Lynx Lake – Prescott, AZ

Hiking Prescott, Lynx Lake, prescott lakes, prescott kayaking, explore prescott, visit prescott

Explore Prescott took a trip over to Lynx Lake to make a virtual tour of the North Shore and South Shore.  It’s a shorter than usual tour but it started to get busy with more and more hikers and people carrying fishing poles which put a damper on what we wanted to photograph. When you’re shooting with a Canon DSLR on a 360º tripod head on a fully open tripod, you become the obstacle.  We didn’t want to be “that guy”.

About 15 miles from downtown Prescott, situated in the Bradshaw Mountains within the Prescott National Forest is Lynx Lake Recreation Area.

Driving down Walker Road you’ll see signage for the North Shore, Campground, Store and Rentals, and South Shore and Campground.  Our favorite is the South Shore.  Aside from more available parking, the boat ramp is located there along with picnic tables, grills, shaded areas, and bathrooms. There’s also some good bird watching.  Everything from your “everyday” ducks and geese to great blue herons, osprey, and eagles.  Seeing as Lynx Lake has a variety of fish, there’s no doubt you’ll see something diving for dinner.

Speaking of fish; there’s almost always people fishing at any hour of the day.  The Arizona Game and Fish periodically stock Lynx with rainbow trout and large mouth bass.  You can also catch crappie, sunfish, and catfish.

The North Shore has a few picnic tables, grills, a bathroom, and trails down to the water.  There are also trails away from the water so be sure you’re going in the right direction.  Also on the North Shore is the Lynx Lake Cafe, Store, and Marina. Unfortunately the rentals are closed at the time of this posting, but be sure to check the websites for their current hours of operation.

At the entrance to either Shore is the Self Pay Station. Check or Cash only (No Change).  National Parks passes are accepted as well.  Click here for Recreation Fees.

Lynx Lake is open year-round(weather permiting).  However the campgrounds and Lynx Lake Cafe, Store, and Marina have seasonal hours(check their websites for current info).  There are also dispersed campsites throughout the Prescott National Forest.

But there are so many more outdoor fun opportunities at and around Lynx Lake is more than fishing, camping, and boating. Hiking, biking, bird watching, recreational gold panning, horseback riding, and there are even ruins sites.

A 2 mile lake shore trail runs the perimeter of the lake with various loops and trails branching off.  PLEASE NOTE: Due to Bald Eagle nesting, portions of trails #311 and #94 are closed from December 1 to June 30 so as not to disturb the awesome birds.

Please visit the US Forest Service for more information on Lynx Lake Recreation Area.

 

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