Mild weather, the cool ponderosa pine forest, trout fishing, boating, mountain hiking, horseback riding, archaeological sites, and bird watching attract visitors from throughout Arizona.

Animals native to the area include mule deer, bald eagles, osprey, and javelinas.

Several species have been introduced, including rainbow trout, bull frogs, and domestic ducks and geese.

Plant life in the area consists of ponderosa pine, beargrass, cliff-rose, and alligator juniper.

In December 2024 the Arizona Game and Fish Department announced[1] that the lake would be drained due to a mechanical failure that caused an outlet valve to remain in the open position.