Escape stress with visit to Pinetop-Lakeside

Nature’s bounty overflows in Pinetop-Lakeside. Surrounded by the largest stand of ponderosa pines in the world, pristine lakes, clear streams and invigorating mountain air, this community is the perfect destination at any season.

Sports enthusiasts and nature lovers will find plenty of scope to enjoy their hobbies. Those who just want to get away from it all and relax will find the peaceful beauty a soothing antidote to life’s stresses and strains.

Hiking is a popular pastime that can be enjoyed by everyone. Trails range from pleasant walks on 20 miles of in-town trails to more difficult hikes at elevations of 8,300 feet. There are 180 miles of trails in all, and most are loops so that you can enjoy the walks without backtracking. Mountain bikers and horse riders also use the trail system to enjoy the solitude, grand views and spectacular fall colors. There are bicycle rental shops and riding stables, too.

More than 40 lakes and hundreds of miles of mountain streams in the area provide endless opportunities for anglers. Have a try for trout, crappie, bass and bluegill, catfish, walleye, northern pike and Arctic grayling. You can fish from the shoreline of Woodland Lake or use the boat launch there. Rainbow Lake, known for trout and bass, is located in Lakeside, and nearby is Scott Reservoir. The Alchesay and Williams Creek national fish hatcheries stock many of the waters. Boat rentals are available.

The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is located nearby as well. Elevations ranging from 3,500 feet to more than 11,000 feet result in a diverse climate and a variety of vegetation types, including desert scrub, piñon-juniper, ponderosa pine, mixed conifer and spruce-fir.

Visitors explore both developed and undeveloped areas. Water is a major attraction, with 24 lakes and reservoirs and more than 400 miles of rivers and streams — more than can be found in any other Southwestern forest. Needless to say, Apache-Sitgreaves is popular with paddlers. The Alpine Ranger District has two noteworthy rivers — the Black and the Blue. When the streams dry up, which they do fairly early on after the snow melt, there’s excellent biking.

Camping is permitted in nearly all areas of the forest. At several heavily used locations (Lee Valley Reservoir, Greer Lakes, Woods Canyon Lake and Big Lake), camping in the area is restricted to campgrounds. There are more than 800 developed family camp and picnic units in the forest.

The rules and regulations (copies are available from Forest Service offices) posted in developed recreation sites are common-sense rules meant to prevent disturbance to visitors and to protect sites. Visitors may stay a limit of 14 days in any one location within the forest.

When visiting Pinetop-Lakeside, you can fish, hike and camp. Take the time to also visit with the locals, shop and enjoy some of the restaurants that are located in this wonderful Arizona community.