Top 4 Lakes around Four Corners

The Four Corners region offers a diverse range of lakes, including vast reservoirs like Lake Powell and Navajo Lake, as well as smaller, serene natural lakes and man-made lakes such as Lake Artemesia and Pine Lake. You'll find everything from high-altitude mountain lakes to those set against dramatic desert landscapes.

Yes, several lakes in the Four Corners region are great for families. Lake Artemesia features an aquatic garden, trails, and fishing areas. Pine Lake offers picnicking spots, playgrounds, and walking trails. Buddy Attick Lake Park has a flat trail for wildlife observation, a playground, and restrooms.

For extensive boating and water sports, Lake Powell (Utah/Arizona) is a top choice, offering houseboating, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing amidst stunning canyons. Navajo Lake (New Mexico/Colorado) is also excellent for all types of boating, including motorized boats, kayaking, and even scuba diving. Vallecito Lake and Blue Mesa Reservoir in Colorado also provide great opportunities for boating and paddling.

The Four Corners region is a fantastic fishing destination. Lake Powell is known for striped bass, bluegill, and walleye. Navajo Lake offers both lake fishing and world-class fly-fishing on the San Juan River for rainbow trout and pike. Vallecito Lake and the numerous Grand Mesa Lakes in Colorado are popular for various trout species. Pine Lake is regularly stocked with fish like largemouth bass and rainbow trout.

Many lakes offer excellent hiking. Lake Powell has trails leading to iconic sites like Rainbow Bridge and Antelope Canyon. Navajo Lake State Park features hundreds of miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, including the San Juan River Trails. You can also find trails around Lake Artemesia and a flat trail encircling Greenbelt Lake at Buddy Attick Lake Park. For more options, explore the hiking routes around Four Corners.

Yes, the region offers various cycling opportunities. Navajo Lake State Park has trails suitable for mountain biking. You can also find paved bike paths around a wetland pond at Elmhirst Parkway Neighborhood Conservation Area. For more detailed routes, check out the gravel biking and cycling guides around Four Corners.

Navajo Lake State Park is an excellent choice for camping, offering multiple campgrounds, including developed, primitive, beach, and boat-in options. The Grand Mesa Lakes area in Colorado also provides various camping options, from lodges to backcountry sites. Lake Powell has numerous camping opportunities within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

The lakes in the Four Corners region are set against stunning backdrops. Lake Powell is famous for its blue waters contrasting with red sandstone canyons. Vallecito Lake offers a serene mountain setting within the Weminuche Wilderness. At Buddy Attick Lake Park, you can observe wildlife like great blue herons, songbirds, turtles, foxes, and squirrels. The Grand Mesa Lakes are surrounded by abundant trees and green vistas.

The best time to visit depends on your preferred activities. Summer is ideal for water sports and enjoying the cooler temperatures at high-altitude lakes like Vallecito Lake and the Grand Mesa Lakes. Spring and fall offer pleasant weather for hiking and exploring the scenic landscapes around Lake Powell and Navajo Lake, avoiding the peak summer heat. Blue Mesa Reservoir is also popular for ice skating and ice fishing in winter.

Yes, Navajo Lake offers opportunities for scuba diving to explore submerged structures. In winter, Blue Mesa Reservoir transforms into a popular destination for ice skating and ice fishing, providing unique cold-weather activities in the region.

Lake Powell is unique due to its vast size and dramatic landscape, resembling a 'tall tree root' with numerous arms extending into narrow canyons. It's renowned for its striking blue waters against towering red-hued sandstone formations, offering unparalleled opportunities for houseboating, kayaking into secluded canyons, and hiking to iconic viewpoints like Horseshoe Bend. You can find more information on the Visit Utah guide to Lake Powell.

Navajo Lake State Park is the second-largest lake in New Mexico and extends into Colorado, offering an oasis in the high desert. Its highlights include excellent boating and water sports, world-class fly-fishing on the San Juan River, extensive hiking and mountain biking trails, and diverse camping options. It even offers unique opportunities for scuba diving. Learn more at the Navajo Lake State Park website.