~ Story and photos by Cheryl Hartz ~
Lynx Lake Recreation Area in Prescott, Arizona, boasts a plethora of trails that interconnect and make you want to explore them all. The U. S. Forest Service website of the Prescott National Forest has a map of these with good descriptions of getting on the trailheads. You can access many of the trailheads away from the lake itself, if you desire longer hikes.
As usual, you must leash your dogs, for their safety and the safety and comfort of people and wildlife. Black bears, cougars, porcupines, skunks and smaller wildlife roam the area.
No one minds if your dog enjoys a bit of unleashed water play in Lynx Lake, as long as voice commands are adequate. I certainly enjoy watching cavorting canines splash after a ball or stick. Why do they seem to never get tired?
Dogs of all sizes and breeds enjoying a ride on paddle boards, in kayaks, canoes, sailboats and (small) fishing boats are a common sight on the 55-acre lake. Many wear their own colorful life vests—just in case. Not all breeds are water-loving, but that doesn’t stop them from accompanying their folks in water craft.
The Lynx Lake Recreation Area has a small day use fee, waived on Wednesdays. If you’re camping, day use is included at all sites. Be advised, as of May, there was no water in the campgrounds or around the lake. Hopefully, that will be fixed before the summer is over.
Lynx Lake was one of the first places we hiked and canoed when we moved to Prescott Valley 38 years ago. But we didn’t camp there until last August, after the school year began. We like it so much, we camped again in September. Weekends remain busy then, but not so much weekdays. The twenty-minute drive makes it easy to get there and get home again.
It’s a tremendously popular site during the summer for camping, picnicking, boating and fishing. Swimming is allowed now, but at your own risk and you must stay clear of the boat ramp.
Parts of trails 311 and 94 close until June 30 for bald eagle nesting. If you are lucky, you just might spot the parents and fledglings in July and August. Ospreys, herons, ducks and other fish-eating birds populate the area, as well.
The best thing about Lynx Lake Recreation Area trails is they are at mile-high altitude, with some climbing to nearly 7,000 feet. So summer temperatures are cooler than most parts of the state. (Well, it’s not as cool as Flagstaff or the Mogollon Rim, but more accessible to Prescott area residents.)
All the shade that pines and deciduous trees provide contribute greatly to your comfort factor while hiking or resting and having a snack.
Happy cool summer hiking!
