Lake Pleasant
One of the largest lakes in the Phoenix area, popular for boating, water sports, and beach swimming at several developed
Arizona
Fool Hollow Lake
A peaceful, low-speed White Mountains lake with restaurant, restroom, and shower facilities, good for a calmer swim/paddle experience.
Big Lake
A high-elevation White Mountains lake offering a cooler alternative to desert swimming spots, popular for fishing and casual swimming.
Woodland Lake
A scenic, easily accessible small lake in the cool pines of Pinetop-Lakeside, popular for walking, fishing, and light water recreation.
Roper Lake State Park
A small desert lake near Safford notable for both a sandy swim beach and an on-site natural hot-spring-fed soaking tub
Colorado River – Parker Strip
A ~10-mile stretch of the Colorado River between Headgate Rock Dam and Parker Dam, lined with beaches and popular for
Lake Powell / Glen Canyon NRA (Wahweap area)
Second-largest reservoir in the US, straddling the Arizona-Utah border, with countless scenic canyon coves for swimming, kayaking, and houseboating.
Horseshoe Bend (Colorado River)
Iconic horseshoe-shaped bend of the Colorado River below towering sandstone cliffs; while famous as a photo overlook, swimming access at
Lower Salt River tubing corridor
Phoenix’s classic summer tubing tradition on the Lower Salt River, with six Forest Service recreation areas and resident wild horses
Saguaro Lake
A scenic reservoir on the Lower Salt River popular for boating, tubing, and swimming, framed by desert mountains.