Lake Pleasant Regional Park: This large outdoors recreation area straddles the Maricopa and Yavapai county border northwest of Phoenix, Arizona. The park is located within the municipal boundaries of Peoria, Arizona, and serves as a major recreation hub for the northwest Phoenix metropolitan area.

Water Storage:Central to the park is 10,000 acre Lake Pleasant a artificial reservoir created in 1927 with the completion of Waddell Dam. It serves as a primary water reservoir for central Arizona and is fed by both the Agua Fria River and the Central Arizona Project Aquaduct.

Recreation: A number of boat docks make the lake a popular destination for water skiing, jet skiing, sailing and other water sports. Local fishing includes: Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Striped Bass, Crappie, Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Tilapia, Carp, and Buffalo fish. Other recreational activities, such as mountain biking, camping, and hiking.

Desert Outdoor Center - education and exploration of the natural environment
Lake Pleasant Camp - Boy Scout Aquatics and Nature Camp

Lake Pleasant Jet Skis
Group Discount Rates

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Lake Pleasant Wakeboats
Discount Rates for Group All Day Rental

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The Maricopa Trail
Maricopa County Parks & Recreation

Desert Outdoor Center
Lake Pleaseant Regional Park
41402 N. 87th Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85383;
602-372-7470; Center Website;

Maricopa County's Desert Outdoor Center is located the east side of Lake Pleasant. Set on a hillside of the pristine Sonoran desert, located only twenty miles northwest of downtown Phoenix.

The D.O.C. is a 26,000 square foot, three-building complex designed for education and exploration of the natural environment. The main building contains a multi-purpose gathering hall, an animal exhibit hall, science lab, classroom, resource room, trading post, first aid room, and a full commercial grade kitchen. The amphitheater, overlooking the lake, comfortably seats 150 for outside activities, including a fire circle (when permitted). Nearby trails allow campers to experience a spectacular view of Lake Pleasant and an up-close look at Waddell Dam.

Lake Pleasant Camp
BSA Grand Canyon Council
Boy Scout Aquatics and Nature Camp
41402 N. 87th Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85383; 602-372-7470;
Camp Website;
Phoenix Boy Scouts

This boy scout camp hosts five summer camp sessions each year with each session running Monday through Thursday. Unlike other local resident camps, Lake Pleasant Camp offers opportunities for advancement and camaraderie while still allowing Scouts to return home every evening.

The camp is a Scout’s dream offering more than 20 aquatic and nature merit badges including cooking, first aid and much more.

• Shooting Sports - rifle shooting and archery programs are held at the adjacent Ben Avery Shooting Facility.
• Aquatics - canoeing, rowing, kayaking, motorboating, water sports, sailing, fishing,
• Nature - reptile and amphibian study, insect study, archeology, geology, environmental science,
• Year Round Aquatics - Many aquatics programs are available year round
• October Powder Horn - based on Venturing Ranger Award requirements and gives participants exposure to some outdoor/high adventure activities.