Willow Springs Lake, lake in Coconino County, Arizona, United States of America
Willow Springs Lake is a reservoir in Coconino County situated at about 7,600 feet (2,300 meters) elevation amid tall pine trees. Its water surface covers roughly 150 acres and is ringed by rocky hills and forested shores, creating a calm and natural setting with a paved boat ramp, picnic areas, and shoreline benches for visitors.
The lake was created in 1966 by the Arizona Game and Fish Department to provide a fishing and recreation destination. Since its establishment, it has grown into a popular spot for families and outdoor enthusiasts and is regularly stocked with trout during spring and summer.
The name comes from willow trees that once grew in the area. Today, visitors experience how the lake serves as a gathering place for fishing and water recreation, with families and outdoor enthusiasts using the shoreline picnic areas and boat ramp throughout the seasons.
The lake is open year-round, though access is most convenient during warmer months when facilities are fully operational. Bring your own drinking water since none is provided on-site, and a valid Arizona fishing license is required to fish in the lake.
The lake is part of the Rim Lakes group and is fed primarily by snowmelt, which naturally regulates its water levels without needing irrigation releases. In winter, the surface freezes, transforming it into an ice fishing destination, a rare activity in this region.
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