Arizona is famous for many things - the Grand Canyon, the Sonoran Desert, and views that extend for miles. If you find yourself traveling through the state or if you happen to live there or in a nearby area, you'll be thrilled to discover that there are several fantastic lake dives that provide a wonderful respite from the searing heat of summer. Here are three of the best.
Lake Mohave
Definitely a contender as one of the best dive sites in Arizona, Lake Mohave features maximum depth at 100 feet when full and offers great visibility at 30 to 50 feet. You can dive various features from shore, while other areas can only be accessed via boat. The lake was a deep canyon prior to the dam's construction, so the sides are steep, and the walls are fantastic to explore. Temperatures are surprisingly cold at depth - in the 50's to 60's all year round. While it might seem counterintuitive to put on a dry suit when air temperatures are 120 degrees or so, you'll be glad of the protection once you find yourself underwater.
A favorite dive area at Lake Mohave include Cabinsite Point, which features a sunken bus and a van as well as a sunken boat. You can enter at the boat launch or at the south cove. The van is at a depth of 30-35 feet, the bus is at 50 feet, and the boat is at about 80 feet, down inside a ravine. If this area seems busy, you can dive anywhere along the shoreline and still encounter plenty of fish including sunfish, crappie, carp, trout, bass, and others. There is camping at Lake Mohave, plus there are two resorts. You can get air fills in Bullhead City, which is located at the lake's southernmost point.
Parker Canyon Lake
Definitely located off the beaten path, Parker Canyon Lake is situated in Cochise County, in the southeastern portion of Arizona. Though access roads are dirt, you don't need four wheel drive to get to the lake. Like the rest of Arizona's lakes, Parker Canyon Lake is popular for fishing, and it's at its busiest on weekends. The only place to enter from shore is at the boat ramp; if you have a boat though, you can dive anywhere in the lake. The deepest area is at the dam - when the lake is full, maximum depth here is about 80 feet. The rest of the lake is about 25 feet deep. Visibility varies - from very low to about 10 feet, depending on lake traffic and the season. There is a rumor of treasure in this lake - it's said that someone lost a wallet containing about $500 in cash near one of the docks. While you're exploring, watch for largemouth bass, channel catfish, sunfish, and rainbow trout. Be sure to carry a sharp knife as there are entanglement hazards.
Saguaro Lake
Saguaro Lake is the nearest lake to Phoenix, and it's about 20 minutes from Tempe. There are different boat ramps that offer easy access, and there are also a few sunken wrecks to see, including a helicopter at a depth of about 40 feet and a bus at a depth of 80 feet or so. Maximum depth in the lake is 120 feet, and visibility is generally poor, rarely exceeding 5 feet or so. On weekends, the lake is often used for OW training, so visit on a weekday for the best possible experience. There are loads of fish to see here, including Yellow Bass, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Carp, Tilapia, Walleye, and more.
You can check water levels with the Arizona Department of Fish and Game before diving at any of these lakes, and at all sites, be on the lookout for boaters and jet skis. Whether you love the idea of diving in underwater canyons with fantastic rock formations or encountering some big fish that have evaded fishermen for years, you'll enjoy these Arizona lake dives.