Potato Lake

Potato Lake is a small natural lake situated in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, about 15 miles south of Show Low, Arizona. It lies in a forested basin of ponderosa pine and mixed conifer, typical of the White Mountains region. The lake is fed by snowmelt and springs, with no significant surface inlet or outlet, making it a closed basin that fluctuates seasonally. Its water is clear and slightly acidic, supporting a limited aquatic plant community.¹

Potato Lake is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Arizona Game and Fish Department, which stocks it with rainbow trout several times a year. Anglers also catch brook trout and occasional brown trout. The lake has a boat ramp for small boats and kayaks, and a campground with 22 sites. Hiking trails around the lake offer wildlife viewing, including elk and bald eagles.²

The name "Potato Lake" is believed to derive from the wild potato plant (Solanum jamesii) that grows in the area, which was used as a food source by Native Americans and early settlers. The lake was historically a gathering place for the Apache people. In the early 20th century, it became a recreational spot for local ranchers and later developed into a public campground.³

Potato Lake is one of several "potato" lakes in the western U.S., but it is notable for its unique geological origin: it sits in a volcanic crater formed by a phreatic eruption. The lake is also a stopover for migratory waterfowl, and its shallow margins support rare sedges. In 2011, a wildfire threatened the area, but the lake served as a natural firebreak. Additionally, the lake is a site for citizen science water quality monitoring.⁴

Phreatic eruption

A steam explosion caused by heated groundwater flashing to steam, creating a crater.

Closed basin

A drainage basin with no surface outlet; water leaves only by evaporation or infiltration.