Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area
🌲 Arizona’s Mountain Lake — Ponderosa Pines, Rainbow Trout, and Elk at 6,300 Feet — Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area near Show Low, Arizona White Mountains, 150-acre lake, fishing for trout and bass, 100+ campsites with hookups, boating, swimming, hiking, ponderosa pine forest, Mogollon Rim country, elk — Navajo County, AZ
When people think Arizona, they think desert. Fool Hollow thinks otherwise. At 6,300 feet in the White Mountains, a 150-acre lake sits in a ponderosa pine forest where elk outnumber people, rainbow trout rise to dry flies, and summer highs reach a merciful 85°F while Phoenix melts at 115.
This is Arizona’s mountain escape. The campground loops through ponderosa pines tall enough to block the sky. The lake produces trout, bass, walleye, and catfish. Elk browse at the edge of the campground at dawn. And the nearest air conditioning is in Show Low, five minutes away — though up here, you won’t need it.
What to Do
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Fishing | 150-acre lake stocked with rainbow trout year-round. Also: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, channel catfish, crappie, and bluegill. Fishing docks and ample shore access. The trout fishing is best in spring and fall. The bass fishery heats up in summer. Arizona license required |
| Camping | 100+ campsites in ponderosa pine loops — many with full hookups (water, electric, sewer). Tent sites and RV sites. Modern restrooms with showers. Some sites have lake views. The campground is well-maintained and popular — reserve in advance for summer and holiday weekends |
| Boating | Boat ramp for motorized boats (10 hp limit) and non-motorized craft. Kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals often available. The 10 hp limit keeps the lake quiet — no wake, no roar, just the sound of paddles and fishing reels. Perfect for a slow morning on the water |
| Hiking | Lakeside trail loops through ponderosa forest with views across the water. The surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest offers hundreds of miles of additional trails. The Mogollon Rim — one of Arizona’s most dramatic geological features — is nearby |
| Wildlife | Elk are the stars — herds of Rocky Mountain elk browse near the campground, especially at dawn and dusk. Also: mule deer, wild turkeys, Abert’s squirrels (the ones with the ear tufts), and a rich variety of mountain birds including Steller’s jays and wild turkeys |
The White Mountains
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Arizona’s High Country | The White Mountains rise to 11,400 feet in eastern Arizona — blanketed in ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and aspen. This is the Arizona that Arizona residents escape to when the desert becomes uninhabitable. Summer highs at Fool Hollow: 80–85°F. Summer highs in Phoenix: 110–115°F |
| Mogollon Rim | The 200-mile escarpment that divides Arizona’s high country from its low desert — a 2,000-foot cliff edge that Zane Grey made famous in his Western novels. The Rim is 30 miles south of Fool Hollow and offers some of the most dramatic views in the state |
| Show Low | The town of Show Low (population ~11,000) is 5 minutes from the park. Named for a poker hand that decided a land dispute in 1876. Restaurants, grocery stores, and a small-town mountain feel. The gateway to the White Mountains |
| Year-Round | Open 365 days. Summer is peak season. Fall brings elk bugling and golden aspens. Winter brings snow — the campground stays open for hardy campers and nearby Sunrise Ski Resort opens. Spring is snowmelt and wildflowers |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | ☀️ Escape the desert heat. Fishing. Camping. 85°F highs while Phoenix burns. The pines at their greenest |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | 🦌 Elk bugling. Aspens golden. Trout fishing peak. Cool nights. Arizona’s best season at altitude |
| Spring (Apr–May) | Snowmelt. Lake filling. Trout stocking. Wildflowers. The forest waking up. Cool mornings, warm afternoons |
| Winter (Nov–Mar) | Snow on the pines. Ice fishing possible. Nearby skiing at Sunrise. Winter camping for the adventurous. The forest quiet |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really cool enough to camp in Arizona summer?
Yes — at 6,300 feet, summer highs are 80–85°F with cool nights in the 50s. You’ll sleep under a blanket. You might need a jacket in the morning. While Phoenix bakes at 115°F, Fool Hollow feels like a different planet. That’s why Arizonans drive 3 hours to get here.
Will I see elk?
Very likely — especially at dawn and dusk. The White Mountains support one of Arizona’s largest elk herds. They browse near the campground regularly. During fall rut (September), the bulls bugle — a sound that echoes through the ponderosa forest.
🌲 85°F While Phoenix Burns. Trout in the Lake. Elk in the Pines. Arizona’s Mountain Secret.
Drive up from the desert into ponderosa pines. Fish for trout at dawn. Watch elk at dusk. Sleep under a blanket at 6,300 feet while the valley below shimmers at 115°F. Fool Hollow — where Arizona remembers it has mountains.
