Community Profile

Community Profile for Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona

Pinetop-Lakeside is located in the scenic White Mountains of Arizona. Founded in the early 1880s by Mormon pioneers, Lakeside derived its name from the area’s lakes, and Pinetop derived its name from the nickname of a saloon keeper who served the Fort Apache soldiers. The two communities incorporated as one town in 1984. Pinetop-Lakeside is known for its extensive tourism and recreational activities, its inclusion in the world’s largest strand of Ponderosa pines and for an outstanding quality of life. Pinetop-Lakeside was voted “Best Cabin Region in the U.S.” by Cabin Life Magazine in 2015. From Phoenix, U.S. 60 through the scenic Salt River Canyon or State Highway 260 through Payson will lead to Pinetop-Lakeside.

Principal Economic Activities

Pinetop-Lakeside offers many resources including fresh air, clean water, access to major metropolitan areas and a well-planned rural business atmosphere. The economy is heavily-oriented toward trade and services. Sunrise Ski Resort, on the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation, attracts skiers worldwide, while Pinetop-Lakeside provides an abundance of quality lodging options.

Scenic Attractions

Pinetop-Lakeside is surrounded by the beauty of the White Mountains, the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation. Hiking, biking and horseback riding are popular activities on the 200 miles of developed multi-use trails, which are part of the White Mountains Trail System. Hunting and fishing are popular activities, and picnic and camping facilities are extensive as well. Pinetop-Lakeside is noted for its golf courses and Woodland Lake Park’s beautiful recreational facilities. Cross-country skiing, sledding, snowmobiling and ice fishing can be enjoyed during the winter. Excellent downhill skiing is available 45 minutes away at Sunrise Park Resort.

Community Facilities

The Pinetop-Lakeside area offers a broad range of community facilities including a health center, library, indoor movie theater, three golf courses and several pickle ball courts. Woodland Park and the Mountain Meadow Recreation Complex provide amenities such as:

  • Bicycle trails
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Lighted baseball, soccer and softball fields
  • Play areas