Story and photos by Cheryl Hartz
Damming the Little Colorado River created Lyman Lake, and the second and third highest mountains in Arizona – Mount Baldy and Escudilla Mountain – feed the 1,500-acre reservoir with their snowmelt each spring.
Near the White Mountains in northeastern Arizona between St. Johns and Springerville, the 1,200-acre Lyman Lake State Park is ideal for spring, summer and fall hiking, swimming, boating and fishing. Established with just 160 acres in December, 1960, it is Arizona’s first recreational State Park.
The lake is one of the few in the state with no boat size restrictions. The west end is marked off and restricted as a no wake area, so anglers are unbothered while they try to catch channel catfish, largemouth bass and walleye. Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy their activities on the rest of the lake. It was too chilly to swim when we camped at the park in September, but our inflatable kayak floated its maiden voyage.
At an elevation of 6,000 feet, summer temperatures are cooler than you might expect from the Arizona desert, with highs in the 80s and 90s. Slather on your sunblock!
Three trails provide moderate hiking opportunities. For sweeping views only, the 2-mile long Buffalo Trail – named for a herd of bison that once lived at the park’s front entrance – and the mile-long Pointe Trail above the group use area, are fun. Both include steps, but Buffalo has more steep inclines while Pointe is more moderate.
For your journey back in time, you won’t want to miss the short Petroglyph Trail. It’s only 1/4 mile in length and considered a mild climb, but does involve stairs.
It connects to loop trails for about another 1.5 miles of hiking around the hilltop and its sides, so you can enjoy 360-degree views of the lake and surrounding area. Several panels of petroglyphs, or rock art, were chiseled into the boulders by Hopi ancestors leaving a travel record. It is estimated that the earliest panels could date back to AD 300.
After wearing yourself out hiking, swimming and boating, grab an ice cream treat at the park store to cool down.
Waterfowl and shorebirds abound at the lake, along with songbirds. Land mammals include the ubiquitous cottontails and jackrabbits, deer, coyotes, raccoons, skunks and bobcats. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest isn’t all that far away and shortly before our visit last year, a young black bear seeking new territory wandered down and had to be relocated.
Lyman Lake State Park is a wonderful experience for the whole family, and we spoke with some family groups who return year after year.
Happy swimming and hiking!
