The Largest Natural Lake In Arizona

My father told me once that in the 1960’s he met an old cowhand that him told the story of Mormon Lake. He said that the area was used as a natural basin to hold cattle and was used by the surrounding ranches starting in the mid 1800’s. The area never held water, he said, until around 1900 when the cattle had trampled it down to the point where it held water and gradually turned into a lake. It is now known as Mormon Lake.

We don’t know if that story is true, but what we do know is that Mormon Lake got it’s name in about 1914. It also became quite the destination for people to escape the Arizona summer heat. The Arizona Trail meanders around Mormon Lake and part of the trail is located on the old logging railroad line that was used on weekends to take tourists out from Flagstaff.

Today, Mormon Lake is most popular for Mormon Lake Lodge cabins and steakhouse but also as a great spot for that perfect mountain cabin or ranchette. To explore homes in the area, click on the link above.