Prescott National Forest

Recreational Activities

Lynx Lake Recreation Area

Hilltop Campground, Lynx Lake Campground, Day-use, and Trails

Group Camping	Boat Launch	Activities	Services

Lynx Lake is one of the most popular recreation spots in central Arizona on the Bradshaw Ranger District. More than 90,000 people visit each year! Mild weather, the cool ponderosa pine forest, a serene 55-acre lake, trout fishing, boating, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, archaeological sites, and bird watching attract visitors from throughout Arizona, and bring them back again and again. A host is available to provide information and assist visitors.

• Lynx Lake Recreation Area Map - 714 KB PDF

Lynx Lake is a man-made lake of approximately 55 surface acres and is periodically stocked with trout. A State of Arizona fishing license is required for all anglers over the age of 13. No swimming (by people or dogs) is permitted and the use of boat motors is limited to electrically powered models. Rental boats are available from the nearby marina and store, (928) 778-0720.

This area is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Summer residents include osprey, javelina, and many small birds. Winter residents include bald eagles, deer, and great blue herons. A keen eye and a sharp ear can help you spot many of these animals.

Elevation: 5,500-5,700 Feet

Hilltop Campground Facilities:

• Map Grid: F4
• 38 Camping Sites with Fire Rings, Grills, and Tables
• 5 Vault Toilets
• Drinking Water
• Paved Campground Roads
• No Electricity, Dump Station, or Shower Facilities

Lynx Lake Campground Facilities:

• Map Grid: E3, E4, F3
• 36 Camping Sites with Fire Rings, Grills, and Tables (Includes 4 double camp sites)
• 4 Vault Toilets
• 2 Flush Toilets
• Dock
• Drinking Water
• Trash Collection
• Paved Campground Roads
• Store, Marina, and Rental Boats Close By
• No Electricity, Dump Station, or Shower Facilities

Available:

• Campgrounds: April 1 through October 31
• Trailheads and Picnic Day-use: All Year

Stay limit:

• Campgrounds: 7 Days in a 60-day period
• Picnic Day-Use: Dawn to Dusk. Hours vary by season. See posted hours at each site.

Fees:

• Campgrounds: $18 per night per single camp site, $36 per night per double camp site, and $5 per extra vehicle
  (Expanded Amenity Fee - 50% discount for Interagency Senior or Access Pass holders)
• Trailheads and Picnic Day-use: See chart below
  (Standard Amenity Fee - Can pay at site or use a Valid Pass)

Reservations: All of the sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are required.

Access:

• From Highway 69, west bound turn left on Walker Road. Lynx Lake Recreation Area is on the east side of Walker Road for approximately 3 miles.

Travel time: 15 minutes from Prescott, 10 minutes from Bradshaw Ranger Station

Road condition: Paved

Special attractions:

• Lake (no swimming)
• Boating
• Fishing
• Recreational Gold Panning

General Campground Information:

• Each camp site usually accommodates one vehicle towing a camp trailer plus one additional vehicle (there is a charge for additional vehicle). Vehicles must be parked in space provided on site - not along side the road. Depending on the site, trailers between 22 feet to 40 feet in length can be accommodated.
• Sites are designed for 5 people; a maximum of 10 is allowed only to accommodate a single large family.
• Quiet hours must be observed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• At least one person must occupy a campsite during the first night after camping equipment is set up.
• Camping equipment cannot be left unattended.
• Open fires must be confined within fireplaces, grills or fire rings provided within developed recreation areas.
• The gathering of dead wood is allowed for campground use only.

Closures for Wildlife:

• The east side of Trail 111 and portions of Trail 94 are closed from December 1 to June 30 each year for nesting bald eagles. The bald eagle is a threatened species and is most likely to produce viable offspring if they are not disturbed by human activity. This closure includes portions of the trails on the dam.

Target Shooting and Hunting:

• Discharging any weapon is prohibited at all times in the Lynx Lake Recreation Area.

• Fishing/Camping supplies, bait, boat rentals and firewood. Store Hours: Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Friday to 8 p.m.), Saturdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Restaurant: Breakfast and lunch daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Both store and restaurant are closed Mondays (except holidays).

The Highland Center for Natural History (Map Grid D3):

• A non-profit organization, has a learning center and trail system on 80 acres along Walker Road in partnership with the Prescott National Forest. The center offers outdoor science education for visitors of all ages, focused on the unique ecology of the Central Arizona Highlands.

Day-Use Areas

Name	Map Grid	Amenities	Activities	Fee
Gold Pan	C4 D4	· No Drinking Water · 2 Vault Toilets		None
Lynx Creek Ruin	C4	· No Drinking Water · 4 Picnic Tables · 1 Vault Toilet · Trash Collection · Fire Ring/Grill		$5
Lynx Lake North Shore	E4	· Drinking Water Seasonal · 12 Picnic Tables · 1 Flush Toilet · Trash Collection · Fire Ring/Grill		$5
Lynx Lake South Shore	F4	· Drinking Water Seasonal · 25 Picnic Tables · 2 Vault Toilets · Trash Collection · Fire Ring/Grill		$5
Trail 62	B2	· No Drinking Water · 1 Picnic Table · 1 Vault Toilet · Trash Collection · Fire Ring/Grill		None

Trails

Number and Name	Map Grid	Length (in miles)	Vertical Gain (in feet)	More Information	Activities	Comments	Fee at Trailhead
62 - Ranch	B2	3.1	1,200	Trail 62 Trailhead. Walker Road (FR 197), .5 mile south of State Highway 69. Printable Information Sheet (564 KB PDF)		Good views of Lynx Creek and Lynx Lake. Connects to Trail 9854 and Watershed Trail (299).	None
93 - Salida Gulch	C4	4.3	300	Gold Pan Day Use Area. Lynx Ruin turnoff (FR 9401T) on Walker Road, 1.5 miles south.		Pretty hike through intermittent steam area.	None
301 - Lynx Creek Ruin	C3	0.5	120	Lynx Creek Ruin Trailhead. Lynx Ruin turnoff on Walker Road, 1.5 miles south of Highway 69.		Short interpretive trail through pinon and juniper to an observation platform at a prehistoric ruin.	$5
311 - Lynx Recreation	E4 F4	2.3	20	Lynx Northshore, Lynx Southshore or Lynx and Hilltop Campgrounds.		The trail on the west side of the lake is wheelchair accessible.	$5
305 - Homestead	B3 G4	7.0	100	Lynx Creek Ruin Trailhead, Trail 62 Trailhead, or Trail 297.		Connects Trail 62 or Northshore to Trail 297. Access to Highland Center interpretive trails.	$5 at Lynx Ruin and none at Trail 62.
9854 - Sevenmile	E3	3.1	1,020	Walker Road (FR 197).		Connects Walker Road to Watershed Trail 299 (588 KB PDF). Motorized access to Senator Road (FR 52).	None

The majority of proceeds from the collected fees goes right back into maintaining and improving the things you use most like bridges, buildings, trails, boat ramps, and visitor centers. Funds also provide services like interpretive sites and cleaning up.
Thank you very much for your support!

USDA Forest Service - Prescott National Forest
Last Modified: Tuesday, 12 May 2009 at 15:26:38 EDT