I like how this trail was so well maintained and had markers making it easy to navigate. The…read morescenery is stunning as your surrounded by towering pines and oaks and there's even water on the trail. It's about 2 miles to get to the Ice Cave which was cool (pun intended) to check out, but it was a little underwhelming. Still awesome to see an entrance of a collapsed lava tube where cool air creates a natural refrigerator even if it didn't have that wow factor. There's pretty wildflowers alongside cactus which is cool to see. We didn't see much wildlife but there are horseback riders that use the trail that you may come across. Overall, it was a good easy to moderate trail good for families and with some really beautiful scenery and I enjoyed the trail.

Don't expect too much for the ice cave. It's a hole in the ground with cold air, which is nice once…read moreyou've sweated in the sun for 2 miles. Use sunscreen, as it's not shaded. There is a geocache in the area if you geocache.

Love this place! Beautiful vantage point of the lake from the picnic area. There is a walking path…read morefrom the boat launch with lovely views of the lake dotted with benches, ideal for picnics. We ran out of time so we weren't able to get souvenir mugs from the cute gift shop there (which also sells drinks and snacks). The ranger at the gate was pleasant and friendly.

In fairness to the lake I didn't make it past the "ranger" taking money. $10 a person is a little…read morespicy for me to get here , if you want a nice day at the lake , there are many to choose from in this area for little or no fee, perhaps this is to keep the common folk from enjoying such a prestigious and fine lake.

I was in town for a few days and decides to take one of my dogs for a quick walk one morning. I…read moreliked that the trail has ample parking spaces. It also has flat and easy trails along a small water stream (and I think some more challenging one up some smaller wooded hills). The walk was relatively easy..you can for sure finish the all back ad forth within 30-60 minutes depending on how fast you can walk. When I was there on a weekday late morning, many residents were walking along the path with their dogs enjoying that cool morning as well. Finally, the trail is free and very well maintained. It is also accessible so people with any abilities can enjoy it for sure.

This is a really interesting hiking trail and park. There is a steam that goes along the normal…read morehiking path which is an easy walk. I believe there are some more difficult paths that go along the woods. Apparently on the one side of the park sometimes you can see cattle grazing, but they were not out during my visit. There were some horses in the other field which got all of the attention. Having the horses present just made the park that much more enjoyable. There is a small parking lot and no bathrooms at this trail.

The pictures don't do this park justice. Super clean and peaceful, with plenty of wildlife. This…read morepark is great for a morning or afternoon stroll with a loop that goes right around the lake. Plenty of parking and places for a picnic. This is actually one of my favorite parks in the Pinetop area.

Beautiful & very peaceful lake. The path around the lake is well used & very walkable. Ball field,…read moreplayground, pickle ball & gorgeous hiking just beyond the walking path.

I went to an immaculately maintained trail along a creek and meadow of horses and cows that backed…read moreup to the mountains. Beautiful, beautiful and the small town charm of it is amazing! I loved the rocks people paint and leave behind as well. I have done that in the past with my 3 boys. Love the idea and charm of it! Reminds me to do it again. I felt refreshed and enjoyed my 3 mile run!! The trails were marked with little white signs and I didn't feel unsafe. It got tight a couple times with some kind folks walking dogs and I'm a huge dog person- so doesn't bother me and I was able to squeeze past them without them needing them to move much in the skinny portion of the trail we happened to be crossing at the same time. I think they appreciated. Anyway, beautiful hike and is do it again! Looking for another trail to do today before we leave back to the Valley in the AM. I don't want to leave!

Just FYI, using GPS location from this does not lead you to a trail. It just lads you to a general…read moreresidential area that happens to be within the white mountains area.

This 260 acre lake is located on the White Mountains Apache Indian Reservation near Pinetop…read moreLakeside. It is in Arizona's White Mountains at a high altitude of about 8,200 feet. The lake is 300 acres with and average depth of 40 feet and a maximum depth of 100 feet. White Mountain Apache Permit is required to fish, as well as, a tribe boat stamp if you plan to fish from a boat. You also need a regular fishing license from the Game and Fish Department. Thanks to Phoenix area Community Ambassador Joyce W., who recommended Hawley Lake! So my husband and I went on a reconnaissance mission to see the lake and check out the facilities. Hawley Lake is simply beautiful. It is surrounded by high mountain peaks covered with thick forests of spruce, pine and aspen. The lake has Brown, Brook, Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout. You will see wildlife at Hawley Lake and likely hear squirrels running around, owls and possibly wolves howling, roaming the distant, closed areas of the reservation. On the drive in we passed cattle grazing and we even passed a bear on our drive in to the lake. I love Hawley lake. It is rustic and natural and beautiful. They do not allow swimming or gas motors on the lake-electric only-keeping the lake pristine, as possible. Fishing and boating is more expensive because if the special permits. Camping is basic, no hookups; picnic tables are at most campsites, potable water faucets, and vault toilets are what you get. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Facilities like a store or marina are not available here. You have quiet, beautiful sights and dark skies at night.

The water level is up from years past so kayaking is good . Start early in the morning before the…read morewind picks up.

Apparently the campground is closed since Covid began and they intend to shut down the camping and…read moremake it a day use only site. That's sad but there is still fishing and the Porter Mountain Stables nearby actually have horseback trails and tours around the lake. The lake consists of Rainbow & Brown Trout, Channel Catfish, Large Mouth Bass, Green Sunfish, Blue Gill, Black Bull Head and Carp.

The USFS Lakeside Ranger district oversees the White Mountains Trail System, a 200+ mile system of…read moretrails for non-motorized users (hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, trail runners and cross country skiers) in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests of northeast Arizona. All trail maps may be printed from www.tracks-pinetop-lakeside.org for free. TRACKS is a nonprofit group of volunteers who work with the USFS to build and maintain the WMTS. All trail heads are easily accessible on Forest Service roads that do not require 4 wheel drive vehicles. Major trails are built as loops, with connector trails in between, so that users may go on short or long excursions in one of the largest Ponderosa pine forests in the US. Users often sight elk, deer, wild turkey, many bird species, and other wildlife.

Great experience with fabulous memories. Rustic cabins. Great fishing. We will definitely be…read morereturning to this hidden gem.

The location and cabins were nice. However the beds were trash. They were like sleeping on a pull…read moreout couch. The bar was right in the middle of your bag and some weren't level. The pillows were just foam and worthless. They didn't not have any cleaning supplies to sanitize the counters just dish soap. We also had to go buy a lighter as there was not one for the fireplace or grill. We would not return because of the beds. Definitely the only reason to not book here.