Lower Lake Mary Picnic Area
Sometimes it's a lake. Sometimes it's not. Lower Lake Mary, the smaller of Flagstaff's twin lakes, has a tendency to disappear during the long dry spells that periodically hit this area. When the lake has water in it, which actually is much of the time, its banks are usually lined with anglers trying to catch the trout which the Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks here. If it stays full for a year or two, it will pick up a population of northern pike and catfish.
Access to this lake is directly off the aptly-named Lake Mary Road. The Lower Lake Mary Picnic Area at the northwestern end of the lake offers a great picnic location, no matter how high or low the water is, with wide open views and lots of tables and grills under ramadas.
During the warm season it is a good place to watch elk, deer, bald eagles, great blue herons and other waterfowl.
Active Alerts
Reservations
Lower Lake Mary's ramadas can be reserved by calling 928-774-9671.
General Information
This site requires a pass.
Three types of passes are accepted at Lower Lake Mary:
- America the Beautiful Interagency Passes
- Red Rock Passes
- Lake Mary-specific passes
Find more information about passes on our Passes page.
- No camping is permitted.
- The maximum boat-motor size on Lower Lake Mary is 10 horsepower.
If an America the Beautiful Interagency Pass or Red Rock Pass is not used, Lake Mary-specific passes can be purchased at an on-site kiosk.
- Day: $10 / vehicle
- Week: $15 / vehicle
- Season / Year: $20 / vehicles
Address: 5075 N. Highway 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: 928-526-0866
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: SM.FS.Cof_Webmail@usda.gov
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 35.11111
Longitude: -111.58395
Elevation
6846 ft.
Directions
Location: 8 miles southeast of Flagstaff.
GPS (Map): 35°06'39.9"N 111°35'01.9"W
Access: Drive 8 miles south from Flagstaff on Lake Mary Road. The access road to the picnic area is located just south of Forest Road 132.
Travel Considerations
Roads and parking lots are paved.
Parking
A paved parking lot is available.
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
Cooking grills with shade ramadas; Ramadas and Picnic Tables available for reservation by calling 928-774-9671
Recreation Opportunities
Boating - Motorized Info
Boating is only available when the lake has water.
Boating - Non-Motorized Info
Non-motorized boating is only available when the lake has water.