While up in Show Low for the weekend hiked Buena Vista trail! It's a great casual option to get…read moreoutside and enjoy the weather. Once you turn off the main road onto Rim Rd, which is a dirt road, nothing to crazy and I'd imagine easy enough for most automobiles. There is then a large dirt lot probably half a mile with trailhead map and info. Bonus no fee to park in the lot! The route has a bit of elevation, but for the most part features wide trails and pretty casual. It is a tad rocky, but my group did it in tennis shows or lifestyle boots. It is a loop trail, with a straight start an option to go left or right, the signage isn't great so we ended up doing a five mile hike instead of a three, but c'est la vie! There are trail markers they just are far and few in between. Service also is not great and sporadic, so Iw ould recommend downloading ahead of time. The hike featured lots of woodsy landscape a tons of wildlife footprints, markings and birds. It wasn't the best hike I have ever done, but a great option for those who want to get outdoors, have an easy approach or drive in and mellow hike that I personally find appropriate for most ages. Also dog friendly!

Just a nice little hike to escape from the city. If you are visiting Pinetop-Lakeside you should…read moretake an hour to walk this short interpretive trail. There is no major destination or culminating peak. But if you love little signs that tell you about the birds and trees as well as offers picturesque views of streams, rocks and mountains then it's for you. The perfect hike for my family who are novices. The real is just under one mile. The first 1.3 is asphalt and then becomes silty dirt. Fun and relaxing to get your mind off things.

This 260 acre lake is located on the White Mountains Apache Indian Reservation near Pinetop…read moreLakeside. It is in Arizona's White Mountains at a high altitude of about 8,200 feet. The lake is 300 acres with and average depth of 40 feet and a maximum depth of 100 feet. White Mountain Apache Permit is required to fish, as well as, a tribe boat stamp if you plan to fish from a boat. You also need a regular fishing license from the Game and Fish Department. Thanks to Phoenix area Community Ambassador Joyce W., who recommended Hawley Lake! So my husband and I went on a reconnaissance mission to see the lake and check out the facilities. Hawley Lake is simply beautiful. It is surrounded by high mountain peaks covered with thick forests of spruce, pine and aspen. The lake has Brown, Brook, Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout. You will see wildlife at Hawley Lake and likely hear squirrels running around, owls and possibly wolves howling, roaming the distant, closed areas of the reservation. On the drive in we passed cattle grazing and we even passed a bear on our drive in to the lake. I love Hawley lake. It is rustic and natural and beautiful. They do not allow swimming or gas motors on the lake-electric only-keeping the lake pristine, as possible. Fishing and boating is more expensive because if the special permits. Camping is basic, no hookups; picnic tables are at most campsites, potable water faucets, and vault toilets are what you get. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Facilities like a store or marina are not available here. You have quiet, beautiful sights and dark skies at night.

Lovely little park! Picnic tables, covered Ramada's, new playground, baseball field, basketball…read morecourt, sand volleyball court. Very clean and quiet. Nice place for kids and pets, family events, or even just a picnic pit stop if your driving through. Highly recommended!

Vernon Park was my savior while at my family reunion. It was within walking distance and when I…read morewanted to just go away Id escape. The park is for bigger kids and not too toddler friendly. The only toddler friendly part was the huge open expanses that my son could just run around and play. I'm scared of coyotes, elk, wolves and mountain lions so I didn't let him run to far. We both swang on the swing set. My aunt and uncle also swang too. It was really fun. There are also picnic areas, basketball courts and fields. There are also benches and you'll never have to worry about not enough parking. In the evening it afforded you the best views of the most beautiful sunsets Arizona has to offer. I love this park

Took a bachelor trip into the white mountains and Patrick showed us some awesome spots along the…read moreblack river. The day was an awesome adventure and would definitely recommend White Mountain Guiding!

The USFS Lakeside Ranger district oversees the White Mountains Trail System, a 200+ mile system of…read moretrails for non-motorized users (hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, trail runners and cross country skiers) in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests of northeast Arizona. All trail maps may be printed from www.tracks-pinetop-lakeside.org for free. TRACKS is a nonprofit group of volunteers who work with the USFS to build and maintain the WMTS. All trail heads are easily accessible on Forest Service roads that do not require 4 wheel drive vehicles. Major trails are built as loops, with connector trails in between, so that users may go on short or long excursions in one of the largest Ponderosa pine forests in the US. Users often sight elk, deer, wild turkey, many bird species, and other wildlife.

"Shimmering tinsels and glittering Christmas lights"…read more Jack Barker Memorial Park in Pinetop-Lakeside is a modest and unassuming park along the road that is illuminated and decorated with an enchanting array of lights. It features a lovely Christmas tree that catches the eye of every visitor passing by. While the lights may not be as numerous or grandiose as those in other parks, as you wander through the park, you'll be absorbed in a happy atmosphere, surrounded by lights twinkling like stars and the fragrance of pines. I have strolled through the park for two Christmases. This time, we visited after dinner for a merry sight, observing kids and entire families enjoying some holiday cheer. Whether on a leisurely evening stroll or taking part in local activities, the park exudes the Christmas spirit we seek in a place. Therefore, it is a must-see for visitors to Pinetop-Lakeside who wish to inject themselves with a little dose of holiday magic.

Running at over 7,000 feet was harder than I anticipated…read more Yes, it's summer and it is over 110F in Phoenix. Race at the high country is the only way to run a half marathon in July-August. Temperature in the morning was about mid 60F. It really got hot during a race and I think it was very close to being in the low 80F, still a lot cooler than Phoenix but hot enough to make you want to give up. It was about 3 hours drive from Phoenix. Race packet pick up was easy. This is not a big race, they even made the bib pick up available on Thursday in Phoenix. Volunteers working there were very friendly and restaurant recommendation received was nice. Race morning: Park your car at the finish line area and take their bus to the start line. Bus starts as early as 4:30am. Bus ride was about 30 minutes. They had breakfast ready at the start line (bagel, banana and water melon). Plenty of porta potty available. You only see queues there right after a bus arrives and it is always nice to have toilet access readily available before the race. Small race and less than 200 runners. First 5 miles are dirt road. After that is paved road. Water/aid station is available every 2 miles. My favorite was at 10 miles where they were giving out icy cold wash cloth. I put it behind my neck for about 10 seconds and I thought it was the best thing ever happened. Near the finish line, they have local high school kids lined up to cheer for you. Finish line is set up at the high school track. Plenty of food and drink s(pizza, sandwich, burritos, banana, water melon, orange, chocolate milk, Gatorade and water) are available. I normally go for hamburger after the race but I got full from eating their food! All the staff and volunteers are very nice, small town feel to it, it was very nice race. Why the four star? They don't give out finisher's medal to all runners. I like collecting this finisher's medal!!! They give out this cheap cup instead. I would pay extra in entry fee so can I have my medal??

Yup, did it last year (10K) and the track from out in the country to into the town, finishing at…read morethe school was interesting. Shall be back !