PATAGONIA LAKE STATE PARK
Tucked away in the rolling hills of southeastern Arizona is a hidden treasure. Patagonia Lake State Park was established in 1975 as a state park and is an ideal place to find whitetail deer roaming the hills and great blue herons walking the shoreline. The campground overlooks a 265-acre man-made lake where anglers catch crappie, bass, bluegill, and catfish. Trout is stocked every three weeks from October through March. The tracks of the New Mexico/Arizona railroad lie beneath the lake and remnants of the old historic line may be found at the Nature Conservancy in Patagonia. Hikers can stroll along the beautiful creek trail and see a variety of birds such as the canyon towhee, Inca dove, vermilion flycatcher, black vulture, and several species of hummingbirds.
The park offers a beach, picnic area with ramadas, tables & grills, a creek trail, boat ramps, a marina, and the Lakeside Market. There is a campground, boat-in camp sites, restrooms, showers, and a dump station. The Lakeside Market offers boat rentals, fishing licenses, bait, ice, and more.
At two and a half miles long and 250 surface acres, Patagonia Lake State Park is popular for a variety of recreational activities, including water skiing, fishing, camping, picnicking, and hiking.
Created by the damming of Sonoita Creek, the lake is habitat for bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish, and is stocked with rainbow trout during the winter. For anglers' sake, the east half of the lake is designated a no wake area. A handicap fishing dock is located at the marina and behind the Sonoita Creek visitor center. Because the lake attracts a multitude of water sports enthusiasts during summer months, water skiing or towing a recreational device is prohibited on weekends and holidays from May 1 through September 31st.
Camping ranges from undeveloped spots to sites with water and electric hookups. Park conveniences include picnic ramadas, a swimming beach, and a marina store with boat rentals. Entry to the park is allowed from 4 am until 11 pm and access is from State Route 82 between Patagonia and Nogales. Park conveniences include picnic ramadas, a swimming beach, and a marina store with boat rentals.
An abundance of birds and animals can be seen around the park. Please contact Sonoita Creek State Natural Area for a complete list.
Arizona offers a non-commercial standard pass for weekday use at all parks, including weekends at most parks and the non-commercial premium pass which includes weekend and holiday access to the parks. Boyce Thompson Arboretum is not included in either annual park pass. You can find additional Arizona Annual State Park Pass informataion and order online by visiting the
ARIZONA ANNUAL STATE PARK PASS web page.
The Patagonia Lake Visitor Center/Entrance Station is open all year except Christmas Day. Hours are from 8:30 am ? 5 pm November through March. April through October hours are the same except on Fridays hours are 7 am ? 10 pm.
The park has an automatic entrance gate that closes at 10 pm and no entry is allowed until it opens again at 4 am. All camping, day use and annual permits can be purchased here. A small lobby is available with various brochures describing surrounding areas and destinations. Maps are also sold here.
The Lakeside Market and Gift Shop is operated by the park concessionaire and is located in the boat trailer parking lot. The concession also sells fishing licenses, firewood, grocery items, ice cream, soda, beer and wine and other camping supplies. Boat rentals are also available. Hours vary by season.
72 developed campsites with a picnic table, a fire-ring/grill, and parking for 2 vehicles. Select sites also have a ramada. Rates are based on per night per vehicle. Campsites tend to fill up in the evening from May until November. Campsites are first come, first served. Campsite lengths vary but most can accommodate any size RV. Quiet hours (no generators, music, or loud voices) are from 9 pm ? 8 am.
RV Sites
34 electric RV sites are available on a first come, first served basis. Sites include a picnic table, a fire ring, water hook-up and 50 amp electrical service. Some sites are located on the shoreline. No sewer hook-up. Campsite lengths vary but most can accommodate any size RV. Quiet hours (no generators, music, or loud voices) are from 9 pm ? 8 am.
Patagonia Lake allows swimming in any part of the lake except the boat launch areas. The lake is considered to be wild water and swimmers swim at their own risk. There is a roped off swim area at Boulder Beach, but there is no lifeguard on duty. Swimming is at your own risk.
12 boat-in campsites are available at a per night per vehicle. Sites have a picnic table, fire-ring and are accessible by boat only. Some sites have portable restrooms. Quiet hours (no generators, music, or loud voices) are from from 9 pm ? 8 am. Boats are available for rent from Patagonia Marina and Boat Rental External Link, located in the boat trailer parking lot.
Large mouth bass, flathead catfish, channel catfish, crappie, bluegill, red ear and green ear sunfish maintain healthy populations in this 265-acre man-made lake. Rainbow trout are stocked in the winter months only. Fishing licenses can be purchased at the concession in the park.
My husband fell off our boat in the parking lot behind the store on 30 August 2016 and the response from the store staff and park rangers was awesome. We received immediate medical attention and emergency services were contacted to transport him to the Sierra Vista hospital. Many, Many thanks to all. 
Four or five of the developed camp sites have water access where you can leave the boat close to where you camp.Good fishing ,good ice cream at the store.
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