If you are looking for a great place to take the family for a weekend getaway then check out these three destinations that are easy to reach only a couple of hours from Phoenix. All three of these areas are in higher elevations and will be be a few degrees cooler than Phoenix. If you wait until late in the fall you’ll find all of these places will be cold at night and will be uncomfortable if you don’t plan to spend the night indoors.
1. Just two hours North of Phoenix on I-17 you’ll find Lyman Lake State Park. The biggest draw at Lyman Lake is the cooler weather and the large reservoir where boaters, campers and fisherman can spend their day in pursuit of their favorite pastimes. Your family will enjoy hiking, biking, fishing in Lyman Lake. The lake is stocked with warm water fish such as Bass, Walleye, Catfish, and Northern Pike. The campground has sites for tents and RV’s and they have a few cabins and yurts available. Admission to the park is $5.00 and to use a campsite is the cost is $12 to $16. If you want electricity it will run from $19 to $25. The yurts rent at $35.00 and cabins are $50.00. Call 928-337-4441 for more information.
2. To the Northwest of Phoenix about an hour and a half is Prescott Arizona. There are two lakes nearby, Watson and Goldwater. There are facilities for picnicking, hiking, biking and boating on the lakes. You can even rent kayaks and paddle across the lakes if you can handle the exercise. Camping in the area is just $10.00 per night and most campers enjoy a trip down the Thumb Butte road about 2 miles and a hike on the Thumb Butte Trail.
3. Along Highway 60 at Springerville Arizona is the 15 acre Casa Malpais archeological ruin. This is a very famous site that lies about two miles from Springerville and was occupied for close to two hundred years by the Mogollon peoples around 1200 AD. The site is renowned for a large kiva, numerous petroglyphs, and many residences found at the location. Guided tours start at the Casa Malpais Visitor Center and cost $8.00 per adult and $6.00 for those over 60.
Although there is no camping in the immediate area there are motels and restaurants nearby. Try Reeds Lodge in town for rooms at $50.00.
For information of Lyman Lake State Park check with the state at: www.AZStateParks.com
For more information on the lakes in the Prescott area go to: www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott/recreation/index.shtml
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