Lakes & Streams Near the Rim Country
Discover Rim Country’s Lakes with Dennis Riccio
High in Arizona’s Rim Country, you’ll find lots of mountain lakes and winding creeks! And each one will offer a cool and relaxing spot surrounded by tall pines. So, if you’re a fan of fishing or swimming, the Payson area will be your best choice! You’ll often hear people call it “Rim Lakes Area” because so many lakes sit along the Mogollon Rim. You’ll love –
- The beautiful lakes
- Cool summer temps
- Clear creeks and small waterfalls
- Peaceful forests and quiet spots.
You’ll never run out of water adventures if you buy a home near the mountain lakes of the Rim Country. So, if you’re exploring the area or thinking about buying a cabin here, Dennis Riccio, a local realtor in Payson, AZ, can help you find the perfect neighborhood!
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Creeks, Streams & Swimming Holes You’ll Enjoy Here!
Living in Payson means enjoying lakes, rivers, and creeks, all in one place. You can ask Dennis Riccio, the best real estate agent in Payson, AZ, about the different streams and creeks near Payson, and he’ll make sure to show you some of the most refreshing spots!
- Tonto Creek: This creek runs year-round along Highway 260 and gives you easy spots to fish, wade, or relax. You can catch stocked trout in spring and summer, explore quiet pools, or visit the nearby fish hatchery. In midsummer, the shallow edges are perfect for dipping your feet and letting kids splash safely.
- Horton Creek: This gives you clear, cold, spring-fed water and a peaceful place to relax. You can enjoy small waterfalls, mossy rocks, and shady forest scenery without hiking the full trail. It’s perfect for cooling your feet, taking photos, and spotting wildflowers in late spring. You can also try the lower creek for an easy, quiet visit.
- East Verde River & Water Wheel: This area gives you some of the best swimming holes near Payson. A short, easy hike takes you to waterfalls, deep pools, and a natural rock slide. It’s great for picnicking, wading, and cooling off. But you need to avoid this area during monsoon storms.
- Fossil Creek: This creek will give you bright turquoise pools, small waterfalls, and warm, clear water that feels like a desert oasis. You’ll need a permit in spring and summer, but the experience is unforgettable. You need to check the current closures before you go there. Several locals choose Water Wheel for quick, no-permit swims.
You’ll also enjoy several other Rim country creeks like Christopher Creek, Haigler Creek, Pine Creek, and Canyon Creek, and each of them will offer something unique and beautiful. You can connect with the experienced Payson, AZ, realtor, Dennis Riccio, for more information.
Lakes and Streams Recreation
Explore the Top Lakes in Payson, AZ, Using Dennis’ Expertise!
As a native of Arizona, Dennis Riccio, the Payson real estate agent, knows the area extremely well. So, he’ll help you find the perfect cabins and homes near lakes in Payson, AZ that you’ll absolutely love!
Woods Canyon Lake
It’s a small alpine lake (about 55 acres) at 7,510 ft. You’ll love the calm water, pine views, and fishing options here. You can rent a boat, grab snacks at the small store, and enjoy nearby campgrounds. In winter, you’ll see snow on the trees and quiet mornings by the water. If you love Woods Canyon Lake, imagine staying in a cabin that is 5 to 10 minutes away.
Bear Canyon Lake
If you want more adventure and quiet, you’ll love Bear Canyon Lake. You’ll hike about half a mile down a trail to reach this 60-acre turquoise lake, but the views make it worth it. You’ll find fewer people, great trout fishing, and peaceful mornings by the water. You can bring a small kayak or float tube, but you’ll need to carry it in.
C.C. Cragin Reservoir (Blue Ridge Reservoir)
C.C. Cragin, often called Blue Ridge Reservoir, is a long, narrow lake that twists through a steep canyon, north of Payson. If you love kayaking or canoeing, you’ll enjoy miles of quiet, secluded paddling here. Trout are stocked in spring, and early-season fishing can be great. The shoreline is steep, so you can access most spots by water.
Knoll Lake
Knoll Lake (in the east), along Rim Road, offers 75 acres of clear, quiet water at nearly 8,000 feet. You’ll notice the small island in the middle, the “knoll”, that gives the lake its name. Trout are stocked in early summer, and a peaceful campground sits nearby. The banks are steep, so a float tube or small boat helps. Plus, you’ll love the drive through wide meadows!
Willow Springs Lake
A few miles from Woods Canyon, you’ll find Willow Springs Lake, a larger 150-acre lake with tall pines, rocky shores, and beautiful Rim views. You can bring small motorboats (up to 10hp), fish for trout, bass, and sunfish, or enjoy kayaking and paddleboarding. Access is easy from Highway 260, and quieter coves sit just a short forest road away.
Black Canyon Lake
Black Canyon Lake is a great option if you’re heading toward Heber. This 78-acre lake is in a forest regrowing from the 2002 wildfire, so you’ll see new aspens and pines mixed with old timber. You can fish for stocked trout in spring and largemouth bass year-round. A paved boat ramp makes access easy, and the lake is usually quieter than others.
Chevelon Canyon Lake
Chevelon Canyon Lake is one of the biggest Rim lakes and also the most remote. You’ll drive miles of rough dirt road and then hike about 3/4 mile to reach the water. But the reward will be beautiful. You’ll get trophy-size brown and rainbow trout, quiet shorelines, and almost no crowds. Only carry-in boats are allowed, so it stays peaceful and wild.
Green Valley Lake
Green Valley Lake is right in the middle of Payson, giving you three peaceful ponds to enjoy without leaving town. In cooler months, you can fish for stocked rainbow trout, and in summer, you can catch bass, bluegill, and crappie. It’s a great place to take kids, feed the ducks, or walk by the water during sunset.
Roosevelt Lake
Roosevelt Lake is about 30 to 35 miles south of Payson and gives you huge open water for boating, skiing, sailing, and trophy bass fishing. With 19,000 acres of water and long shorelines, you’ll find marinas, boat ramps, and plenty of room to play. The desert scenery feels completely different from the Rim lakes. If you want to know more about these areas, all you need to do is call the top realtor in Payson, AZ, Dennis Riccio. And he'll show you homes near these places so you can enjoy your favorite water activity near your home.
Expert Tips From Dennis to Help You Enjoy Rim Country Waters!
You can ask the Payson local realtor, Dennis Riccio, for more details about the Rim Country lakes and streams. He’ll tell you everything you need to know so that you can buy a home in Payson, Arizona, near your favorite lake spot.
Fishing Licenses
If you plan to fish, you’ll need an Arizona fishing license if you’re 10 or older. You can get the license online or at local stores, and you should always keep it with you.
Best Fishing Times
Trout are most active during the twilight hours of sunrise and sunset. If fishing in hot weather, you will have greater success targeting higher-elevation lakes where the water remains cooler and more oxygenated.
Boating
Each lake has different rules. Some allow small motors, some are electric-only, and some are no-motor. So, you need to always wear a life jacket and watch for strong afternoon winds on bigger lakes.
Swimming & Safety
Many lakes and creeks stay cold, so you need to enter slowly and watch for slippery rocks. You also need to avoid jumping into unknown pools and avoid narrow canyons during the rainy season.
Wildlife
Keep an eye out for wildlife near the water at dawn; you might spot elk, deer, beavers, or a bald eagle. To increase your chances, look for animal tracks along the creek banks and listen carefully for the calls of treefrogs, birds, and other animals.
How Can Dennis Riccio Help You Explore the Rim Country Better?
Having a local real estate consultant in Payson, Arizona, like Dennis Riccio, can be very helpful when you’re looking to buy your home in the area. Here are some of the perks of working with Dennis!
Guided Area Insights
You get clear, local guidance on which neighborhoods sit closest to lakes, streams, rivers, and fun outdoor spots.
Recreation-Oriented Home Search
He’ll help you find homes that match your lifestyle and have quick access to fishing, kayaking, or weekend adventures.
Local Expertise You Can Trust
He’ll let you know the real insider tips, rules, and other big and small details that you won’t find online.
Support for Investors & Second-Home Buyers
He’ll give you advice on high-demand areas, rental potential, and more.
Make Your Home-Search Process Worry-Free With Dennis Riccio
Falling in love with the Rim Country’s lakes is inevitable. And if you find yourself thinking, “Can I buy a home near this beautiful lake in the Rim Country?” Dennis Riccio, one of the top realtors in Payson, is the experienced realtor you can count on.
He has seven years of experience in the real estate industry, and he can give you the right advice at all times. He’ll help you with the locality tours and give you a market snapshot of the area where you want to buy a home.
So, you can call the top Payson, AZ, realtor, Dennis Riccio, without any second thoughts.
AFFILIATION & TRUST PARTNERS
TESTIMONIALS
POPULAR TOWNS IN AZ TO CALL HOME
- Alpine Heights
- Alpine Ridge
- Alpine Village
- Alva Drive Area
- Bear Flat
- Beaver Valley
- Bentley Subdivision
- Blue Ridge Area
- Bonita Creek
- Bonita Pines Condos
- Boulder Creek
- Brook Chris Crk
- Brookview Terrace 1
- Brookview Terrace 2
- Blue Ridge Est
- Bonita Mobile Court
- Buena Vista Terrace
- Canyon Shadows
- Bison Cove
- Canyon River Ranch
- Berry Hill
FAQ’S
Most Rim lakes close in winter because you can’t reach them once the roads get snowy. You’ll be able to access them again in spring when the snow melts. But you can enjoy Roosevelt Lake all year, as you can boat and fish there even in winter. If you need more information about the area, you can call the top realtor in Payson, AZ, Dennis Riccio, now.
You’ll find the closest lake access in places like Forest Lakes, Christopher Creek, Kohl’s Ranch, and the neighborhoods along Rim Road. You can reach popular lakes in a few minutes from these areas. You will also get cooler temperatures, tall pines, and a lot of outdoor space to enjoy. If you want help choosing the right lake-area community, you can count on one of the best Payson realtors, Dennis Riccio.
You can’t buy a home directly on the Rim lakes because they sit on national forest land. But you can find beautiful cabins and homes close to the lake areas. If you want help finding the closest options, you can rely on Dennis Riccio, a trusted real estate agent in Payson, AZ. He’ll give you more details and information you need about the real estate market in Payson.