Upper Lake Mary

Upper Lake Mary is the largest of Flagstaff's twin lakes. It is also the one farthest from town. This long, narrow impoundment is especially popular with power boaters and water skiers because there is no motor size limit on it. But it's also popular with those who prefer people power or windpower over horsepower. For that reason, you're liable to see everything from jet boats to rubber rafts, canoes and sailboats all sharing this same body of water.

A lot of people come here to fish, too. The lake has northern pike, channel cat, crappie and some trout. Lake Mary Narrows Recreation Area provides excellent access facilities for disabled anglers by means of paved lakeshore ramps. Two developed campgrounds, Lake View and Pine Grove are nearby. There are two paved boat ramps at the parking area near the dam, and you'll find a lakeside picnic area and another boat ramp at Lake Mary Narrows Recreation Area in addition to its paved fishing access ramps.

Fees: $5 per day per vehicle (up to 5 people, $1 per person over 5) 6 am to 6 pm, Monday – Friday, and from dawn to dusk on weekends.  $1.00 per walk-in or bicycle for use of the facilites will be charged. These fees will be required during the highest use season, generally mid-April through mid-October. Recreation Resources Management (the Concessionaire for this site) is offering a seasonal pass for $30.00 that will be accepted at Upper and Lower Lake Mary and the Narrows.

Holders of the Golden Age, Golden Access, America-the-Beautiful Senior, and America-the-Beautiful Access passes will be given a 50% discount on the day-use fee (not on purchase of the seasonal pass).

Location: 12 miles southeast of Flagstaff on a paved road. Elevation is 7,000 feet.

GPS: Upper Lake Mary boat launch #1: N35° 4’ 21.864”, W-111° 31’ 27.876”
Upper Lake Mary boat launch #2: N35° 4’ 16.14”, W-111° 31’ 19.524”
Upper Lake Mary Dam: N35° 4' 52.644", W111° 31' 53.3994"

Access: Drive 12 miles south from Flagstaff on Forest Highway 3.

Campground Season: May 1st to end of September (weather permitting) at Lakeview and Pinegrove Campgrounds.

Attractions: Fishing/boating, Picnicking, Developed camping nearby, Boat camping on southern shore, Wildlife watching, Biking, Photography

Facilities: 3 boat ramps, 76 single unit campsites with tables, fire rings, and cooking grills, drinking water and toilets at campgrounds, Picnic area, Disabled access fishing ramp at the Narrows

Notes:
No limit on boat motor size.
Drinking water not available at lake.
In the winter, the Picnic areas and Boat Launches will not have daily maintenance performed by concessionaires. All facilities will be available for fall/winter use except for one of the two toilets, which will be boarded up. The second toilet will be open but not maintained daily. Summer season begins around the first of May.

For more information contact:
Peaks/Mormon Lake Ranger Districts, 5075 N. Hwy 89, Flagstaff AZ 86004, (928) 526-0866

Helpful Links: Handbook of Boating Laws and Responsibilities (non-Forest Service Site)
and: Vessel and Engine Restrictions in Arizona (non-Forest Service Site)
and: Arizona Game and Fish Department (non-Forest Service Site)