Lake Pleasant Ride and Fly Day Ride

This is an excellent short ride that will get you out of town for a short ride and some fun riding. This ride will take you out to and around Lake Pleasant. There are several miles of riding around the park for Lake Views, a 1.8 mile hike if you want, a Visitors Center that overlooks the lake, a Marina to have breakfast or lunch and you can also go Parasailing while you are there. That is where the "Ride and Fly" comes from. THEY NO LONGER HAVE PARASAIL. This is a fun little ride that will let you just putt around and enjoy the Arizona desert and take in some non typical activities. Read below for all of the info and options on this ride.

Option 1: Ride to the West side of the Lake and explore the roads and the Overlook Visitors Center.

Option 2: Go to the East Side of the Lake and go to the Marina for a buffet breakfast or lucnch.

THEY NO LONGER HAVE PARASAIL.

Distance: Varies from where you start in the Valley. It was 65 miles roundtrip for me with all of the side roads that I took starting at I-17 and Loop 101.

Riding Time: Approx. 2 1/2 hours with all of the stops.
(Depending on where you start from)

Depending on where you start from will affect the total time and mileage.

Directions:
Click Here For Map

Starting from Loop 101 and I-17.

Go North on I-17 10 miles to Carefree Hwy.

Option 1:

Go West on Carefree Hwy. 10 miles to Castle Hot Springs Rd. This will be on the North side of the road about a mile West of the Dam.

Turn North on Castle Hot Springs Rd.

Legend for Maps Below

Go 2 miles to the Main Entrance to the park. This will cost you $2.00 for a motorcycle, $5.00 for a vehicle. Go about 1/2 mile to South Park Rd. Turn right and follow that to the Visitors Center. Here you will see the history of the Lake and a panorama view from the Visitors center. Click here for the Lake Pleasant web site with the rates and general information..

When you come back from the Visitors center turn right on North Park Rd. for a short ride up to Pipeline Canyon and Peninsula Blvd. These are nice roads to just cruise and explore the views. Pipeline Canyon Trailhead is a 1.8 mile hike North from here.

Once you have explored these areas go back out to the Main Entry and turn Right and go 3 miles to the North Entry. You will encounter another entry gate. Show them your receipt from the first gate and you will pass through here with no charge. This road will lead you to the 4 lane ramp and a camping area.

Option 2:

Instead of going around the corner to Castle Hot Springs Rd. as you did above, turn right on 87th Ave. (Aka. Pleasant Harbor Rd.) You will see a sign that says to Marina. Follow this Rd. 2 miles to the entrance to the Marina. It will cost you $6.00 to go through these gates.

Once at the marina you can ride clear down to the walkways to the Marina and park on the sidewalk if all the parking spots down there are filled. You can then walk to the Marina for a buffet breakfast every Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am - 11:00 am for $6.00 per person. Or just get a something to drink and watch the boats come in.

Option 3:

THEY NO LONGER HAVE PARASAIL.
The following was available at the time I did this ride.
Click Here To Watch The Video.

Scenes From Lake Pleasant
Web Site About Lake Pleasant

View From Visitors Center

Resources:

Parks and Recs site about Lake Pleasant
Peoria Site about Lake Pleasant
Video of Parasailing
Map of Lake Pleasant

Highlights:

Plenty of fun little roads to ride on an explore.
A 1.8 mile hiking trail called Pipeline Canyon
Breakfast buffet at the Marina Saturday and Sunday.

My Review Of This Ride:

Pros: A thouroughly enjoyable short ride out of the city. The Parasail Ride is a lot of fun.

Cons: No cons on this one. Just would like more roads to ride.

Conclusion: I give this ride 3.5 Spokes out of 5

Click Here For A Complete Detailed Map

Distance: Varies from where you start in the Valley. It was 65 miles roundtrip for me with all of the side roads that I took starting at I-17 and Loop 101.	Riding Time: Approx. 2 1/2 hours with all of the stops. (Depending on where you start from)
Depending on where you start from will affect the total time and mileage.
Directions: Click Here For Map
Starting from Loop 101 and I-17.
Go North on I-17 10 miles to Carefree Hwy.
Option 1:
Go West on Carefree Hwy. 10 miles to Castle Hot Springs Rd. This will be on the North side of the road about a mile West of the Dam.
Turn North on Castle Hot Springs Rd.
Legend for Maps Below
Go 2 miles to the Main Entrance to the park. This will cost you $2.00 for a motorcycle, $5.00 for a vehicle. Go about 1/2 mile to South Park Rd. Turn right and follow that to the Visitors Center. Here you will see the history of the Lake and a panorama view from the Visitors center. Click here for the Lake Pleasant web site with the rates and general information..
When you come back from the Visitors center turn right on North Park Rd. for a short ride up to Pipeline Canyon and Peninsula Blvd. These are nice roads to just cruise and explore the views. Pipeline Canyon Trailhead is a 1.8 mile hike North from here.
Once you have explored these areas go back out to the Main Entry and turn Right and go 3 miles to the North Entry. You will encounter another entry gate. Show them your receipt from the first gate and you will pass through here with no charge. This road will lead you to the 4 lane ramp and a camping area.
Option 2:
Instead of going around the corner to Castle Hot Springs Rd. as you did above, turn right on 87th Ave. (Aka. Pleasant Harbor Rd.) You will see a sign that says to Marina. Follow this Rd. 2 miles to the entrance to the Marina. It will cost you $6.00 to go through these gates.
Once at the marina you can ride clear down to the walkways to the Marina and park on the sidewalk if all the parking spots down there are filled. You can then walk to the Marina for a buffet breakfast every Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am - 11:00 am for $6.00 per person. Or just get a something to drink and watch the boats come in.
Option 3:
THEY NO LONGER HAVE PARASAIL. The following was available at the time I did this ride. Click Here To Watch The Video.



Scenes From Lake Pleasant Web Site About Lake Pleasant
View From Visitors Center




Resources: Parks and Recs site about Lake Pleasant Peoria Site about Lake Pleasant Video of Parasailing Map of Lake Pleasant
Highlights: Plenty of fun little roads to ride on an explore. A 1.8 mile hiking trail called Pipeline Canyon Breakfast buffet at the Marina Saturday and Sunday.

My Review Of This Ride: Pros: A thouroughly enjoyable short ride out of the city. The Parasail Ride is a lot of fun. Cons: No cons on this one. Just would like more roads to ride. Conclusion: I give this ride 3.5 Spokes out of 5
Click Here For A Complete Detailed Map