Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area RV & Campground Guide
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When Thomas Adair purchased farmland near Show Low, AZ, in 1885, locals declared that only a fool would try to farm in that hollow. Though Thomas, his successful farm, and the small town that bore his name are long gone, his legacy lives on in Fool Hollow Recreation Area. The park is in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, surrounded by the world's largest ponderosa pine forest. At an elevation of 6,300 feet, the park enjoys a moderate climate, making it a year-round destination. The main feature of the park is Fool Hollow Lake. At this park, visitors can experience land or water-based adventures any time of year.
Nearby Cities
Show Low, AZ
Pine Top - Lakeside, AZ
Payson, AZ
Winslow, AZ
Spring 35-84 F
Summer 51-86 F
Fall 22-68 F
Winter 22-57 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area
Campground Accommodations
Cinnamon Teal Loop Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electric hookups: Yes
Sewer Hookups: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet Friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 40 feet
Other amenities: Concrete pads, picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, shower facility, dump station
Mallard Loop Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electric hookups: Yes
Sewer Hookups: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet Friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 40 feet
Other amenities: Concrete pads, picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, shower facility, dump station
Mallard Loop Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electric hookups: Yes
Sewer Hookups: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet Friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 40 feet
Other amenities: Concrete pads, picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, shower facility, dump station
Fool Hollow Lake Campground
Naturally, Fool Hollow Lake Campground is a convenient spot for visitors. The 92 RV sites are roomy (accommodating vehicles up to 40 feet in length) and come with 30- or 50-amp service. However, this campground is popular and can’t accommodate all the RVers who visit. Fortunately, there are other great RV campgrounds nearby.
Double Deuce RV Park
The Double Deuce RV Park is a small 20-site park in Show Low about a 10-minute drive from Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area. You’ll love the friendly owners and intimate vibe of this park, which is centrally located in Show Low. Restaurants, stores, a city park, and an aquatic center are within walking distance. Rates start at $210 per week.
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Water hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Laundry room, dog park, barbecue area with fire pit
Arizona High Country Campground
If you’re looking for peace and quiet, look no further than Arizona High Country Campground in Clay Springs, about 15 miles from the state park. Located off Highway 260, the park's 31 RV sites offer a respite from both noise and light pollution. The stargazing is great, and sightings of elk and other wildlife are common. Rates start at $35 per night.
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Water hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes (breed restrictions apply)
• Other amenities: Dump station, community fire pit, dog walk area, laundry, showers
What to Do at
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area
Fool Hollow Recreation Area is home to Fool Hollow Lake. The 150-acre lake, fed by Show Low Creek, offers a variety of water and land-based activities. The cool temperatures make excellent hiking, boating, and fishing weather. On warmer days, a swim in the clear water offers cool relief.
Spend your hours playing on the calm lake water or relaxing to the whisper of the wind through the pines.
Inside Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area
With its relatively cool mountain temperatures, Fool Hollow Lake is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic by the water or a leisurely stroll under the pines. It gets just warm enough in the summer for a dip in the lake to be refreshing. Plenty of hikers bring binoculars when they set out on the park’s trails; this makes it easier to see area birds and wildlife. The lake is an angler’s dream, with plentiful trout, northern pike, walleye, and bass fishing. Boating is also popular, and there are single-lane boat launch ramps on the east and west side of the lake.
Fishing
Though Arizona doesn't come to mind as a fishing wonderland, anglers will be surprised by the size of the bass they can pull from Fool Hollow Lake. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass are waiting for your bait to coax them out, and the lake is stocked with rainbow trout by the state annually. Serious anglers may be surprised by the large Pike and Walleye that lurk in the lake. Cast from the shore or put in your boat at the Fool Hollow boat ramp.
Nature Watching
Wildlife lovers will find no shortage of animals to watch around the park. Desert regulars include coyotes, mule deer, and Coues Whitetail deer. You can also expect to see elk as you walk the park trails. Even more surprising are the beavers who live in the lake. You may have to stay up late to see them because they are most active in the evenings. The Albert's Squirrels that live in the park are a little less elusive because their warning barks and flicking gray tails make them easy to spot. Birders may be able to add osprey, bald eagles, and other birds and raptors to their journals.
Flora
At an elevation of 6,300 feet, Ponderosa pine, White pine, aspen, and oak species populate the park. In spring and after summer rains, clump grasses and wildflowers decorate the meadows.
Hiking
The park features a 1.5-mile trail that follows the west and south shores of the lake. The trail is well-maintained and considered easy to navigate. In addition, the surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest maintains the White Mountain Trail System. This system features eleven loop trails with over 100 miles of hiking.
Boating
The lake has a boat ramp with a nearby parking lot. Powered watercraft are limited to a maximum of 10 HP engines. Canoe and kayaks are always welcome. If you do not bring your own, kayak and canoe rentals are available on-site in the summer months.
Swimming
Swimming is allowed in Fool Hollow Lake. However, there are no designated beach areas. The shore is generally rocky, so wearing water shoes is recommended. No swimming is allowed near the boat launch.
How to Get to
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area
From Show Low, travel west on Deuce of Clubs Avenue for 0.3 miles. Turn right on Old Linden Road and head west for 2.5 miles. Turn right and follow Fool Hollow Road for 0.7 miles. At the intersection, the day-use area is directly ahead. To reach the campground, turn right. Continue traveling east and north for 1 mile. The campground will be on the left.
By Car
Going north on Highway 260, you'll turn right onto West Old Linden Road. After about a half-mile, turn left onto Fools Hollow Road. Continue for another mile to the park entrance.
Highway 260 can be accessed via Highway 87 from Phoenix. You can also connect to it from Interstate 40 using Highway 77.
Entering Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area
The park day-use fee is $7 per vehicle on Monday through Thursday and $10 Friday through Sunday. There are several parking areas throughout the day-use area.
Whether you make a beeline to this beautiful state park or include it as part of your Grand Canyon vacation, you’ll have a great time. If you were a happy camper while visiting Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area, please let RVshare know. Tag RVshare on your posts on social media and share your pictures and stories with the site at [email protected]. RVshare may feature these on its blog and social media channels.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area
Summer is the best time to visit the recreation area for most people. Due to the elevation, summer months are comfortable for camping and hiking. However, serious anglers may find fall and spring better for fishing.
Wildlife watchers can expect to see a variety of small mammals like squirrels, rabbits, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and beavers. Large wildlife species that make their home in the park include mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, black bears, and mountain lions. Birders can spot osprey, bald eagles, and a variety of other raptors. The park is alive with migratory bird species in spring and fall.
There are three RV campgrounds in the park and a tent-only area. Each site has fire rings, picnic tables, and nearby restrooms.
Due to the park's popularity with Arizona residents, reservations are essential in the summer months. There is a non-refundable reservation fee of $3.20. RV campsites fees range from $35 to $65 per night. There is a $15 per night fee for an additional vehicle.
Pets are welcome in the park. Four-legged family members must be on a leash, and you are expected to clean up after them. They are allowed in the campgrounds, and you can take them for a hike on the trails.