Patagonia Lake State Park

State Park Santa Cruz County, Arizona · about 600 acres · established 1974

Status
Open (per official listing)Daily 10 p.m. – 4 a.m.
Entrance fee
$20 per vehicleAnnual pass available
Day-use reservations
None mentionedCan reach capacity
Dogs
Dogs allowed
Camping
YesAlso cabins
Official site
azstateparks.com(520) 287-6965

Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current

Current alerts 2

Partial closure On weekends, the park may experience temporary closures to day use due to maximum occupancy. Please plan accordingly and call ahead.

Posted by the park. Official alert

Alert Fish advisory in effect: ADEQ recommends that adults limit consumption of flathead catfish to 2.5 ounces (uncooked weight) per week and children 12 years of age and younger limit consumption to 2 ounces (uncooked weight) per month.

Posted by the park. Official alert

Overview

PATAGONIA LAKE (10-21-13)
PATAGONIA LAKE (10-21-13). Photo: ALAN SCHMIERER. CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication) — Commons license template: CC-Zero

Patagonia Lake State Park is a 600-acre park in Santa Cruz County, about 10 miles northeast of Nogales.

Visitors come for horseback riding, boating, swimming, wildlife watching, and fishing. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and showers. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.

Hours

Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.

FacilityDaysHoursSeason
ParkDaily10 p.m. – 4 a.m.—
Mon–Thu8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.Apr 1 – Oct 31
Fri, Sat7 a.m. – 10 p.m.Apr 1 – Oct 31
Sun7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.Apr 1 – Oct 31
Daily8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.Nov 1 – Mar 31
Visitor centerNot stated9 a.m. – 4 p.m.—
Entrance gateDaily10 p.m. – 4 a.m.—
Visitor centerNot stated9 a.m. – 4 p.m.—
Official wording

Gates are closed from 10:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m. April - October: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Mon - Thu) 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Fri - Sat) 7:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. (Sun) November - March: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (daily)

Visitor Center: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Gates are closed from 10:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m.

Visitor Center: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Phoenix).

Fees and passes

ItemAmount
Per vehicle (1-4 adults) Monday-Thursday$20
Per vehicle (1-4 adults) Fridays-Sundays and holidays$25
Individual/bicycle$5 · walk-in
Official wording

Per vehicle (1-4 adults) Monday-Thursday: $20 Per vehicle (1-4 adults) Fridays-Sundays and holidays: $25 Individual/bicycle: $5

Arizona park passes

  • Annual Day Use Pass — $200. Day-use access for up to four people at state parks across Arizona (with listed exceptions) Details
  • 100% Military Disabled Veterans pass — Free. Free day-use for 100% service-connected disabled veterans and up to three accompanying adults Details
  • Active duty / retired / service-disabled veteran discount — 50% off day-use. Day-use entrance discount (not tours or special fees) Details

From the Arizona state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.

Reservations

Day use
No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
Booking system
Arizona State Parks reservations (Tyler Technologies; reached via azstateparks.com/reserve/)
Phone
(877) 697-2757

Sites tend to fill up in the evening from May until November.

Check availability and book

We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.

Pets

Dogs allowed

No dogs are allowed at the beach day-use area. No glass containers or pets are allowed on the beach. Keep pets on a 6 ft. Pick up after your pets. • No glass containers or pets are allowed on the beach. • Keep pets on a 6 ft. Pick up after your pets.

Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.

Camping

RV and Tent Camping Camp on the doorstep of Sky Island adventure at any of the 105 developed campsites with a picnic table, a fire-ring/grill, and parking for two vehicles. Select sites also have a ramada. Sites have 20/30 amp and 50 amp voltage. Sites tend to fill up in the evening from May until November. Campsite lengths vary but most can accommodate any size RV. Quiet hours (no generators, music, or loud voices) are from 9 p.m. – 8 a.m. There are also two non-electric campsites available. They have a picnic table, fire-ring/grill and parking for two vehicles with a ramada for shade. These two sites are 22 ft. long for camper/trailers. Boat-in Camping Sites Twelve boat-in campsites are available. Sites have a picnic table, fire-ring and are accessible by boat only. Most sites have portable restrooms. Quiet hours (no generators, music, or loud voices) are from from 9 p.m. – 8 a.m. Campground Information

From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.

Cabins and lodging

  • cabin — three units

Cabins Camping Cabin Area: Seven two-three room cabins are available with beautiful views of the lake. The cabins are on the southeast end of the lake, making an ideal getaway for a weekend — or a week. The cabins are furnished with a queen-sized bed, two sets of bunk beds, table and chairs, mini-fridge, microwave, ceiling fan with overhead light, and electricity. Cabins also have heating and air-conditioning! Campers must supply their own linens. Each cabin also has a barbecue and picnic table outside, plus an individual fire ring. Family-style shower facilities are only a short walk from all of the cabins. All of our cabins are wheelchair friendly and accessible to people with disabilities. Cabin Information

Things to do

HikingWildlife viewing and birdingFishingBoatingCampingHorseback ridingSwimming

Trails

Trails Twenty miles of trails are available for hiking and eight miles of trails are shared with equestrians at adjacent Sonoita Creek State Natural Area. A 1.5 mile hike of moderate difficulty called the “Overlook Trail” is close to Patagonia Lake State Park and is a great way to see 360 degrees of spectacular scenery. Most of the trails are more remote and the shortest round trip hike to the creek is three miles on the Sonoita Creek Trail.

Boating and paddling

Visitor Center/Park Store/Marina The park has an automatic entrance gate that closes at 10 p.m. and no entry is allowed until it opens again at 4 a.m. All camping guests with reservations who will arrive after 10 p.m. must call the park before 4:30 p.m. to make arrangements. All camping, day use and annual permits can be purchased at the ranger station. A small lobby is available with various brochures describing surrounding areas and destinations. Maps are also sold here. The market is operated by the park concessionaire and is located in the boat trailer parking lot. They sell fishing licenses, firewood, grocery items, ice cream, soda, beer and wine and other camping supplies. You can contact the Market at (520) 341-0544. Boat and kayak rentals are available at the Patagonia Lake Marina, please contact the marina at (520) 341-0562 for reservations and information. You can also visit explorepatagonialake.com. Wi-fi is not available in the park. NOTE: Patagonia Lake State Park is subject to temporary mid-day closures due to park visitor capacity. Please plan accordingly and arrive early or call ahead. Gear Up for Fun Patagonia Lake State Park now offers a great program for visitors who may have forgotten one crucial item or want to try out some new activities while at the park. Check out the free community boxes now available for guests. A Community Tackle Box for that fishing rod, tackle, or lure that you need, the Community Campers Box has items you may need to make your stay more comfortable, and the Community Beach Box has toys and beach gear to make that day in the sun even more fun. Everyone is welcome to borrow or take what they need. And here's the best part: if you have outdoor gear that's just collecting dust – maybe an old Frisbee, a gently used camp chair, or extra fishing lures – consider sharing the love! Drop off your pre-loved outdoor treasures in one of our Community Boxes. It's all about spreading the joy and making sure everyone can have a blast outdoors! Boat-in Camping Sites Twelve boat-in campsites are available. Sites have a picnic table, fire-ring and are accessible by boat only. Most sites have portable restrooms. Quiet hours (no generators, music, or loud voices) are from from 9 p.m. – 8 a.m. Campground Information Boating This southern Arizona lake is large enough to take on water sports throughout the year, although some restrictions are in place. Please check out the Patagonia Lake boating page for more information about the available opportunities at the lake.

Fishing

Fishing There are a variety of sportfish species available for anglers in this 260 acre southern Arizona lake. Throughout the winter months, the Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks the lake with rainbow trout, and during summer they switch their focus to channel catfish. These stockings supplement naturally reproducing populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie.

A state fishing license is usually required.

Amenities

Facilities

  • Restrooms
  • Showers
  • Picnic areas
  • Visitor center
  • Park or camp store

Water

  • Marina or boat slips

Camping

  • RV dump station
  • Tent camping
  • RV camping
  • Primitive or backcountry camping

Lodging

  • Cabins

Recreation

  • Horse trails

✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.

Accessibility

Twelve boat-in campsites are available. Sites have a picnic table, fire-ring and are accessible by boat only. Most sites have portable restrooms. Quiet hours (no generators, music, or loud voices) are from from 9 p.m. – 8 a.m. Two accessible restroom/shower buildings are available. Showers are available to all overnight campers at no additional cost.

Official accessibility information

Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.

Rules and permits

Park Rules Please familiarize yourself with the park rules and help us preserve this irreplaceable resource. • Littering is unlawful • No glass containers or pets are allowed on the beach. • Keep pets on a 6 ft. leash and do not leave unattended. Pick up after your pets. • Campfires must be attended and are allowed only in approved fire rings. Wood gathering is not permitted. • Generators are not permitted. • All vehicles must remain on paved surfaces. • Quiet hours are 9 p.m. until 8 a.m. • Day-use hours are from 4 a.m. until 10 p.m. • Park entrance gate opens at 4 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. • Damaging or removing the natural rocks, vegetation or public property is prohibited. • Personal Watercraft (jet skis) and above-water-exhausted boats (jet boats) are prohibited on the lake. • "No Wake Zone" speed on east half of lake. All boat traffic is counterclockwise. • Water skiing and towing not allowed on weekends and holidays May 1st through September 30th. • Boaters should familiarize themselves with all Arizona watercraft rules and regulations. • Camping only permitted in designated sites with a maximum of six adults and no more than 10 people per site. • Check out time is 12 noon. Check-in time is at 2 p.m. • Contact ranger residence, or call 911 for after-hour emergencies. Agency Rules & Regulations

Getting there

Address
400 Patagonia Lake Rd
Nogales, AZ 85621
Nearest town
Nogales — about 10 mi northeast (straight line)
Coordinates
31.4883, -110.8538
Phone
(520) 287-6965

Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)

Entrance gate: Daily 10 p.m. – 4 a.m.

Nearby state parks

Sources and freshness

“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology

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