Stretching from just southwest of Flagstaff to the White Mountains of eastern Arizona, the Mogollon Rim marks the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau in Arizona. This long escarpment, thousands of feet high in some areas, extends for almost 200 miles across central Arizona. The average elevation of this undulating rim and plateau country is about 7,000 feet. The Mogollon Rim is known for its stands of ponderosa pine, which comprise the largest ponderosa pine forest in the United States. Timber production was a major part of the region's economy, helping to establish the towns in and near the vast pine forests of the area. Today, the United States Forest Service manages much of the region with three national forests: the Kaibab, Coconino, and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The region is named for Juan Ignacio Flores Mogollon, a Spanish colonial governor whose last name is pronounced "MUG-ee-own." Thus the "MUG-ee-own" Rim. There are several lakes located in the Mogollon Rim, which are known as the Mogollon Rim Lakes. Here is a brief description for each of the Mogollon Rim Lakes. There are photographs below. Clicking on the photos will take you to more detailed descriptions of each of the Mogollon Rim Lakes. Bear Canyon Lake: Latitude: 32.37417 Longitude: -110.69111 is located about 44 miles northeast of Payson and 25 miles west of Heber-Overgaard in the Mogollon Rim country at about 7,600 feet elevation. It is a narrow, canyon-bound lake with a thick surrounding forest that extends to its shoreline. It has two different access points where you can park and then take a short hike to the shore. The water surface is about 50 acres with a maximum depth of abut 50 ft. It is stocked with Rainbow Trout six times annually. It also has arctic grayling, brookies, and cutthroat trout. Fly-fishing or wading from the shore is not recommended since in most places the tree line comes right up to the water's edge. Black Canyon Lake: Latitude: 34.32778 Longitude: -110.7 is located at 7,067 feet, in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest between the towns of Payson and Heber-Overgaard. It is closest to Heber; being located 15 miles southwest of Heber, on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The roads to the lake are generally closed from December to early April due to snow. It contains trout, bass and sunfish. Blue Ridge Reservoir: Latitude: 34.51111 Longitude: -110.8242 is located at 6,604 feet, in the Coconino National Forest on the Mogollon Rim near Payson. Blue Ridge Lake or Reservoir is a winding canyon shaped lake. It's water surface is about 9 miles long and about 70 acres in size, with an average depth of about 147 feet. The closest camping is located 2.5 miles away at Rock Crossing Campground. The graveled FR 751 road to the lake is closed in winter due to snow. Boat motors limited to a maximum of 10 horsepower. It contains Rainbows, & Brown Trout. Chevelon Canyon Lake: Latitude: 34.51111 Longitude: -110.8242 is a rather isolated lake located along the Mogollon Plateau about 60 miles northeast of Payson. Its nearest access point requires about a 1 mile hike. It is located at 6,376 feet, in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest between the towns of Payson and Heber-Overgaard. It is closest to Heber; being located 15 miles southwest of Heber, on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The roads to the lake are generally closed from November to late April due to snow. It contains Rainbow and wild Brown Trout that grow to trophy size. It is said that the largest fish of all the Rim Lakes are in Chevelon Canyon Lake. Knoll Lake: Latitude: 34.4275 Longitude: -111.09194 is located northeast of its sister-lakes of Woods Canyon and Willow Creek Lakes on the Mogollon Rim, in Leonard Canyon, Arizona, a few miles north of the Mogollon Rim. Its water comes to it from Clear Creek. It gets its name from a rocky island or knoll located in the middle of the lake. Knoll Lake is under the care of the Blue Ridge Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest. The lake covers approximately 75 acres and is about 50 feet deep. It is located 108 miles southeast of Flagstaff and 21 miles or 30 minutes from Payson on paved and graveled Forest Roads. Its elevation is 7,340 feet. It contains Rainbow and Brown Trout. Willow Springs Lake: Latitude: 34.31389 Longitude: -110.8756 is located at 7,516 feet, in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest almost half way betrwen the towns of Payson and Heber-Overgaard. It is closest to Heber; being located 22 miles southwest of Heber, on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. It is 23 miles east of Payson. The roads to the lake are generally closed from December to early April due to snow. It contains Bass, Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout. Woods Canyon Lake: Latitude: 34.33944 Longitude: -110.9517 is located at 7,510 feet, in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and it is near the Tonto and Coconino National Forests. Primarily a Trout fishing lake, Woods Canyon Lake's season lasts between May and October of each year. Electric Boat Motors are required. It is easy to access with 5 camping areas. There are picnic areas with restrooms and a boat ramp. There is also a concessionaire who rents boats, sells fishing licenses, bait, and tackle, and operates a well-stocked country store. There is also an RV dump station about a mile from the lake. The lake contains Rainbow Trout.