Lake Pleasant Regional Park - Official

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Lake Pleasant Regional Park is located in Arizona and is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

Some of the top reasons to visit the park include its beautiful scenery, numerous recreational opportunities, and wildlife viewing.

Visitors to Lake Pleasant Regional Park can enjoy activities such as boating, fishing, hiking, camping, and wildlife watching. The park is home to a wide variety of animals including bald eagles, coyotes, bobcats, and more.

Some of the specific points of interest to see in the park include the Lake Pleasant Marina, the Agua Fria River, and the Castle Creek Wilderness Area. The park also features several picnic areas, campgrounds, and hiking trails for visitors to enjoy.

Interesting facts about the area include that Lake Pleasant is actually a man-made lake created by the Waddell Dam, which was built in the 1920s. The park also has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times, with evidence of Native American cultures found throughout the area.

The best time of year to visit Lake Pleasant Regional Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is cooler and the wildlife is more active. However, visitors can enjoy the park year-round, with summer being popular for water activities and winter for hiking and camping.

Overall, Lake Pleasant Regional Park offers visitors a unique and beautiful outdoor experience with plenty of activities and points of interest to explore.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References