Recreational Activities in Pinetop, AZ

Pinetop, Arizona, is in the White Mountains in the eastern part of the state. The town's 7,200-foot elevation provides a cooler climate than the state's low deserts, so outdoor recreation is comfortable all year round. This community, officially called Pinetop-Lakeside, offers an abundance of family oriented activities, with more available nearby in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.

  1. Woodland Lake Park

    • This 583-acre park in the town of Pinetop-Lakeside includes playgrounds, sports facilities, a lake and untouched forest and meadows. Park visitors can participate in tennis, softball, volleyball, fishing and boating, or they can relax with a picnic lunch. The park also contains a 4-mile long loop trail that is the centerpiece of the White Mountain Trail System. This network of 25 to 30 interconnecting trails, covering 180 miles, is open to hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders.

    Festivals

    • During summer, Pinetop has several festivals that draw visitors to the area. In July, the Native American Art Festival features more than 50 artists selected by a jury. The High Mountain Music Festival in mid-August showcases musicians in all genres from rock to ska to rhythm and blues. In late September, the Fall Artisan Festival includes a parade on Saturday morning, more than 80 arts and crafts vendors, an antique show, a quilt show, a car show and a 10K run.

    Camping

    • In the vicinity of Pinetop, more than 200 campsites are available in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. These campgrounds, just minutes from the amenities of downtown Pinetop-Lakeside, are among the most developed in the national forest system, including 92 sites with full RV hookups at the Fool Hollow Campground. Reservations are recommended during the summer. Campers looking for more solitude prefer the primitive, isolated campsites on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, which require a special permit.

    Fishing

    • Fishing opportunities abound in the area's many lakes for trout, bluegill and crappie, among other fish species. Fools Hollow Lake, Rainbow Lake, Woodland Lake and Cooley Lake all offer family fishing in settings that also include playgrounds, restrooms and picnic facilities. Licenses are required for anyone older than 13 years, and fishing enthusiasts need a special permit to fish on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.

    Golfing and Skiing

    • The moderate climate of the White Mountains draws golfers when summer temperatures in the low deserts reach 100 degrees or more. Three private and six public golf courses are in the area, featuring championship-level play in the midst of ponderosa pines. During the winter months, Sunrise Ski Park offers skiing and snowboarding about 30 miles east of Pinetop-Lakeside. Sunrise includes 65 runs on three mountains with a separate area for snowboarders, cross country trails, children's ski area and a terrain park with a snow half-pipe.