Arizona White Mountains - Lakes, Rivers & Streams
A Nature Lover’s Paradise...
In the heart of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, the Arizona White Mountains boast an array of awe-inspiring lakes, rivers, and streams that offer, fishing boating, recreation, and beauty.
Find the White Mountain water location that fits your trip
Whether you’re casting a line, paddling with the family, camping nearby, or simply looking for cool mountain scenery, start here to find a good fit for your day.
Discover White Mountain Lakes
Discover White Mountain Rivers and Streams
Plan your DAY ON OR NEAR THE water
Lakes & Reservoirs
Browse lakes and reservoirs across the White Mountains. Open any card for practical details on fishing, boating, access, permits, nearby camping, and the places that make each stop worth the drive.
Christmas Tree Lake
A limited-access White Mountain Apache Tribe trout lake with special-use permits, seasonal operation, and lake-specific fishing regulations.
Hulsey Lake
A small man-made Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest lake north of Alpine, suited to fishing and carry-in small-watercraft recreation.
Sunrise Lake
A permit-required White Mountain Apache Tribe reservoir at Sunrise Park, with fishing and boating governed by current tribal rules.
Woodland Lake
The lake at Woodland Lake Park in Pinetop-Lakeside, with fishing, paddling, trails, birding, picnicking, and community recreation.
Reservation Lake
A permit-required White Mountain Apache Tribe reservoir near Big Lake and Hannagan Meadow, with fishing, boating, and nearby camping.
Lyman Lake
A large Little Colorado River reservoir and Arizona state park near St. Johns, offering boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and shoreline recreation.
A-1 Lake
A permit-controlled fishing lake on White Mountain Apache tribal lands near the State Route 260 corridor.
Fool Hollow Lake
A developed 149-acre lake and state recreation area in Show Low with year-round camping, fishing, boating, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.
Show Low Lake
A 100-acre lake on Show Low’s southern boundary with camping, picnic facilities, fishing docks, showers, and a small store.
Scott Reservoir
A Show Low-area reservoir included in Arizona Game and Fish fisheries management and high-country trout stocking programs.
River Reservoir
One of the Greer-area reservoirs managed for fishing within the upper Little Colorado River system.
Rainbow Lake
A 116-acre impounded lake in Pinetop-Lakeside with a public access parcel, boat ramp, accessible fishing pier, and mixed coldwater and warmwater fishery.
Nelson Reservoir
A reservoir in the Nutrioso-Rudd landscape of eastern Arizona, managed within Arizona Game and Fish fisheries and conservation programs.
Lee Valley Reservoir
A high-elevation reservoir in the Big Lake and Greer area that is managed as part of Arizona’s high-country fishing network.
Hurricane Lake
A permit-controlled lake on White Mountain Apache tribal lands with access governed by current tribal recreation rules.
Horseshoe Cienega Lake
A permit-controlled fishing lake on White Mountain Apache tribal lands where current access and recreation rules must be verified with tribal authorities.
Luna Lake
A high-country lake near Alpine managed for fishing, with seasonal wildlife-protection restrictions possible.
Carnero Lake
A high-country fishing lake included in Arizona Game and Fish Department fisheries management planning.
Crescent Lake
A high-elevation Apache-Sitgreaves lake near the Big Lake area, managed for fishing and subject to seasonal wildlife-protection and access considerations.
Hawley Lake
A lake on White Mountain Apache tribal lands where fishing, camping, and watercraft access are governed by current tribal permits and rules.
Big Lake
A high-elevation, 450-acre lake in the Big Lake Recreation Area, best known for trout fishing and a cluster of nearby Forest Service campgrounds.
Rivers & Streams
The White Mountains are home to cold-water rivers, forks, and spring-fed streams—great for fishing, scenic drives, and quieter days outdoors. Start with a river system, then check conditions and access before you go.
River systems to explore
The Black River, White River, Little Colorado River headwaters, and Silver Creek will be grouped here, with their forks and tributaries added as visitor information is verified.
Explore by river system
Black River: East and West Forks.
White River: East and North Forks.
Little Colorado River headwaters: East and West Forks near Greer, plus upper-watershed tributaries around Springerville.
Silver Creek: a spring-fed stream near Show Low, shaped by Silver Springs and downstream Brown Creek flows.
East Fork of the White River
The East Fork of the White River is a 26-mile-long stream in east-central Arizona that helps form the Salt River system. It joins the North Fork White River near the community of Fort Apache to form the main stem of the White River. The main stem eventually flows into the Black River to create the Salt River.
Butler Canyon Creek
A creek in Butler Canyon, Apache County, referenced in county records. Current conditions, access, and recreation information require local confirmation.
North Fork of the White River
A North Fork White River monitoring location at Whiteriver, documented by the U.S. Geological Survey. The monitoring record does not establish visitor access or recreation opportunities.
Benny Creek
An upper Little Colorado River watershed creek with minimal water flow during much of the year and limited potential for angling recreation.
Hall Creek
A Little Colorado River tributary downstream of White Mountain Reservoir, managed as a wild cold-water fishery for brown and rainbow trout.
South Fork of the Little Colorado River
A White Mountains headwater tributary managed for Apache trout recovery; catch-and-release angling reopened on May 1, 2023.
West Fork of the Little Colorado River
A White Mountains headwater fork of the Little Colorado River, managed upstream of fish barriers as an Apache trout recovery stream.
East Fork of the Little Colorado River
A White Mountains headwater fork of the Little Colorado River, managed in separate reaches for Apache trout recovery and a wild cold-water fishery.
West Fork of the Black River
A White Mountains fork managed by Arizona Game and Fish as an Apache trout recovery stream, with brown and brook trout documented in parts of the system.
Silver Creek
A spring-fed, blue-ribbon coldwater stream near Show Low, with public fishing downstream of Silver Springs and the nearby hatchery.
East Fork of the Black River
A forested river recreation corridor near Alpine with fishing access and a series of nearby campgrounds.