing license is required for anglers age 10 and up; personal flotation devices are recommended/required when on the water per prescott.com.

This is an informational listing, not an invitation. Conditions and access change; verify locally before you go. Visiting any swimming hole is at your own risk. See our Terms of Use.

On the water

KayaksCanoesPaddleboardsPedal boatMotorboat (electric or ≤10 HP gas only)

Restrictions: Only electric motors or gas motors of 10 HP or less are permitted on the lake; PFDs are recommended/required while on the water. The USFS page lists an active alert that the boat launch/ramp may be closed at times due to low water, verify current status before a trip.

Two boat ramps exist (one per shore entrance) plus hand/carry-in launching from the shoreline day-use areas; the 10 HP cap keeps the lake generally calm and low-wake even though it isn't formally labeled a no-wake zone.

Rentals nearby

Prescott Outdoors

Solo kayaks, tandem kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and pedal boats; also offers guided night paddles (sunset/moonrise, until 10:30pm) with s'mores.

Prices: Solo kayak $25 first hour / $20 each additional hour / $80 full day; tandem kayak or canoe $35 first hour / $20 additional hour / $95 full day; paddleboard $20 first hour / $20 additional hour / $80 full day; pedal boat $40 first hour / $35 additional hour / $140 full day.

On the water at Lynx Lake (north shore, Prescott National Forest), Prescott, AZ 86302; billed on their site as the only lake in town where you can swim and paddle in one spot.

Lynx Lake Store (north-shore marina/store concession)

Seasonal boat rentals, per a Prescott tourism guide description of the north-shore store/cafe.

North shore of Lynx Lake, at the marina/store day-use area (matches the RIDB-listed 'Lynx Lake Marina & Store Boating Site' facility about 0.2 mi from the lake). · Late spring through early fall; closed Mondays.

What regulars say

No candid first-hand visitor quotes could be sourced this round; the practical details above come from the official USFS page, local news, and trail write-ups.

Backstory

Site of historic mining activity dating to 1863; residual water-quality concerns (E. coli, heavy metals) led to a past closure of swimming, which ended after Arizona Department of Environmental Quality testing cleared the lake and swimming reopened in 2020.

Lynx Lake: FAQ

Does Lynx Lake charge a fee?

$5 day-use fee per the Prescott Woman Magazine account (reported free on Wednesdays); the official USFS page confirms a day-use fee area but does not itself state the dollar amount.

Is Lynx Lake kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Lynx Lake?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Lynx Lake?

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Lynx Lake?

When is the best time to visit Lynx Lake?

Accessible year-round, but summer (roughly May-August, with extended 6am-8pm hours) is the peak swimming season; associated campgrounds run an April-October season.

What are the rules at Lynx Lake?

Pets must be leashed (6 ft maximum); only electric motors or gas motors of 10 HP or less are allowed on the water; a valid Arizona fishing license is required for anglers age 10 and up; personal flotation devices are recommended/required when on the water per prescott.com.

What water body is Lynx Lake on?

Lynx Lake is on Lynx Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.

Conditions right now

Checking the forecast…

Live data from the National Weather Service and USGS. Conditions at the water can differ, use your judgment.

Loading map…

Get directions

Managed by

Prescott National Forest

Official site · U.S. Forest Service

At a glance

Land access: Open to the public
Facilities: restrooms; vault toilets; picnic tables; boat ramps; seasonal boat rentals; seasonal cafe/store; campgrounds; drinking water (south shore, seasonal May-October)
Highlights: Largest and deepest of Prescott National Forest's four lakes; 2.3-mile Lynx Lake Loop shoreline trail, mostly flat and largely wheelchair/stroller accessible; Gold panning opportunities at nearby Lynx Creek/Salida Gulch trailhead; Periodic trout stocking by Arizona Game and Fish Department
Nearby towns: Fort Whipple (2.7mi); Whipple (2.7mi); Prescott (3.4mi); Miller Valley (3.5mi)
Coordinates: 34.5188, -112.3852