Scorpion Bay is proud to be part of Lake Pleasant Regional Park, one of the most scenic water recreation areas in the southwest. As a regional park, Lake Pleasant is overseen by the Maricopa Country Parks and Recreation Department which recently shared some important updates as we move into summer, our busiest time of year:

Temporary Closures

Lake Pleasant Regional Park is anticipating TEMPORARY closures into the summer. Please check the alert section on our website and view our Facebook page before visiting.

The decision to temporarily close sections of the park will be based on increased holiday/weekend traffic, parking lot and shoreline limits exceeding capacity, and/or high-water levels limiting shoreline availability (seasonal).

Once activated, a temporary closure means:

• Main entrance: No new entries/re-entries will be allowed until after 4 pm on that day.
• North entrance: No new entries/re-entries for the remainder of the day.

Closures implemented by Lake Pleasant Regional Park do not impact Pleasant Harbor Marina (east side of the lake).

Despite a Tier 1 shortage declaration for Colorado River operations which began on Jan. 1, 2022, the Central Arizona Project is not expecting the Lake Pleasant water level to be significantly impacted this year. CAP expects the lake level to go down, but not outside normal historical operating ranges.

Main Park Entrance Hours

May 1 to October 31 - 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily / November 1 to April 30 - 6 am to 8 pm daily.

Main Entrance Parking and Camping

• Concrete Spillway: Open for day-use parking. The Dirt Spillway Primitive Camp Area is now available. Access to the area can only be achieved at this time via Sunset Ridge Road as the Concrete Spillway is under water.
• Shoreline: Shoreline levels are lower which provides additional parking. As the water levels rise, less parking will be available. Shoreline camping will remain closed.
• South Park Primitive Camping Area
• Primitive camping may be reserved online and no longer solely be a first-come, first-served opportunity.

Camping Reservations

• Campers are required to enter the park between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the day of their arrival.
• No entry access available between 8 p.m. and 5 am.

Shoreline Camping

• Will remain closed.

Park Headquarters and Operations Cove remain closed.

• The DISCOVERY CENTER is open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Playground access is available. Park visitors should continue to maintain physical distancing (6 ft.) and are encouraged to wear masks while in the playground area, when appropriate.

North Entrance (4-lane boat ramp)

• The North Entrance Station is open daily. May 1 to October 31 - 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily / November 1 to April 30 - 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. ALL visitors must depart when the park closes.
• Shoreline camping is not available in this area.
• Access is currently permitted for hikers at the Cottonwood Day-Use Area, watercraft launchers from 4-Lane Boat Ramp, and shoreline day-use access within Fireman's Cove. No shoreline access at Cottonwood Cove until further notice.
• Castle Creek/4-Lane Boat Ramp: Ramp is all that will be open.

Fishing

• Option for fishing when the park entrance is closed: Pleasant Harbor Marina
• Options for night fishing after 8 p.m.:
  • Park Campground reservation
  • Park Boat-in/Angler camping reservation
  • Pleasant Harbor Marina
• If using Boat-in/Angler camping or Pleasant Marina, the following applies:
  • Anglers may night fish on the lake as long as watercraft remains in open water. Once the watercraft is beached on the shoreline, that becomes shoreline camping, which is not permitted in the park. This could result in a citation.
  • The main entrance to Lake Pleasant Regional Park closes at 8 pm. All park visitors, excluding those with camping reservations, must exit the park by this time.
  • Boat-in campers may leave the park between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., but will not be able to return/arrive during that time.

Trailheads

• The following trailheads are accessible at this time: Agua Fria, Beardsley, Brown, Cottonwood Day-Use Area, Frog Tanks, Pipeline Canyon Day-Use Area, Roadrunner, Wild Burro Day-Use Area, and Wild Burro Trailheads.

Agua Fria Conservation Area

• Upper parking lot access available year-round.
• Check the Agua Fria Fishing Schedule page for current updates.

Most of all, stay safe, be respectful of the environment and check for current updates before your trip to Lake Pleasant and Scorpion Bay!

Scorpion Bay is Arizona’s premier floating playground, offering everything from daily pontoon and ski boat rentals to slips for harboring your yacht (or dinghy). Come for the fishing or come for the frolicking—either way, incredible mountain views, fantastic dining and world-class marina services await less than an hour out of Phoenix. https://www.scorpionbayaz.com/