Arizona Travel & Tour, Pictures, Photos, And Information.

Willow Springs Lake

Google Map To Willow Springs Lake, Arizona

Willow Springs Lake, Arizona. Photo Taken: July 29, 2009.

Willow Springs Lake, Arizona is located at 7,516 feet, in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest almost half way betrwen the towns of Payson and Heber-Overgaard. It is closest to Heber; being located 22 miles southwest of Heber, on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. It is 23 miles east of Payson. The roads to the lake are generally closed from December to early April due to snow. A Google Earth Map search marks the center of the Black Canyon Lake Dam at 34o 19' 00.90" N 110o 52' 37.59" W. Willow Springs Lake was built by the Arizona Game and Fish Department in 1967 along the Mogollon Rim to provide water recreation for the public. It's water surface is about 158 acres with an average depth of 60 feet. Willow Springs Lake is one of the most visited lakes in the region, due in part to its proximity to the Phoenix metropolitan area and cool temperatures. Willow Springs Lake is also one of the most accessible of the Mogollon Rim lakes and has a very scenic setting in a heavily forested area on the edge of the Rim. It also is paved, all the way! The surrounding forest includes Ponderosa Pine, Oak, and Douglas Fir trees. Willow Springs Lake is primarily a Rainbow Trout fishing lake, but it also has also contains self-sustaining populations of Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, some reaching trophy size. Willow Creek Lake is stocked weekly with catchable size Rainbow trout from May through September annually. All boat motors are restricted to electric, or 10 hp or less gas motors. Willow Springs Lake has 2 barrier-free toilets, 2 picnic ramadas and 2 boat beaches. There are two nearby campgrounds. Closest is Sinkhole Campground, operated by a concessionaire, and open year-round. It is newly renovated, containing 26 camping sites, barrier-free toilets, and drinking water supplied from a tank. Next is the much larger Canyon Point Campground. It is located 3 miles east of Forest Road 149, adjacent to Highway 260. It contains 100 single-family sites, plus two group sites that can accommodate up to 40 people and 70 people respectively. Canyon Point Campground features potable water, a shower building, dump station and barrier-free toilets. It is open from May 1 to October 31. How to get there: From Payson. Take Highway 260 West to Forest Road 149, which is paved. Follow the signs. About 23 miles east of Payson, Arizona. From Heber. Take Highway 260 West to Forest Road 149, which is paved. Follow the signs. About 22 miles west of Heber Overgaard, Arizona.