Riggs Flat Lake sits at the end of the road in more ways than one. Located at the end of Swift Trail, a road that winds along the top of the Pinaleño Mountains, it is a small picturesque lake, 11 acres in size, set in alpine forest and meadow. At 9,000 feet it feels nothing like the desert below — and that's exactly the point.

The lake itself is named after Thomas Riggs, who managed to create this man-made lake by damming a series of spring-fed wet meadows. The dam was financed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department in 1957 to provide trout fishing for forest recreationists.

The Pinaleños are the highest Arizona Sky Island, creating a particularly eye-catching contrast between towering mountain peaks and flat desert plains. Within this already impressive context, Riggs Flat Lake has something of the best seat in the house — lying near the summit of the 10,720-foot Mount Graham, the highest mountain in the Pinaleño range.

Fishing

Its cold waters are stocked during the summer with rainbow, brown and brook trout, and anglers report that the fishing is usually good. Best baits for the rainbows are corn, cheese, garlic cheese, salmon eggs, and worms. The brown and brook trout are taken on artificial lures and flies as well. Small boats are permitted on the lake, but most people fish from the shoreline. Boats are permitted on the lake but may be powered by no more than a single electric trolling motor.

The Campground

Riggs Flat Campground is one of the larger campgrounds located in the Pinaleño Mountains. The campground includes 31 campsites, each equipped with tables and fire grills. Vault toilets are available but no drinking water — be prepared to bring your own. The campground operates on a first-come first-served basis — no advance reservations. During peak times, especially weekends and summer months, the campground can fill up quickly. For the best chance of securing a site, arrive early, particularly on weekends. Consider visiting during weekdays or shoulder seasons for a more peaceful experience.

The Views

West Peak is visible from the lake area, and short hikes provide overlooks of Aravaipa Valley and the Galiuro Mountains to the west. The surrounding forest offers meadows, alpine groves, and ancient forest ecosystems that date back to the last ice age.

Nearby Trails

Some of the popular trails in the area include Arcadia Trail #328, Ash Creek Trail #307, Taylor Canyon Trail #306, and the Grant Hill Loop Trail #322.

Our Visit — August 19, 2023

We walked the full shoreline on our August visit. Signage at the lake noted an active bald eagle nest in the area, and others had spotted it that morning — but we didn't catch sight of it ourselves. Large lizards moved along the rocky edges. Squirrels worked the tree line. The lake sits at the end of the Swift Trail and feels like a reward for the drive — quiet, cold, and completely removed from the desert world 7,000 feet below.

See our full Mount Graham / Pinaleño Mountains bucket list page for details on the complete Swift Trail experience, campgrounds, and the endangered Mount Graham red squirrel.

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