Construction at Patagonia Lake State Park will be underway through spring 2025. We apologize for the inconvenience and construction-related noise. Thank you for your patience as we work to make Patagonia Lake State Park an even better destination for campers!
Park gates will be open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. All camping guests with reservations who will arrive after 10 p.m. must call the park before 4:30 p.m. to make arrangements.
Patagonia Lake State Park is subject to temporary mid-day closures due to park visitor capacity. Please plan accordingly and arrive early or call ahead.
Fish advisory in effect: ADEQ recommends that adults limit consumption of flathead catfish to 2.5 ounces (uncooked weight) per week and children 12 years of age and younger limit consumption to 2 ounces (uncooked weight) per month.
NO dogs allowed at beach day use area. Please use west day use area.
Facility Information
Facilities available at Patagonia Lake State Park
Visitor Center/Park Store/Marina
The park has an automatic entrance gate that closes at 10 p.m. and no entry is allowed until it opens again at 4 a.m. All camping, day use and annual permits can be purchased at the Ranger Station. A small lobby is available with various brochures describing surrounding areas and destinations. Maps are also sold here.
The market is operated by the park concessionaire and is located in the boat trailer parking lot. They sell fishing licenses, firewood, grocery items, ice cream, soda, beer and wine and other camping supplies. You can contact the Market at (520) 287-5545. Boat rentals are available at the Patagonia Lake Marina, please contact the marina at (520) 287-2804 for reservations and information. Hours vary by season. Wi-fi is not available in the park.
RV and Tent Camping
Camp on the doorstep of Sky Island adventure at any of the 105 developed campsites with a picnic table, a fire-ring/grill, and parking for two vehicles. Select sites also have a ramada. Sites have 20/30 amp and 50 amp voltage. Sites tend to fill up in the evening from May until November. Campsite lengths vary but most can accommodate any size RV. Quiet hours (no generators, music, or loud voices) are from 9 p.m. – 8 a.m. There are also two non-electric campsites available. They have a picnic table, fire-ring/grill and parking for two vehicles with a ramada for shade. These two sites are 22 ft. long for camper/trailers.
Boat-in Camping Sites
Twelve boat-in campsites are available. 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 p.m. – 8 a.m.
Cabins
Camping Cabin Area: Seven two-three room cabins are available with beautiful views of the lake. The cabins are on the southeast end of the lake, making an ideal getaway for a weekend — or a week. The cabins are furnished with a queen-sized bed, two sets of bunk beds, table and chairs, mini-fridge, microwave, ceiling fan with overhead light, and electricity. Cabins also have heating and air-conditioning! Campers must supply their own linens. Each cabin also has a barbecue and picnic table outside, plus an individual fire ring. Family-style shower facilities are only a short walk from all of the cabins. All of our cabins are wheelchair friendly and accessible to people with disabilities.
Picnic Areas/Shelters
Numerous picnic tables and ramadas are located at the beach and day use areas. These areas are a great spot for a picnic, to engage in meaningful conversation with someone close, or to catch up on a good book.
Group: Day Use Areas
A group day use area capable of seating 60 people under a ramada is available with a$5.00 non-refundable fee plus a $25 facility use fee. Visitors then pay park entry fees per vehicle. There are no group camping areas available.
Dump Station
A dump station is centrally located on the park for all overnight campers at no additional charge.
Showers/Restrooms
Two accessible restroom/shower buildings are available. Showers are available to all overnight campers at no additional cost.
Activities and Experiences
Trails
Twenty miles of trails are available for hiking and eight miles of trails are shared with equestrians at adjacent Sonoita Creek State Natural Area. A 1.5 mile hike of moderate difficulty called the “Overlook Trail” is close to Patagonia Lake State Park and is a great way to see 360 degrees of spectacular scenery. Most of the trails are more remote and the shortest round trip hike to the creek is three miles on the Sonoita Creek Trail.
Wildlife and Bird Watching
Southern Arizona is full of wild wonder, and Patagonia Lake State park is an awesome spot to experience it! An abundance of birds and wildlife can be seen around the park and within the associated trails of Sonoita Creek. Download the bird list to learn more about which species frequent the area, and check out the wildlife viewing opportunities found within the park before your trip.
Fishing
There are a variety of sportfish species available for anglers in this 260 acre southern Arizona lake. Throughout the winter months, the Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks the lake with rainbow trout, and during summer they switch their focus to channel catfish. These stockings supplement naturally reproducing populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie.
Boating
This southern Arizona lake is large enough to take on water sports throughout the year, although some restrictions are in place. Please check out the Patagonia Lake boating page for more information about the available opportunities at the lake.
Park Rules
Please familiarize yourself with the park rules and help us preserve this irreplaceable resource.
- Littering is unlawful
- No glass containers or pets are allowed on the beach.
- Keep pets on a 6 ft. leash and do not leave unattended. Pick up after your pets.
- Campfires must be attended and are allowed only in approved fire rings. Wood gathering is not permitted.
- Generators are not permitted.
- All vehicles must remain on paved surfaces.
- Quiet hours are 9 p.m. until 8 a.m.
- Day-use hours are from 4 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park entrance gate opens at 4 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m.
- Campers arriving before 12 noon on the day of arrival will be charged the park entrance fee.
- Damaging or removing the natural rocks, vegetation or public property is prohibited.
- Personal Watercraft (jet skis) and above-water-exhausted boats (jet boats) are prohibited on the lake.
- "No Wake Zone" speed on east half of lake. All boat traffic is counterclockwise.
- Water skiing and towing not allowed on weekends and holidays May 1st through September 30th.
- Boaters should familiarize themselves with all Arizona watercraft rules and regulations.
- Camping only permitted in designated sites with a maximum of six adults and no more than 10 people per site.
- Check out time is 12 noon. Check-in time is at 2 p.m.
- Contact ranger residence, or call 911 for after-hour emergencies.
