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Lower Lake Mary
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 Forest Highway 3 (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. This is also a good location to bring a kite or bicycle (Lake Mary Road, aka Forest Highway 3, is a popular road for bicycle fans and racers).
See Lower Lake Mary Picnic Area for facility information. See Lake Mary Recreation Corridor for more recreation sites and information about the area.
At a Glance
| Operational Hours: | Day-Use Area open 7 A.M. TO 7 P.M. during operating season |
|---|---|
| Fees: | Fees are required at the developed day-use areas on the lakes during the high-use season (generally mid-April through mid-October): |
| Open Season: | - First week of May to Second week of October |
| Usage: | Medium-Heavy |
| Restrictions: | Motorized boats: single electric motor or single gasoline engine limited to 10 horsepower. See Arizona Game & Fish Department Watercraft Rules and Regulations for additional information. |
| Closest Towns: | Flagstaff, AZ |
| Restroom: | Vault toilets |
| Operated By: | Concessionaire ExplorUS info@goexplorus.com and Flagstaff Ranger District 928-526-0866 |
General Information
Directions:Location: 7 miles southeast of Flagstaff on paved roads.
GPS (Map): 35°06'44.0"N 111°34'56.6"W
Access: Take Lake Mary Road (FH 3) south-east from Flagstaff, 7 miles. The day use parking area is on the west side of the road.
Click on map thumbnail for larger view.
General Notes:
Campground Season: May 1st to the end of September (Nearest campgrounds are Canyon Vista Campground about 3 miles north of Lower Lake Mary and Lakeview Campground, 5 miles south at Upper Lake Mary.)
Attractions: Fishing/boating, picnicking, wildlife watching, biking, photography
Facilities: Picnic area with ramadas, boat ramp, toilets (composting), biking, photography
Notes:
- No drinking water available at the lake.
- There is a boat-motor size limitation on Lower Lake Mary of no larger than 10 horsepower.
Helpful Links:
- Handbook of Boating Laws and Responsibilities (non-Forest Service Site)
- Vessel and Engine Restrictions in Arizona (non-Forest Service Site)
- Arizona Game and Fish Department (non-Forest Service Site)
Activities
Lake and Pond Fishing
Picnicking
Boating - Non-Motorized
Related Information
Location
