Fool Hollow Lake — Attraction in Show Low

Exploring Scenic Wonders

Arizona, with its vast landscapes and breathtaking natural wonders, has always been a favorite destination for those seeking outdoor adventure and beauty. My recent vacation on February 25, 2025, was no exception.

In previous trips, I had the pleasure of visiting some of Arizona's most iconic landmarks, including the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, the picturesque Horseshoe Bend, and the fascinating Meteor Crater. Each of these sites left an indelible mark on my memory, showcasing the raw and untamed beauty of the state.

On this particular trip, however, my sister discovered a hidden gem—Fool Hollow Lake. Eager to explore this new location, we set off from Phoenix, driving along Highway 60. The journey itself was a treat, as the highway meandered through the stunning Arizona scenery, offering glimpses of rugged mountains, expansive deserts, and lush forests.

Upon arriving at Fool Hollow Lake, we were greeted by the serene and tranquil waters, surrounded by a pristine natural environment. The lake, with its crystal-clear waters and natural stone, provided a perfect backdrop for a day of relaxation and exploration. Whether hiking along the scenic trails, or simply soaking in the beauty of the surroundings, Fool Hollow Lake proved to be a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The 3 hour drive, combined with the visit to Fool Hollow Lake, allowed us to fully appreciate the diverse and captivating landscapes that Arizona has to offer. It was a great day trip, filled with moments of awe and wonder, and a reminder of the incredible beauty that lies within the heart of the state.

In conclusion, Arizona continues to be a destination that never ceases to amaze. From the grandeur of the Grand Canyon to the tranquil beauty of Fool Hollow Lake, each trip unveils new and exciting treasures. I look forward to many more adventures in this remarkable...

Beautiful, clean site with full hookups and a dump station. However, there are some very inconsistent rules that are confusing. We were told we could park our second vehicle anywhere on the pavement. So we parked our second car, then parked our travel trailer and unhitched. Later a ranger came by and said the camp host kept calling to complain that our car was parked behind our trailer. We said we were told this would be okay since it was on the pavement. The host accused us of intending to drive the vehicle off the pavement to get around the trailer. We had no intentions of moving the car at all. We needed to park it because we were evacuated from home due to a wildfire near home. So they made us rehitch our trailer, pull out, move the car, then move the trailer back and re-setup everything. The host saw us setting up from the start but didn't say anything until afterwards, not even speaking to us personally. Later we saw others who parked as we did that did not get harrassed about it. The only thing we were left to conclude was that perhaps the camp host did not like my wife's skin color. He made us feel completely unwelcome. His arbitrary, inconsistent, and unreasonable enforcement of rules, coupled with his cowards way of calling a ranger rather than even asking us a simple question personally, bespeaks some personal issue for which we were made the focus of his ire. This was the Mallard Loop on 6/9/21. However, the camp host for Redhead loop, which we stayed at a couple days before was very hospitable and helpful. It was just one bad host in Mallard Loop that ruined it for us. Literally everyone else in the park we dealt with was friendly and helpful. I hope they give the mallard loop host some training on hospitality so nobody else experiences...

Warning: THEY LOCK THE GATE AT 8:30 PM AND DO NOT PROVIDE THE CODE TO PAID RESERVED CAMPERS UNLESS YOU CALL AHEAD DURING WORK HOURS TO GET IT!!! (It’s buried in the pages of detailed rules and regulations attached to the confirmation email.)

We didn’t read the fine print, arrived after 8:30 to a locked gate, ended up napping in the car on a city street and only getting to use the (very nice, private) showers after they opened the gate at 5 am. Then had to move to the day use area at 7 for breakfast because of the campfire smoke in the campground. Not fun. Arguably our fault, but I’d recommend providing the gate code with the confirmation email because stuff happens (in our case, a winter storm slowed us down on the way from UT, and it would have taken cell signal, forethought, and reading all the rules to navigate this process successfully.)

Google maps doesn’t take you to the entrance (it’s on Fool Hollow, not a numbered road). The park should fix this for visitors’ convenience.

Otherwise, this park is a suburban oasis, complete with a lovely lake, beautiful pine trees, good birding, and clean bathrooms. Also traffic noise, shots from hunters on adjacent forest/private land, and lots of apparently drunk drivers in the neighborhood. (About half a mile from the park entrance in the evening, we witnessed a probably fatal single car accident, a driver who didn’t even slow down passing first responders, and a carload of screaming teens.)

Moral of the story: good place to visit Nature IF AND ONLY IF YOU ARRIVE BEFORE DARK and aren’t sensitive to campfire smoke. Bring binoculars to view the ospreys and kingfishers. And enjoy watching the...