Welcome to the Discovery Center at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. In 2016, an additional 2,000 square feet was been added on to the original dam observation/visitor center building. The Discovery Center houses a remarkable display of interpretive exhibits for your viewing and inquisitive pleasure.

Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant 41402 N. 87th Avenue Peoria, AZ 85383 (602) 372-7470. Get Directions

Find plenty of space to skim across the water, cast a line from a boat or the shore, hike trails that meander along the shoreline or find a private cove and go for a swim. In this dramatic desert landscape, shade is sparse. Come prepared for a full day under the sun on Lake Pleasant.

Check the parks home page for hours.

Lake Pleasant Regional Park is a large outdoors recreation area straddling the Maricopa and Yavapai county border northwest of Phoenix, Arizona. The park is located within the municipal boundaries of Peoria, Arizona, and serves as a major recreation hub for the northwest Phoenix metropolitan area.

At the Lake Pleasant Visitor Center, guests learn about the history of the area and desert wildlife. Step out onto the balcony surrounding the Visitor Center to get a beautiful view of Lake Pleasant and an up-close look at Waddell Dam.

Hikers can enjoy the scenic 1.5-mile Roadrunner Trail that overlooks the lake, or easier half-mile Visitor Center Trail with interpretive signage. There are 148 sites for RV and tent camping, day use picnic areas and two boat launching ramps for lake access.

Lake Pleasant offers a visitors center where park visitors can learn about the Central Arizona Project, Waddell Dam, and Lake Pleasant. Books, pamphlets, and a variety of gifts are available for purchase inside the visitor's center.

The visitor center (Discovery Center) provides some good information background to the area in general and to the lake in particular. It was a cloudy day, but we were lucky to get bits of sun here and there, and we loved the views.

Stroll through the Visitor and Desert Education center. Or dine indoors or outdoors at lakeside restaurants. The tranquility of being on the boat late evenings and even all night brings relaxation after a hectic work week.