Parker Canyon Lake
This medium-sized 132 acre lake is located in rolling hill country surrounded by
distant mountains. For those who like to fish, Parker Canyon Lake offers both cold
and warm water species, including stocked rainbow trout and resident bass,
sunfish, and catfish. To make landing those wily lunkers a bit easier,
there is a fishing pier and a paved boat ramp at the lake, as well as a
lakeside paved area and a graveled path along some of the best catfishing
shoreline. There is also a concessionaire-operated country store at the
lakeshore where you can pick up some last minute supplies, buy a fishing
license, or rent a boat.
Bird watchers and just plain nature lovers will also find much to enjoy
at Parker Canyon Lake. A five mile trail leads around the shoreline
never getting more than a few steps from the water. The Parker Lakeshore
Trail
offers excellent vantage points from which to enjoy the ducks and
other waterfowl that are invariably bobbing on the lake’s clear waters.
Some of those points even have benches and interpretive signs. Bald
eagles and osprey are regularly sighted in this area, as are spring
warblers
and hummingbirds in season. On the terrestrial side, Coues whitetail
deer can
frequently be seen browsing among the oaks and grasses that surround
the lake and in the two campgrounds near its shores. Coatimundi, javelina,
and roadrunners, three animals that are about as southwestern as you
can
get, make occasional appearances as well.
Location: 25 miles southeast of Sonoita in the scenic Canelo Hills.
Access: From Tucson, travel east on Interstate 10 to State Route
83 (exit 281) and turn south 50 miles through Sonoita to Parker
Canyon Lake.
Season: Open year round.
Elevation: 5,400'
Attractions:
- The Mercantile & Marina Store is a small concession-operated, solar-powered store is open year-round (check web link for store hours). Groceries, fishing supplies, and licenses can be purchased. In addition to renting electric motor boats, four-stroke motor boats, and row boats, the concessionaire operates a marina which rents rowboats, kayaks and canoes.
- Fishing for trout, bass, and catfish
- Camping and picnicking
- Oak-grassland setting
- Watchable wildlife
- Lakeside trail
Facilities:
- Fishing pier, paved boat ramp and courtesy dock
- Restroom
- Lakeview Campground (Coronado National Forest)
- Handicap access to most facilities
- Parking for vehicles, motor homes, boat trailers
Notes:
- Boats are limited to one 10 hp motor or less.
For further information contact: Sierra
Vista Ranger District.
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