Lyman Lake State Park
RV Guide

In the open water, motorboats rule. There is a water ski course in the northwest part of the lake near the Little Colorado River dam. To get there, use one of the two boat launch ramps near the visitor's center. The north ramp has a double-wide lane; the east ramp is a single ramp. Both ramps are paved and have large parking areas. The area near the boat launch and fishing piers is a no-wake zone. Additionally, there are a number of inlets near the swimming beach and Day Use area. These spots are ideal for sailboaters. There’s no competition with motorboats, and a breeze comes through the east valley. Paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing are all very popular here as well.

The swimming beach, which is located between the petroglyph trail and the park store, is mostly sandy. However, there are some rocky patches here and there. Be sure to wear flip-flops and bring a pad for your blanket. Because boating is so popular here, swimming is limited to the swimming area. If you stay near the shore, the water is usually pretty warm. The further out you get, the colder it gets, especially in spring and fall. Beach facilities include a lakeside camping area, several sheltered picnic areas, and a restroom/changing cabin.

Don't forget to pack your rod and reel in your campervan when you head out to this state park. Largemouth bass are near the dam, channel catfish are near (you guessed it) the lake channels, carp like the moderately-deep water not far from shore, and walleye are pretty much everywhere. Crankbait often attracts hungry walleye that are looking for a meal. Since the water is a bit cloudy and subsurface visibility is limited, if your crankbait rattles, that’s even better. If you fish from shore and basically just want to relax, nightcrawlers and other bait also attract lots of walleye. Consider using a slip bobber to get the nightcrawler at the proper walleye depth.

Many of the hiking trails at Lyman Lake State Park are more like nature trails. For example, there’s the one-mile Point Trail, which loops from the ranger station to a fishing dock. There are some steps and some moderate inclines, but it’s a mostly easy trail that offers great views of the lake. For something more challenging, try the two-mile Buffalo Trail. Back in the day, a bison herd used this same trail, which runs from the park entrance to the RV campground. This trail is steep at parts, especially if you take a side loop which leads to one of the highest points in the park.

Lyman Lake State Park has two different petroglyph areas. Eons ago, the Hopi Indians drew images of animals, men, and other things on cave and mountain walls. No one is sure when they were drawn or what purpose they served. Regardless, they are definitely eerie and cool. The one-mile Peninsular Petroglyph Trail winds near some cliff drawings which are still colorful after all these years. Self-guided tours are available pretty much all the time, and a ranger-guided tour leaves most Saturday mornings. If you’re really into cave drawings, take a boat to the Ultimate Petroglyph Tour Site, which is on the other side of the lake. A hiking trail goes from the lakeshore up into the mountains.

One of the best-preserved pueblos in the Southwest is at Lyman Lake State Park. In the late 14th century, about 15 families probably lived in the pueblo’s 90 rooms. Many of these rooms are open for tours. The Hopi Indians consider this site to be sacred, so visitors are encouraged to treat it as such. To survive in the harsh Arizona climate, these families probably farmed the Little Colorado River’s floodplain. Before embarking on your self-guided tour, stop by the visitor's center and pick up some background information. At Rattlesnake Point, a short trail runs from the parking area to the ruins.