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Show Low Lake Campground
Overview
Overview
Show Low Lake Campground offers a quintessential high-country escape for outdoor enthusiasts looking to unplug in the scenic White Mountains of Arizona. Operated by the City of Show Low, this destination provides a rustic, nature-focused experience rather than a luxury resort atmosphere. Travelers can expect a serene environment where the primary focus remains on the beautiful alpine landscape and the quiet charm of the surrounding forest, making it a peaceful retreat for those who appreciate simplicity and direct access to mountain terrain.
Location & Surroundings
Nestled in the Pinetop-Lakeside area, this campground sits at an elevation that provides relief from the desert heat. The park is situated directly on the shores of the 100-acre Show Low Lake, allowing for stunning water views and easy access to the lakefront. Tall stands of Ponderosa pines surround the area, creating a classic mountain aesthetic that feels miles away from urban life while remaining conveniently located near the amenities of Pinetop-Lakeside.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground offers a range of options including tent sites and spots suitable for various RV sizes. Visitors benefit from on-site restroom facilities and access to a public boat ramp for water activities. While the park maintains a rustic appeal, it provides the essential infrastructure needed for a comfortable stay, including picnic tables and fire rings at most sites. The inclusion of a fish cleaning station makes it a highly convenient spot for anglers looking to enjoy the local waters.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The immediate area is a playground for outdoor recreation. Show Low Lake is widely known for its excellent trout fishing, and anglers frequently visit to try their luck at catching rainbow, brown, or Apache trout. Beyond the lake, the surrounding White Mountains offer an extensive network of trails perfect for hiking and mountain biking. Visitors can also explore the quaint shops and cafes in the nearby Pinetop-Lakeside area or take short drives to explore other regional mountain lakes and forests.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is ideal for nature lovers and anglers who prioritize location over extensive resort-style amenities. It caters perfectly to families or solo travelers who want a base camp for exploring the White Mountains. If your travel style centers on spending your mornings on the water and your evenings under the stars, you will find this spot to be an excellent choice for a low-key, adventure-filled mountain getaway.
Features & Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
Reviews
Denise Hall
The ground is very fine dirt. We expect some mess when camping, but our grandkids and all of our things were extra dirty. The showers are yuck and close at 7pm. Doesn't allow for cleaning everyone up after dinner and before bed. Picnic tables were dirty and gross. Campsite was not clear of trash. There were several small things left on the ground. Trash in the fire ring. Bathroom was clean, but according to the log was cleaned every other day. The lake is super low, very grassy, and difficult to shore fish. Won't stay here again.
One Day
The camp sights are a lot closer together then said on there maps especially right by the main building. The restroom and water station are right by the sights as well.It was nice early morning. The trails to the creek and lake are steep so watch out for that as well as some trails go right into campsites. Trails and roads need a little more barriers. The lake is really low to what it was but also be careful can swim a bit but theres also fishing stuff. My biggest issue is the campground rented out a big day spot to a big group of people. Some of them stayed others came in a vans and cars all weekend. The group was loud at night and keep driving around in and out of campsites as well as the group was smoking everywhere, they also made messes in the bathrooms. Luckly the camp host was on top of that.Don't know if this group comes every 4th of July week so be worn.
Dogwoodangel
Small campground and all the sites are walking distance to the lake. Peaceful even though it's a populated location. Showers, toilets, water near the sites. They only have a few sites with hookups. I never found the camp host so I booked online, which has a $10 booking fee. I would stay here again if I ever needed to be in Show Low.
Teresa Stanfill
Show Low Campground was a great place to camp and fish. The best part for us was how close the campsites were to the lake. It was such a short walk, which made it really easy to go back and forth without feeling like we had to pack everything up every time we wanted to fish or take a break. The fishing was great while we were there, and that made the trip even better. It is always nice when you can camp close to the water and actually have a good fishing experience too. The lake was easy to get to, and the area had that peaceful outdoor feel that makes camping worth it. The night fishing was awesome. There is just something different about being out by the water after dark, when everything is quieter and cooler. It ended up being one of our favorite parts of the trip. Overall, Show Low Campground was a really nice spot for a camping and fishing trip. The close lake access, good fishing, and great night fishing made it a place we would definitely come back to again.
SAMUEL GARCIA
The campground itself is solid. Restrooms were clean, and the showers were exactly what you’d expect from a campground — basic, but they get the job done. One big plus was the fire pits with built-in grilling tops, which were a lifesaver for us. We came ready to cook and made some carnitas from a freshly butchered hog, and it turned into a great cookout. All of our neighbors were friendly and laid-back, which really added to the experience. Unfortunately, Show Low Lake was a huge disappointment. The lake was mostly dried up, and fishing was rough. We tried everything — catfish, trout, sunfish — even stayed out all night fishing, and didn’t catch a single thing. We camped here on 04/19/2026. If you’re coming mainly for camping and hanging out, it’s a good spot. But if fishing is your main reason for visiting, definitely lower your expectations.