Lynx Lake Recreation Hiking Trail Loop

★★★☆☆ Easy / Prescott Area:

Just a hop away from Phoenix or Flagstaff, this easy lakeside trail is miles from life’s hustle and bustle. Tucked into a cool and intimate mountain valley, Lynx Lake Hiking Trail is encased in scenic views of this tranquil little lake and its surrounding pine-filled mountains. And with its level trail half-paved, it is an easy stroll for hikers of every age and ability.  

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TRAILHEAD: FOREST ROAD 611, Prescott  •  DIFFICULTY: easy •  DISTANCE: 2.3 MILE Loop  •  APPROX. TIME: 1.5-2 HOURS  •  ELEVATION GAIN: minimal  •  APPROX. CALORIES BURNED: 300-345  •  BEST TIME OF YEAR: year round  •  PETS: YES •  KID FRIENDLY: very  •  FACILITIES: YES   •  FEES: $5 day use (or $85 annual National Parks Pass). 

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For a wonderful mini-escape from life’s daily grind – grab your friends and/or family and make a jaunt to the Lynx Lake Recreation Hiking Trail. The weather is almost alway just right in this perfectly scenic mountain valley. And the sights and sounds of people kayaking and fishing in little Lynx Lake make strolling its shores feel like you’ve traveled hundreds of miles from anything even remotely stressful or urban.

Starting just below the Lynx Lake Parking Lot, hikers can choose to head either right/west or left/east to make the brief loop around the lake. Heading right/west, the trail surface is paved. Going this direction, the wide, flat pathway winds along intimate coves and past a small boat dock (where kayaks and canoes are available for rent May through October). There are a number of lakeside promenades housing comfy benches to sit and relax.

Halfway around the lake, the trail intermingles with the sidewalks that access a small boat ramp and picnic area. Here, happy families enjoy barbecuing together and playing on the grassy shores. The Lynx Lake Recreation Hiking Trail picks-up again on the other side of the boat ramp parking area. At this juncture the path sheds its paved surface and becomes a very gently rolling wide dirt trail.

As the hike winds along the eastern shore, and back to its starting point, it skirts a long narrow cove with a wide sandbank, a number of cattail lined marshes and, finally, the small damn that retains the lake. Tall fragrant Pines shade the majority of this hike making it pleasant during Summer or anytime of year.

Total Nerdery

Lynx Lake’s 5,500 foot elevation, in the midst of the Bradshaw Mountains, helps keep it refreshingly cool year round. This tranquil lake is regularly stocked with trout, bass, and crappie. But, dang it, no swimming allowed.

Resources

Click here to download a trail map.

Directions – From South: From I-17 exit 262 (outside Prescott) take AZ-69 North (towards Prescott) for 31.2 miles to Walker Road. Turn left/South on Walker Road and continue for 2.2 miles to Forest Road 611. Turn left/East on FR 611 and drive 0.3 miles to the Lynx Lake Parking Area. The trailhead starts just below the parking lot.

Directions – From North: From I-17 exit 278 (outside Prescott) take AZ-169 North (towards Prescott) for 15.2 miles to AZ-69. Turn right/North onto AZ-69 and continue for 12 miles to Walker Road. Turn left/South on Walker Road and continue for 2.2 miles to Forest Road 611. Turn left/East on FR 611 and drive 0.3 miles to the Lynx Lake Parking Area. The trailhead starts just below the parking lot.

• Dayhike, Easy, Family Friendly, Lake, Pet Friendly, Prescott, Water
• September 19, 2015