Lake of the Woods is made for an outdoorsy lifestyle
Lake of the Woods is a town in the Pinetop-Lakeside area of central Arizona, on the Mogollon Rim. Lakes, large and small, break up this densely forested landscape at the base of the White Mountains and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. “This is an outdoorsy area. Hiking, fishing, kayaking, skiing — that’s what people do here,” says Realtor Tamie Aguilera with Re/Max Fine Properties, who’s lived in the area for over 25 years. The area’s seasonal climate allows residents to enjoy the endless outdoor surroundings. “We have four seasons,” Aguilera says. “It’s much cooler than the desert in the summer, and it snows here in the winter.” At this cooler elevation, homeowners have access to all kinds of mountain activities, whether they live here year-round or visit during their season of choice.
Lakefront homes and forest cabins
There are multiple communities within this wooded area. The median home price is about $500,000, but prices can vary widely. Manufactured homes start as low as $20,000 in the 55-plus Rim Country Community. However, wooded cabins and mountain homes are the dominant option here. Small cabins can start around $200,000. Meanwhile, larger homes can cost almost $900,000 in the Shores — one of two gated communities around Rainbow Lake, the largest lake in the area. Homes on its shores can range from just under $950,000 to $1.5 million. The same prices apply to large homes on multiacre wooded properties.
Fishing on Rainbow Lake and hiking the Mogollon Rim
Lake of the Woods’ recreational activities are evident in its name. Between the lakes and the woods, there’s tons of wilderness to take advantage of. Rainbow Lake is the largest in the area. Those who don’t live on it can access boat launches to embark on days of fishing, swimming and paddling. The surrounding White Mountains are in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, which are part of the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the world. These sit on the Mogollon Rim, a plateau of central Arizona, known for its elevated landscape that’s naturally separate from the state’s lower deserts. Up in these woods, there’s a bounty of hiking trails. When the winter snow hits, skiers head to slopes like Sunrise Park Resort on Mount Baldy, 35 miles southeast.
Spots to eat on White Mountain Boulevard
Residents find restaurants, the local grocery store and other shops along White Mountain Boulevard — also known as Highway 260. Tipsy Hippy Grill is a popular outdoor hangout. The Bistro at Annie’s and Dickey’s Barbecue Pit are a couple of other busy eateries. White Mountain Village is the local shopping plaza, just a few miles south; it has a Safeway and an Ace Hardware. People also drive up to Show Low for errands, less than 10 miles north.
Schools are south in Lakeside
Blue Ridge Unified School District 32 covers Lake of the Woods, Pinetop-Lakeside and much of the surrounding area. It receives a B grade from Niche. The district’s three schools are in Lakeside, just a few miles from Lake of the Woods. Blue Ridge Elementary is given a B. Blue Ridge Junior High and Blue Ridge High have neighboring campuses and are both rated a B-plus. Blue Ridge High has strong athletic programs — its football and boys and girls soccer teams have all won numerous state championships.
Fall Festival weekend
The last weekend in September means it’s time for The Pinetop-Lakeside Fall Festival. “We just call it Fall Festival,” Aguilera says. “It’s the biggest thing here, more than the Fourth of July or anything.” Fall Festival’s anchor event is the Run to the Pines Car Show, a classic car meet-up that attracts motorheads from all around. There’s also a parade on White Mountain Boulevard, and an artisan festival with tons of local vendors.
Summit Healthcare and Show Low within a 10-mile drive
There aren’t many large employers in the Show Low area, but Summit Healthcare is one of them, just 5 miles north on state Highway 260. It’s the area’s primary hospital and healthcare employer. Some residents might work in Show Low, Navajo County’s largest city, less than 10 miles up Highway 260. Phoenix is the nearest metro area, almost 190 miles southwest. Downtown Phoenix is surrounded by other large cities, like Scottsdale and Mesa. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, located in downtown Phoenix, is the nearest outlet for international travel.
Wildfires in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
Wildfires are an expected natural occurrence in this densely forested region. A fire hasn’t directly burned it or neighboring towns, but they have come close enough for concern. The 2011 Wallows Fire was the most recent significantly large fire — in fact, it was the largest fire in Arizona history. It burned over 500,000 acres, 40 miles southeast of Lake of the Woods. Residents should keep up with local safety precautions to prevent potential fires.
