Below is a lookback of my Lake Pleasant Swimming and this includes all of my favorite swim spots in order of preference. The options are endless because of my ability to boat to locations, so feel free to request a specific swim. With each swim there are varying currents, wind and boat / wake conditions that present challenges and it's good policy to swim with someone who knows the conditions and boating lanes.
Note - All boat drop swims require the signing of a liability waiver.
1) Swim around North Barker and South Barker Island (Boat Drop Swim). This is a tough and magical two mile swim around an island chain and is my favorite Sunset Cruise swim. I anchor in a wind protected bay on the East side of the islands where there are incredible views of the mountains, Saguaro cacti and very little for boat traffic. There's a Bald Eagle Nest nearby and they are regularly sighted along with other birds of prey. The swim may be extended to approximately three miles by swimming around additional islands to the North East, and approximately four miles by looping the afor-mentioned islands and Horse Island to the West. Yes, you can loop in Balance Rock island for a challenging approximate five miles (There's additional boat traffic with each extension so day of the week, and time of day matters). This swim is available year round with limited exceptions (Debris from high river flow).
2) Jackass Cove (Boat Drop Swim). This cove is aptly named as Burro sightings are common. The other note to make is outside of the mountain views and Saguaro Cacti it's hard to believe that I'm in Arizona when I swim here. There's a series of islands in this cove that make for a swim adventure as I regularly swim in and out of them. A complete circle of the visible islands makes a course that's just short of two miles. This can be extended by swimming the outer edges of the cove. This swim is often the best on the lake when conditions are poor, as debris is generally not of concern and water clarity is often the best on the lake. Boat, wind and wake conditions are generally favorable. This swim is available year round and is often a bit more fun when water levels are low enough to limit other swim opportunities.
3) Fireman's Cove and Helm's Island (Shoreline Swim). I absolutely love this swim when it's available (Approximately December - June). In my opinion it's by far the best shoreline swim that I've ever done and it's a true treat, especially in cold water when the locals have not taken over the cove. Entering the North Entrance to the park there's a dirt lot about a mile down the road where any vehicle can enter and exit. When Helm's is an island and Fireman's is full enough the swim around Helm's is about 1.5 Miles. This may be extended to a two mile swim by swimming out to Yavapai Point, and to an approximate 5K by swimming down to Pipeline cove (Boats can be challenging in this area). Within the West portion of the island swim is Cottonwood Cove (Higher than normal currents) and the East portion of the swim features some barrier islands (good wind and boat protection). On the backside of the island in windy conditions your exposure level is high.
4) Castle Creek Inlet (Shoreline Swim (No Wake Zone but near North Boat Ramp)). This one is worth the effort when it's available but there are some downsides (Seasonally available - Approximately December - August). I generally take off just North of the North Boat ramp to limit boat exposure. There's a paved lot above the launch location that is protected by a metal gate. Not just any vehicle can pass through that gate and drive down to the shoreline. If you are not in an appropriate vehicle there's a walk down to the shoreline that's a bit treacherous in flip flops. The water quality in this area suffers a bit in comparison to the rest of the lake and is generally my least clean swim. Now for the amazing part. It's a two mile out and back, but there's an inlet about a mile in to the left (tough to spot, if you are at 1.2 miles you missed it). This inlet features some canyon walls that you swim though to find calm open waters and a couple of rocks / shoreline where you can take a breather. It's common to find Burro hanging back in this area and I've seen more Baby Burro here than others swims. It's really easy swimming in there and breathtaking. Now that you've enjoyed the relatively private, stunning and beautiful surroundings you need to swim a mile back. First thing you'll notice is that you enjoyed riding the currents on the way in, because coming out is a bit more work. The first point passed the inlet on the way back features an eddy that will stop you cold (take a hard left, then even out in time and you can swim though it). If a southernly wind picks up, just grind it out. On the way back there's not much to sight so look for the docks of the North Boat ramp, and there are a couple of trees, and at times a dumpster near that metal gate.
5) Burro Island / Desert Tortoise Cove / Two Cow Cove (Shoreline Swim (No Wake Zone but near South Boat Ramp)). This is where most locals congregate when Fireman's cove is not available, and most swimmers swim because there's a large no wake zone (when observed / there's limited safety patrol on Lake Pleasant and the population in these bays can be disruptive). I do love swimming here as it's available year round, the water is relatively clean (not as good as boat drop swims, but better than up North). I carefully pick my spots, dates, and times as there are three potential access points to these bays and I try to avoid the parties as much as possible. This is also where the bulk of my lessons take place (at least the initial lesson). My favorite swims here are through the Winter and Spring as the longer Burrow Island swim is available (Approximate 3K), and a single lap around the middle island is a Mile. Then there's what some local swimmers call Arlo Island, it's just off the tail end of Desert Tortoise Rd, it's a 1/4 mile around and is great for swimming in temperatures less than 55 degrees or so (This is the home of the Chilly Burro Winter Swim Club). The end of Desert Tortoise Rd (Pony Cove as the locals know it) is the first and most populous entry point, second is Sunset Point (i.e. Jetski Point - you guessed it, the source of most problems here), and Mechanics Road to One Cow Cove (Seasonally available due to depth but less populated). A long route around all of Two Cow Cove will get you about a 5K so you can create as little or as much distance in this area as you'd like.
Note - All boat drop swims require the signing of a liability waiver.
1) Swim around North Barker and South Barker Island (Boat Drop Swim). This is a tough and magical two mile swim around an island chain and is my favorite Sunset Cruise swim. I anchor in a wind protected bay on the East side of the islands where there are incredible views of the mountains, Saguaro cacti and very little for boat traffic. There's a Bald Eagle Nest nearby and they are regularly sighted along with other birds of prey. The swim may be extended to approximately three miles by swimming around additional islands to the North East, and approximately four miles by looping the afor-mentioned islands and Horse Island to the West. Yes, you can loop in Balance Rock island for a challenging approximate five miles (There's additional boat traffic with each extension so day of the week, and time of day matters). This swim is available year round with limited exceptions (Debris from high river flow).
2) Jackass Cove (Boat Drop Swim). This cove is aptly named as Burro sightings are common. The other note to make is outside of the mountain views and Saguaro Cacti it's hard to believe that I'm in Arizona when I swim here. There's a series of islands in this cove that make for a swim adventure as I regularly swim in and out of them. A complete circle of the visible islands makes a course that's just short of two miles. This can be extended by swimming the outer edges of the cove. This swim is often the best on the lake when conditions are poor, as debris is generally not of concern and water clarity is often the best on the lake. Boat, wind and wake conditions are generally favorable. This swim is available year round and is often a bit more fun when water levels are low enough to limit other swim opportunities.
3) Fireman's Cove and Helm's Island (Shoreline Swim). I absolutely love this swim when it's available (Approximately December - June). In my opinion it's by far the best shoreline swim that I've ever done and it's a true treat, especially in cold water when the locals have not taken over the cove. Entering the North Entrance to the park there's a dirt lot about a mile down the road where any vehicle can enter and exit. When Helm's is an island and Fireman's is full enough the swim around Helm's is about 1.5 Miles. This may be extended to a two mile swim by swimming out to Yavapai Point, and to an approximate 5K by swimming down to Pipeline cove (Boats can be challenging in this area). Within the West portion of the island swim is Cottonwood Cove (Higher than normal currents) and the East portion of the swim features some barrier islands (good wind and boat protection). On the backside of the island in windy conditions your exposure level is high.
4) Castle Creek Inlet (Shoreline Swim (No Wake Zone but near North Boat Ramp)). This one is worth the effort when it's available but there are some downsides (Seasonally available - Approximately December - August). I generally take off just North of the North Boat ramp to limit boat exposure. There's a paved lot above the launch location that is protected by a metal gate. Not just any vehicle can pass through that gate and drive down to the shoreline. If you are not in an appropriate vehicle there's a walk down to the shoreline that's a bit treacherous in flip flops. The water quality in this area suffers a bit in comparison to the rest of the lake and is generally my least clean swim. Now for the amazing part. It's a two mile out and back, but there's an inlet about a mile in to the left (tough to spot, if you are at 1.2 miles you missed it). This inlet features some canyon walls that you swim though to find calm open waters and a couple of rocks / shoreline where you can take a breather. It's common to find Burro hanging back in this area and I've seen more Baby Burro here than others swims. It's really easy swimming in there and breathtaking. Now that you've enjoyed the relatively private, stunning and beautiful surroundings you need to swim a mile back. First thing you'll notice is that you enjoyed riding the currents on the way in, because coming out is a bit more work. The first point passed the inlet on the way back features an eddy that will stop you cold (take a hard left, then even out in time and you can swim though it). If a southernly wind picks up, just grind it out. On the way back there's not much to sight so look for the docks of the North Boat ramp, and there are a couple of trees, and at times a dumpster near that metal gate.
- Note - Shhhh - opposite the inlet a but further in, on the other side of the cove is a cliff jump location that's a lot of fun (not that I've done it, (I've only seen others do it) because there is no cliff jumping allowed at Lake Pleasant :-) ).
5) Burro Island / Desert Tortoise Cove / Two Cow Cove (Shoreline Swim (No Wake Zone but near South Boat Ramp)). This is where most locals congregate when Fireman's cove is not available, and most swimmers swim because there's a large no wake zone (when observed / there's limited safety patrol on Lake Pleasant and the population in these bays can be disruptive). I do love swimming here as it's available year round, the water is relatively clean (not as good as boat drop swims, but better than up North). I carefully pick my spots, dates, and times as there are three potential access points to these bays and I try to avoid the parties as much as possible. This is also where the bulk of my lessons take place (at least the initial lesson). My favorite swims here are through the Winter and Spring as the longer Burrow Island swim is available (Approximate 3K), and a single lap around the middle island is a Mile. Then there's what some local swimmers call Arlo Island, it's just off the tail end of Desert Tortoise Rd, it's a 1/4 mile around and is great for swimming in temperatures less than 55 degrees or so (This is the home of the Chilly Burro Winter Swim Club). The end of Desert Tortoise Rd (Pony Cove as the locals know it) is the first and most populous entry point, second is Sunset Point (i.e. Jetski Point - you guessed it, the source of most problems here), and Mechanics Road to One Cow Cove (Seasonally available due to depth but less populated). A long route around all of Two Cow Cove will get you about a 5K so you can create as little or as much distance in this area as you'd like.
Below are some helpful links concerning lake conditions. Please know that this is a widely variant lake due to size, depth, and both natural and controlled water sources.
Each of these forces create ever changing conditions and it's generally wise to swim with someone who knows the water and maintains a high level of experience. Please Note for your own safety - when pumping in from the dam site at a high volume, bays and coves develop a rip current. Please Note for your own safety - the predominant current runs South to North. |