Located on a hill overlooking Parker Canyon Lake, campsites are spread among a stand of oaks and junipers. From the campground it is just a short walk to the lakeshore or a short drive to the boat launch ramp, fishing pier, paved parking areas and paved walkways, all of which are accessible to persons with disabilities. Parker Canyon Lake and Lakeview Campground are generally less crowded than similar areas that are more easily accessible. On some days you can hike the entire 5-mile trail around the lake and have only the resident wildlife for company. This trail has several viewing areas complete with benches and interpretive signs. Two of the viewing areas are barrier-free. It is an excellent place to view the waterfowl that either live at the lake or use it as a stopover on their seasonal migration. Bald eagles and osprey are also frequently sighted here, as are Coues white-tailed deer and an occasional extended family of coatimundi, those long-tailed, long-nosed southwestern cousins of the raccoon. Note: Black bears are common in the area. This campground is accessible to persons with disabilities.

Lakeview Campground

We loved this campgrounds accessability to water! After camping in the desert for a few days it was nice to let my dog swim around and to dip my feet in the many lakes this campground is close to. The sites were big and perfect for hanging hammocks. Our camp neighbors- although close were mostly in their RVs- and didn't bother us tenters. The one thing was we had an influx of skunks while enjoying our nightly fire! There were about five of them all invading our area and we (four adults and two dogs) were all on the picnic table trying to be as still and as quiet as we could. It must have been a really funny sight-- but we were really not about getting sprayed! Toilets are typical pit- but the host was awesome and put some air fresheners all around. It was an awesome place to rest our heads for the night!

Watch out for skunks!

We regularly camp here with our cub scout pack and their families. Nice and well maintained sites, accessible bathrooms, and great rangers. 

Family Camping

We had a great time here over the weekend. The sites are large and spaced out. Each space has a fire pit and picnic table. There is water available but it’s located next to the pit toilets, not at the individual sites. 

You can see the lake from the sites, but we had to walk about 1/2 mile to get to the water. We did catch 3 trouts, so it was worth it. 

Over half of the spaces were occupied on a Saturday in February. Several large and loud groups as well. 


Less busy then Patagonia Lake

This USDA Forest Service campground is a very nice one. Nicely laid out sites, well maintained bathrooms. It’s easy to walk to the lake from the lowest tent sites. We stayed here in fall, and imagine it’s heavily used in summer. There’s a great trail around the lake. $20 as of November 2020.

Nice and quiet

We have come here a few times before. In the RV area, the spots are paved and there are no hook ups. Water is available and the restrooms were clean. This place is first come only. No reservations. It can fill up in the nice weather months.We were just there midweek in the middle of July and it was almost emoty.the days were warm but the lake is great! Fun to paddleboard  on. Nights were cool with a little monsoon rain.

Great little lake and good camping

I had a great time at Parker Canyon Lake, located about an hour from Sonoita, Arizona. The fishing was excellent — the lake is well-stocked, and it’s a peaceful spot to cast a line. The campground is spacious, with 30 campsites for tents that offer plenty of room and privacy. Many of the tent sites have trails that lead directly down to the lake, which makes it super convenient if you’re fishing or just want to enjoy the view.

There’s a separate RV campground, but I’m not sure how many sites it has — it looked like a good size with plenty of space for larger vehicles.

Whether you’re fishing, hiking, or just relaxing by the water, Parker Canyon Lake is a hidden gem worth visiting!