Canyon Lake

Steep-walled lake on the Apache Trail with a steamboat cruise.

33.540°N 111.440°W1,657 ft

BoatingCampingPaddlingSwimming

Today89°FMostly Sunny · low 72°F

Wind0 to 5 mphS · NWS

Rentals, stays & trips for Canyon LakePartner links · same price for you

Rent a boat on Canyon LakePontoons, ski and fishing boats from local ownersBoatsetter Stay near Canyon LakeLake cabins, vacation homes and hotelsExpedia · Vrbo Fishing charterHalf and full-day trips, gear includedViator Private campsiteWhen the public sites are fullHipcamp

Heads up: Off-season trips are quieter. Many owners still rent on calm, sunny weekends.

Rent a boat on Canyon LakeBoatsetter · partner link→

Quick facts

Type: Lake
State: Arizona
Elevation: 1,657 ft
Boat ramps: 3
Campgrounds: 1
Fish species: None recorded

Get on the water

Ramps & rentals

Palo Verde Boat Launch

· 0.7 mi from the water

Marina Launch

· 1.0 mi from the water

Laguna Boat Launch

· 1.4 mi from the water

Canyon Lake Marina

· 1.0 mi from the water

Boat rentals

Rent a boat for Canyon Lake

Pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats from local owners, with or without a captain.

See boats on Boatsetter

Affiliate link

Where to stay

Camp near the water

Canyon Lake Campground

· 1.2 mi from the water

Public sites full?

Private sites nearby

Ranch, desert and waterfront sites hosted by landowners.

Browse Hipcamp

Affiliate link

Rather sleep indoors?

Cabins and hotels near Canyon Lake

Lake houses, cabins and hotels close to the water, with free cancellation on many stays.

Find a place to stay

Affiliate link

No rig? No problem

RV delivered to camp

Some owners will drop a trailer at the campground and pick it up when you leave.

Outdoorsy RVshare

Affiliate links

Off the water

Nearby trails

Boulder Canyon Trailhead

· 1.1 mi from the water

Boulder Canyon Trail

United States Forest Service · United States Forest Service

· 3.5 mi from the water

Second Water Trail

United States Forest Service · United States Forest Service

· 3.7 mi from the water

Black Mesa Trail

United States Forest Service · United States Forest Service

· 4.9 mi from the water

Cavalry Trail

United States Forest Service · United States Forest Service

· 5.8 mi from the water

Trailheads from OpenStreetMap and hand-checked notes. Open the trailhead in your hiking app for full route details.

Before you launch

Gas, bait & supplies nearby

Gas and fuel docks

Ship StoreFuel dock
1.0 mi
Circle K 85 West Superstition Boulevard, Apache Junction
10.2 mi
76 420 North Apache Trail, Apache Junction
10.4 mi
QuikTrip 21 East Old West Highway, Apache Junction · 24/7
10.7 mi

Bait and tackle

Bass Addict TackleBait 1075 South Idaho Road, Apache Junction · Mo-Fr 07:00-17:00, Sa 08:00-12:00,11:30-13:00
11.1 miCall
Liar's KornerBait 9529 East Main Street, Mesa · Mo-Sa 08:00-18:00; Su 08:00-16:00
13.7 miCall
Gold Dog Tents 3343 North Reseda Circle, Mesa
17.1 miCall
DD26 FishingBait
17.3 mi

Groceries and ice

Tortilla Flat Country Store
3.0 mi
Circle K 85 West Superstition Boulevard, Apache Junction
10.2 mi
Shell 420 North Apache Trail, Apache Junction
10.3 mi
The Good AppleIce 100 North Plaza Drive, Apache Junction · Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:00
10.6 miCall

RV dump and fresh water

RV dump stationDump station
6.1 mi

Ranger stations

Lost Dutchman State Park 6109 East Apache Trail, Apache Junction
5.8 mi
Roosevelt Lake Visitor's Center 28079 Arizona State Route 188, Roosevelt · Mo-Su 08:00-16:30; PH off
19.8 mi

Hospitals and urgent care

Pinal County Public Health 575 North Idaho Road, Apache Junction · Tu-Fr 08:00-18:00
10.2 mi
Horizon Health & Wellness 625 North Plaza Drive, Apache Junction
10.4 mi
Heavens Urgent Care 95 South Idaho Road, Apache Junction · Mo-Fr 10:00-20:00; Sa-Su 12:00-18:00
10.6 miCall
Saguaro Fitness & Rehabilitation Center 305 North Plaza Drive, Apache Junction
10.6 miCall

Distances are straight-line from the water. Listings © OpenStreetMap contributors; hours change, so call ahead. In an emergency, call 911.

Trip planner

Build your weekend

Saturday74°FSunnyWind 0 to 5 mph SW

Sunday78°FSunnyWind 0 to 10 mph NE

National Weather Service forecast. Afternoon wind builds on big lakes; plan crossings for the morning.

How many days

Who's coming

Main thing

Packing list

Don't forget

Good to know

Canyon Lake FAQ

Can you rent a boat on Canyon Lake?

Yes. Boat rentals for Canyon Lake can be searched on Boatsetter, where local owners list pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats, some with a captain. Availability changes by season, so book early for summer weekends. Public launches include Palo Verde Boat Launch, Marina Launch, Laguna Boat Launch, Canyon Lake Marina.

Where can I launch a boat on Canyon Lake?

Boat ramps and marinas listed for this water: Palo Verde Boat Launch, Marina Launch, Laguna Boat Launch, Canyon Lake Marina. Fees and hours change by season, so check with the managing agency before you tow.

Where can I camp near Canyon Lake?

Campgrounds near the water include Canyon Lake Campground. When public sites are full, private sites nearby are listed on Hipcamp.

Is Canyon Lake stocked with fish?

Yes. The most recent state planting report for Canyon Lake lists X the week of 0001-09-01. Sign up on this page to get an email when it's stocked again.

Is there gas near Canyon Lake?

The closest listed fuel is Ship Store, about 1.0 miles from the water. There is also a fuel dock on the water.

Where can I buy bait near Canyon Lake?

Bait and tackle nearby: Bass Addict Tackle (11.1 mi), Liar's Korner (13.7 mi), Gold Dog Tents (17.1 mi). Hours change, so call ahead.

Keep exploring

Nearby water

Saguaro Lake5 mi Apache Lake7 mi Lower Salt River9 mi · 16 cfs Roosevelt Lake22 mi

Sources: USGS 3DHP, Recreation.gov RIDB, OpenStreetMap contributors, CDFW and AZGFD, GBIF, NWS. Photo credits are listed on the photo credits page. All outbound links are affiliate links.