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Lake Pleasant Region Park

15 02 2020

Lake Pleasant, Roadrunner Campground

From Camp Verde, we’ve continued south along I-17 to Lake Pleasant Regional Park, a Maricopa County Park.

Incorporated into this recreation area is 10,000 acre Lake Pleasant, the last major water reservoir of the Central Arizona Project before the water is distributed to the Phoenix and Tucson areas. The Central Arizona Project (CAP) Aqueduct delivers Colorado River water across 330 miles of Arizona from Lake Havasu to Lake Pleasant. Initially controversial, the first construction of California infrastructure saw Arizona calling out the National Guard and even commissioning a 2-boat “navy”. With long-term decreases of precipitation within the Colorado River Basin, the Compact remains controversial and is back in the news nearly every year.

The camping facilities are Lake Pleasant include nearly 150 campsites spread across two areas: Desert Tortoise with 76 total sites, 25 developed (water, electric, covered picnic table & fire ring), 41 semi-developed sites (covered picnic table & fire ring) and 10 tent sites. Roadrunner Campground provides 72 developed sites. There are two large marinas on the lake, Scorpion Bay Marina is within the park boundaries with an on-water bar & grill that serves up good all-day breakfast tacos plus salads and sandwiches and a few hot entrees. They also provide an ever-changing dinner menu.

We’re parked in site #47 at the Roadrunner Campground. Most of the sites at both campgrounds offer some type lake view. The best views are in the lower numbered sites at Roadrunner, and the 134-140 loop at Desert Tortoise. Use caution when selecting Roadrunner sites from about 6 to 13. These have very steep driveways that might drag bumpers or jacks.

Lake Pleasant Park Map, Roadrunner Campground Map & Desert Tortoise Map

From here we’re headed into the Phoenix metro- area, first stop at Cave Creek, then El Mirage. More from there…