Lake Pleasant is located 30 miles north of the Phoenix metropolitan area. This has become one of the most popular outdoor recreation spots in Arizona. It was built between 1926 and 1928 and was named the Waddell Dam, a 250-foot-long structure that contained water from the Agua Fría river system. The lake is named after Carl Pleasant, the engineer who designed the dam. The Waddell Dam was completed in November 1992. Lake Pleasant obtained water from the river and from Coles Creek, Castle Creek, Humbug Creek, and other drains. The new dam has tripled the size of Lake Pleasant, making it the second largest body of water in central Arizona. It has become critically important for both recreation and irrigation. Lake composed of three areas of water. The lake water is extremely clear and highly oxygenated. Lake Pleasant is located 15 miles west of 1-17 on the Carefree Highway 30 miles north of Phoenix, within the Peoria city limits. With 10,000 acres of clear water, visitors can enjoy water skiing, jet skiing, sailing, or fishing.
The entrance to the park is located 2 miles north of State Route 75 off of Castle Hot Springs Road. The next facilities that are available through the main entrance are Desert Tortoise Campground, Group Campground, RV Dump Station, 10-lane Boat Ramp, Roadrunner Campground, Picnic Area, and Downtown visitors. The second entrance to the park is located 3 miles north on the castle hot springs road, past the main entrance. The north entrance provides access to a four-lane boat ramp, two restrooms, and a day-use picnic area for shoreline and poplar camping. Various group activities at Lake Pleasant are fishing tournaments, company picnics, watercourse races, etc. The lake’s water temperature ranges from 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Various aquatic life creatures include white bass, striped bass, largemouth bass, blue gills, white crappie, black crappie, largemouth, buffalo fish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, green sunfish, fish luna redear and tilapia. The Pleasant Lake Regional Park offers 148 sites for camping in tents and caravans. Each developed site has water, electricity, dump station, covered Ramada, picnic table, barbecue grill, and fire ring. The semi-developed site features a Ramada, picnic table, grill, and fire ring. Both campsites have toilets and showers.
Another place that you can visit is Pleasant Harbor, located on the southeast shore of Lake Pleasant. It is also a 5 star RV complex. This also offers 254 full hookup sites and 40 partial hookup sites, as well as a clubhouse, heated pool or spa, lake access for your boat, and other amenities. If you love sailing, fishing, wakeboarding, parasailing, diving, and kayaking, this place is for you.
Another nice place to visit on the lake is the scorpion Bay Marina & Yacht Club, which is located on the western shores. The marina offers various facilities such as a lunch ramp, tram service, restaurant, shop and delicatessen.
Nearby cities to visit are Sun City, Peoria, Sun City West, Surprise, Glendale, Cave Creek, Carefree, Wickenburg, Phoenix, and Scottsdale.