Head towards the ranger station first to bird a marshy area on the left side of the road. The reservoir may attract waterfowl, loons grebes, and other waterbirds during migration and winter. Look for deep-water ducks around the dam, and check the trees below the dam for migrants. Shallower areas at the southern end of the lake attract migrating shorebirds. If the park reopens, be aware that summer brings heavy boat traffic.

Created as an irrigation reservoir by damming the Little Colorado River, Lyman Lake State Park is a 1,200-acre park that encompasses the shoreline of a 1,500-acre reservoir at an elevation of 6,000 feet. It is fed by snowmelt from the slopes of Mount Baldy and Escudilla Mountain, the second and third highest mountains in Arizona. Water is channeled into this river valley from a 790-square-mile watershed extending into New Mexico.

Because of its size, Lyman Lake is one of the few bodies of water in northeastern Arizona with no size restrictions on boats. The west end of the lake is buoyed off and restricted as a no-wake area (5 mph). This allows the angler a chance at a variety of fish without the proximity of speedboats and water skiers. The fishery consists of walleye, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. The large remainder of the lake is open for all other types of water sports.

Lyman Lake really comes into its own during the spring, summer, and fall. Summer days, with temperature highs in the 80s to low 90s, are perfect for fishing, swimming, leisure boating, water-skiing, hiking, or just plain relaxing.