Exploring & Swimming at the Remote Chevelon Canyon Lake

Chevelon Canyon Lake is a hidden gem nestled on the Mogollon Rim in northern Arizona, maintained by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. This small, narrow reservoir, constructed in 1965 for flood control and recreation, spans 200 acres with an average depth of 35 feet. It's formed by an earthen dam that impounds Chevelon Creek within Chevelon Canyon. The lake is fed by several sources, including Long Tom Tank, Willow Springs Lake, and Woods Canyon Lake, which all drain into upper Chevelon Creek before flowing through Chevelon Canyon Lake and onward to the Little Colorado River.

Accessing Chevelon Canyon Lake is an adventure in itself, as it’s considered one of the most challenging lakes to reach in the region. The lake is accessible via 30 miles of unpaved forest roads, Forest Road 169 and Forest Road 169B, which can be impassable due to heavy snowfall from November through April. The final mile to the lake is closed to vehicles, requiring a short hike one mile hike to reach the water. The toughest part is hiking back up the trail.

Boating is limited to small, lightweight canoes or personal flotation devices that can be carried to the primitive boat ramp. Motorized boats are restricted to a single gas motor no larger than 10 horsepower.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department manages the lake’s fish population, primarily focusing on rainbow trout, brown trout, and Little Colorado sucker. Rainbow trout are stocked annually, while brown trout and Little Colorado sucker reproduce naturally in the lake and its inflowing streams.

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