By K. Nepsa
As summer approaches, it’s natural that people will look to recreate in areas with cooler temperatures or at the very least, any place with water. Water soothes our heated skin and it’s a way our taxed and overheated bodies can find solace and comfort for a few hours. As an avid outdoor explorer, I have found water in the desert in the most unexpected places. It’s delightful. It’s often surprising to many people that we have our very own lakes to recreate on weekends, rather than driving far distances for some sought after water fun. The lakes in southern Arizona offer a plethora of activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Here are a few of them:
Patagonia Lake: Patagonia Lake is a man-made reservoir in Santa Cruz County, Arizona and located southwest of the town of Patagonia and northeast of Nogales. The lake was created by damming Sonoita Creek. Tracks of the New Mexico/Arizona railroad lie beneath the lake and remnants of the old historic line may be found at the Nature Conservancy in Patagonia. It is part of the Arizona State Parks system and is open year-round. Most campsites have plenty of mature trees and shade. There is a Visitors Center and a marina that rents boats as well as camping cabins. They have campsites only accessible by watercraft and plenty of shoreline to explore the abundant nature. Specific watercraft are not allowed. Boat rentals are first come first serve.
Parker Canyon Lake: Parker Canyon Lake is located in southeastern Arizona, 28 miles southwest of Sierra Vista, around the Huachuca Mountains and about 5 miles north of the border with Mexico. The lake is a reservoir formed by a dam in Parker Canyon in the south end of the Canelo Hills in southwestern Cochise County. The facilities are maintained by Coronado National Forest, a division of the USDA Forest Service. This lake is a bit more remote, has several camping areas and has a convenient marina that rents non-motorized boats and fishing equipment. The area has little shade in comparison with other recreation areas but is at a higher elevation. So, temperatures are generally a little cooler than the Tucson area.
Arivaca Lake: Arivaca Lake is located in southern Arizona, 60 miles south of Tucson. There is a scenic drive along the old Ruby road. It is operated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. It offers a primitive campground and few facilities. Arivaca Lake is rumored to still have good fishing and birding but isn’t for swimming. There is no trash service, so even if you bag your trash and leave it, you’re littering. Much of the surrounding land adjacent to the lake is private property, so hikers beware. The area’s history is summed up by the Arizona Department of Commerce: “The name Arivaca derives from “la Aribac,” an Indian word for “small springs.” Located 11 miles north of the Mexican border, the area contains some of the nation’s oldest mines. Mapped by Father Eusebio Kino in 1695, the locale may have been a Pima Indian village. Attracted by grazing land and precious metals, Spaniards later came to the area and developed mines which were worked by Indians. Finally in 1833, Mexico approved the Ortiz brothers’ petition to raise cattle and horses on 8,677 acres forming the Aribac Ranch. Although the ranch’s boundaries were never certain, in 1856 its rights were bought by a company which operated mines near Arivaca and Tubac. As a result, in 1902 the land became public domain.”
Next month, we’ll discuss even more lakes to explore in southern Arizona! Stay tuned!
K. Nepsa has a B.S. in Geology and a Master’s in GIS. She has lived in Arizona, HI, CA and Shanghai, China. Her hobbies include enjoying the outdoors via Jeep, Kayak, horse or foot. She has been a Vail resident since 2005.
