Luna Lake

Near the Arizona-New Mexico border, find Luna Lake nestled within “The Alps of Arizona.”

Eastern Arizona’s White Mountains feature high elevations, cool lakes and streams, and pine and aspen trees everywhere. At 8,000 feet, winter lasts longer in this year-round outdoor recreation area. Visitors explore pine-studded mountains and canyons in the last developed recreation area in Arizona’s Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest before it crosses over into New Mexico. Head to high elevations for cool summer hiking and winter snow adventures.

Put In

The drive along Highway 191 to Luna Lake gets visitors to slow down and enjoy the scenery. The Coronado Trail National Scenic Byway follows the historic route used in 1540 by Spanish explorers looking for the Seven Cities of Cibola. Set off on one of Arizona’s most curvy roads that leads to this pristine lake experience. Rainbow trout and cutthroat trout are the main draws here, even in the winter months when visitors might experience ice fishing in the desert Southwest. The on-site lake store rents boats and supplies to give visitors the best chance of breaking the state record for the largest cutthroat trout reeled in here.

Power Down

Wi-Fi connections are spotty here. Best to power down all screens and relax on the front porch of a camping cabin. Or choose from 50 campsites unburdened by the noise of more trafficked recreation areas. Forests and wetlands around Luna Lake are prime for wildlife sightings at all times of the day. When visitors spot elk and wild turkeys here, it’s likely to be an entire herd or flock feeding in a meadow. Hannagan Meadow Lodge 20 miles south rents cross-country skis and snowshoes and invites visitors to use their trails. To the southeast, Sunrise Ski Resort offers high-flying winter sports.

Visit Alpine

In Arizona’s mountain communities, hotels look more like woodsy cabins and chain restaurants give way to mom-and-pop joints that make pies fresh every morning. The mountain village of Alpine is a popular daytrip destination for fall color drives, winter wonderland drives and summer escape-the-heat drives. In this remote area of Arizona, visitors let their imaginations run wild. Bring all-terrain vehicles and explore the surrounding countryside on forest service roads. Hike or mountain bike on remote trails to see what lies beyond the next ridgeline. Spend the night identifying constellations in the dark skies above.