Lake Pleasant Shoreline Camping

Lake Pleasant Shoreline Camping
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Campground Overview:

Lake Pleasant is used as a major water sports recreation center for the Phoenix metro area, as well as serving as an important storage reservoir for the rapidly growing region. A number of boat docks and beach access make the lake a popular destination for scuba diving, water skiing, jet skiing, sailing, windsurfing and other water sports.

Lake Pleasant Regional Park offers shoreline/primitive camping during most of the year, depending on water levels. These campsites and areas can be quite popular during holiday weekends so try to come early.

Campground at a Glance

Level:

 Dispersed

Season:

 Year-Round

Nearby City:

 Phoenix Valley

Fishing:

 Lake Pleasant

Campground Website:

 Shoreline Camping- Lake Pleasant Regional Park

Campground Map:

 Click Here

Reservations:

 First-come, first-served basis

Location:

 

Nearby Attractions and Activities:

Lake Pleasant Shoreline Camping

Lake Pleasant Regional Park, within the area controlled by the Northeastern Yavapai during the historic period, was inhabited by Hohokam peoples during the prehistoric era. Five archeological sites were located during an archeological study of the Lake Pleasant area. Included in these five archeological sites were a defensive site, a stone workshop, a farmhouse, and two small villages. Undoubtedly many more sites were once present along the Agua Fria but have gone under the waters of Lake Pleasant. The five sites located during the study were occupied during the period A.D. 700 to 1450.

The Lake Pleasant Regional Park area, while historically part of the mining and range industries of Central Arizona, had no significant influence upon either. Prospectors met only with frustration. The few mines that did exist in the Lake Pleasant area were short-term projects. There was no lack of prospectors who roamed the area in hopes of finding their bonanzas. Mollie Sawyer Monroe and Jacob Snively were among the more colorful.

Today, Lake Pleasant is a popular recreation area due to it’s proximity to the Phoenix Valley. Visitors spend their days boating around the lake, swimming, and fishing.  The lake is well known for its stripped bass and hosts several fishing tournaments throughout the year. A fishing license is required and may be obtained at most sporting goods stores or through the Arizona Game and Fish department. If you are looking for a bite to eat, cold brews, or boat to rent, check out either Pleasant Harbor or Scorpion Bay located around the lake.

Lake Pleasant Hiking

​Lake Pleasant Regional Park offers over four miles of trails for pedestrian use only. Park trails range in length from .5 mile to 2 miles and moderate in difficulty.

The Pipeline Canyon Trail is the designated hiking trail at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. A floating bridge has been installed to connect the trail during high water levels.

The Discovery Center Trail is a half-mile, easy trail which connects the Roadrunner Campground to the Discovery Center. This trail has interconnecting loops and some interpretive signage which makes it an ideal hike for visitors to stroll about, while enjoying the desert. Access to the Discovery Center Trail is from the northwest corner of the Discovery Center parking lot.

The Roadrunner Trail is a scenic 1.5-mile trail which overlooks Lake Pleasant and links the Discovery Center with picnic areas A, B, and the 10-lane boat ramp. There are a number of smaller trails that lead to the lake from the Roadrunner Trail. Access to the Roadrunner Trail is from the northeast corner of the Discovery Center parking lot.

Nearby Campgrounds:

Campground full or want to see what’s around? Try one of these campgrounds located nearby

Desert Tortoise Campground- Lake Pleasant Regional ParkDesert Tortoise Campground

Roadrunner Campground- Lake Pleasant Regional ParkRoadrunner Campground

Desert Tortoise Campground- Lake Pleasant Regional ParkGroup Campground