Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area
4.5
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
The park along the lake, located in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, opened in 1994 as a result of cooperation between the U.S. Forest Service, Arizona State Parks, Arizona Game and Fish and the city of Show Low in partnership with Arizona Public Service and McCarty Construction Company. Today, visitors can camp among the tall pines and hike along the lake at a cool 6,300 feet in elevation. Year-round camping, fishing, picnicking, boating and wildlife viewing opportunities make Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area a popular place.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
326 reviews
Excellent
215
Very good
88
Average
21
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Kathleen C
28 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
Fool Hollow has lost much of its luster due to drought conditions. We brought friends here from out of town to walk the path around the lake only to find the lake is so low, the path doesn’t even come close to the water. Very sad to see. The park people were very friendly at the gate. Not so sure I would camp this year unless some serious monsoon rain comes.
Written 7 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EpicGuy12
Queen Creek, AZ876 contributions
Jul 2020
Was here over the weekend after finding a parking spot we rented a kayak and headed out onto the water. The lake was very spacious and the park itself was nice and clean. There is an easy trail that goes around the lake to allow to you explore it which was nice. If you are looking for a cheap way to enjoy the great outdoors then this place fits the bill.
Written 26 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon E
Goodyear, AZ216 contributions
Aug 2020
This Lake, camp ground has a little bit of something for everyone. $10 was the fee for the day use. You can sit by the lake and enjoy the wild life or rent a bike, kayak, fish or hike the trails around the lake. There is also a well maintained camp ground with RV or tent camping.
We really enjoyed our day at the lake.
We really enjoyed our day at the lake.
Written 18 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan G
Tucson, AZ2 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
The lack of snowfall this winter caused the lake to be incredibly low. After monsoon rains hit, with ~6 inches this week, the lake has been restored to normal. Fishing and boating items are available for rent. The large sites are maintained impeccably, as are the restrooms & showers. Good birding is found along the lake trail.
Written 25 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ed O
Glendale, AZ492 contributions
Aug 2020
Four of us came here to relax and see this area . This lake and recreational area is much larger than I thought. Areas for rv’s and overnight campers and day campers. They rent different watercraft items such as kayaks, even a few boats.. this is a State park that cost $7.00 to enter with a car. The cost was for a day pass. They do come around and check to make sure you are in the right area described on your pass.
Written 9 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter C
Chandler, AZ31 contributions
Jul 2020
Cannot say enough good things about this place! Beautiful area, walking trails, hiking trails, beautiful lake. Very well kept. One of the nicest public restrooms I've seen. Canoe, kayak, pontoon, bike rentals at very reasonable prices. The staff is very friendly. A great time, don't miss it!
Written 10 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Starrider
Mesa, AZ4 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We took our RV there for two nights and really enjoyed the park. It was very clean, the staff was nice and it's a beautiful, peaceful place to unwind. We stayed in Cinnamon Teal, site #19 which was private and had a great view of the lake. The lake was a bit muddy from the snow runoff, but still a nice view.
Written 15 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LTT
Tucson, AZ199 contributions
Jun 2023
Have an annual membership to AZ State Parks so visited frequently when staying in town. Nice day use areas...great to paddle board. Took the Historic Lake tour (90 min through the concessionaire at the marina) Excellent time on the lake and learning the history.
Written 29 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Touring With The Bandeses
Phoenix, AZ29 contributions
Jul 2021
We were super excited when the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest was reopened and we got the email that our reservations were still available if we wanted them.
With the crazy wildfires running…well…wild, the forests in Arizona had been closed to all camping and activities. The reservations that we had made about a year ago were canceled. (Insert frowny face here).
So, when we got the email on Tuesday that the forest was reopened and our reservations would be honored gave us little time to prepare! What the heck, let’s go!
One of the things we were looking forward to was working on our very first review video. We had been talking about creating a YouTube channel for over a year but finally landed on a concept we both were excited about.
And Fool Hollow Campground didn’t disappoint.
Our full video review is available on our website (check our profile).
Top favorite thing: TONs of outdoor activities and great facilities.
Most disappointing: No dog park.
With the crazy wildfires running…well…wild, the forests in Arizona had been closed to all camping and activities. The reservations that we had made about a year ago were canceled. (Insert frowny face here).
So, when we got the email on Tuesday that the forest was reopened and our reservations would be honored gave us little time to prepare! What the heck, let’s go!
One of the things we were looking forward to was working on our very first review video. We had been talking about creating a YouTube channel for over a year but finally landed on a concept we both were excited about.
And Fool Hollow Campground didn’t disappoint.
Our full video review is available on our website (check our profile).
Top favorite thing: TONs of outdoor activities and great facilities.
Most disappointing: No dog park.
Written 22 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony H
Scottsdale, AZ206 contributions
Jun 2021
A lovely State park, spotless restrooms but it's suffering from the drought. Water levels are pitiful and sad. The hiking trail which in regular times would be a delight is exposed (hot) and not especially scenic.
Written 19 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
At tent camping site can you launch your own kayack from the shore?
Written 13 February 2022
My family is planning to rent kayak next weekend. I'm not 100% sure the arrival time or day(Sat or Sun) so hard to make reservation.
Is it always available to rent kayaks even in weekend without reservation?
Written 9 July 2019
I didn't rent a kayak but they have a shop on the north side of the lake that rents them as first come first served. Not sure of the hours however.
Written 10 July 2019
We want to tent camp in August, how rainy will it be? I know that is the rainiest month since its monsoon season.
Written 30 May 2019
Storms ( rain) will usually develop daily later in the afternoon, but they pass through quickly. It also depends on the monsoon season, sometimes you won’t get much rain at all. If you come prepared, you should be fine. We started off tent camping at fool hollow years ago and loved it! We just bought a cabin about a mile away to enjoy the summers up in the White Mountains.
Beautiful lake!
Have fun!
Written 31 May 2019
There are 2 short paths that go around the lake, not really hiking trails. Otherwise the Sitgteaves forest has many trails in Lakeside. Our favorite is the Country Club, approx 10 miles from the park.
Written 18 July 2018
Is it assessable and allowable to drive your off road vehicle from the campground to area trails?
Written 31 May 2018
yes it is accessible to drive there. ... there is a pave road and pave parking space next to your campground space. ...
Written 31 May 2018
ArizonaStateParks
Phoenix, Arizona
Doug,
Thanks for your question. Yes, you can have weddings at all of Arizona's State Parks. For details, visit the main Arizona State Parks website, select "Parks" at the top menu, then choose Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area. The Weddings information is listed under the "Group Planning" tab. Trip Advisor doesn't allow use of web addresses in answers, so you'll need to Google "Arizona State Parks". I hope you have a great wedding celebration at this beautiful park!
~ Arizona State Parks
Written 12 February 2017
A Tripadvisor member
Bellingham, Washington
Average temp' each month.
Written 25 January 2017
ArizonaStateParks
Phoenix, Arizona
Hi Toni,
Here are the average temperatures by month for Fool Hollow Lake. They are also online at Arizona State Parks.
MONTH TEMPERATURE
HIGH LOW
January 47° F 23° F
February 52° 26°
March 58° 31°
April 66° 37°
May 74° 45°
June 85° 53°
July 87° 59°
August 84° 58°
Sept 79° 51°
October 69° 40°
Nov 56° 30°
Dec 48° 23°
Written 25 January 2017
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