Alamo Lake is close to nowhere in western Arizona. About 40 miles from the nearest town (and calling it a town is being more than generous), this lake is stocked with fish by the state and is known mainly by fishermen/women/people. However, prior to our arrival, the lake level rose by a few feet causing the water to become murky, causing much wailing and gnashing of teeth by those who had made the trip and now discovered that the fish were less than willing to leap onto the offered hooks.
The campground amenities are minimal, but there is a newer facility just across the road that has hot showers!!! (our last campground at Organ Pipe had “solar” heated showers, which I am sure would be fine when the sun is shining, but it wasn’t when we were there).
One of the best features of this state park are the burros. Feral donkeys that wander free. They are quite elusive (see attached photo for a blurry pic of two burros), unless you are driving along the access road, in which case they are liable to be standing on the road just around the next corner (but try to take a photo and they mysteriously disappear). The burros are also quite active, and vocal, at night.
The campground is quite utilitarian, and facilities seem older and in need of some TLC. The serviced campsites have water views which is nice, but the sites are quite exposed to the neighbours. Sites have water and power, so no need to run the generator here.
There is some nice hiking right from the campground. The hardest part of the hiking is determining what is the hiking trail and what is a donkey path.
Two of our intrepid adventurers at the top of Rattlesnake Point. Fortunately for us, this is not rattlesnake season (they are hibernating at this time of year).
The dogs finally got to go for a swim. It’s been quite a while since we were at a place that had water and was warm enough for a swim! (warm enough for the dogs, not us).
Trip Summary:
Depart from: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ
Depart time: 11:00 am (Feb 1)
Odometer: 131421 miles
Arrive time: 5:15 pm Alamo Lake State Park, AZ
Odometer: 131655 miles
Gas Summary:
Aho, AZ: 13.3g @ $4.00/g ($53.11), odo 131458
Salome, AZ: 15.4g @ $3.80/g ($58.38), odo 131615